small lorry's

[mitchellk]

Well after failing my trailer driving test miserably (nerves always get the better of me!) I am going to look into getting a 3.5 tonne lorry to transport my horses. What are peoples experiences of small lorries and which manufacturers are the best?
Will need to carry at least one 17.1hh horse and the sturdier the better- I only every take one competing at a time as I don't have any help on the ground. If we take the whole yard anywhere dad drives the HGV.

 

[kayleigh_and_rocky]

We have a renault master one from a local supplier, and its absolutely fantastic to drive (im 19 and starting to drive it) its rear facing for the horses which they prefer and has a small tack and jockey area. It was ridiculously expensive though but since buying it we have found them for much cheaper.
However my one can only fit two 16.2hh's, a 17.1hh would def not fit in it

 

[custard]

Be very careful buying a small lorry for a 17hh horse, apart from the headroom issue, the container itself is part of the equation and some lutons are very heavy. A 17hh is going to weigh around 600kg on its own. The whole lorry laden with fuel, horse(s), kit and people needs to weigh in at under 3500kg which is quite a tall order.

Ive got an Ifor williams container on a Merc sprinter chassis which is fine for a 15.2 TB type but I only take him and it doesnt sprint anywhwere! The box is lovely to drive and gives a good ride.

Some have more headroom and a friend recently bought a converted renault master for a 16.2 TB. She loves it.

All Id suggest is that when you test drive it take it to a weighbridge. Most dont charge unless you want a certificate. We weighed my old cargo at the local tip.

 

[ihatework]

Well I have an old VW LT35 diesel.
To be honest you would only be able to carry 1 horse in a 3.5T box and you may struggle to fit a 17hh'er in, depends how long he is and how much headroom the box has.
My box easily has enough headroom for a 17.2hh but it might be a squeeze lengthwise, would accommodate a horse taking a 6'9" rug max I think, but my box is old and heavy. With fuel, water, tack and 1x16.2hh TB type it is close to it's maximum weight allowance.