Thick question about horseboxes

Stinkbomb

Stinkbomb

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We are looking to convert luton van to a horsebox. We initially wanted a 3.5 tonne box but afer several persons advice i dont think we are going to get everything in it we want ( weight wize ) so now looking at possibly anything upto 6 tonne. Where do you find vans suitable for this as we can only find 3.5 tonne vans??? Can you use these and pay to increase the carrying weight???
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How is your boy's forelock?

There is such a thing as a 7.5 tonner luton type van but normally they would need knocking through to make through living to the front.
 
Try looking at Ford vehicles some are 5 tonnes.

I am no expert, but doubt very much that you can increase a 3.5 tonne to a 6 tonne. Has something to do with stablility and load ability.

You maybe better off converting a 7.5 tonne and have living space as potentially this may have greater re-sale value.
 
Not really. They are designed and have type approval to a certain weight in terms of brakes and suspension, and couldn't be upgraded that far. You need to be looking at 7.5t vehicles which can be down graded, although if you are going to buy one of those you might as well stay at the plated weight
 
Hmm we noticed that one but tbh its a long way to go and view. Would never buy without viewing and weve been to see a few just none have been suitable. ( even put a deposit down till we found out it had been "clocked"
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) We just thought if we convert then we can do it how we want to.
 
That seems very close to the max weight you are allowed, if you look at the second it says you have just over 1 ton to play with, when you have half a tank of fuell. If you fill up completely, add water, tack etc and then 1 horse you would be near your limit, yet it looks like it can carry 2!

If it was for ponies I think it would be ok, otherwise you really need a 7.5 ton to be safe.
 
Our lorry was ex John Lewis 7.5 ton which was fab cos it had full service history etc. Unladen it weighs around 4,250 kg cos we had v minimal day living fitted, which gives plenty of leeway for 2 horses & loads of stuff!
 
My two ponies only weigh 250kg at the most
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!!!!! We would however still think about its saleability if we needed to get rid of it!!

catembi - where do you find vans like yours that have been ex - something or other.. if you know what i mean???

Any ideas where to look for vans/wagons to convert other than autotrader?? We are in the North West
 
Auctions?

Salvage yards sometimes have chassis cabs that would accept a box

It depends on what age you are going for, your budget and how much you are able to do yourselves.

Fitting out your own sounds good, but I would rather have a professionally fitted one, the electrics will work, everything will fit and the resale of a recognised coach builder is better
 
There's a firm in the same road as us which started off (& still is) in haulage, so we worked out what reg we could afford & they sourced it & fitted it to our exact spec. We never stay away competing so we just had a bench & 3 kitchen cupboards & a tall cupboard that could be a toilet in the living & an external tack locker outside. No point us lugging around a load of stuff eg cooker, fridge etc that we're never going to use. We had an aerofoil (little hat thing) fitted on the cab cos we don't need a luton.

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so are you now looking for a chassis to convert?- i know a few good 7.5 tonnes chassis some with boxes already on from K reg upwards - let me know if you want tel numbers
 
[ QUOTE ]
so are you now looking for a chassis to convert?- i know a few good 7.5 tonnes chassis some with boxes already on from K reg upwards - let me know if you want tel numbers

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you ABI Horseboxes?
 
Depending where youare in the north west ... we recently got a new (well, replacement) chassis for our horsebox (7.5 ton Daf) via Halco (Wirral). It was an ex-MoD vehicle so had been v.well looked after and low mileage. They can do the whole build / conversion and have been very good when doingthe odd job for us in the past (put on newramp on the horsebox & itis great).
 
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