Bedford TL Horsebox, 1985???

Would you buy a Bedford TL Horsebox?

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skyesthelimit1

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Does anyone have any info about Bedford TL Horseboxes? It was built in 1985. Was just wondering whether they are good lorries as have heard negatives and positives but just thought i would ask to see if anyone had any views on them? Whether they are hard to get parts for if things go wrong, if they are reliable etc? Any help would be most appreciated! :)
 
Can't answer your poll as there are too many variables other than age and make of chassis.
 
There is nothing wrong with these old bedford lorries, but you have to be realistic, this lorry is now 25 years old. I think that with age they have rust problems in the floor of the cab and you can also have problems getting brake parts (master cylinders) because of the age of the vehicle.
 
Just got rid of an old V plate TL 860 (only because we were given a newer/more powerful chassis) after owning for 15yrs - cost me £800 over 15 years to keep on the road and never had any issues getting parts. Was extremely reliable - only with that it had had power steering.:D
 
thanks guys :) its got 10 months MOT and they said that they have spent a bit on getting it through it so im guessing by that its pretty much sound :) just thought i would get other peoples views on them as had heard good and bad things but think my mind is more at ease now :cool:
 
we have an old beford...dont know which it is (husbands area) its an f reg..a real old army truck had it for almost 5 years never gone wrong always flown through its plateing...only ever had to pay out for new tyres and fuel cant ask for more than that ...
 
We have had one of exactly that age for years. Excellent because they are as solid as a rock for the horse to travel in. They do need regular maintenance like any old box but they are much better than most old boxes. Have never struggled to get parts, theres a specialist in the parts who can always get if you cant get locally.

NB refering to TL with AWD and power steering. TKs are too big and heavy to drive in comparison to TLs.

The cabs do rust so thats the main expense but thats just an age thing. Make sure the floor is good and cab not too horrendous rust wise.

If your priority is horse in solid comfy accom and not so much about your comfort, then I would recommend for sure.
 
I had one for three very happy years, only sold it as needed to take 3 horses regularly and weight was a bit dodgy. She is now back for sale on ebay, poor bluebell :( but we never had a day's trouble with her, platings and service were £500 the first year, £350 the second year and £800 the last year with reconditionning of master brake cylinder. Parts weren't a problem, just a bit slower maybe as had to be ordered in.
She was sound as a pound, always started even in -2 degrees on winter mornings. Went miles and miles - lincoln, Brecon, Hickstead etc (from South Bucks).
Having said that they aren't all as good - she was very low mileage and had been well looked after.

ETA Agree, mine was TL860 with power steering. I didn't have much trouble with rust on cab tho, think one year we had to weld a step, that was about it!
 
I've got a Bedford Tl 1981 for the past five years and have had no mechanical problems, just a service twice yearly. Its a 5 speed with power steering and carries 3 big 16.3s with comfort. I have always found it underpowered on hills and its not very fast but always gets us there. Rust is becoming a problem in the cab but the chassis is rust free.
 
I had two bedford TL's in a row. Had nothing but problems with both of them. Have now switched to Leyland DAF'S. Again i've had two and they seem much more reliable and easier to source parts.
 
skyesthelimit1 said:
Does anyone have any info about Bedford TL Horseboxes? It was built in 1985. Was just wondering whether they are good lorries as have heard negatives and positives but just thought i would ask to see if anyone had any views on them? Whether they are hard to get parts for if things go wrong, if they are reliable etc? Any help would be most appreciated! :)
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Nothing against them but I prefer fords - livery had one and she had great use of it with little breakdown.
 
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