Which style of 3.5t box??

webble

webble

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Later this year or possibly next year I am thinking of taking the plunge and buying a 3.5t box. I ‘think’ it will work out cheaper than changing the car and buying a trailer as I would have to do my towing test which fills me with fear whereas I am ok driving a box

I have seen all the modern ones with the drop down side and they travel facing backwards or the older style oldes which are a trailer type body on a chassis. I don’t want/ need living so that’s not an issue and cant decide which I prefer. The older ones have the advantage of being able to exit forwards or backwards in an emergency which I like the idea of. Any pros/ cons please? Dark choc bounty on offer
 
I am just selling my ifor williams transit type box which is my first horse box, she is old and scruffy but i love her.

Easy to use by myself, drive, park, load, unload great for hunting or anything really, the horse found it fab was great to just go off on our own for little jaunts and really great to know i could leave her in a lay by and not worry about her when hunting as other lorries were far more attractive LOL.

Love the fact she is basic, simple and safe no gizmos or gadgets. Travelled my horse on his own crossed tied with two haynets.

The downside is the ramps are steep and they are usually older lorries, but not a problem if your horse has plenty of time to get used to going in and out and loading and unloading and gets comfortable with travelling and loading in it.
The other downside is that livery yards charge you rent to keep a lorry and neighbours complain about them on your drive :-( where as they don't seem to do that with a 4x4 grrrrrr
 
I've got an old Transit horsebox. Yes, ramps are steep, not the best ride for the horse I don't think as it does tend to swerve a bit but it's done me for very local trips. It been sooooo reliable. I'm debating whether to sell it or not as I can't really afford to run it but might keep it for another year and use it next year.
 
I've got an ifor style top on an LDV chassis. Haven't been out in it properly yet as it needs some welding done for MOT but our young horse goes up ramp fine after a little look and I chose it because I liked the idea if the engine etc failed in the future then it could be bolted onto a new vehicle with minimum hassle.
 
webble said:
The steep ramp isnt an issue she loads and travels well although I must admit the suspension/ stability on the older box did make me wonder
Click to expand...

There are younger ones around. A friend had one that they rented out, and it was changed onto a newer lorry frequently, not a big deal she said, from a coachbuilder..
 
The majority of 3.5 tonne with a detachable body ie side and rear unload are Ifor on a transit or similar chassis. They are forward facing.

The modern ones tend to be rear facing and coach build ie purpose built rather than a conversion.

It has been scientifically proven that horses prefer to travel backwards.

Also in an accident where a box was on its side or the back so damaged it couldn't open it would be unlikely the side door would open due axle shunt. Also the firebrigade are trained to take the horse out of the roof or cut the walls.

Other factors to consider - running costs, maintenance, resale.
 
I've been told the more modern lower down types arw best

More comfortable ride for the horse and easier to drive.

Just look out for thr decent ones not the cheaply mad ones.
 
I've got a coach built, side loading 3.5T which is on a Citroen chassis. I love it, it's stable, the horses get a fab ride and its so easy and economical (32MPG with a horse) to drive.
 
I have a little older 98reg side loading box, however is a slightly steeper ramp than the modern ones but mine benefits from having a cut through which is ideal when on your own as can see horses, horses heads go over a front partition so ample space for horses body , I carry my 16.3 warmblood no problem in it and we go all over the place on our own. Massively economical i did have a disco and trailer and sooooooo much cheaper. good luck in finding one they are out their :)
 
I've just got a 3.5 ton on a Renault Master chassis. Its brilliant. Selling the trailer and 4x4. Fuel already working out much cheaper.

I would go for a low chassis i.e. the Renault rather than a transit type as they will swerve as they are sat higher.

Mine travels facing backwards and he seems to be relaxed throughout the whole journey. I can see him on my camera :D.

When you start looking, keep looking and the right one at the right price will come along.

Its what is under the bonnet that is important not how snazzy the horse area/changing area is except for a good floor obviously.
 
The transit type are ideal for ponies or small horses but in my experience don't have a lot of headroom. They are also heavier than the Master/Movano type so you have less payload available for horse and stuff. But transit type are likely to be cheaper, so may suit your budget better.

Search 3.5t horsebox on the threads on here - it's been done to death!

I've got a Movano conversion type. Mine has double doors at the back and a removable breast bar so in case of a disaster and the ramp being unusable you could get them out through the back door. There were some disasters with the earlier coachbuilt models which only had a grooms door to access the back of the box. The van conversion types will have double rear doors and the newer coachbuilt ones have wider grooms doors in case of emergency.

I love mine, and only very very rarely do I put 2 horses in it, so weight isn't an issue for me.
 
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