Single back wheels on a 3.5T box?

[Tinsel Trouble]

Happy Monday Everybody!!

I have found an 3.5T ford transit box I really like but I am concerned that it only has single back wheels. (i.e. one on each side...!).

Is this as much of a problem as I think it is? How much do you estimate changing the back axle to allow for double back wheels will be (i.e. 2 on each side...)?

 

[Amaranta]

Would not touch a 3.5ton with a single axle - you are right to think its a problem and I am not sure if you could convert or not - I suspect that even if you could it would cost a lot of money

 

[PaddyMonty]

Why do you think it is a problem?
The manufacture designed single wheel axle to be within weight/force limits.
If you are worried about a tyre blow out then TBH the fornt tyres are far more critical than the rears.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Most 3.5t have single rear axle (hence lower center of gravity and shorter, less steep ramps).

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

Why do you think it is a problem?
The manufacture designed single wheel axle to be within weight/force limits.
If you are worried about a tyre blow out then TBH the fornt tyres are far more critical than the rears.

I have heard that it is safer to travel horses with double back wheels, due to the way the weight is loaded in the back of the horse boxes. This is the first time I have seen single back wheels in any horse box.

 

[Naryafluffy]

Why do you think it is a problem?
The manufacture designed single wheel axle to be within weight/force limits.
If you are worried about a tyre blow out then TBH the fornt tyres are far more critical than the rears.

I believe (and I could be wrong) that is something to do with the weight balance, when you're putting horses in it all the weight is over the back axle making it unbalanced if there is only a single axle.

 

[Amaranta]

My 3.5ton is double axle, I was told by a very experienced mechanic not to touch a chassis with single wheels if it was to be converted into a horsebox. Must admit I have not seen many single axle horseboxes (perhaps I have missed them)

 

[piebaldsparkle]

This is the first time I have seen single back wheels in any horse box.

Not looked at many newer ones then?

All 3.5t on Renault Master Chassis will have single rear axle.

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

All 3.5t on Renault Master Chassis will have single rear axle.

Can't afford a super new one I am afraid. This is a 2000 reg ford transit so it sits quite high- hence the question!

 

[Amaranta]

Why do you think it is a problem?
The manufacture designed single wheel axle to be within weight/force limits.
If you are worried about a tyre blow out then TBH the fornt tyres are far more critical than the rears.

Hmm and there was a very well known horsebox manufacturer whose boxes retailed at around £300k who got the weights completely wrong - boxes stalled for 4 horses could only legally carry one! These were HGV boxes too.

 

[Amaranta]

Not looked at many newer ones then?

All 3.5t on Renault Master Chassis will have single rear axle.

I really don't like the look of those, they just don't look man enough to put my 16.2 on them - never liked them even with 2 wheels tbh, but, of course, that is just my opinion.

 

[PaddyMonty]

Both front and rear axles on a van will have designed weight limits (as do all vehicles). If the van has been converted correctly then the axles will not be overloaded. However, if the axle weight limits were not taken in to consideration when the conversion was done and the axle weight limit is exceeded it wont matter a dam if the axle has single or twin wheels. The axle will still be operating outside its design limit and therefore unsafe, also illegal even if total all up weight of van is not exceeded.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

These are lower to the ground, thus more stable. Have had an old twin axle 3.5t now have a single axle 3.5t.

 

[Amaranta]

Can't afford a super new one I am afraid. This is a 2000 reg ford transit so it sits quite high- hence the question!

If it's a transit then, unless you are going to carry a very small horse/pony, I would not touch it - I had a double axle transit and absolutely hated it, it was just not man enough - was fine empty and with a 300k equine on it, but anything heavier and you really felt it move around a lot - try looking for a VW LT35, fantastic box and still 3.5ton but much more sturdy.

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

Both front and rear axles on a van will have designed weight limits (as do all vehicles). If the van has been converted correctly then the axles will not be overloaded. However, if the axle weight limits were not taken in to consideration when the conversion was done and the axle weight limit is exceeded it wont matter a dam if the axle has single or twin wheels. The axle will still be operating outside its design limit and therefore unsafe, also illegal even if total all up weight of van is not exceeded.

Thank you for this PM. I will have a detailed look at the model spec and see what that data has to offer!

 

[piebaldsparkle]

I really don't like the look of those, they just don't look man enough to put my 16.2 on them - never liked them even with 2 wheels tbh, but, of course, that is just my opinion.

Good and bad builds in all (same as anything), there are plenty of bigger boxes I wouldn't want to put my 15.3 on either.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

If it's a transit then, unless you are going to carry a very small horse/pony, I would not touch it - I had a double axle transit and absolutely hated it, it was just not man enough - was fine empty and with a 300k equine on it, but anything heavier and you really felt it move around a lot.

You really can't compare the drive of a twin axle and the newer single axle, horse sit so much lower, they stick like glue and don't roll at all.

 

[just-me]

In the renault master type boxes the horses are nearly always rear facing so the weight is in the middle and spread over both axles but the transit types generally have the weight mainly over the rear axle in which case single wheels would worry me.

 

[Holly Hocks]

Most of the Master/Movano/Citroen conversions are single wheels at the back. If it's a blowout you're worried about, then surely it's all to do with how much care and maintenance you take of the tyres!
I have a movano conversion. Single wheels at the rear *gasp in horror*. The tyres are checked regularly, the tyre pressures are checked far more than I need to. In fact I take more care of my box than ANYONE I know who has a bigger box. People are lulled into a false sense of security with a bigger box. They're not safer because they're bigger!
It's a lack of maintenance that will cause tyre problems - not whether it's single or double wheels! And as someone else said - it's the fronts you need to be more concerned about - not the back.

 

[Escada2004]

I had a renault master single axle for a couple of years, loved it travelled a bit 16.3 in it and a 16hh and 2 x 15.3 no problems at all drove fab, went up to Yorshire in it and down to south wales, always gave a safe and stable ride to the horses

 

[scarymare]

I really don't like the look of those, they just don't look man enough to put my 16.2 on them - never liked them even with 2 wheels tbh, but, of course, that is just my opinion.

Indeed however I cant imagine any twin axle coming near the required payload tbh. I must admit, I have a single axle 3.5T and have had to get another partition made so my 16.3 travels in the middle. Oddly enough I have had bigger horses travel fine in it on one side, but he's a giraffe and has a very high C of G. Horses for courses I suppose - I didn't even know 3.5 tonners could be twin axled!

 

[OWLIE185]

Keep well away from Ford Transits as their centre of gravity is too high off the ground and the vehicle will be unstable and rock. Stick to Renautmaster which have a far lower centre of gravity.