Putting feelers out for a horsebox....

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Hi

I'm thinking about buying a horsebox.

I would like a 2 horse box that can be driven on a regular car licence. NOT a trailer!

I don't care how old it is, as long as it is functional, safe and driveable!

Prefereably in Kent or the South East in general. I'm looking to pay around the £2000 mark.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!
 
Hmm, not sure there's many out there for that sort of budget as they are v popular due to the licence changes therefore I would imagine something of that value would be very old!
 
The cheapest older one I saw was an M reg and it was still about £7000. It was all right but the ramp was too heavy for me to lift. The newer ones have much lighter ramps that split in half. Might be cheaper to get the chassis yourself and pay someone to convert it?
 
I've had a look on ebay too, and there are some around, again, not pretty, but they are available.

Thing is, I don't really know what I'm looking at. I'd find someone to go with me if I found one to look at, but what kind of thing should I be looking for in the ads and what should I ask if I ring up about one?

Thanks
 
Just make sure they are 3.5tonne because you can have a small wagon like that on a 6tonne chassis.

Don’t just go for size.
 
Ok, I am no mechanic so that bit not 100% sure on but - see what MOT it has left, ideally 12 mths is great. Depending on what your requirements are check what size horse(s) it can carry. Some are only really pony boxes and won't carry anything much bigger than 15hh.

No 3.5T is likely to be able to carry two decent sized horse and still be within it's payload so check what the unladen weight is.

See what new things it has had - ie gearbox, clutch, brakes, battery etc and when they were done. If you go to see one take someone knowledgeable with you - you want to be double-checking the floor (ie get underneath the box!) as this is ultra ultra important! ooh, check for rust aswell.

The main point is the safetly of wehat you're travelling. Personally I'd try avoid anything that looks a bit 'top-heavy'. You want to go for something with a lower centre of gravity as more stable a ride. The Merc one I put the link on looks like a nice little box - think possibly was quite flash when new (although the pics are overly clear) but that's the type really I think are best - looks more made as a horsebox if you get my drift.

Good luck!
 
The fords tend to have a higher centre of gravity as the wheel base is higher, thats not to say that you shouldn't get one because they can have a stiffer suspension put on the rear axle making it more stable, I have a ford with this suspension on and I have used it to take my 15.2 out regularly, I've also taken a 16.1 (that's the biggest I'd put in it) around in it but wouldn't like to put two of that size in (not for space reasons but for weight issues and handling).

I did see a box on ebay stating 3.5 tonne but when you read on that was it's unladen weight so make sure you know what is laden weight is.

The VW LT35 boxes seem to have the most headroom and lower wheel base but your budget will only get a very old one of these, but I still think they are worth it.

The more history an owner can give you the more confident I'd be buying as its more likely to be genuine and the mileage can sometimes be verified to some extent.
 
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