Mercedes 814

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Louby

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I have recently bought an old Mecedes 814 and Im quite pleased with it apart from the very keen brakes that are going to get some getting used too. Ive not had my horse in it yet as I need to get used to the brakes :eek: and its currently having a few cosmetic jobs done.

I was told they have a soft suspension before I bought but I was advised if going old either a MAN or Merc would be best as they dont rust as much.
My friend has one too and she has taken my horse to a couple of competitions but after the first journey, he was iffy loading on the way back and the same the next time we went out, both ways. He travelled fine though and wasnt distressed, just not keen to go back on. The driver drove great, so its not that.

He loaded easily into my last lorry so Im wondering if the ride they are supposed to give could be causing him not wanting to load???

Has anyone had anything similar?......... and do you ever get used to the keen brakes :eek:
 
I have a Mercades 814 & traveled lots of horses & friends horses in it with no problem. Although my OH does tell me I drive like Miss Daisy!! ;)
The breaks do take a bit of getting used but lots of planning ahead & using your gears to slow down smoothly. At least they work!! :D
 
I would be very surprised if it was the fact that it is a mercedes 814 that is causing the problem, I would imagine it is much more likely that it is the box itself, is it perhaps low/narrow/dark/noisy etc?

One of our horses isn't overly fond of loading into our ancient lorry, it has quite a low ceiling and is not lovely and white inside but is quite happy loading into nice smart airy boxes - he is often tricky going into dark stables too so I think he is a little claustrophobic. He always travels well in our box so I'm afraid he just has to get over himself!
 
Great thanks, Im glad it probably isnt the chassis causing the problem, its taken us months to find this wagon.
Its a tricky subject questionning someone elses box isnt it. It is in great condition and a proper height, width etc. Wierd thing is, when we do get him to load, he practically falls up the step into the box. My last wagon had the same step and it never caused a problem.
I do wonder what hes telling me though as it isnt like him to be like this. I will have to get mine back, practice practice practice (with the brakes) and try him in it as I know things like the floor etc are totally sound.
Thanks again
 
Louby said:
I have recently bought an old Mecedes 814 and Im quite pleased with it apart from the very keen brakes that are going to get some getting used too. Ive not had my horse in it yet as I need to get used to the brakes :eek: and its currently having a few cosmetic jobs done.

I was told they have a soft suspension before I bought but I was advised if going old either a MAN or Merc would be best as they dont rust as much.
My friend has one too and she has taken my horse to a couple of competitions but after the first journey, he was iffy loading on the way back and the same the next time we went out, both ways. He travelled fine though and wasnt distressed, just not keen to go back on. The driver drove great, so its not that.

He loaded easily into my last lorry so Im wondering if the ride they are supposed to give could be causing him not wanting to load???

Has anyone had anything similar?......... and do you ever get used to the keen brakes :eek:
Click to expand...
You proberbly have some simple to fix problems....
one is the brakes need cleaning out and adjusting once this is done this should fix them and stop them grabbing... and the other is the shock absorbers and possibly roll bar bushes are worn out which will give a floaty bouncy ride and will let the thing lurch about on uneven roads I would bet new shocks would transform it :D
 
We had our suspension strengthened as it was quite soft and tended to wallow on bouncy roads unless you drove under 20mph. Its much less floaty now and gives a good ride
 
I've got an older (L reg) 814 and never had anything travel badly in it? The brakes are a little sharp but yes you will soon get used to it!
 
Thanks for your replies, Im feeling a lot better about it now. Ive had a couple of nice newer lorries but just dont warrant so much money standing there and its taken us ages to find this one.
I think I will ask the mechanic to give it a once over too re cleaning the brakes out and shock absorbers etc. The person I bought it off used it regulary and I get the impression it wanted for nothing mechanically but I will try anything to make the brakes a little less keen. Perfect11... grabbing is exactly how it feels, my husband asked why I kept overshooting the lights and I said if I didnt he would be through the window!! Its totally opposite to my Iveco which was a much smoother ride and stop :)
I know my friends husband took hers out again and again at first just to get used to it, theres is their first lorry so he looks at me like Im mad when I go on about the brakes as hes had nothing to compare it too.
Thanks again
 
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