what can I transport in a 3.5t box?

[amy86]

I'm looking at buying a box but since I passed my test after 97 I can only drive a 3.5t. I been doing some research but I'm still confussed to what I can actually transport regarding weight, I have a youngster who is currently 15.2 but should make about 16.2. Does anybody know if I was transporting her would I be able to have anything else on or not or would exceed the weight limit? Thanks

 

[Holly Hocks]

It depends on the payload of the box - basically you need to take the box to a weighbridge and find out how much it weighs with nothing in - although I would get it weighed with about half a tank of fuel in. So it it weighs for instance 2400kg, then you could carry 1100kg to remain within the weight limit.
I have two horses, one 16.2hh and the other 13.2hh. I could probably get away with taking them both if it was just the travel and not carrying any tack/water/haynets and would probably remove my spare wheel - but I haven't done this and wouldn't want to do it. If you think your horse is in the region of 500kg, by the time you have added fuel, water, hay,tack, yourself and any passengers and equipment you have taken up a lot of the payload.
I have a 3.5t van conversion. It had a payload of 1180kg when I got it. However that was without the spare wheel and no equipment in, and I also had strengthening work done to the bulkhead (something which often isn't done on them when they are converted to keep the weight down!!) So I think my payload is somewhere about a tonne now.