Advice needed on horsebox repairs

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BethH

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Hi, I have decided to sell my little lorry as it isn't being used enough but it looks like the container might need a new coat of paint to smarten it up and the floor checked to make sure still ok. The cab also needs a few spots of rust touched up and a small dent removed from the passenger door - the result of lending it to a horse in need whose owner clearly didn't appeciate the offer enough to look after it - urghhhhhh!

I live near Sevenoaks in Kent, can anyone recommend someone to do the work who is honest and won't completely overcharge me, I keep hearing horror stories of lorries being pinched at various places when they go in to have the work done and I would quite like to get it back in one piece with a decent job done - any recommendations gratefully received thank you!
 
It probably isn't worth having your lorry resprayed - you are looking at about £2k. People expect older lorries to not have perfect paintwork. Personally I wouldn't worry about the door either.

I would try advertising it at the price you want and see how you get on.
 
Thanks for the reply, half the problem is that it has a new 04 plated chassis with an older container on it so it is worth a fair bit. I am worried that it needs to look a little smarter for the money we would want for it, my husband has said exactly the same thing to me as you, so maybe I should just put it up for sale and see what happens. Thank you again for your reply.
 
As a potential buyer, for me it would all depend on the price you are asking.
It is expected for an older box to need resprays, bits doing etc but on a newer one which yours is, I think the price has to reflect that your wagon needs a respray. If I seen one that I liked as in horse area and living and the price was right, then I would overlook the exterior. I wouldnt want to pay top price though as a respray can cost £1500 upwards.
Saying that, it depends how bad it is, you may just be being over critical which I know I was when I sold mine and looking at whats out there now I think I practically give mine away :(
Id have a look at similar ones for sale and see what they are going for.
Good luck
 
i'm in the middle of re-building a Rice Trailer atm, so i know what you mean about the work, as long as your floor is sound, you can easily do the work your self, (or a handy husband)

if you have an indoor barn, just a lick of paint can look good as long as you use the right brush and dont paint to heavy,

and just use a block of wood and a mallet to encourage the dent out, you'd be amazed at what a small hammer and a lump of wood can do, upload a pic and lets see the damage ...

... i'll even show you my wreck im rebuilding ( iv just changed the break shoes and wheel bearings my self) and getting the OH to do the welding and free the break knuckles under the box, coz its too fidderly for me LOL ....

44818_421089226790_558991790_5395511_6723260_n.jpg
 
Well when I had a look around, thre aren't many like mine as they are all converted to these sparkly new horseboxes. Something the same sort of age and sparkly seems to be going for £13/14k so i thought if i put mine up for £8,750, someone might want to spend a bit on it to make it look sparkly for a lot less total cost.

The problem is that I don't really know what it's worth, there was an R reg transit that was similar style but obviously much much older for £7,950, I think that is a mad price and it makes mine look a complete bargain, but i worry that everyone just wants something that looks flash rather than a good, sturdy, reliable small box.

All advice gratefully received as will help me work out what to do! it's done less than 500 miles in the last 2 years so it really needs a home where it will get used rather than being left to decay!
 
you can test the water on ebay and put a reserve in, i dont think a safe and sturdy box is unreasonable, a paint job should be the least of peoples worries if they are looking for transport, coz u can always do the cosmetics later on,.... put it up for 8 and see what occurs ?

be intrested, coz i searched for ages for my trailer, i wanted a repair job but struggled for months to find one for a 17.2 horse under £500, it was a nightmare
 
Sorry just realised you said little wagon, Im thinking its a 7.5t so I bet a respray would be cheaper. If its a 3.5t I reckon you will sell it no probs, they are so popular. Not well up on prices for them at all. I do think looks do come into it although they shouldnt really. My wagon was really well built but a drab colour, someone said it was undercoat grey. I tried to sell last September when it passed its plate but had no interest at all, was gonna have graphics put on it to try and brighten it up but didnt in the end (thats another story :)) and tried again this June, stupidly reduced the price by £2500 and it sold in 2 days. It is coming to the end of the season now so I think things will slow down. I think Id try it as it is asap before winter sets in and see how you go on.
Good luck
 
Thanks for all of your replies, I shall pop an ad up and see how it goes, am annoyed with myself as the paint only started to go because I took it to a carwash and they used a power washer on it - i am such a dumbo, this is why it needs to go to a decent home where the owner has a clue!!!!!!
 
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