so next question - boxes!

P

Parkranger

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I do alot of mileage in the week so my little ford fusion may be the best bet for everyday and get a box for shows.

Was thinking of just a small 2 horse one - are the running costs really high? Thinking that they also don't seem to plummet in price so if I wasn't using it I could get rid.....

thanks guys x
 
The problem with a getting a box, is that unless you are going out a lot, you a bound to have mechanical problems with one. They don't like sitting still for long! People up my yard ahve been having issues recently with quite a new box and they've been told it's because they only go out a couple of times a month.

Also, watch the payload with 3.5 tonne, as your horse is quite big? You would only ever be able to put yours in.

I don't think the actual costs are that high, apart from having another vehicle to tax, insure and MOT.
 
I need something that will take two 15.3's comfortably and maybe a 17hh on occasion - although doesn't really matter.

probably be using it every other weekend and if not will make sure it gets a spin out!
 
I have a 3.5t conversion and a small run around car for the same reasons as you.
It worked out cheaper than buying a 4x4 and trailer. I have to pay all the usual things like tax and insurance and it costs me about £20-£30 a month in fuel. It gets used for all sorts like fetching hay and bedding and I usually take the horse out twice a month.
 
I have a 3.5tonne box, and its so amazing!!! I got it really cheap off ebay, and its lasted me well over 2 years.

I can carry my 15.2hh and a horse smaller than him and be underweight, but can take something bigger on their own, My lorry weighs 2tonne, so I have a tonne and a half for horses and my equiptment and me and anyone else who comes along.

I only go out a few times a month in the winter, and mine starts every time and its a petrol, cheap to run and to maintain, and its never let me down. Its done some really long journeys to Berkshire and back from Wales, and it really is the best thing I've ever bought!!

So much cheaper than my trailer and 4x4, now I have a little runaround fiesta!!

Definatly look into getting one!!
 
You won't get 2 15.3hh's in a 3.5 tonne. you'll be way over weight and the police are getting really hot on it. I also have never seen one with a back big enough for a horse over 16hh, so I don't think you'll get a 17hh in.
 
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You won't get 2 15.3hh's in a 3.5 tonne. you'll be way over weight and the police are getting really hot on it. I also have never seen one with a back big enough for a horse over 16hh, so I don't think you'll get a 17hh in.

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I'm only really concerned about Ty getting in the box and he's only 15.3 so should be fine. MB has a 15.3 too so maybe we'll have to look at something a bit bigger.....
 
You'll be fine with just Ty...

If you've got the license why don't you try and find a 4/5tonne lorry. then you'll never have a problem!
 
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You'll be fine with just Ty...

If you've got the license why don't you try and find a 4/5tonne lorry. then you'll never have a problem!

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Suppose so - only ever driven a transit though! can drive a 7.5T on my licence - being an old bird!
 
You can get them big enough for a 17hh, but like others have said you just have to watch the weight.

I have a 3.5T box and the container is massive, certainly as big, if not bigger than an Ifor 510 and would take 17hh. Weightwise it only has an 850kg payload so will only carry one horse legally.
 
I really don't think it can ever be cheaper to tax, service and insure two vehicles - there are more costs involved than just fuel, and a box that stands around doesn't always start as reliably as a car that is used every day. Round here the trailers and 4x4s have the advantage at most show grounds, as they tend to be swamps when it rains or lunar surfaces when dry!
 
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I really don't think it can ever be cheaper to tax, service and insure two vehicles - there are more costs involved than just fuel, and a box that stands around doesn't always start as reliably as a car that is used every day. Round here the trailers and 4x4s have the advantage at most show grounds, as they tend to be swamps when it rains or lunar surfaces when dry!

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I suppose I'm nervous of towing!! Might book one of those caravan club courses I heard about......
 
You must be able to drive a 7.5t as you are about the same age as me and you would get a better box for your money as less people can drive it. It costs £165 to tax, and about £200 fully comp to insure.

I've got a 6.6t dodge and it is quite good on the mileage and it's just like driving a big landrover, also got some living which is nice - another advantage of not going for a 3.5t.
 
I have a 7.5 tonne but I am away every w/e fri- sun so I need full living. However I prefer the horses journey in a lorry. I have borrowed friends 3.5 tonnes and whilst they are nice to drive, the horses didn't like travelling forwards or backwards, Herringbone seamed the fav with mine.
As everyone has already mentioned, you will be overweight by putting to 15.2/15.3 on a 3.5 tonne, and the police are VERY hot on this.
 
I can understand that, because I never learned properly. Troggy on the other hand is a natural, so maybe it is worth having a lesson/course and seeing how you feel about it.
 
If you keep your horse within the M25 or intend driving your horsebox through London you will have problems with the new diesal emmisions regulations. Unless you get a new chassis cab which complies then they intend charging £400 per day.

If you are outside this area then no problem.

7.5 tons are aggro in as much as one has to have them MOT'd each year at a special commercial vehicle test centre. They also do not too well at siitting around doing nothing as the break callipers seize and so can the clutch.

Parts do not wear they just degrade such as rubber gaskets and seals etc. The rain etc. causes the bodies and floor to rot so maintenance is always a large expense.

I bought an old Petrol Bedford (It was 10 years old then) 17 years ago for £1000 and spent £2,000.00 sorting it out and it is still going strong. I take it out once a week for a run just to keep it moving.
 
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If you keep your horse within the M25 or intend driving your horsebox through London you will have problems with the new diesal emmisions regulations. Unless you get a new chassis cab which complies then they intend charging £400 per day.


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Really? I didnt know this! Maybe it's better to go for the 4 x 4 and just swallow the hideously high tax/fuel costs! x
 
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You won't get 2 15.3hh's in a 3.5 tonne. you'll be way over weight and the police are getting really hot on it. I also have never seen one with a back big enough for a horse over 16hh, so I don't think you'll get a 17hh in.

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I'm only really concerned about Ty getting in the box and he's only 15.3 so should be fine. MB has a 15.3 too so maybe we'll have to look at something a bit bigger.....

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So why was he being advertised as a 16'1???
 
The tax on a 4x4 is no more than on any car with a large-ish engine. Ours is going to go up to £195 next year on an 03 2.5TD Disco. Ones registered after March 2006 will be more.
 
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You won't get 2 15.3hh's in a 3.5 tonne. you'll be way over weight and the police are getting really hot on it. I also have never seen one with a back big enough for a horse over 16hh, so I don't think you'll get a 17hh in.

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I'm only really concerned about Ty getting in the box and he's only 15.3 so should be fine. MB has a 15.3 too so maybe we'll have to look at something a bit bigger.....

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So why was he being advertised as a 16'1???

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We measured him on Sunday and that's what he came back as - unfortunately the people I brought off not only lied about his height, but also his age and the fact that he was blind.

If i ever buy again, I'm taking a measuring tape!
 
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Wow. My friend did loads of research and never found one with a payload of more than a tonne....

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Marlborough Renault Van conversions have a payload of 1200Kg. 3 Counties conversions (which are a bit less swish, but still good) have a payload of 1350 Kg

they're good, and they hold their price - if you can afford one in the first place.

E (who has bitten the bullet and has a Marlborough on order)
 
She did find those, but they're very expensive..... And you'd still be pushed to put 2 big horses and all the stuff for a show in a 1200 payload. ( Especially as She goes away to champs and has a lot of stuff to take)
 
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