Horsebox purchase post

J

JM07

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following on from Stinkbomb's post about her almost disaterous purchase of a "dodgy" box....

this is the reason why i believe that ALL horseboxes, not just reward for hire boxes, should be subjected to a 6 weekly check to make sure they are roadworthy, tyres, brakes, floors, ramp, within the legal weight limits etc and also have the milage/tacho's checked every 3 months. it would save anyone who is about to purchace a box a great deal of worry and hassle.

The article in yesterdays H&H was a very good and poignant one.

everyone should take 10 minutes to actually digest ALL of the article.

ok, it will cost the average horse owner a fair bit of money for upkeep per year.....rather that than travelling in a unroadworthy box!

....as it was pointed out in yesterdays article, just because you have a plateing certificate, doesn't mean the vehicle is actually up to the job!! as it isnt a requirement for a lorry to pass a plate to check of it has the correct weight limit, or the ramp works correctly, the weight distribution of both axles...the list really is a long one.

something for all lorry owners to think about i feel.....

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/best/396/152964.html
 
I do agree, but not everyone ignores their box from one plate to another.
I am new to lorry owning having had mine for 8 months. It is having its plate done in two weeks time, but my husband regularly greases it up and crawls underneath it to check pipes and tyres and brakes etc. I also check the floor regularly, making sure it is mucked out after every use.
So not everyone can be tarred with the same brush!
 
i'm not tarring anyone here...

i just think it would be a good thing if it was a blanket rule that ALL lorries are subjected to the same checks..be it private or commercial.

they are still the same type of vehicle, capable of causing serious damage to all around if involved in an accident....whether the lorry in question travels 2000 or 20000 miles per year...
 
My husband is a transport manager and has to ensure all his lorries have all the checks and he wont let me have a lorry because of the fact they are not looked after as well. So we have a trailer if they went over to the checks he thinks it would be a lot safer but the costss would be a lot It scares me how much they spend on their lorries though
 
I Agree that ther needs to be enforcable regular checks, however i think that for the private lorry owner every 6 weeks is a bit unreasonable, my lorry might go on 3 trips in that time and whilst rust may set in at the same rate, the parts dont wear out as fast. I think something like every 3 months would be more reasonable.
 
Why stop at HGV's? Should cars not be subject to the same checks?
Why oh why do we seem to want to regulate out individual responbility in favour of expensive red tape?

I would much prefer to see the penalties for unfit vehicles significantly increased. That then allows those of us that can / do take care of our vehicles to continue without stupid costs. For those that cant it becomes cheaper to get a professional check than pay the fine.
 
In theory it would be good, but in practice I can't see it working. It takes ages to get an appointment for plating so how would you ever get an appointment for these checks to be carried out. Additionally who would do these checks because testers are fully booked up already & each horsebox would need an extra 8 tests per annum?
crazy.gif
 
Commercial vehicles that are tested every 6 weeks still only have an MOT once a year. The 6 weekly check up is done by a certified mechanic.
 
a 6 week check isn't done by a plating station..but by a HGV mechanic..
they will take the vehicle at 24 hrs notice..or sooner if they are able to..takes about 2hours...

as i said earlier, a plating DOESN'T ensure your vehicle is fit for purpose, just that it's roadworthy..two different things entirely.
 
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