Tell me about your....3.5t Horseboxes

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equitum

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Hi All,

So following on from my previous post about trailers and boxes, some good advice on here and a rather hairy, scary outing with the trailer. I have decided to purchase a 3.5 horse box.

The market seems to be flooded with flimsy and downright dangerous boxes (I don't want the horse to end up in my lap should I have to brake suddenly :eek:) but how can you tell them apart from the good ones??

Does anyone have any recommendations (or places to avoid - pm if you'd prefer) of where to purchase from and what do you think are the most important things to look for in a box? Been doing my google research but thought it would be best to ask real people their opinions.

Thanks in advance :)
 
I have a 3.5 ton lorry made by BOSS, they are based in Flintshire . It is on a Renault master 2.5 diesel chasi. It's a 57 plate, and I love it. Has payload of 1300 kg, the box is built of strong but lightweight materials, rubber mats on floor and walls and on side ramp, horses face backwards and all travel well in it. It has a tack locker and two other side lockers, one with a horse shower in. Small grooms area at back with sink and space for single ring cooking with small gas bottle. And a little bench seat with storage under it. The cab has two seats a front and a lift up bench seat that can double as a single bunk. I love driving it, just like a large car. Be wary of ones with wood floors, best looking for aluminium floor with matting. Also drain holes in horse area are good lets wee out. I can jet wash mine out inside and looks good as new. Good luck finding one, take your time looking and if you go for a used one, take someone with you to look it over.
 
Have a look on the traveltwo website. She has loads of good advice, and you can have a good nose at all the boxes she's sold previously. I spent a lot of time looking on her site, and then went out and bought myself a Marlborough Hunter. Its incredibly easy to drive, horse loads herself almost, and it's well built. Don't be tempted to buy the first one that you see, simply because you want a lorry! That's the voice of past experience!
Look on Horsequest, Horsemart, preloved, eBay also. Beware of anything that looks to good to be true; there are some scams out there.
Happy hunting!
 
I find the best thing is, if budget isn't unlimited, is to buy a box that is honestly described and isn't perfect in ways that are straightforward to rectify at a price that reflects that, rather than look for a perfect one, unless you have a big budget that allows you to buy that perfect new or nearly new box.

Eg both boxes I have bought have needed work on the floor, and because that puts people off they have been good value. Getting the floor done isn't THAT expensive and you know then that it's new and that its been done right and is safe, rather than buying one with an allegedly ok floor that might not be in reality.

But it all depends on what your budget is.
 
Yep I bought an honestly described box that needed £800 to get on road and then a new floor ... price reflected the repair needs and it's been a great box for 4 years now. Fingers crossed it has a few more years in it too :)

I saw a lot of externally very pretty horseboxes, but got concerned when test driving or when poking around the horse area!
 
I've got a 3.5 van conversion. Everything was fine with it apart from the fact that like you, I wasn't happy with the bulkhead. I felt that if I braked suddenly it wouldn't be strong enough to take the weight of half a ton of horse thrown at it. It was already steel, but it was a thin steel. So I took it to a steel fabricators and they put additional steel bars onto the frame so that when horse leans on it now, it really is solid. It's hard to explain, but it definitely makes a difference! Only cost me £180 in total and the man who did it also has horses so knew what I was trying to explain to him. So like everyone says, if everything else is ok, then if the price is right, you can always get work done to it if necessary.
 
If you're buying second hand, my top advice would be - get it properly inspected! I know it can slow down the purchase process which is stressful enough in the first place... but there are a lot of dodgy conversions and poorly maintained boxes out there. I think it's also more of a risk with the 3.5s because people can get them dealt with at a "normal" garage rather than a truck / horsebox specialist and in some the maintenance isn't always ideal. Ask around for opinions on any trader you're thinking of buying through too - asking previous customers to PM you on here would be a good start.
 
I have a Renault Master 3.1 ltr engine, P reg, converted by Marlbrough Horseboxes and I love it, fits my 15hh welsh cob rear facing and all his gear and still has plenty of pull, has no body roll what so ever and feels strong and sturdy even on the motorway. I had to travel from Lancs to cornwall to find the right one but well worth it.
 
Thanks all that's been really helpful. I am going to take my time and make sure I am totally Happy before I commit to buy. Not sure whether to go for a 2nd hand or a new build yet as decent second hand ones don't seem to come about very often but Ill keep looking :)
 
I would also advise to look on travel two horseboxes they have some really good advice about what is good and what is rubbish, I have a renault master mark one its an Equipe its an N reg so old but the inside is really tidy and its a solid builld, I looked at much newer ones but they looked fllimsy and some looked dangerous to travel a horse in, so dont be put off by an older model as often enough they are much better buillds than some of the more recent ones.
 
Try Kevin Parker Horseboxes, thier Aeos 3.5 tonne horseboxes are built with strength, improved safetyand horse comfort. The Aeos horsebox, has been designed with a ‘safety first’ approach and has a good payload. Also included is a sensible standard specification. Therefore customers can add or remove items as required. For added safety new alloy wheels and tyres are included, these are filled with Puncture safe. Their are 2 sized models, the 3.5 tonne and the 3.9tonne. Any make or year chassis can be used but usually recommended are the Renaut Master and Vaxhall Movano and all come with 12 months test and serviced.
For more information go to the Kevin Parker Horseboxes Website www.kevinparkerhorseboxesltd.co.uk. Or Call Kevin on 01995 640079.
 
Thanks for the recommendations, the Bloomfields boxes are at the top of thelist at the mo ent. They have a full height separation from the grooms areas so easier cleaning and safer and seem pretty well build.
 
Whatever you take a fancy to - get an up to date weighbridge certificate, and if you're not there for the weighing ask for photos taken *at the weighbridge* showing what was inside at the time (spare tyre, partition etc.) and how much fuel was on board. Then you'll know what the true (not stated) payload is for your horse, stuff and yourself, plus any modifications you might be planning that would add weight like a reinforced bulkhead.

It sounds a bit OTT I know, but better that than ending up with a box that can't safely carry you, your horse and all your gear.

And I've heard great things about Kevin Parker as a horsebox builder too - my friend's 7.5 is really solid and well made.
 
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