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josiereanna
Bronze Member
 United Kingdom
53 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 11:47:02 AM
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Hi everyone,
All the years Ive had horses Ive always had to hire/depend on family and friends for transport.
Which has always resulted on me missing out on the shows etc i so desperately want to attend.
My other half has started working more weekends which leaves me more time to "load up and go" wherever i want for a nice ride/show.
I thought the best way to go would be to get a 3.5tonne horsebox as i don't have a lorry test or a trailer test or a vehicle to tow a trailer.
Advice would be much appreciated on which 3.5 tonne to get...obviously i would like one that wasn't too heavy so i don't have the "overweight" issue.
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
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OldHand
Bronze Member
184 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 12:05:34 PM
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| My advice is simple , stick to a well known brand , not some back street converter. |
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phoenixbruka
Gold Member
England
1190 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 12:49:12 PM
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dont go for one with the teeny weeny back jockey door. they're dangerous. minewas built by threecounties horseboxes and i love it!
i would make sure you have weaver grills put up so the horses cant jump over whatever you buy
good luck with your search
susue |
   
www.liveryatcordwell.co.uk |
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Vik1
Platinum Member
1711 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 1:25:14 PM
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I thought about getting one but even 2nd hand they are quite expensive and I ended up with a 4x4 and trailer. I dont have my towing license yet.
Is it cheaper buying a caravan/van and getting it converted? than buying one thats ready made? |
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rosie
Platinum Member
England
3662 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 2:36:26 PM
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| I'm looking for one at the moment but they are like golddust in this area, unless you want to pay £20,000+ for one. |
     
Last picture courtesy of Sweet Photography |
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Jingo
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3632 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 3:23:11 PM
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We bought a Renault Masta platform chassis and had a box built on top. The platform chassis has a lower floor height and is ready to have a body put on - no cutting etc etc. The back door is extra wide and we are having anti-weave bars fitted.
What you MUST be careful of is the weight. It has got to be light enough to carry two horses before you start and remember once the horses are on board and with everything else IT MUST NOT WEIGH OVER 3.5 tonnes (including yourselves). Remember the penalties are high.
We have had the unique Park Weigh system fitted which enables us to SEE at a glance the gross weight (and axle weights) at any time on a display in the cab.
Remember with the law ignorance is no excuse and for the cost of this system we know we are safe.
Note: You can't fit a tow bar and tow with a 3.5 tonne vehicle. If you do you require the correct driving license and you also need a tachograph and drivers need to work within the European Working Time Directive. STAY LEGAL!!!!!!! |
Jude
www.auchmillanarabians.org.uk
      
photos:Anthony Reynolds,Sweet,Deano,Real Time Imaging |
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OldHand
Bronze Member
184 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 3:31:35 PM
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park weigh does have several competitors Jude, some better than others but no experience with that one.
Very sensible option with the new rules for all boxes !
I once went to look at a 7.5 ton Volvo built by a well known company (closed now) and it weighed over 7500 kg EMPTY !!
ps even if you are NOT towing and a van has a tow ball on you must have the towing licence or you can be prosecuted !! |
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OldHand
Bronze Member
184 Posts |
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Vik1
Platinum Member
1711 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 5:14:33 PM
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| I was meaning buying the chassis etc and getting a pro to convert and fit it all out to safety standards. |
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vanishtrik
Bronze Member
England
136 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 5:14:55 PM
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| jingo, i think you only need a tachograph if the vehicle is used as a business (hire or reward) |
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dassa23
Silver Member
England
261 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 6:13:02 PM
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| I have had a 3.5 ton lorry for a year. I made sure it has an extra wide back door and a removable partition in case of emergencies, however like jingo I will have weave bars fitted. It is great, easy to drive, cheap tax, cheap insurance, and short enough to be cheaper on the ferry (from the Isle of Wight!) |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 6:21:34 PM
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| I have had one for 6yrs and love it, very easy to drive my horses love it and travel really well, i use less diesel than in my car and as said above cheap insurance. |
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xsara
Gold Member
822 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 7:55:31 PM
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I borrow the one from work free use when it is there and love it great to drive can go any where and work away with it with the horses and no help
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josiereanna
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
53 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2011 : 07:20:34 AM
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Thanks everyone,
What makes and models do you recommend?
Also could you tell me more about this park load thing? never heard of that before? where do i find them and what makes and models?
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OldHand
Bronze Member
184 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2011 : 07:52:59 AM
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Google 'on vehicle weighing systems' that gives you several options.
Make depends for me on whats the most simple to maintain near to your location. |
Edited by - OldHand on 15 Feb 2011 07:58:15 AM |
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OldHand
Bronze Member
184 Posts |
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Suelin
Platinum Member
England
2514 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2011 : 7:39:00 PM
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| Jingo, does the park weigh system only work for lorries or can it work for trailers as well? |
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phoenixbruka
Gold Member
England
1190 Posts |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2011 : 9:49:45 PM
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| Theault are always pricey, they are one of the few companies that build on new chassis and cost a mint new. Never seen one but they are supposed to be the RR of 3.5T boxes. |
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Gemma
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1802 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2011 : 9:53:28 PM
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| Are you only going to be travelling the one horse? If not, then be very wary that the payload is sufficient for both your horses AND your stuff AND your passengers. I looked into them but for travelling two hoses, there just enough 'free' payload for all the 'essentials' that are required for endurance! |
 
Photo 2: West End Photography |
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Arabianknights
Bronze Member
England
156 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2011 : 10:15:24 PM
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| I've got a box from threecounties horseboxes too and I'm really pleased with it. |
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Jingo
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3632 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2011 : 10:44:39 PM
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The Theault are built on a Renault Chassis and I think the Renault platform chassis is the ideal vehicle to build a horsebox on.
I will not be allowed to give the website of the Park Weigh people but our system is just so neat and brilliant four tiny sensors - two at the front and two at the back - (they also have parking sensors on) and a small display in the cab. I would think they could fit them to trailers but the best people to ask are Park Weigh - so PM me and I can give you their website.
Old Hand remember Volvo chassis are not light - well built so deffo not flimsy - proper workhorses |
Jude
www.auchmillanarabians.org.uk
photos:Anthony Reynolds,Sweet,Deano,Real Time Imaging |
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josiereanna
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
53 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2011 : 09:12:41 AM
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Thank you, had a look on the park weigh website and the three counties horseboxes site so going to start calculating figures haha
We have a weighbridge 2 miles away so il make good use of that too.
My sister in law has a 3.5t box which is a i for williams container on a citreon chassis but its very heavy so can only fit my 15.2 and her little welsh on board.
Im guessing most 3.5t will be the same. |
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OldHand
Bronze Member
184 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2011 : 09:35:41 AM
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There used to be a very useful tape thing that gave you a good idea of a neds weight.
There is a huge difference in kerb weights of chassis cabs from brand to brand and model to model.(kerb weight is the basic weight of the chassis cab.)
The only weights you need to worry about are :-
1/ The total weight when you drive down the road .
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2/ The axle weights ( they don't always add up to the above total weight )
Both should be shown on registration document and possibly a plate on the chassis or cab.
You can get done for exceeding either or both of the above.And if your licence does not let you drive over 3500 kg you can get done for that on top ! Don't these on board scales look a good idea now ??? |
Edited by - OldHand on 16 Feb 2011 09:38:40 AM |
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Teamkenny1
New Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2011 : 09:57:06 AM
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Try these guys,Galloper Horseboxes, we have hired a box a box of theirs from Horses in Motion and it had over 1200kg payload, but their web site says they can go up to 1400kg. Full bulkhead as well so horse can't go anywhere.
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3.5 Tonne Horseboxes
Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)