Small Horsebox Questions

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burge

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In a bit of a quandary and not sure which direction to go in and hoping someone with relevant knowledge may be able to help out.

I have a fantastic opportunity to upgrade my current transport and have a healthy budget. I currently run a 3.5t box (van type with double back doors not square coachbuilt type) which I love and my youngster travels/loads really well in but looking for something with a bit more comfort (for me) and a bigger payload without going 7.5t. So......

decided to look for 4.5t box to stay with similar size chassis etc. Can I find one 2nd hand? Not a chance! So thought how about uprating a 3.5t to 4.5t? Spoke to one manufacturer who said this can only be done on a Fiat Ducato as they are only small chassis that will go up to 4.5t. They also said chances of finding a 2nd hand one was slim. Thing is I can afford a 4.5t box on a brand new chassis but not with the extras I would like :-( So.......

do any of you experts out there know if you can uprate 3.5t type chassis to 4.5t and what work is involved (if possible) and what type of chassis/manufacturers this is possible with. I could go to a big manufacturer (not equitrek!) but have found a local guy who builds really nice boxes and would love him to build me one as didn't really want to go 'brand new' as mileage I would be doing wouldn't really warrant it. Would prefer 2 or 3 yr old chassis if possible. Really confused and not helped by speaking to various manufacturers who seem to tell you 'anything is possible' when it obviously isn't.

So if any of you experts out there can arm me with good advice I would be extremely grateful. Xxxx
 
Although I cannot help with an idea for enlargement, a friend and I went to a talk given by the fire departments animal rescue. They said that they have had to pts several horses that have been in traffic accidents because they had been transported in small lorries where they are facing towards a narrow rear door. When the accident happens the horse tries to escape through this door and causes itself horrendous injuries.

Sorry to be so depressing but it is something to be aware of.
 
Myhorseeatsmoney said:
Although I cannot help with an idea for enlargement, a friend and I went to a talk given by the fire departments animal rescue. They said that they have had to pts several horses that have been in traffic accidents because they had been transported in small lorries where they are facing towards a narrow rear door. When the accident happens the horse tries to escape through this door and causes itself horrendous injuries.

Sorry to be so depressing but it is something to be aware of.
Click to expand...

This is why I want seperate living in new box with a collapsing breast bar. For this reason I like a camera in the horse area. The first time I travelled my previous youngster on his own for the first time in mine he threatened to go over (I have a full width tack locker not a breast bar) so I touched the brakes and he stood quietly again. He never attempted to again which is not to say he never would but was PTS at 2 after various trips to the vet in it so will never know :-( Not just small lorries that have horror stories! I have two friends who have had trailers turn over on them and both times on motorways. My friend has a really smart Oakley and that hasn't been without its issues when travelling youngsters. Not in road accidents obviously but if horses can find a way they usually will. Thankyou for the warning though :-)
 
burge said:
In a bit of a quandary and not sure which direction to go in and hoping someone with relevant knowledge may be able to help out.

I have a fantastic opportunity to upgrade my current transport and have a healthy budget. I currently run a 3.5t box (van type with double back doors not square coachbuilt type) which I love and my youngster travels/loads really well in but looking for something with a bit more comfort (for me) and a bigger payload without going 7.5t. So......

decided to look for 4.5t box to stay with similar size chassis etc. Can I find one 2nd hand? Not a chance! So thought how about uprating a 3.5t to 4.5t? Spoke to one manufacturer who said this can only be done on a Fiat Ducato as they are only small chassis that will go up to 4.5t. They also said chances of finding a 2nd hand one was slim. Thing is I can afford a 4.5t box on a brand new chassis but not with the extras I would like :-( So.......

do any of you experts out there know if you can uprate 3.5t type chassis to 4.5t and what work is involved (if possible) and what type of chassis/manufacturers this is possible with. I could go to a big manufacturer (not equitrek!) but have found a local guy who builds really nice boxes and would love him to build me one as didn't really want to go 'brand new' as mileage I would be doing wouldn't really warrant it. Would prefer 2 or 3 yr old chassis if possible. Really confused and not helped by speaking to various manufacturers who seem to tell you 'anything is possible' when it obviously isn't.

So if any of you experts out there can arm me with good advice I would be extremely grateful. Xxxx
Click to expand...

Depends on your licence as anything over 3.5 tons needs pre 1997 pass or C1e
you have two chassis choices renault mascot or the iveco daily if you want a bigger lorry without going to the bigger 7.5 ton chassis however you will pay allot more for alot less !! I think equtrec do a 4.5 ton but you could get a realy nice used 7.5 ton oakley for the same money,
the other way is towing a small caravan with your 3.5 ton ??but personaly I would get my head round driving a 7.5 ton, have a lesson in one to see how you feel perhaps??? much better value with plenty of room for your horses you and your friends ...
 
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I have a BOSS brand horse box 3.5 on a Renault master chassis, and I could get it upgraded to a 4.2 ton that would give me a payload of approximate 1.9 ton . But unfortunately my yard owner who shares it with me passed test after the licences changed, I am ok. And she would need to do the extra test. So we just manage, if I take big boy I make sure I only take one of the ponies in with him. At the moment I get payload of 1250. With £40 fuel and one container of water factored in.

You can get quite a few makes upgraded I was quoted £800 .
 
Try this site as they specialise in what you want

You will need a LGV C1 to drive anything between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes GVW

A pre 1997 car licence means you already have C1

If you only havea B licence then to get a LGV C1 please click on the HHO LGV CLINIC link in my signature below
 
Thankyou for all your help and replies. Drove a 7.5t Bedford TK for 13 years so no prob there lol ;-) Have had current box for 5 years and when I bought didn't envisage owning a larger horse and ever wanting to stay anywhere over night. 7.5t is not a possibility as there is no room to park at the yard and having had a small one and a big one much prefer the convenience of a small one but want a big payload so I don't have to worry. Think my decision is just about made. Love the Equicruiser Centaur but the VAT is the killer on that one :-( but.......

if there are any experts who know how to get round that one please let me know lol ;-)

(only joking - don't want to get anyone in trouble!)
 
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