3.5 Ton Horseboxes - Van chassis cab questions etc
Discussion
I'm currently beavering away searching for a replacement Horsebox for the Mr's, needs to be a 3.5 Tonner due to her indoors not having the older type licence. Now all I knew about horses until recently is they smell & the only two times I've ridden the damn things they have thrown me off.
However I've since learned that 16 2 in horse speak is not feet & inches or meters it's some form of measurement thats only applicable to horses, yet horseboxes are measured in feet & inches or meters
So I'd thought I'd ask amongst the PH massive, who might have or have had a Horsebox ideally the 3.5 ton variety for their suggestions & avoidances. Especially when it comes to weight limits & payloads.
We previously owned a lovely little Ifor William 2 horse jobbie on a retro gem of Bedford CF, it was great & did the job well until we came to put the big fat tall horse in which: A would'nt go in on its own & B would'nt fit through the smaller door on the way out
C However legally the Bedford was well within the weight limit unlike many of the newer posh enclosed ones we see of late.
So what is the lightest Chassis cab vehicle available with a GVW of 3.5 Ton, preferbaly that is'nt a rust bucket transit. As possibly looking into buying an Ifor Williams box to go on the back of a chassis cab, as this appears the lightest option.
Your assistance in all matters dobbin related much appreciated
However I've since learned that 16 2 in horse speak is not feet & inches or meters it's some form of measurement thats only applicable to horses, yet horseboxes are measured in feet & inches or meters
So I'd thought I'd ask amongst the PH massive, who might have or have had a Horsebox ideally the 3.5 ton variety for their suggestions & avoidances. Especially when it comes to weight limits & payloads.
We previously owned a lovely little Ifor William 2 horse jobbie on a retro gem of Bedford CF, it was great & did the job well until we came to put the big fat tall horse in which: A would'nt go in on its own & B would'nt fit through the smaller door on the way out
C However legally the Bedford was well within the weight limit unlike many of the newer posh enclosed ones we see of late.So what is the lightest Chassis cab vehicle available with a GVW of 3.5 Ton, preferbaly that is'nt a rust bucket transit. As possibly looking into buying an Ifor Williams box to go on the back of a chassis cab, as this appears the lightest option.
Your assistance in all matters dobbin related much appreciated
Cyberprog said:
Would it not be easier to get the missus through her C1 or C test? If she's paying for it, then C is only *slightly* harder and a more useful qualification as obviously you could then drive *big* horse transporters 
We are considering this option, but the cost v miles the truck will be used will be fairly prohibitive. I myself have a HGVII If we went that route then I'd be building a dual purpose 16 tonner that doubles as a horsebox as well as a racecar transporter 
My sister is an avid horse person and recently rented a renault/vauxhall movano van conversion to go collect some Emu's(!).
It was the smaller of the two sizes available and she said it was plenty big enough that she wouldnt have to go for the bigger one, has quite a bit of a beavertail type overhang over the rear. Im popping round to see my nephews this afternoon so ill ask her what she thought of it.
It was the smaller of the two sizes available and she said it was plenty big enough that she wouldnt have to go for the bigger one, has quite a bit of a beavertail type overhang over the rear. Im popping round to see my nephews this afternoon so ill ask her what she thought of it.
My guess would be that 2 ponies in a 3.5t could well see you overweight (16h would be at least .05t)? Especially as there seems to be some form of horse height inflation whenever they change the things (but I suppose we're guilty of always wanting more "horses" too?)
We used to run a 7.5 tonner but, quite frankly, it was a PITA and cost a small fortune to keep on the road. We did the maths and decided it was cheaper (and more reliable) for Mrs LT to run a 4x4 with 3.5t towing capacity - bear in mind that not all have this due to the trend towards lighter vehicles - and buy a decent trailer (lots out there that will take a 16h2 with ease).
Not quite the question you asked, but hope it helps.
We used to run a 7.5 tonner but, quite frankly, it was a PITA and cost a small fortune to keep on the road. We did the maths and decided it was cheaper (and more reliable) for Mrs LT to run a 4x4 with 3.5t towing capacity - bear in mind that not all have this due to the trend towards lighter vehicles - and buy a decent trailer (lots out there that will take a 16h2 with ease).
Not quite the question you asked, but hope it helps.
LooneyTunes said:
My guess would be that 2 ponies in a 3.5t could well see you overweight (16h would be at least .05t)? Especially as there seems to be some form of horse height inflation whenever they change the things (but I suppose we're guilty of always wanting more "horses" too?)
We used to run a 7.5 tonner but, quite frankly, it was a PITA and cost a small fortune to keep on the road. We did the maths and decided it was cheaper (and more reliable) for Mrs LT to run a 4x4 with 3.5t towing capacity - bear in mind that not all have this due to the trend towards lighter vehicles - and buy a decent trailer (lots out there that will take a 16h2 with ease).
Not quite the question you asked, but hope it helps.
0.05t is only 50 kg's, so it's either a small horse, in which case an estate car would probably suffice, or you need to move the decimal place a bit....We used to run a 7.5 tonner but, quite frankly, it was a PITA and cost a small fortune to keep on the road. We did the maths and decided it was cheaper (and more reliable) for Mrs LT to run a 4x4 with 3.5t towing capacity - bear in mind that not all have this due to the trend towards lighter vehicles - and buy a decent trailer (lots out there that will take a 16h2 with ease).
Not quite the question you asked, but hope it helps.
With regards to the 4x4 and trailer, the OP's missus won't be able to use that option as she's got the newer type driver's licence, and can't drive anything weighing more than 3.5 tonnes (a 4x4 plus trailer would exceed this, and anyway, she probably has little or no trailer entitlement anyway), hence the original question.
My bad on the weights - typing with a helpful toddler (demanding tractor vids on other side of screen) isn't always the easiest!
Super Slo Mo said:
With regards to the 4x4 and trailer, the OP's missus won't be able to use that option as she's got the newer type driver's licence, and can't drive anything weighing more than 3.5 tonnes (a 4x4 plus trailer would exceed this, and anyway, she probably has little or no trailer entitlement anyway), hence the original question.
My thinking was that it must be relatively easy to gain the extra entitlements? One time task could save a few quid every year...?LooneyTunes said:
My bad on the weights - typing with a helpful toddler (demanding tractor vids on other side of screen) isn't always the easiest!
The trailer issue has rissen previously, she had a go at that & failed dismally Super Slo Mo said:
With regards to the 4x4 and trailer, the OP's missus won't be able to use that option as she's got the newer type driver's licence, and can't drive anything weighing more than 3.5 tonnes (a 4x4 plus trailer would exceed this, and anyway, she probably has little or no trailer entitlement anyway), hence the original question.
My thinking was that it must be relatively easy to gain the extra entitlements? One time task could save a few quid every year...? Partly through lack of experience & partly through not wanting to learn from an old master (proper lessons only she said) We do have a big Landcruiser that would perfect for towing duties but quite often the case I'm using it on race weekends There is option to do the HGV + Plus Trailer test, which would mean she can drive just about anything + a trailer.
Trying to find 3.5 ton chassis cab comparisons is a nightmare, few of the manufacturers list that info, anyone in the truck business have a list?
I may have missed it but when did she pass her test? if before 1997 then go for an up to 7.5 tonner as you will be near or over the weight limit with a 3.5 tonner. If she doesn't have the larger vehicle licence then it's not that difficult to pass and well worth the hassle. One other point to note is that if you are intending coming within most of the M25 then don't get anything that's older than a 2007ish job as it's cost you £200 per day if you register with TFL or £1K per day if you don't and you get caught.
Two x 16.2hh and you will be overweight. No ifs or buts. I had a converted VW but they're quite old now, done by Olympic who used to be Newbury way. The Ifor williams boxes on Transit type chassis are very high off the ground, inherently unstable and horrible to drive ime, and I wouldn't go that route. You might find the horses will be reluctant to load after a while as well as they'll get an uncomfortable ride.
The Renault conversions are ok but not cheap. She really needs to take her licence if she wants to carry two horses and go for a min 5t payload - there are a lot more options that way. Sticking to 3.5 will cause headaches and you'll end up with a poor compromise, with the constant worry about being pulled in for a weight check.
(Edited for rubbish spelling)
The Renault conversions are ok but not cheap. She really needs to take her licence if she wants to carry two horses and go for a min 5t payload - there are a lot more options that way. Sticking to 3.5 will cause headaches and you'll end up with a poor compromise, with the constant worry about being pulled in for a weight check.
(Edited for rubbish spelling)
The payload of a chassis cab is irrelevant really, you'd need to know the weight of the converted body that sits on top of it which you'll struggle to find. Front wheel drive vehicles will have a higher payload, Renault Master Loloaders have a good payload and have a pretty big box on the back and would be easy to convert in to a horse box
To give you an update we ended buying a Renault Master lwb LowLoader van. Low floor chassis and a 1260kg payload as standard.
I spent 6 weeks converting it with a side loading ramp and all fitted out inside. Its superb for what we need. Its also really nice to drive with a 120dci 6 speed.
It still has a payload of 1160kgs with half a tank of fuel so two 16h horses should be do able legally.
Cost was about 4k to convert with me doing all the work.
I spent 6 weeks converting it with a side loading ramp and all fitted out inside. Its superb for what we need. Its also really nice to drive with a 120dci 6 speed.
It still has a payload of 1160kgs with half a tank of fuel so two 16h horses should be do able legally.
Cost was about 4k to convert with me doing all the work.
cptsideways said:
To give you an update we ended buying a Renault Master lwb LowLoader van. Low floor chassis and a 1260kg payload as standard.
I spent 6 weeks converting it with a side loading ramp and all fitted out inside. Its superb for what we need. Its also really nice to drive with a 120dci 6 speed.
It still has a payload of 1160kgs with half a tank of fuel so two 16h horses should be do able legally.
Cost was about 4k to convert with me doing all the work.
What do I win? I spent 6 weeks converting it with a side loading ramp and all fitted out inside. Its superb for what we need. Its also really nice to drive with a 120dci 6 speed.
It still has a payload of 1160kgs with half a tank of fuel so two 16h horses should be do able legally.
Cost was about 4k to convert with me doing all the work.
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