HORSEBOX TRANSFER TO A NEW CHASSIS anyone done this??!!

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Eventz30

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Hi

I would appreciate hearing if people have had success with this themselves? I guess I want some reassurance ;)

We (mechanic that knows what he is doing, has done many times previously) are shifting a box from a Cargo 813 to an 2004 same body length Merc 815.

Also if anyone can recommend a horsebox company to do a cut through for a tilt cab in the York area that would be great.

Many thanks in advance
 
Hi did you ever complete your transfer? I am looking to do same with an 811 cargo to a Merc 815 am wondering how you got on with things like cab height and if chassis of merc was higher off ground for ramp angle and swaying while traveling please?
 
Can be done, you need to check lots of things...first, are the chassis rails the same width? Are the bearers in the same place, if not can the fixings be modified?

Is the height from chassis to cab roof the same?

When I did a body swap the new cab was about 200mm higher than the old one so I ended up chopping off the luton bit for simplicity.

If the chassis is higher, your ramp angle will be steeper, not much you can do.

Also be aware that when the body comes off you might see all sorts of nasties which had been covered up.

If you are having a cut-through, I would strongly advise having swap and cut-through done by the same place. If your guy isn't confident about doing it.....leave well alone.

So....many things to think through, but it can be done (as is done quite often). Just make sure you are confident in your mechanic!

Good luck, do ask away if you have any more questions.
 
Thank you very much
Mechanic has done a couple have seen one he did and cut through looks good.
I will look at all points of chassis size before buying then and if you think of anything else please let me know. Did you get a better payload?
 
Payload gain is likely to be very marginal, in fact Mercs (certainly the older ones) are known for being heavy chassis so you may be looking at a loss. You are likely to get more out of re-thinking bits of the box - lighter living fittings, perhaps going from rubber mats to granulistic - you would be surprised how much you can save if you are clever.

Manufacturers should be able to provide chassis drawings, bodybuilders need them the whole time. But if you trust your guy, just let him run a tape over to check.

Have you found a good Merc, or is there a reason you are looking for one specifically?
 
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We did one, but as we swapped iveco to iveco it was more simple..

Now have lovely 6 speed gearbox and a radio that works :)

Fiona
 
We had a professional company quote for this, but TBH I decided that it would be as economical to sell my box as a complete one, and put the money towards another. The box was nice enough, I just wanted a newer chassis, as it was over 10 years old and a discontinued model.


The new one was a conversion, so a new everything for the horse. That was a better solution for us.
 
Yes I did, transferred from 82 to a 98 chassis, the body was wooden and did not like being moved so cost me heavily. A aluminium one should be less heave. You must make sure it sits in a similar place as if the chassis is longer and needs cutting like mine did. The chassis sat on a different area which has more vibration in one horse section. Also it can alter the angle of the ramp if the new chassis is higher.

Sorry down south but they had to cut the chassis to accomodate the crawl through in the body.

So yes it can be done, but do your resesearch and make sure the body will take to being lifted off as damage can be done at this stage.
 
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Turnbuckle I was told a merc 814 by mechanic but make sure it had air brakes
Another said leyland daf but just want one that low to ground and tilt cab.
 
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Steady!

814s are ancient by now.....some swear by them, others reckon they are slow pigs to drive. 815s a more modern beast.

More DAFs around to be sure...

But Ivecos too...and not all are bad.

Back to basics please...why are you doing the swap and what's yr budget? (Roughly)?

All modern 7.5T tilt their cab, it;'s the box which might stop it. Low to the ground isn't neccesarily the answer to ride quality. If your horses freak on steep ramps you can have air suspension, but that's another story...

I think more research is needed!
 
It was suggested by mechanic an 814 Merc but definitely air brakes so I don't have the issues of replacing and bleeding brake lines.
I have recently had an issue with this and had to replace my own.

I currently have 811 iveco and am concerned about the amount of work it has needed recently ie welding battery brakes rust.
We were looking at getting a newer chassis not older than a 99 I think.
 
To turnbuckle
I was also wondering if I could use a tail lift truck to cross over and then have it set up to use as a hydraulic ramp not sure if this is stupid idea or not possible just would like a one man ramp.
 
I had mine done, the mechanic got the new van and did the transfer, all I did was pay. I've had another three years running about in it. They used two fork lifts, one each side, unbolted it, lifted it, drove the old van out, backed the new van in and lowered it in to place. Voila all done.
 
It really depends on if the container was built as a separate container that could in the future be un-bolted and easily moved on to a different chassis cab or a coach built container which is welded to the cab and has long skirts. The latter would be very much more difficult to move.
 
Nice idea on the tail lift but it won't work - they aren't designed to come down at a slope. I've looked at it and walked away.

I am slightly worried that unless your body is very excellent, the work involved will make getting a complete wagon more attractive. And remember, you've sunk a heap of money already and hopefully a lot has been fixed. Is the rust running out of control, or would a bit more cash get her right for another few years?

How much has your guy quoted for doing the swap?
 
Turnbuckle: The whole fire wall was welded and the cab floor. The doors and wheel arches have some time left . The box has ally floor and chassis otherwise looks fine from a crawl under perspective. MOT end of month so I guess that will be determining factor if I do this year or when next big bill comes in!
Would love new Lorry but not possible for anything decent year. I haven't had a figure quoted yet, how much do you reckon?
 
Piece of string question, sorry. Without cut-through and no re-modelling, £500 at least. Rises quickly thereafter!

Is your mechanic going to prep the box for test? With good ones, it's a sort of point of honour that they send out wagons which pass first time, much more so than with car MOTS.

Whereabouts are you?
 
I am on Isle of Wight actually
Yes they usually do here
New guy this time so will be curious what result will be. Thanks for your help Turnbuckle I need new battery now for some reason I have to keep replacing it my cut off has snapped so will need to sort that I think see if that helps. I know alt working cause it pushing 14v into it.
 
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