Pippity
Well-Known Member
After dithering for a good few months, I've finally gone for it and bought a van to be converted into a horsebox. It's not going to be a speedy process, but this thread's hopefully the budget, not-DIY version of @Farmer Chalk 's marvellous thread about building his seriously luxurious horsebox!
I'd considered going for a 7.5t so I'd have the extra payload, and the added comfort of a living area. A quick browse of Preloved and Horsemart suggested I'd be able to get something much newer for my money, too.
However, I sat down and thought about what I'd be using the box for - popping down to the local unaffiliated dressage/showing venue, going out to Kelsall/Somerford/anywhere else with interesting hacking, probably endless trips to the vet knowing my luck... I have absolutely no expectation of qualifying for something that would involve staying away, and if I decide to go for a multi-day clinic at any point, my years as a Scout will, I'm sure, help me rough it out on a camp bed. (Or at a nearby B&B.)
With that in mind, I decided it made sense to get something (hopefully) easier to drive, cheaper to run, and that wouldn't involve me having to pass a driving test. There was also the consideration that I can check the MOT history on a 3.5t. I'm not aware that's available for a 7.5t, so I'd have no idea which were worth getting a mechanic to check out and which I shouldn't even bother going to look at.
Having made the decision to go for a 3.5t, it was then a choice between a conversion and a coach-built. I opted for the conversion because a) my horse is under 15hh, so I don't need the extra height, b) I got more payload with the conversion - enough that I can conceivably fit my usual hacking buddy in too, c) I could get much more for my money. (I'll weighbridge with both horses separately to confirm they can both be safely carried at the same time, don't worry!)
I intially looked for one ready-built. However, I couldn't find one that a) was from a trusted builder, b) had the extras/reinforcement I wanted, and c) didn't have a bad MOT history. (I've never had a vehicle fail an MOT, and I've had some old cars over the years. Every horsebox I looked up had failed every other year or so - just on little things, but it suggested to me that they hadn't been properly serviced.) It wasn't that I couldn't find one in my budget - I couldn't find one full stop.
So, I decided there was only one thing for it. I asked around friends who'd had boxes from the builder I was considering and they all said the same thing - communication is terrible, build time is an extra month or so from what they say, but the boxes are really well built and they wouldn't hesitate to buy from the same place again.
I'm a mechanical numpty who probably would have bought the wrong spec van, so I used the builder to source a van. I gave them my budget (£7-7.5k), and they came back with a list of vans that they'd already checked over. I made my choice and, by the end of the day, was the proud owner of a 66-plate Renault Master with a hair under 100k on the clock. My friends are already teasing me for being a White Van (Wo)Man.
I'm not sure how other builders work, but for this one, you own the van itself from day one, but it stays at their yard and they take care of insurance/SORN/etc. until the conversion is completed and you pick it up.
I'm now waiting for my build slot to come up, and using the time to find that balancing point between payload and safety.
The builder has said 10-15 days to build, but around three months for the build slot to come up; my friends have warned me it'll be more like four or five months. Throw in Christmas, and I'm telling myself not to expect it before Easter!
The standard build on this model of van has a payload of 1.25t. I'm definitely opting for the extra steel on the bulkhead (over and above the additional reinforcement that comes as standard) and the aluminium planking over the twin-skin steel floor, which adds an extra 45-50kg. I'm also going for the foldable full grill, because I don't like having it completely open above the breastbar.
I'm opting for both reversing and internal cameras. Reversing because my car has one and it turns out I'm completely spoiled and can no longer reverse without it, and internal because it's only £50 extra to have it installed at the same time.
Other things I'm considering, and would love input on, from anybody who's made it this far:
Lights: Internal? External? Night-time travelling?
Tie-up points: Will two be enough? Should I have some on each side in case of inconsiderate parkers?
Secure storage: Is it worth losing 30kg to a lockable inside locker (not big enough for a saddle), or will I be okay just securing things in the cab if I leave the van with the ramp down?
Colour: My hi-viz-loving soul is longing for neon orange so I'm visible both on the roads and when parked among other boxes; another part of me keeps pointing out that it would be fitting to have a blue box for a horse called Blue; my sensible side is saying that white will be best for hiding the inevitable scratches.
What can't you do without on your boxes? What's just a waste of space/weight/money? What should I bear in mind that I probably haven't thought of?
I'd considered going for a 7.5t so I'd have the extra payload, and the added comfort of a living area. A quick browse of Preloved and Horsemart suggested I'd be able to get something much newer for my money, too.
However, I sat down and thought about what I'd be using the box for - popping down to the local unaffiliated dressage/showing venue, going out to Kelsall/Somerford/anywhere else with interesting hacking, probably endless trips to the vet knowing my luck... I have absolutely no expectation of qualifying for something that would involve staying away, and if I decide to go for a multi-day clinic at any point, my years as a Scout will, I'm sure, help me rough it out on a camp bed. (Or at a nearby B&B.)
With that in mind, I decided it made sense to get something (hopefully) easier to drive, cheaper to run, and that wouldn't involve me having to pass a driving test. There was also the consideration that I can check the MOT history on a 3.5t. I'm not aware that's available for a 7.5t, so I'd have no idea which were worth getting a mechanic to check out and which I shouldn't even bother going to look at.
Having made the decision to go for a 3.5t, it was then a choice between a conversion and a coach-built. I opted for the conversion because a) my horse is under 15hh, so I don't need the extra height, b) I got more payload with the conversion - enough that I can conceivably fit my usual hacking buddy in too, c) I could get much more for my money. (I'll weighbridge with both horses separately to confirm they can both be safely carried at the same time, don't worry!)
I intially looked for one ready-built. However, I couldn't find one that a) was from a trusted builder, b) had the extras/reinforcement I wanted, and c) didn't have a bad MOT history. (I've never had a vehicle fail an MOT, and I've had some old cars over the years. Every horsebox I looked up had failed every other year or so - just on little things, but it suggested to me that they hadn't been properly serviced.) It wasn't that I couldn't find one in my budget - I couldn't find one full stop.
So, I decided there was only one thing for it. I asked around friends who'd had boxes from the builder I was considering and they all said the same thing - communication is terrible, build time is an extra month or so from what they say, but the boxes are really well built and they wouldn't hesitate to buy from the same place again.
I'm a mechanical numpty who probably would have bought the wrong spec van, so I used the builder to source a van. I gave them my budget (£7-7.5k), and they came back with a list of vans that they'd already checked over. I made my choice and, by the end of the day, was the proud owner of a 66-plate Renault Master with a hair under 100k on the clock. My friends are already teasing me for being a White Van (Wo)Man.
I'm not sure how other builders work, but for this one, you own the van itself from day one, but it stays at their yard and they take care of insurance/SORN/etc. until the conversion is completed and you pick it up.
I'm now waiting for my build slot to come up, and using the time to find that balancing point between payload and safety.
The builder has said 10-15 days to build, but around three months for the build slot to come up; my friends have warned me it'll be more like four or five months. Throw in Christmas, and I'm telling myself not to expect it before Easter!
The standard build on this model of van has a payload of 1.25t. I'm definitely opting for the extra steel on the bulkhead (over and above the additional reinforcement that comes as standard) and the aluminium planking over the twin-skin steel floor, which adds an extra 45-50kg. I'm also going for the foldable full grill, because I don't like having it completely open above the breastbar.
I'm opting for both reversing and internal cameras. Reversing because my car has one and it turns out I'm completely spoiled and can no longer reverse without it, and internal because it's only £50 extra to have it installed at the same time.
Other things I'm considering, and would love input on, from anybody who's made it this far:
Lights: Internal? External? Night-time travelling?
Tie-up points: Will two be enough? Should I have some on each side in case of inconsiderate parkers?
Secure storage: Is it worth losing 30kg to a lockable inside locker (not big enough for a saddle), or will I be okay just securing things in the cab if I leave the van with the ramp down?
Colour: My hi-viz-loving soul is longing for neon orange so I'm visible both on the roads and when parked among other boxes; another part of me keeps pointing out that it would be fitting to have a blue box for a horse called Blue; my sensible side is saying that white will be best for hiding the inevitable scratches.
What can't you do without on your boxes? What's just a waste of space/weight/money? What should I bear in mind that I probably haven't thought of?
