looking to buy a horsebox advice please

[nagseastsussex]

Hi i'm looking to buy a non hgv horsebox and have absolutely no idea whatsoever about makes/models etc can anyone give me some pointers of what I should look for/ask. I currently have an IFW505 so its quite a big step up for me but really need something bigger with living. many thanks

 

[Spottyappy]

Whatever you do, get it totally checked out by a mechanic, preferably one who knows about horses so can check the horse area is safe too.
I have had a few, you need to go and try lots. They all drive differently, my current one is an Iveco, and it drives beautifully, but being slightly older, 1993, the gears are quite clunky. My previous box was a 1999 Daf, but nowhere near as smooth as current one to drive even though newer.
I tried loads of boxes, newer and older, and was amazed at how many I could not drive! They were awful. So, no matter how nice the box looks, its not always straightforward! Not forgetting the expense of a mechanic, who may then tell you to avoid with barge pole! Several times in my case.
Get the most head room you can for horse, as I had to change my last box, when my homebred boy died unexpectedly and his replacement was much taller. The 7'2" headroom on previous box, was not enough for the 17.2 giraffe we now have! 8' headroom boxes are actually not that common, but had I been aware of the fact I would have been better to get a taller box, ,I would have saved myself having to to change the lorry cos of changing the horse!
I personally do not like herringbone boxes,as one of ours won't travel that way, so looking for forward facing 7.5t box, or 6.5t, was hard as there are not many about. Ended up at a dealer. So, don't discount dealers, wider choice and usually some kind of warranty. Still get mechanic to check it, and any reputable dealer will not mind.
Hope that helps a little.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

As above really, you must get a lorry mechanic to check the vehicle over as repairs can be very expensive on them.

Before you go & view any lorrys decide exactly what you want. How many horses will you be travelling at any one time? Do you want a 7.5 ton, 6.5 ton or smaller? Do you want living? Do you want day living? Do you want or need living at all? If you aren't likely to stay away at shows then full living is not needed & not having it will also save you additional weight. Some lorrys will be stalled for 3 horses & with full living but you must remember that many of these will weigh 6.2 tons or more. The remaining 1.3ton payload will not go far so bare this in mind.

I have a 7.5 ton Tri-Star box with day living which is stalled for 3 horses/ponys. The ulw is 5.5 tons so I have a 2 ton payload which is plenty for me to carry my 2 show jumpers @ family to a show. When I was looking for a lorry I saw a beautiful one with everything in the living & stalled for 3 horses. I contacted the seller & asked the ulw. She replied 800kgs , I thanked her & said she'd got a lovely mobile home but it was too heavy to carry a horse, tack, rider etc without being over weight.

So be aware of weight & be sure of what you need in a horsebox & take a mechanic with you. Good Luck.

 

[Louby]

As above and go with your eyes very very wide open, its a minefield. Dont dismiss tired paintwork, often the shiny lovely paintjob is hiding a multitude of things. Im on my 3rd and have learnt the hard way £££££ one looked the part but was rotten (body not cab!) have had full living, basic living, high payload, low payload. Loads I seen advertised with 7ft headroom, I think 7'6 is the minimum needed for bigger horses.
We travelled 100's of miles to find they look nothing like the photo in the ad, cracks in the body, rust buckets, awful to drive, back to front gearboxes.... takes some getting used too, flimsy partitions, sides that move with a human weight, mold everywhere in the living, rotten floors etc etc etc.

 

[sillygillyhorse]

Make sure there is a weighbridge ticket stating the unladen weight of the lorry, if possible go with the vendor to the weighbridge so you have an idea of how much fuel was in the tank when it was weighed and that they hadnt tried to pull a fast one to reduce weight by removing essential items such as partitions, which, if they are strong enough to support a horse will weigh a decent amount!

Make sure the payload available is actually sufficient for your requirements, as someone has already pointed out many lorries stalled for 3 will not legally carry that number of horses and all the associated equipment. Never underestimate just how much all the "stuff" weighs!

 

[PeterNatt]

Make sure that the cab can be fully tilted so that it is easy to carry out maintenance and repairs on it and easy to repair in the event of a breakdown. Do not accept a vehicle with an inspection/servicing hatch as this will not provide sufficient access.
Absolutely take it to a weighbridge and find out how much it really weighs.
Check the floors and ramp from underneath and above for any rotting floors and yes aluminium will rot.

 

[oldie48]

I'd think very carefully about whether you need living. i traded down to a 3.5 ton box with no living, no good itf you are travelling 2 big horses + tack but if you are competing 1 horse as I do, it's great. I now stay in B&B if away from home, running cost are a fraction of a 7.5 ton box both in terms of diesel and plating. Best decision I ever made but not for everyone. my last 7.5 ton box had the works, shower, loo, heating etc but I hardly ever used it and it cost a lot to run and keep on the road.

 

[Perissa]

Make sure that the cab can be fully tilted so that it is easy to carry out maintenance and repairs on it and easy to repair in the event of a breakdown. Do not accept a vehicle with an inspection/servicing hatch as this will not provide sufficient access.

Absolutely agree with this, I will never buy another non tilt cab lorry!

 

[ROG]

Hi i'm looking to buy a non hgv horsebox

This is where things can get confusing depending on what is meant by using the term HGV

Are you referring to vehicles under 3.5 tonnes (non LGV) or vehicles under 7.5 tonnes (LGV C1) which some term as non HGV

As the UK was the only numpty country using the term HGV we can now see why since 1991 we joined the more sensible LGV system

 

[scribble]

I would say in terms of makes look for Merc, Daf and Man, having said that i had a Man and it was nothing but trouble. volvo do good HGv but not so good 7.5 tonners, bedfords can be problematic but if you get a good one then supposed to last well but cn be rsut buckets. some dafs can also be rust buckets. you must use the lorry at least once a week to warrant having one. otherwise it will sit and rot and you my as well burn your money. sorry to be grim but i have had 4 and worked with VOSA and know from experience.