Matchless
I started with nothing, still have most of it left
- Messages
- 2,723
- Location
- Essex UK
If I was walking up with the pony it would need to be a lot wider!
- Thread starter Matchless
- Start date
Matchless
I started with nothing, still have most of it left
- Messages
- 2,723
- Location
- Essex UK
chainsaw!
Matchless
I started with nothing, still have most of it left
- Messages
- 2,723
- Location
- Essex UK
would a std. stable door be expected to take a full sized horse? anyhow we can look at it when it turns up, I am really doing this as a favor for her and she has a very limited budget, maybe I need to meet the pony and ask it some questions? what about a bag of carrots tied to the front bulkhead?
I mean these two look quite happy!
Matchless
I started with nothing, still have most of it left
- Messages
- 2,723
- Location
- Essex UK
I agree but some have an additional side door /ramp that is narrower, maybe only for unloading, I have no idea, never even sat on a horse, may have eaten one or two though! she only has one pony to transport normally, maybe the pony will bring a friend sometimes? and only locally,All the boxes I have seen have had full width ramps ,even the side loaders
Bob
Brad93
Member
- Messages
- 18,668
- Location
- Essex, United Kingdom
That’s for unloading. Some horses don’t come off backwards well
Matchless
I started with nothing, still have most of it left
- Messages
- 2,723
- Location
- Essex UK
I messaged a guy with a three horse 3.5 ton van and asked him the empty weight with fuel and two people, Nay reply so far......
My Tranny that I use for moving the occasional car and taking up to four of my vintage motorcycles to shows is just about ok if I empty all the stuff out that seems to appear in the double cab and don't fill the tank depending on what car I put on the back,
The problem has been caused by making owning a 7.5 ton vehicle as hard as a 44 ton artic, operators licence, CPC, checks every six weeks? etc. etc.
This vehicle will be used for ONE PONY, maybe two from time to time, and two people in the cab, not for two shire horses,
hotponyshoes
Member
- Messages
- 7,128
- Location
- Somerset. Uk
There is no point going from somebody else's weight as they will all be built slightly differently.
I would build it then get it on a weigh bridge to see what it actually is with a driver and a full tank.
Any local scrap yard will do that for a drink.
Then just watch how much "stuff" gets put in there and never comes back out again.
I would build it then get it on a weigh bridge to see what it actually is with a driver and a full tank.
Any local scrap yard will do that for a drink.
Then just watch how much "stuff" gets put in there and never comes back out again.
Matchless
I started with nothing, still have most of it left
- Messages
- 2,723
- Location
- Essex UK
I think she told me that she turns hers round inside the van before exiting, I will get a few pictures of the pony, so sounds like exiting down a steep narrow ramp is not such an issue, just need to train the bugger to go in! or we have to chop the back out of the van and make a much wider, heavier ramp, delivery set for Tuesday mid morning,
Matchless
I started with nothing, still have most of it left
- Messages
- 2,723
- Location
- Essex UK
My tranny only gets a full tank going to collect something, 1/4 tank on the way home, been there done that!
Matchless
I started with nothing, still have most of it left
- Messages
- 2,723
- Location
- Essex UK
Plan is now to stall it sideways so the pony or ponies are half way turned when loaded, easier to unload,
Matchless
I started with nothing, still have most of it left
- Messages
- 2,723
- Location
- Essex UK
Got done in Holland years ago 500 euro cash for being 4% over the 3.5 ton on a down rated 5 ton Sprinter, still had the 5 ton chassis plate and I had a class 2 licence, was not happy, anyhow I said well how do we get the weight down to the 3.5 ton, do you have a toilet? he said, you are ok to go, nothing dangerous we just like to get some money in for our Christmas party.................bitter, me.......................
hotponyshoes
Member
- Messages
- 7,128
- Location
- Somerset. Uk
Horsebox drivers are just as random as car drivers.
Some always run around with the light on, some brim the tank every time they go out and carry a couple of extra cans just in case
Others fill the tank at the start of the season, then when it gets low they fill it again.
If you are only running around locally you will have a fair idea of when vosa are trapping.
The ones that often get into trouble are those that allow an accumulation of stuff to gather in the lorry on each outing, then halfway through the season they go to a bigger show further away so take a bit of extra water and a mate and drive past a checkpoint on a major road...
The difference between a full and low fuel tank can be 10% of the payload on some of the 3.5tonners.
Take a friend and that's another 10% gone.
A drum of water, saddle, bit of hay and there goes another 10%..
Plenty of proper made boxes advertised with a 1200kg payload but have a look around them and you will see they have no spare wheel or jack etc.
They also have 3mm thick rubber matting which will wear through in a couple of years and then the owner will replace it with some "proper" 1/2" thick stuff...
Matchless
I started with nothing, still have most of it left
- Messages
- 2,723
- Location
- Essex UK
anyone know the best (cheapest?) place to insure said horsebox? and are there any hoops to jump through registering it as a horsebox instead of a van? tried ringing the DVLA but................................................
hotponyshoes
Member
- Messages
- 7,128
- Location
- Somerset. Uk
There are comparison sites same as car insurance if price is the only factor
www.confused.com
Changing the v5 is not that problematic but make sure you do it correctly the first time as if they decide it's not horseboxey enough you will get hundreds of really high hoops to jump through.
Basically you need to do enough to it so that it is obviously a full conversion into a horsebox. Not just a van with a loading ramp and a window.
Send a covering letter detailing the parts that have been converted. Obviously you won't just cut a hole in the side of the original van and fit a ramp, you will replace the whole body with new, horse suitable bodywork won't you
Provide plenty of photos.
One really bad one of the original van (if you can find a photo of one that looks even more van-like or racked out than yours - send that)
And lots of photos showing the ramp, grooms access door, rubber matting, tie-up rings, partitions, interior travel light, provision for animal feed storage, utility and welfare equipment and so on.
Don't forget to include a photo of the massive "horses" stickers on the front, rear and sides of it.
Basically, if they get the idea you have done a lot to it and get bored of reading all the gumph you have loaded on them they will just tick the box and you are good to go.
I had problems with the first conversion I did but since then have not had any problems just waffling my way through them
Confused.com
Compare insurance for your car, home, van, bike, life and more at Confused.com. Choose a reward & enjoy year-round hot drinks every time you buy car, home and van insurance.
www.confused.com
Changing the v5 is not that problematic but make sure you do it correctly the first time as if they decide it's not horseboxey enough you will get hundreds of really high hoops to jump through.
Basically you need to do enough to it so that it is obviously a full conversion into a horsebox. Not just a van with a loading ramp and a window.
Send a covering letter detailing the parts that have been converted. Obviously you won't just cut a hole in the side of the original van and fit a ramp, you will replace the whole body with new, horse suitable bodywork won't you
Provide plenty of photos.
One really bad one of the original van (if you can find a photo of one that looks even more van-like or racked out than yours - send that)
And lots of photos showing the ramp, grooms access door, rubber matting, tie-up rings, partitions, interior travel light, provision for animal feed storage, utility and welfare equipment and so on.
Don't forget to include a photo of the massive "horses" stickers on the front, rear and sides of it.
Basically, if they get the idea you have done a lot to it and get bored of reading all the gumph you have loaded on them they will just tick the box and you are good to go.
I had problems with the first conversion I did but since then have not had any problems just waffling my way through them
8ob
Member
- Messages
- 14,006
- Location
- Nescient in the vale
None of that applies for private use, if your license covers it you can drive it. All the bull only applies to commercial travel, private use is exempt. The 3.5 tonner with two ponies, pony clutter and two people in the front will be overweight for sure, if not overweight overall it will be over on one of the axles. Problem is vosa are partial to a horsebox and know where to find them, swmbo has been checked on numerous occasions both on the road and when they turn up at showgrounds. If the driving license permits get a bigger truck and travel light
Bob
hotponyshoes
Member
- Messages
- 7,128
- Location
- Somerset. Uk
Going back to the original post,
I have got the standard stuff like tie-up rings, ramp handles, door handles, rubber mat and so on. Also keep fancy bits like led lights and camera systems in stock as well.
Got a selection of trim, "horses" stickers and that sort of thing.
Most of the major parts like the ramp hinges and closures we make ourselves but the bits like the rubber feet I keep here.
The only mechanical bits I keep are standard stuff like tires and bearings/shoes but only really for trailers although any parts place should have bits for that van.
Most of the fixings/fasteners I have are sized for the standard 14mm side walls.
If you need anything or you want the sizes/dimensions of any bits let me know and I can have a look
I have got the standard stuff like tie-up rings, ramp handles, door handles, rubber mat and so on. Also keep fancy bits like led lights and camera systems in stock as well.
Got a selection of trim, "horses" stickers and that sort of thing.
Most of the major parts like the ramp hinges and closures we make ourselves but the bits like the rubber feet I keep here.
The only mechanical bits I keep are standard stuff like tires and bearings/shoes but only really for trailers although any parts place should have bits for that van.
Most of the fixings/fasteners I have are sized for the standard 14mm side walls.
If you need anything or you want the sizes/dimensions of any bits let me know and I can have a look
