The most popular size of horsebox in the UK, and the one where payload, build weight and licence entitlement need checking before you sign anything.
Whole-of-market — 60+ lenders searched, including
Yes. The 3.5 tonne horsebox is the volume end of the market and funders know it well. These boxes are built by recognised UK manufacturers on Ducato, Iveco or Transit style chassis, they are traded constantly, and values are well understood, so underwriting is straightforward. Private owners buying to take their own horses to competitions will usually be looking at regulated consumer credit. Yards, dealers and professional riders buying the same box for business use are on unregulated terms. Whether you may drive one depends on when your licence was issued, so check that before committing.
Used kit: Yes — the used 3.5 tonne market is busy, and boxes well over a decade old are funded where the chassis, body and weight plate all check out.
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Business asset finance is quoted on a flat rate, so that is what this shows — with the equivalent APR underneath, because the two are not the same number. A quick guide only; your actual rate depends on the asset, term, deposit and lender.
Representative example: on Hire Purchase, borrowing £25,000 over 48 months at a 6.0% flat rate (equivalent to 11.5% APR representative), you would repay around £646 a month; total amount repayable approximately £31,000, of which £6,000 is the cost of finance. This calculator is for illustration only — it is not a quote or an offer of finance, and the rate and repayments you are offered will depend on the asset, term, deposit and your circumstances. CW Asset Finance is a credit broker, not a lender, and may receive a commission from the lender that funds your agreement. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender approval. CW Asset Finance is an Appointed Representative of Rural Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 630701).
Payload is the detail that catches people out, and it matters to a funder because it affects resale. A 3.5 tonne box has a strict gross weight, and once the build, water, tack and living fit out are accounted for, the remaining payload can be tighter than buyers expect. Boxes built by reputable lightweight specialists with a clear weight certificate sell on easily; heavy, overbuilt boxes with marginal payload do not, and underwriters are aware of the difference. Alongside that sits the regulated question: a private rider buying for their own horses is a consumer and needs a funder with the right permissions, while a yard or professional producer buying for the business is on unregulated terms. Licence entitlement for 3.5 tonne vehicles depends on when your licence was issued — check with the DVLA, not with the seller.
Examples of the machines we are asked to fund. This is not an exhaustive list — if what you are buying is not here, it does not mean we cannot fund it. Your supplier quote is what the agreement is written against.
| Machine | What it is |
|---|---|
| Equi-Trek Endeavour | Two horse 3.5 tonne horsebox |
| Equi-Trek Sonic | Compact 3.5 tonne horsebox |
| Equi-Trek Victory | Living area 3.5 tonne horsebox |
| Bloomfields Prima | British built lightweight horsebox |
| KPH lightweight 3.5t horseboxes | Two horse lightweight horsebox |
| Oakley 3.5t horseboxes | British coachbuilt small horsebox |
| Theault Proteo | French built 3.5 tonne horsebox |
| Theault Impulsion | Car licence friendly horsebox |
| Bockmann 3.5t horse trucks | German built light horsebox |
| Fiat Ducato based horsebox chassis | Light chassis cab for horsebox build |
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Very often a rider stepping up from a trailer because the towing vehicle has gone or the horse loads badly into a trailer. Also parents of pony club children who want something they can drive themselves without a towing licence question. Small yards buying a second box for staff use are common too. The trigger is usually the start of a season, or a horse that has become difficult to load.
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Bought on hire purchase, business plant and machinery normally qualifies for capital allowances on the full cost even though you pay for it monthly, which is a large part of why hire purchase is the common structure. On a finance lease you generally set the rentals against profit instead. The rules change between budgets and your position depends on how you trade, so treat this as the direction of travel and get your accountant to confirm the detail before you commit.
That depends entirely on when your driving licence was issued and which categories it shows, and the rules have changed over the years. We are not able to advise on entitlement. Check the categories printed on your licence and the current DVLA guidance before you buy, because buying a box you cannot legally drive is a costly error.
Because it drives resale demand. A box that can only legally carry one horse once water, tack and passengers are loaded appeals to a much smaller pool of buyers than one with genuine two horse capacity. Funders lend against future value, so a box with a healthy payload and a clear weight certificate is an easier case.
Not in a funder’s eyes. A purpose built box from a named manufacturer comes with engineering behind the partition, ramp and floor, plus documentation. A van converted by an unknown builder is harder to value and harder to sell on, so expect fewer funders and more questions about who carried out the work.
Yes, always. Floor condition is the classic weak point on any horsebox and a failure is dangerous as well as expensive. An independent inspection covering the floor, ramp and chassis protects you and reassures the funder, and on a private sale it may be a condition of the offer rather than optional.
Yes, and it will be treated as a business asset on unregulated terms, which usually means a wider panel and more structural flexibility. Funders will look at the trading position of the yard rather than your personal circumstances, although a personal guarantee is often requested from smaller or newer businesses.
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Not an offer of finance. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender approval.
Tell us what you’re looking to fund and Conor will come back to you personally — usually the same day.
Prefer to talk? Call 07581 364281 · serving Leeds, York, Harrogate, Wakefield, Selby, Tadcaster & across North & West Yorkshire.