Lorry Question Again (sorry)

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Kate_13

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Would you buy an automatic horsebox?

Would you buy one without plating or MOT?

What are the main things to watch out for with old boxes?

Thank you
 
Would definitely not buy an automatic horsebox - you need to slow down by changing down through the gears, rather than hitting the brakes. Would not buy one without a plate (MOT) as this could cost £000s to get an old lorry through unless you know a friendly lorry mechanic.
 
I personally prefer manual,
Unless you have bags of dosh to through at one, don't buy one without a plate, and finally, look out for rotten cab floors, rot around windows, chassis struts are no more than 12 inches apart and that the gearbox isn't full of sawdust (old trick to make it feel smooth around the gear changes)
Regarding horse area, both boxes i have owned, i had the floors ripped out and new ones put in irrespective of whether they looked ok or not, have seen 3 horses in the past few years go through box floors, and one was a 35k box!
There are some good boxes out there, but treat every one you see with caution.
Jo
 
oooo.....its a minefield out there. Thanks for your advice.

It seems to me like you never quite know what you are getting. There are loads for sale, but would I be right in saying, no matter wether it is £500 or £10k, it still might be knackered?????

I really want a lorry but am thinking it may be a huge expense, I might explore the trailer option again, but would prefer a lorry.

Agggggghhhhhhh
 
Automatics are a heap of junk and a nightmare to fix

Got to have a MOT unless its for spares only

Everything but your main thing is Rust and condition of engine, check for full service record
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any more questions just PM
 
I bought a horse box a few years ago coz I liked the colour ! What I didnt realise was the box was held on to the chassis by 4 screws and the chassis was completely rusted. I spent thousands on it and then fell pregnant so sold it ! what a waste of time and money. Next time I would definately take a mechanic with me !! when it was road and horse worthy I phoned places that use conveyor belts to get my rubber matting coz they change them reguarly coz of health and safety and they are only too pleased to get rid of them !! just the same as equine rubber mats.I am surprised othrs dont do that. !!??
 
Got to stick up for automatics here. before febuary this year i wouldnt have gone near one again for many of the reasoms above but then my boss brought an oakley supremacy. I was horrified but let me tell you i am converted. its a scania so i can get it fixed down the road and there are loads of garages about the country, the ride is actually smoother as theres no gear change drama, braking is no different from any other truck and most important it is FANTASTIC on fuel. we have been to scotland and germany in it and it is the best truck i have ever driven and as i do regular truck driving during the winter not just horses, i have driven a few!
 
Always get it checked out by a mechanic and try not to be heart broken when they tell you it's a piece of cr*p
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I didn't get mine checked out and am constantly paying for it. Although I have an OK lorry now I wish I'd just walked away and bought a different one.

I wouldn't get an automatic
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Definately a years plate - usually costs around a £1K to get mine (and my last one) through, with repairs etc
 
Welcome to the minefield. There are loads of old horseboxes out there & some are very cheap, but they are cheap for a reason normally because there is an extremely large bill on the horizon.

I prefer manual as you have more control over decelleration & can give the horse a smoother ride.

Don't touch a lorry without an MOT/Plating Cert. A lorry with one is worth more....so why has the seller not bothered...normally because it will cost a fortune to get it through the test. They'll give all sorts of excuses but basically they don't want to spend the cash.

Old boxes:- rotting floors & chassis, brake pipes, brakes, steering boxes, tyres, exhausts, bodywork rotting, electrics, basically everything is old & tired

Save up more & go for the newest you can afford & take an expert with you to check it out otherwise you may end up with a newly painted & shiney piece of junk. Good Luck
 
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