lorry back doors - opinions please?

ArcticFox

ArcticFox

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www.bryland.co.uk
Hi all

I am thinking about having a lorry built and although everything else has been decided I'm not sure about the back doors!

(photos below are for demonstration purposes found while searching for examples)

If I go for the usual doors:

horsebox-doors-lg.jpg


I would like them to be like the ones in the photo above

However :)

When I was at the champs at Aston Le Walls in August the foreign lorries all had these as back doors:

livestockbackgates.jpg



Does anyone on here have a lorry with these? if a horse is on the back, can it put its foot through them? what do you like/don't like about them?

I really like the look of them and think they will be more use to me - i also don't know where you would get them made so any advice/opinions/ideas very much appreciated

Many many thanks

Cxxxx
 
They're the sort of doors livestock lorries usually have aren't they so maybe worth asking someone who makes that sort of lorry?
 
The gate types are useful if you have horses which aren't great to load, but they can be awkward to handle - I suppose the aluminium ones would be lighter but the traditional ones would be wood and can be heavy. They are less likely to blow in the wind though and they don't break so easily. Most types slot together when they are closed so they don't have gaps for horses to put their feet through.

The flat door types can be a bit flimsy but are easier to manage. The don't make great "wings" for dodgy loaders, and they are terrible in the wind and you can't leave them open in case they blow about and break.

I've had both, currently have the door type and don't particularly like them.
 
Have used both types over the years, tho the 'gates' were on my 1st box which were wooden - and as said above, were heavy when wet & not too robust after being bashed a few times by burly fuzzies on the back.

If I'd had the chance on the last 4 boxes, then I'd have had the metal drop gates. The ONLY time they wouldn't suit would be loading a dodgy one on the back on my own, otherwise they would be perfic :cool:

Try the Irish builders, a number of them make them for lorries :)
 
My new lorry has the aluminium slatted gates and they seem to be the new style manufacturers are starting to use. Reasons I went for them is they don't blow in the wind and because they're sort of hinged they fix to the ramp the whole way along so there's no way a horse could put it's foot between the doors and the ramp during loading/unloading if they slip (mine sit much much lower to the ramp than in your 2nd photo, ie theres virtually no space).
 
I would far rather use the gates myself or you could have solid ones made in the same style but would be heavier. I hate how wagons don't have any sides to a ramp, always think they're dangerous especially if something prats about.
 
Ifor Williams would be a good starting place as they make them for there cattle waggons.I use them all the time on the farm just watch your fingers!
 
A benefit of the solid doors (as in the first pic) is that you can close them when it's windy/raining, particularly when the lorry is parked in the wrong direction, and it helps to keep the horses warmer and drier while they're standing on board waiting for their class. :)
 
I have had trucks with both, my current truck has the ally gates but the bottom bar is closer to the floor than the one in the op's picture. The coachbuilder uses these as they do not blow and rattle in the wind and the way they are attached makes them stronger, when shut the bars slot together to make a smooth finish. I do not find them heavy at all.

My truck was built by Praters of Hollingdon, they are super people to deal with, can highly recommend them, give them a call about the gates, you need to speak to Aaron.
 
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