Van type 3.5T boxes

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Walrus

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Hello,

Does anyone transport their horse in one of the van type 3.5T boxes as opposed to the coachbuilt conversions? The ones I've seen advertised seem to be Renault Movanos or Masters but not the ones that are built to look like a mini-coachbuild but the ones that retian their van shape.

I understand there are limitations on size of horse you could fit in them and also on payload (like any 3.5T) but with a 13.2hh pony I don't think I'll have a massive problem.

Looking at them I'm starting to think they look quite neat and are likely to drive quite well and not rock as much? I've also heard that they are no less strong than a coachbuilt conversion of the same chassis as they retain and use the original van shape.

I'm interested as you seem to be able to get a newer chassis for your money with these types.

Any thoughts or experiences would be welcome.

Thanks

:)
 
I have one and love it.

I sold an older coachbuilt renault master far quicker than anticipated, and couldn't find a replacement. I had seen a renault van advertised but always felt a little 'anti' them - possibly as perceived them as less strong/suitable compared to a coachbuilt.

However I was getting desparate for transport, so went to have a look, and was hugely impressed. The plan was only to have it for a few mnths until I could find something else, but 4 yrs on I still have it!

I have 2 x 14.2hhs who fit in it perfectly and as I have a good payload of 1200 kgs can travel them together. They load well, travel well, and seem very happy in it. It has a window between the cab and the travelling section so can hear anything that is going on, which is not usually much! There is no sway at all and the grooms area is generous enough to store all my tack etc, and gives enough place to get changed or shelter from the elements.

Mechanically mine has only ever cost me routine bills eg new tyres/servicing etc. It is looked after by the garage that services my car and they take it for its mot also. It has all the mod cons too such as heating, power steering and stereo so makes a longer journey really comfortable.

To drive it is a doddle and mine even has reversing sensors which is a great help. When one of the cars is in for a service I do my shopping in the van, and can fit 30 bales of shavings in at a time, so has other uses too. I do have to be careful with my speed though as mine has a turbo engine!

The only downsides I can see with these vans is that although advertised to take 16.2hh I would never consider travelling a horse this height in them, especially if they have a high head carriage. The other thing to consider is not to have a fixed breast bar - there have been reports of horses rearing up over them and getting stuck, but imo there are risks with every types of horse transport...

Three Counties Horsboxes have a very good web site which explains a bit more about costings and conversions.

Hope this helps x
 
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Thanks for your comments. I've been on the 3 counties website and that's what's inspiring me! Agree about the breastbar, I also like the fact that the back doors open fully so in an emergency I assume you could try and get them out that way if you had no access to the side ramp (me, paranoid, never!).

Agree about the sizing but as my lad is 13.2 we don't have too much to worry about.

THanks. :)
 
I had a 3 counties one and i loved it
really stable on the road, so easy to drive and park
only sold it as needed some living but it was fab
only took a 14.2 and a 13h anywhere so weight wise (again 1200kg) we were fine
 
I know 2 people that have got theirs from Three Counties and have been very impressed - mine was converted by somone who used to work for them but bought it privately.

Also meant to mention that my van is cheaper to insure than my 4 x 4, an that's with unlimited mileage and costs around £70 to fill up, (though was only around £50 when first bought it - grrrrrr!)
 
All this sounds very positive! Am a little way off being able to afford one at the moment but they do make the prospect seem much more realistic. :)
 
Walrus said:
All this sounds very positive! Am a little way off being able to afford one at the moment but they do make the prospect seem much more realistic. :)
Click to expand...

I bought one of these last month, a Vauxhall Movano!!!

We've not travelled pony yet, been busy tidying it up and booked it into the garage for a service etc... to get everything checked before we go on our travels!

It's a lovely van. Really roomy, with the 1200kgs payload mentioned above.

As it's a hightop, I think you'd get up to about 15hh in it (but ours is only 12.2hh!!!) but the weight would probably become an issue before the height, if you had two of them loaded.

Repairs might be a little pricey - we had a new spare wheel - about £100 (but perhaps we were ripped off!).

It's a nippy little van, and OH who has driven loads of vans loves it and says it's a great drive. We'll see how Dolly travels next weekend!

Oh, and I only paid £230 for insurance (my last car insurance was £700!!!) - I went with KBIS and they were great.

Get one! :D
 
I had one (Movano conversion) - just sold it as my new big horse is too big at over 17hh. But I used to get my 16.2 ISH (not in any way a small horse) in, and he always travelled fine. His ears brushed the roof if he put his head up but he didn't seem to mind.

It was cheap to repair and maintain, insurance was low and it fitted up our very tight driveway. It was stable to drive and (without horses) very nippy. I shouldn't admit this but before I investigated the payload situation more seriously I travelled two large horses in it (the 16.2 and a 16.1) and it drove absolutely fine. I realised shortly afterwards that I was way over the weight limit and haven't done it again - but even with all this it got up the hills near us just fine. So one big horse is well within capability.

Good luck!
 
I have one and it has been really useful.
I travelled a 16.1 TB and (seperately) a 15.2 HW cob.
It has also helped people move house, has done two trips to the IOM TT full of bikes, done loads of tip trips, moves hay off of the fields and then parks easily on the drive.
Very easy to drive and maintain and has cost me less in three and a half years than my 7.5 tonne in just one plating :D
 
What is the weight limit on the vans?

I was looking at them on Ebay last night, thinking that they might be the solution to Doris's loading problems.
 
Scrunchie - usually around 1200kgs and up to around 16hh...

I have had several horses in my van and not had one that wouldn't load - they load side on and travel backwards, which a lot of horses prefer.
 
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