3.5t horse box

[CatTerrier]

We're looking at buying one next year, I've got about £20k and it would be for ponies.

Husband's main priority is that it's safe.

Where do we start looking? I've looked in Facebook and EBay and there looks to be a lot of older vans out there and then all of a sudden they just up to about £30k.

Yes demand is high and nearer £30k for ones with nothing wrong, you could get lucky but no real bargains to be had sadly. I have had a quick look but wondering if the trailer law relaxation might mean demand for trailers higher…

We had a Renault master converted, I can recommend the builder if you are based near Derbyshire. It was less than £20k including the initial purchase of the van

Yup I'd get a build. Be aware that a lot of 3.5 tonnes don't respect the weight. If you are looking to buy one take it and your horses across a weigh bridge first.

If you can hold out a bit longer the cost of 3.5t boxes might drop once the new towing rules come in

Sorry OP just realised you said you were buying next year. You’ll definitely be able to see if costs reduced after the towing rules change which I think is happening next month

I got one built - its an older van and it's had some mechanical issues (fair enough - nothing too bad to fix) but at least I got exactly what I wanted with the horsebox bit - and getting a decent payload was my top priority. A lot of 3.5T boxes have a really small payload meaning you can only carry one horse or 2 very small ponies. My payload is just shy of 1.2T.

If you can go for a coachbuilt box, not a random converted.

Depending on the horses your carrying, be conscious of the payload. We've just bought a 7.5t and I am only happy carrying two with all the tack etc.

I'll be going 18tonne next year when we start taking the 3 year old out too.