Renault Master horsebox - anyone got one?

[trusue]

I am thinking of selling my trailer and buying a small horsebox to go to local shows. I quite like the look of the Renault Master - but would be very interested in peoples comments. My horse is 16.2ish and doesn't like the trailer very much - I was thinking she might travel better in a box. Any comments?

[+*+*Holly4Horses+*+*]

hi my names holly we have an ifor-williams horse lorry take 2 horses lovely cab no rust has tack compartment. oh yes and it red. we are looking at about 3500 ono.
regards HB

[hebs]

My friend bought one recently as she passed her test after 97 so isnt able to tow a trailer legally. They look really nice and she likes it.

[trusue]

Thanks Holly - but I think you are a bit far from me - I'm in Essex.

[miggy]

My hubby builds horseboxes and is absolutly horrified that these VANS are used for transporting horses firstly they are single rear axles, if you get puncture on the rear end stability would be horrendous and the weight distribution on the axles is not correct ,The Ministry of Transport are doing more roadside checks on axle weights , They do look a lovely vehicle but i certainly wouldnt want one as a gift.

[jennyb]

Echo Miggy, single rear axle is not sufficient for horseboxes.

[anon]

They are much more stable than any other small van-based horsebox - as the horses travel low down inbetween the wheels.

I wouldnt consider a bedofrd or transit-based lorry except for small ponies

My friend has a Renault Master for her 17hh dressage horse - has been using it for years, and loves it. Just the one horse though.

[esme]

We had one and it was a lovely little lorry and easy to drive, but then Beckham decided he wasn't going in it and we ended up selling it as we could sometimes load him but then he'd be a problem coming home and we began to dread not being able to get him home! The only things we could think were the problem is that it was a side loading, rear facing box - lots of room and nice and light and airy, but he ended up flatly refusing to go in one day at the yard. We gave up and asked a friend with a "normal" rear loading lorry if we could just try him in hers, straight up the ramp, tucked his bum in and looked at us as if to say "are we off then?" We sold it.

Having said that I know other people that are using the Renault Master for hire and lots of people use it and are very pleased with it - including their horses!!

[amber]

Mmm.. I'm going to be doing the same as you OP this year... selling my trailer and looking for one of the Renault 2 horse boxes,..but not the van types... the one that does look like a mini horsebox if you catch my drift! They can be 4.5 - 6 ton types,. again rear facing, which i like the sound of and space at the back to sit and for tack etc., to be stored. I also particular like the little slidy window from the drivers compartment that you can look through to check your precious cargo is OK...

They seem to be around 10 - 12K or so.. that's what I'll be shopping around for in the Summer..... or sooner when I sell my cottage!!! (already sold my trailer to another livery when the time comes too, so that's can't be bad!)

[miggy]

As most of these have a side loading ramp and a small day living area at the rear this means that most of the load weight transfer goes onto the front axle, bearing in mind the weight given on the plate inside the drivers foot well is the maximum laden weight allowed and not whats left IE. you must take the weight of the empty vehicle into account.
You must remember that a horse is a top heavy animal with most of its body weight 4-5 feet off the ground.
The best thing to do with any horse box to be safe is to load with everything you would go to your shows with and go to a public weigh bridge. You need to drive the front wheels onto the bridge, get a weight for that then put the whole vehicle on and get that weight , if you take one from the other it will give you the rear axle weight.
If a front axle is over weight and you are pulled and checked you will get a minimum £600 fine and 3 points. Many trucks are over weight inc. 7.5 ton trucks, which do weigh 3.5 tons to 4.5 tons as a box lorry before people convert them to horse boxes. Putting a heavy luton on the front of a normal box can be enough to put you over weight .
Before buying any horse box, get it weighed or get a fine.
You might end up with a vehicle you have paid a lot if money for that is built in such a way that it cannot be used and is only good for scrap

[jinks]

you may find that your biggish horse yourself, tack and anything else you are going to carry may be too much for this type of van. Personnaly I would not have anything under 5 tons.

[trusue]

Thanks for all the response! I must say that they do look nice and I do like the idea of them facing backwards - but I was a bit concerned as they do look a bit insubstantial. Thanks for your advice Miggy! It is a bit of a minefield I think - buying horseboxes - especially if you are not too clued up. Maybe I will stick to my trailer! Will have to think a bit longer!