Horsebox building, costs??

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Louby

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Ive finally got the opportunity to buy my own horsebox and was thinking of a used one but my friends worried me with talk of chassis, ramps, floors, engines etc etc.
How much about would it cost to have one built to carry 2 horses herringbone with a basic living or day living and how long does it take.
Is there anything important you would have or not have, like tilt cab etc.
 
Takes from a month to six months, some manufacturers may ahve part builds in stock, or completed ones.

Cost will depend on the age and type of chassis used, the type of body built and the specification of the fittings etc.
20K for a basic one on a 5yr old chassis to as much as you care to spend.

Or go to a reputable dealer with a good reputation and have the vehicle inpected.
 
I'd be a bit weary of flashy boxes on really old chassis. It seems that many people will buy on looks only and will spend loads of money on the bodies while the chassis is ancient. This can be really dangerous and the horsebox will be breaking down all the time (of course there are safety considerations with the body as well, such as payload, distribution of weight, soundness of the floor, but just don't be impressed by a recent paintjob and a bit of laminate flooring!).

I would be tempted to visit a number of well established companies, see their work, talk to their clients, find out what guarrantees they offer and compare results. The kind of body you describe should be about £12,000, but the chassis could be anything depending on age, mileage, condition, etc.
 
Thanks for your replies, there is someone local who has started doing this for a living but I didnt want to ring them and them say oh it will be x amount of pounds and not be able to afford it, hence the question.
Ive never been bothered about how something looks as long as it was safe and reliable but my budget has now increased so I may be able to be a bit more choosy. I dont want anything flash, just practical, I think I will give this person a ring and see what they say.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for your replies, there is someone local who has started doing this for a living but I didnt want to ring them and them say oh it will be x amount of pounds and not be able to afford it, hence the question.
Ive never been bothered about how something looks as long as it was safe and reliable but my budget has now increased so I may be able to be a bit more choosy. I dont want anything flash, just practical, I think I will give this person a ring and see what they say.

[/ QUOTE ]
just be careful, someone I know bought a new horsebox conversion last august and the horse went through the floor last month. It is sometimes better to buy one which has been made by a reputable company than someone who is beginning to build.
 
I would echo Memo, be careful, as the integrity of the box is very important (you don't want it falling apart if you have a small accident or if the horse kicks/rears) and the weight HAS to be distributed properly, otherwise the box will be very unstable, especially if windy or if you are being overtaken by trucks (the same make truck comes with different length chassis and an experienced manufacturer will know which one they need to balance the weight over the axles).
 
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