Talk to me about Renault Master horseboxes please

BlairandAzria

BlairandAzria

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I'm looking at theses little horseboxes : the Renault master / movano high roof panel van conversions. Does anyone have one? How do you find it? Are there any common problems with them?

I can't afford a new one, so looking at ones with 100k mileage....is it going to pack up shortly?!

I like the look of them because theyve got a low side ramp and my horse will find that easy.

Do pros and cons and first hand experiences please?

Oh and best places to look when buying?

Many thanks!
 
BlairandAzria said:
I can't afford a new one, so looking at ones with 100k mileage....is it going to pack up shortly?!
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If it has been serviced correctly then no. Ours currently has 187,000 on the clock and runs perfectly. It was however, one owner with full service history before I converted it.
Only real possible weakness on these vans is the gearbox but if it does go your not looking at huge expense for a recon one.

Also remember you wont be putting much in the way way on mileage on it as a horsebox. Doubt you will even manage 4000 a year.
 
I have one that was converted by Three Counties Horsboxes, but bought privately via Horsemart.

Fab little lorry and solidly converted, economical to run and take it to my car garage for maintenance. Mine has 106,000K on the clock but as is a diesel, would hope it would be able to do double that before any major problems.

Pro's: Low ramp, never had a horse not travel in it well, easy to drive,

Con's: payload - mine is converted for 2 x 16.2hhs, but with only 1200 kg payload, would have to be very careful.

If you are looking for one already converted it is a matter of trawling the internet/horsey mags. However if you want one converted for you contact, there are several companies that will do that, including the company recommended above.
 
I have had ours for three years as a new conversion and love it.Regularly take WB out to parties,he is 16.2 and around 600kg.The box runs wonderfully.I can take two smaller horses as long as the payload is ok.I bought this as couldn't bear the thought of towing or driving a 7.5 tonner.
 
We've recently downsized to one and can give another positive recommendation for three counties. We love it. We're only transporting ayrabs and babies so nothing big, and I can't believe we didn't do it sooner. 40mpg, and it gives such a smooth ride. The babies travel so well in it which is such a relief as I was a bit concerned about taking them places in the trailer.

Payload is the issue - the basic three counties model has 1300kg which is the most you can get safely.
 
I have one - I had trouble to start with and agree with Paddymonty about the gearbox - I had to have the bearings replaced in my gearbox at a cost of £800 and the battery and clutch and alternator failed almost as soon as I had bought it. I also got the cambelt done at this stage as I didn't know whether it had ever been replaced. So it's cost me a fortune to put right, but I have it serviced every year by a garage I trust and it's been fine ever since. I would also make sure your bulkhead is reinforced. I got mine done by a steel fabricators with steel bars really cheaply. OH took mine to a weighbridge recently to find out the payload. He took it with everything in except the horses and it was full to the brim with fuel so that we had a worst case scenario. The payload was 960kg (with OH in as well) - more than I expected. This weekend I travelled my two in it together for the first time - but I took out the spare wheel, minimal haynets, took out ALL equipment as I was only transporting them back from their holiday and they were fine - I realise I was probably only about 100kg under the limit, but it was nearly all motorway, I took it steady, but it isn't something I would want to do regularly - it's much better with just one horse in.
They travel well in it, it's easy to park and convenient. Starts first time every time. I like it, but sometimes wish I had gone for a 5.5t or 6t.
 
Bear in mind that the ramp can be low and the headroom high because the Master is front wheel drive (hence the body can be low slung as theres no great big metal work going underneath to the back wheel). Which is great but can make it easy to ground on deep ruts/potholes and also is less easy to get out of a slippery muddy field.

Having said that, if you dont live on a rutty track in the Cairngorms like me, and your venues are nice civilised places with tarmac and not slippery muddy fields, its a very good choice :-)))
 
I don't own one but hired a Renault Master for a 10 hour round trip to north Wales. I found it superb to drive especially with a 6 speed gearbox. Carried a 3 yr old that had never really been boxed before and he settled really well as it was light inside and had an automatic light when it started to get dark. Diesel cost £90 for 500 mile round trip. Also had a cctv fitted which added peace of mind.
I thought it was brilliant.
 
Thanks everyone for your comments, I'm pretty convinced that this will be the one for me as I only ever travel one 15.2 tb horse. Interesting about the gearbox, but I won't discount an older one, but will definitely check the bulk-head- is there an easy way to do this when viewing?

Now to find a decent one within budget....might be a difficult ask I think!!
 
Mine has 106,000 k on the clock and no probs with the gear box. If you find one you like just get a local mechanic to give it a once over.

'Travel two' specialise in selling used renault master/3.5t lorries - don't know if they still exist, but understand to be very reputable (had a website).
 
Have just googled 'Travel Two' and they do still exist! Although in Wales they do a home approval service whereby they bring the lorry to you to trial.

Also don't discount the older Mark 1 models - I had a coachbuilt one for a few years and was fab. The only downside is that the older models don't always have power steering.

Good luck in your search!
 
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