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Post by mcnaughty on Nov 26, 2014 15:17:15 GMT
Last weekend I went to a show in the pouring rain - it poured all day AND the new pony has taken a severe dislike to my trailer! I am fed up with loading and unloading my car every time we go to a show and baking in the summer, freezing in the winter, looking like something the cat dragged in and camping in tents when we over night.
I feel it is about time I took the plunge and bought a horsebox ....
Anyway, enough of trying to convince myself that it is the right move! I need YOU guys to tell me I am mad or sensible and any and I mean any advice and tips you can give on what I should buy and what I should not touch with a bargepole would be seriously appreciated!!
I need living and that means sleeping accommodation for daughter and I, room for one very small pony. I only have a limited budget though so it seems those van conversions are a. waaaay too expensive and b. waaay too small. I do not have my HGV licence so somewhere in between. I have a good friend who would take a look at it for me so am covered in that area. Believe it should have an aluminium floor??
Thanks
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Post by judyh on Nov 26, 2014 16:51:10 GMT
A box all the time for me. Loved my VW LT50 2 horse with living. Had 2 LT35s but they don't have the payload for 2 horses with living ( check this carefully). I always maintained it is as cheap to run a small car and box as a car fit for towing. I have had a trailer many years ago but hate towing, living in a country area with narrow roads oncoming cars respect a box!!
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Post by Toaster on Nov 26, 2014 17:58:12 GMT
I've just bought a 3.5t transit van with a horsebox back on it. I am going to re-jig the interior to herringbone (currently forward facing) and will be able to squeeze in a small day living and two very small ponies that way. There is absolutely no reason that I couldn't convert it to a larger sleeping living and one pony, its not massive but its big enough as it has a Luton which could accommodate a child sleeper - converting to such a layout would probably reduce its future value but would serve a purpose
Aside from that look at the larger boxes like the LT50 mentioned above, I presume you must have the licence that allows you to drive a slightly bigger lorry? - if you are comfortable driving a larger vehicle this may well be your best bet as you actually get more for your money due to the demand for the 3.5t boxes
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Post by mcnaughty on Nov 26, 2014 18:44:36 GMT
Thanks guys - yea, I am an 'older bird' so can drive anything up to HGV on normal licence. Being a bit older I am now due for some creature comforts!
Anyone else??
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Post by 19simeon56 on Nov 26, 2014 19:03:51 GMT
Looking at things from a different angle,if you buy a wagon you then have two vehicles to tax,test,insure and maintain.Have you tried doing a pro's and con's list?
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Post by sjw87 on Nov 26, 2014 20:53:35 GMT
A lot of the older 7.5t boxes were made very solid but that means they can be very heavy - those with low payload have depreciated greatly as people have become more aware of the legalities of being overladen.
If you're only wanting to travel one small pony, you could get a good deal on a box with low payload but bare in mind that as kids grow, larger and heavier ponies come too and you could really struggle to sell it on.
Speak to a local horsebox refurb company to get an idea of costs for things like replacing flooring. That way, when looking at boxes, if there's any work to be done, you know what it will cost. I got a bargain with mine as it needed a new floor so gave room for negotiation. As for wooden V's ally floors, neither are infallible - maintenance is key (mucking out properly after each use, letting floor air and dry).
Sent from my GT-I9195 using proboards
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Post by AnnieRoseSplash on Nov 27, 2014 4:45:07 GMT
We swapped our trailer for a 3.5tonne and I have loved it, when we do sleepover shows, my daughter sleeps in the luton and I take a single bed, the bed frame travels in the horse area with hay/bedding, etc and the matress fits perfect in the luton to travel. Got gas, hob, sink in the living. Its very cheap to run 40ish mpg on long run, 35mpg round town runs, mot's in normal car garage. Our box will travel two big horses if empty or two 148's if laden. I wasn't convinced at first that it'd be big enough for staying away in, but it is! I love it!!
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fredaf
Junior Member
Posts: 173
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Post by fredaf on Nov 27, 2014 9:16:53 GMT
Traveltwohorseboxes website has lots of info and lady is very helpful worth a look.
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Post by mcnaughty on Nov 27, 2014 10:35:17 GMT
Looking at things from a different angle,if you buy a wagon you then have two vehicles to tax,test,insure and maintain.Have you tried doing a pro's and con's list? Definitely on here to find out the hidden pros and cons and yes I have already realised the "two vehicle" issues of tax, insurance etc but Discoveries are not exactly the cheapest car to maintain and run so the difference wont be far out! Keep those pearls of advice coming though please!!! x
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Post by haggismarmite on Nov 27, 2014 12:32:11 GMT
WE had a fab 6.5 tonne van fronted horse box that carried 2 large horses herringbone with a bit of storage space next to them , with a very comfy living seating 6-8 and sleeping 3-4. Cheap to run cheap to maintain and very easy to run around in I loved it. We had to move up to a bigger standard 7.5 now the daughter has grown into horses and I'm a bit broken and need a more luxurious living however I miss my little lorry. They are out there just need to keep your eyes peeled for one. It was the best thing we did moving on from our trailer.
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Post by smiggs on Nov 27, 2014 13:28:00 GMT
I started off with a 5ton and loved it, the living was only 5ft and the wagon was 17ft total length so for my first wagon was an ideal size which could fit 2 15.2 facing backwards and the tack locker was on the back.....I then started going to bigger shows where it just wasn't an overnight stay so I changed it fo a 7.5 ton and I have to say I will never go back to a trailer now...I too was sick of getting soaked to the skin and this was before the start just getting it hitched up...it just din't set you off in the right mood for the day! It was cheap to run and everyone admired it. I just bought a little 'run around' car but obviously you will need to way up the cost of maintaining two vehicles.....I have never looked back and I'm sure you won't if you decide to invest in a wagon. Good luck.
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Post by mcnaughty on Nov 27, 2014 13:54:01 GMT
Oh thank you Smiggs - I hoped I wasn't being stupid and you summed up my feelings to a tee! Yes, it is just painful getting soaked, muddy and frustrated and that was before even getting to the show! We have a lovely new pony that hopefully is going to take my daughter on in leaps and bounds and I just feel that we are being held back by the trailer. God that sounds so stupid! But ... when you are seriously home produced and dont have a crowd of grooms helping you it is just impossible to keep clean, tidy and calm! I have been riding and competing for 35 years with a trailer so this is def not a spur of the moment decision ;-) But it is a very difficult one for me as I have a completely non horsey partner who rolled his eyes when I broached the subject!
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