Ford Cargo opinions please!

[RoseGrey]

Has anyone got any opinions on Ford Cargos as horseboxes?
Is there anything specific I should be looking at when viewing one?
Good points and bad points ?

 

[Louby]

Rust!!! They are reknown for rusting on the cab but then my mechanic says the older Dafs do too.
I sold one a few months ago, didnt like the knotchy gearbox and intermittant warning lights that came and went each time I drove it. Saying that it was the 75e17 and it was so powerful, started every time and was cheap for parts.

I did said I wouldnt have another .......................... but today I picked up my new horsebox after looking for months and avoiding all Ivecos like the plague but this was reccomended, I sceptically went to see it and loved it and its an older Ford Iveco Cargo, again I was told to avoid. The difference is amazing, it drives lovely, like a car and Im so pleased with it. I just hope and pray its ok.

 

[Tiffany]

I has a Ford Iveco and loved it. Very easy to drive, started first time every time, passed MOT each year I had it without a problem. Sold it to first person who saw it.

Friend's bought a 7.5ton Ford Cargo and it's easy to drive and no problems so far.

Personally, I think all models rust when they get old particularly if they are parked outside all the time.

If you like it, have service history and have it independently checked then go for it.

 

[dominica]

echo the rust.. the cabs are well known for rusting up, but boy the engines go on for ever. The engines just keep on going. We had a older 12 ton ford Cargo horsebox that needed work on the cab to pass it's Plate when we first bought it six years ago (it was a D reg)... luckily hubby is a welder so very affordable for us to do, but every year more welding was always required for the next plateing!! If hubby had not been a welder we would never have been able to afford the work to be done by a out sider. But the engine never let us down, and that lorry took us from one end of the country to the other, we could leave it standing for months and just start it up without any problems.

They do go forever just a shame their bodies (cabs) dont, but we never regretted getting our lorry and the only reason we got another (Volvo 18 ton)was because we needed bigger. If your prepared for the work that comes with the older Ford Cargo's it's very likely to be a very loyal companion!!

 

[RoseGrey]

What about the chassis ? Is it likely to rust away too? It looks quite smart in the advert. I probably need to give it a poke in a few places, to make sure.

 

[Gucci_b]

I have one and can honestly say, I rate them. Very economical on fuel, lovely to drive, easy to park and pull away in, not much rust at all, horse travels very very well. All in all I would buy another Ford Cargo maybe show us the advert that you are looking at!!!

 

[bigboyrocky]

DONT TOUCH THEM!! when we were looking for one, our mechanic said he wouldn't work on them as they were complete rust buckets and parts were extreemly hard to get hold of. Steer well clear if i was you instead we got an old (b reg) mercedes, that has never needed more than a new tyre in the 4yrs we've had it and is one of the most mechanically sounds lorries out there according to our mechanic!

 

[Mike007]

The biggest problem with the ford cargo is that parts are becoming scarce.Incidentaly the best way to patch up a rusty cab is to use epoxy resin and fibreglass matting.It is much more effective than welding.

 

[TicTac]

Yep, rusty cab but then mine is over 20 years old but drives like a car, always starts and has never let me down. ( Iveco cargo )

 

[RoseGrey]

I have a fab Leyland Daf at the moment but its a little narrow for my lad at 16.2hh, I am looking for a wider replacement.
Mine is a 1991 and the ford is a 1985 model. If I go to view it I need to know what to check !
Are Ford parts REALLY hard to get hold of ?

 

[Gucci_b]

I think their is pro's & con's with ALL horseboxs... I know someone who has a mercedes and when it broke down, the cost to repair it ran into £££££££. Just like cars

 

[bigboyrocky]

yes, i think they've stopped making parts now. as i said, my v experienced mechanic will not touch them

 

[RoseGrey]

I wouldn't touch a Mercedes, I have heard that they are just silly money to fix.

 

[Gucci_b]

Why not do a poll... to see who has what

 

[dominica]

yes if the chassis hasnt be coated/galvanised you must check for rust and holes, my very experianced mechanic/welder of a hubby would rather go for a older Ford Cargo than a new Lorry... dont forget the newer modles are now all becoming about electrics and it cost's silly money now to get the slightest thing fixed on them :-o

We never had any problems getting parts for ours when we ran it, also many salavanges how many in for stripping, so parts can be quite affordable.

 

[RatzFatz]

Have had my Ford Cargo for 5 years, drives like a dream, never broken down(touch Wood) But has cost me to get it through plating, parts are getting difficult to find but they are out there, my mechanic has always managed to get it through. Every year l say "Just put it through plate and we will see what it needs " and it usually costs me about £1000 to get through but that is cheaper than a new lorry. As i said its easy to drive and big enough for my boy who stands 17.3hh so every July l bite my finger nails and hope it passes.
If the lorry is cheap enough l would say take a chance

 

[RoseGrey]

Why not do a poll... to see who has what

Good idea... done !!

 

[Gucci_b]

Good idea... done !!

You'll have to let us all know, what you decide to buy

 

[bigboyrocky]

I wouldn't touch a Mercedes, I have heard that they are just silly money to fix.

Nope not at all! Cheapest lorry ive ever known!

eta - How can one lorry cost more to fix than another? Surely it would only be parts that would influence the cost (and they arent particularly expensive, plus hardly ever go wrong so v v rarely need fixing!) as labour costs would be the same?

 

[dustbinlid]

The older cargos (up to 1992) were rust buckets, usual places being drivers floor and both step panels, panel under windscreen, and under the cab near to the front cab mountings (definately not a place id like to see fibreglass repairs)
Other problems were mainly brakes, they run an air over hydraulic system, the hydraulic parts, ie wheel cylinders, load sensing valve, master cylinders were prone to failing and are probably hard to get hold of now. Engines could suffer from oil leaks but other than than were pretty robust.
The newer model (1992 onwards) cabs again suffer from rust, some of the earlier ones had problems with rear brake calipers seizing up (earning them the nickname of chariots of fire!) engines do suffer with head gasket problems. Have come across some unusual wiring faults on them though. Most parts probably still available because its still in production with a facelifted cab! the later Tector engines can be a right pain in the ***** though!

 

[4faults]

Absolutely love mine! Starts first time every time even after not being used for weeks. Pretty indestructible up to now, have only once had to fix one minor thing to plate it in the years we have had it. Mine is a 12 yo 18t Super Cargo Im pretty gutted I have got to sell it to get something smaller as its so reliable. I would definetly recommend them.

 

[zipzap]

Hi, Haven't read rest of post so sorry if repeating - my mechanic hubby tells me they're made of 'unobtanium' and you cannot get parts any longer so not to touch them with a bargepole! Sorry if this upsets a few peeps - hope you know different if you know what I mean...

 

[perfect11s]

I wouldn't touch a Mercedes, I have heard that they are just silly money to fix.

what tosh !!! parts are mosty cheaper than for say a Eurotrash sorry Eurocargo bet you wont find anyone who has ever spent as much fixing merc brakes as someone with a cargo spent on a basic brake overhaul the calipers cost a fortune and sieze up for fun and they have miles of rust prone steel pipe a stupid complicated air over hydrolic system , MAN,Merc, and Daf lf all share a simple common Air brake system which is simple to fix in the rare event it gives trouble..
oh and why do most of the main transport fleets run mercs do you think they would touch anything that was'nt cost effective, no I think long term a merc would work out about the cheapest to run ...

 

[Deefa]

Not read all the posts but we have a Cargo and love it. I know nothing about lorries lol but my dad's a lorry driver and refused to have anything other than a Ford!

 

[perfect11s]

Not read all the posts but we have a Cargo and love it. I know nothing about lorries lol but my dad's a lorry driver and refused to have anything other than a Ford!

Yep the old ford cargos were good and reliable sadly rust and lack of easy parts avalibility will see most off, It would be nice to see a few end up in presevation as they were the best in there day and still drive ok even compared with the latest offerings maybe your dad could restore one before they all get scrapped and take it to the shows... I guess he has been retired for a few years now as the last ford lorry was made in about 1992 then iveco took it over and they are realy Fiats...

 

[Gucci_b]

Whats the difference between ford cargo and a Iveco/ford cargo!!!!

 

[Louby]

I was going to ask that. The one Ive just bought has both Ford and Iveco badges on it

 

[perfect11s]

Whats the difference between ford cargo and a Iveco/ford cargo!!!!

the origanal cargo was a ford designed and built truck then iveco took
the truck bussiness over in about 1990 and badged iveco (fiat group trucks)as fords, some were built over here in the old ford plant, but more about marketing than anything else tbh... now they are just called iveco eurocargo...

 

[brucea]

I had one of the older cargos

Rust was a big problem, but eventually I just couldn't get parts for it.

 

[RoseGrey]

Fantastic info.... !
Regarding Mercs, I have had no personal experience but I was warned off them by a Horsebox builder, it is good that you have not found them expensive to look after. I will put them back on my list as possibilities!
Regarding Iveco's, I have only looked at one 6ton Iveco lorry and I found it very high and 'rocky', which put me off.

I went to see the Ford Cargo today and didn't find ANY rust ! I even crawled underneath it to check. It has a slight oil leak but doesnt look anything major.
However it does have a big hole in the roof of the horse area, the windows of the horse area need replacing and I couldn't really check the floor as the matting was screwed down. It looks smart enough but as it wouldn't start due to cut off switch being left on (discovered after viewing) I couldn't drive it.
I think its worth another look but I am concerned as to how much the roof repair will cost. Seller is desperate to sell.