3.5 ton options

[CantBelieveImHere]

Hi
I'm looking to buy my first small lorry, currently have a 4x4 and trailer, but my horse is unhappy in a trailer (and as she's spoilt) and I want to get out and about more. My budget isn't huge around 6k so I know whatever I buy will not be pretty and will need work.
I have viewed 4 lorries in the past week varying in age but cannot decide between any of them,

Lorry 1 - below budget and he's just dropped the price again. 2000 van conversion. He's only owned it for 12 months but lots of rust and MOT runs out in August. Will need a good few hundred £ to get it through MOT and the conversion isn't great.

Lorry 2 - Top end of my budget 2001 van conversion but much higher standard conversion. Again MOT runs out in August, again rust which will need treating and it made a weird rubbing noise on full lock.

Lorry 3 - 1995 coach built lorry, no rust on body just on doors to cab, but it has a leak on the roof, so will need the top looking at and interior boards replaced. MOT till next April but clean and tidy box for it's age.

Lorry 4 - 2002 van conversion less rust than the other 2 but a homemade conversion with parts done by a professional. MOT runs till next May but doesn't have 4th gear and well below budget.

I'm wracking my brain as I don't know what to do and we don't get many near to where I live.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Nearlyoldenoughtowearpurple]

Would want at least a Year’s mot
Check floor in horse area and safety go bulk head between cab and horse area
Make sure you get weigh bridge certificate stating payload as some early conversions , or home made ones, end up with about 500kg payload !

[Booboostwo]

Unless you know about engines I would want a truck mechanic to look them over. Breaking down with a truck with horses onboard is a nightmare.

[Maneandfeathers]

I’ve had two. The first was a mk1 master which was mechanically amazing and my fave however rusted away. I would discount anything with rust unless you know a welder as it’s expensive to get the work done. The parts are also difficult to source.

Personally I wouldn’t touch a homemade conversion.

Whichever you choose get a mechanic to check it- mines cost 2k in a year!

[Sammiejo12]

Hire one? I wouldn't want anything with rust anywhere near it.

[lastqueenofscotland]

I hate those van conversions
Could you just save up for a bit they all sound like money pits

[Moanranger]

Save. We had a cheap 3.5 (cost £2750) which lasted two years (we also had to replace the door & the floor shortly after purchase). Too much rust, so just sold it for £450 (in used notes to some toothless guy) and are saving to buy one in the £10-12K range. Rust the biggest problem in your price range.

[appleaddiction]

With your budget you would be much safer sticking with a trailer - when you say she's not happy what does she do? My horse was awful (had to be sedated to transport him) until I took out the partition and he's now an amazing traveller.
I have seen so many horror stories of horses going through horsebox floors so please be careful what you buy - an MOT just ensures that the vehicle is safe to be on the road but doesn't do ANY checks with regards to horse safety i.e. the floor in the horse area. A lot of 3.5t are sold as having a reinforced bulkhead but a lot don't! The number of bodged conversions out there is terrifying - I'm sure there are some good ones - but just be very sceptical of everything you are told! And be warned that horseboxes (especially older ones) are a money pit! Changing from a 3.5t to a trailer was the best thing I ever did!
Also, if you're not transporting your horse more than once per week then hiring a new 3.5t will probably work out less expensive once you have taken into account insurance, road tax, MOT, getting it though the MOT, wear & tear etc