Mercedes atego (looking for horsebox)

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kizzyjerry

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Hi

Looking for a new (to me!) horsebox and have stumbled across a few atego's - what are they like to run?

The youngest one is a 03 plate, have these been upgraded with more electrics like the DAFS post 2001 ? (i think that's the year)

Can't really find much info on them - know they have heavier chassis, are parts more expensive then Daf/Iveco? and anything i should look out for?

(just in case i'm looking for a 7.5t, will be carrying one horse normally (but one is 850 kilo shire x so the smaller boxes are no good!) must tilt, happy with small living - just somewhere to sit and change. budget up to £7500 (judging by ads looking for around late 90's the odd early 00's with basic body) around 22ft length - horse 7'6h x 7'5w x 9'L)
 
Just bought an Atego '04 reg to move our box onto from an old cargo. Be aware that you need to be cautious with regard to the suspension. We have bought one on air, the ones we saw on springs seemed very soft and we where advised by the coach builder that they usually need stiffening to travel horses happily. If this has not been done it can be an additional cost onto the price tag.

From our research they are reliable, good wagons and safe; it drives fantastic as it is and hopefully will do once the box is on. However they are heavier at approx 3000-3500kg before you add the box so make sure they have enough payload. Ask to see a weighbridge ticket if possible. Mechanic has said parts are more expensive but loads out there so salvage parts very cheap and accessible and generally not much goes wrong.

They have loads of electronics on board and full ECU/diagnostics kit which is a bonus or disadvantage depending upon how you look at it.

If you have any specific questions just PM me as ours came with all the original manuals etc... so can look most things up.
 
I have one too! It is the best wagon I have ever owned!! I have had it 8 years and its on a 1999 chassis and so far has only needed a new exhaust and general servicing :) It never doesnt start and my horses always travel really well in it :)
 
kizzyjerry said:
Hi

Looking for a new (to me!) horsebox and have stumbled across a few atego's - what are they like to run?

The youngest one is a 03 plate, have these been upgraded with more electrics like the DAFS post 2001 ? (i think that's the year)

Can't really find much info on them - know they have heavier chassis, are parts more expensive then Daf/Iveco? and anything i should look out for?

(just in case i'm looking for a 7.5t, will be carrying one horse normally (but one is 850 kilo shire x so the smaller boxes are no good!) must tilt, happy with small living - just somewhere to sit and change. budget up to £7500 (judging by ads looking for around late 90's the odd early 00's with basic body) around 22ft length - horse 7'6h x 7'5w x 9'L)
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avoid the pre 2001 ones, (old style clocks) the electrics can be trouble,parts are about average to cheaper than,hd a 04 and a 2001 they are very good but are a little bit heaver than say a daf so fine with a light body , a friend runs a 03 18ft with a luton and its just over six tons empty so make sure you see a weigh bridge ticket, good on fuel replaceing the shock absorbers made a huge difference to how mine drove the shocks do seem a little weak on them not that expensive and easy to change , just get someone to check it over mecanicaly before you buy!! the only things mine needed were baterys ,shocks , fuel sender,(gauge went haywire!!) and wheel studs had to put new discs on the friends 03 other wise its gone thu 4 mots without a hitch they are far better than iveco money pit eurocargos ,not quite are nice to drive as a daf or MAN...
 
If it seems cheap and almost a bit too good to be true definitely get the weight confirmed! I know a few too many people who got caught out on this when buying second hand and VOSA are really out in force on this these days.
 
Oh, will do, believe me! The box is a basic (what looks like) stick side aluminium or wood with very small living which i thought was maybe why it was cheaper but if its still available will be going in eyes wide open with inspection, weight etc.
 
We have an 04 plate and moved the body from our old lorry onto it a few years ago. They can be a little heavy but other than that, we have nothing bad to say, absolutely love ours!!
 
Ours is a 20ft aluminum coachbuilt body going onto a 4820 wheelbase. They come in 3020, 3320, 3620, 4220 and the 4820 wheelbases; so there really are lengths to suit most box sizes. We wanted to minimise the overhang, and will have to accept a slightly reduced turning circle. Weight seem to range from 3362kg-3532kg depending upon wheelbase; the weight is the definite downside of these chassis. If you need a big payload on a 7.5t box I'd say don't go for the Atego, something like a DAF is much lighter.
 
TJP said:
Sorry for hijacking your post but could people who have these converted already tell me what length body is on yours? Thx
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Remember you need the right wheelbase for the length of the body!!! too much overhang (Axle to far forward)and the ride for horses will be poor and the handling way it drives will be horrible , axle to far back, little overhang there is a strong possibility the front axle will be overloaded something to bare in mind if you are buying something to convert or a chassis to swap ....
 
perfect11s said:
Remember you need the right wheelbase for the length of the body!!! too much overhang (Axle to far forward)and the ride for horses will be poor and the handling way it drives will be horrible , axle to far back, little overhang there is a strong possibility the front axle will be overloaded something to bare in mind if you are buying something to convert or a chassis to swap ....
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Usually the manufacturers give information regarding max loads per axle and as perfect11s says you need to work out how the box is weighted and for example where the horse partitions place the loads at the rear. I thought swapping over would be fairly straightforward, but as soon as we really got into the process I realised how complicated it is to do it right. One thing we have come across is a system you can have added where it weighs loading on the axles and gives you a digital display in the cab so you know you are traveling safe.
 
The reason I asked was because we have a 24 ft lorry in the yard and hubby has said to convert it. I am a little worried that 2 horses would be behind the back axle. We would be carrying max of 2 horses and 1 pony. Length seems excessive for 3.
 
I was told it is easier to shorten a chassis and have the rear axle in the right place than try to lengthen one. I'd speak to a commercial coachbuilder or horsebox builder if possible.
 
TJP said:
The reason I asked was because we have a 24 ft lorry in the yard and hubby has said to convert it. I am a little worried that 2 horses would be behind the back axle. We would be carrying max of 2 horses and 1 pony. Length seems excessive for 3.
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First thing is to measure the wheelbase and the overhang behind the back wheels if its 4.8 WB or less then you would be best cutting the body down or you could cut the front out and move the body forward on the chassis to give you a luton, you must retain the cab tilt with a flap in the luton so the cab can come past, the filters and service items are on the top of the engine and not accesable from below!!!. idealy the middle horse should be over the axle... if you have a longer wb than you need it is fairy easy to move the axle forward but its an added cost as prop needs shortning and there is a lot of rivits to grind off !! guess on about a £1000 I would say 24 ft is too long for a 7.5 ton horsebox best to have about 20 ft , 10 ft living and same for horse area.. I would take the lot to a weighbridge before you start then you will have an idea what you can do ...
 
Thanks guys. Moving it to incorporate a Luton sounds like an idea. The lorry is only 6 year old so I think hubby would rather I did use it rather than get another one. We have coach builders nearby so I will ask about cutting and moving the body forward.
 
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