Small horse lorries (two horse type)

[Decision_Tree]

Does anyone have a small two horse lorry, like the renault master, iveco daily?
I have only one horse (big chap) and currently have a ifor willaims 505 to pull him with and he goes in without any particon (sorry cannot spell! haha)
Im looking to upgrade to the new ifor williams but ive seen these other boxes around and heard good reviews on the price, price to run, drive, tax etc.
I go to local events and have no need for an actual full lorry, just something for me, mum ad bf and horse with space for all bits and bobs for ODE. Dont need to be able to sleep in it as im very lucky and have loads local to me. I dont need a big car day to day to run round in so a 4x4 would be alot of cash to run about in.
Just looking for reviews and sugestions?

 

[Divasmum]

The coachbuilt ones have a brilliant headroom and plenty of space for a big horse but the conversions (ramp in side) are only suitable for a small chap. Unless you are paying big bucks for a new chassis one please have the mechanics checked out properly. We had a new build on an older Renault Master chassis made for us in Berkshire a couple of years ago. Initially we had to spend an additional 2k sorting out odds and edds to do with the mechanics of the vehicle. It then broke down and needed a new engine imported from France. That bill came to 6k. Needless to say when we sold it it was in fabulous condition for the new owners.

 

[Booboos]

Sorry, I have to disagree with the size. I've had two horseboxes with side-ramps, one a Dodge 50, the other a Daily 5.2 tonne and both could easily take two 17.3hh horses (fine for payload, distribution and room for horse including height).

Although I will completely agree with the chassis comment!

You get what you pay for and you can end up paying a lot of money to get an older chassis into shape. Overall I think you could find a really cheap horsebox but it will cost you a few thousand a year to get it road worthy or you could spend a lot on a good chassis and then it might be cheaper to run a 4x4.

 

[sueandtoto]

Yep Ive got the transit type one , its a Nissan Interstar (exactly the same as the Renault ) , its fab

I can send you some photo's if you want ?, just to give you some ideas

 

[Dotilas]

Have a look at Equitrek lorries, they're VERY reasonably priced brand new..

 

[Decision_Tree]

Some pics would be fab!

help give me a better idea.
I would be looking for a fairly new one, ideally something only used for horses.

 

[jipdog7]

How big is your horse? One persons version of a "big chap" can be different from anothers.

We have had horses up to 17.1h in our Renault Master conversion. The horse area inside measures the same as in Ifor Williams 505, it's just harder to judge as it's inside a van!

If you buy from a reputable convertor then they should be giving the base vehicle a service before selling them. We make sure they have a current MOT, oil & filter change, any other mechanical needs like cam belts and give a 6 month warranty.

 

[Tinypony]

You just need to watch payload. If it's a 3.5 then it is almost certainly going to be over the weight by the time it has two big horses in. Not a problem, maybe, until you get stopped by the police, escorted to a weigh bridge and told that you can't travel eny further with that load.
A friend of mine regularly took two 17 hh horses out and about in her Renault Master, she had no idea she was acting illegally, until she took them to a weigh bridge to check.

 

[jipdog7]

We've found that people do get hung up a lot on the weight issue. While it's important if you want to travel two animals most people only have one and will have no problems.