More horsebox questions....sorry!

[ecrozier]

Sorry, the ongoing saga of decision making goes on...
Right, having deliberated for hours, I think we are now decided that we do need to upgrade from the ifor 505 to a horsebox, due to the fact that the new 16.2hh hunter-type horse doesn't really fit in the trailer, plus we do travel the horses at least once a week, usually twice, so lorry would get plenty of use! I also find it quite nerve wracking towing the two as she moves quite a bit and they are blinkin' heavy!
We have been offered a Leyland Roadrunner, which is old, but looks in v good condition, hadn't been started for ages when we tried it (belongs to someone we know) and fired up first time. Any opinions on roadrunners? Are they fairly reliable? Easy to get parts for?
Also how much is lorry tax? It is plated but they haven't taxed it as not been used since plating.
We were thinking of getting an AA check done on it...is this a ood idea or would a proper horsebox vetting be better? Who would do those?
Last but not least, someone said the other day that lorries now have to have running lights down the sides and these have to be fitted if not there already? Is this true? Is it very expensive?
THanks everyone!

 

[Rambo]

Well, I can answer some of your questions...

Lorry tax is the same as the top rate for cars....so about £180 (?) per year I think

The running lights are only required if the lorry is newer than 1993 I believe.

Leyland Roadrunners are fairly common so I would imagine parts wouldn't be too much of a problem. Perhaps get a local commercial mechanic to give it the once over first though

I don't thiunk the AA would do lorries

 

[PaddyMonty]

Any lorry is only as good as its maintenance. For the amount horseboxes are used compared to the desighned use of lorries then most makes are fine.
Personally I would get a horse box specialist to check the lorry. Its not just the mechanics but ramp, floor etc.
Tax is about £90 for 6 months
Lights on side are only required for lorries register after Jan 93. Older lorries can still just have reflectors.

 

[ecrozier]

Awesome,good news on the running lights...it is 1985 so we are ok on that score.
Any suggestions where I would find a local horsebox servicing type person? We are on Oxon/Berks/Bucks borders.
Tax is the same as my jeep so that is good news. Might try to get them to knock a bit off price though to cover it!
Thanks!

 

[PaddyMonty]

If you know people locally with horseboxes then ask them who they have for servicing / plating. Word of mouth is far better than adverts.

 

[samp]

I have a Leyland Roadrunner and it is great, I can not drive it although I own it, but it apparently drives like a dream. Tax is about £200. plating I am not sure as not had that expense yet

 

[ecrozier]

Is yours quite 'elderly' too Samp? I've got to take my test before I'll be able to drive mine.
I found an ad in H & H for a horsebox vetting type person which says they travel nationwide, but they are actually quite local to me, so think I'll give them a call, at least to get price etc. Most of the people I know who have horseboxes are on same yard, would quite like someone independant, just for my own peace of mind!
Any suggestions?

 

[filly190]

I've gone from a lorry to a 510 and travel 2 x 17hh middleweight t.b's. I did feel much safer in my lorry, and the horses had more comfort. I think you are doing the right thing, considering you are going out often.

In my experience, buying an older lorry can have a lot of hidden expenses and I would get it checked over really well.

Good luck, am sure you will be happy with your decision

 

[samp]

Mine in 1987 I think (F reg). It is great though, we can not fault it and smooth ride for my mare - only lorry she will load into

 

[Rambo]

[ QUOTE ]
Awesome,good news on the running lights...it is 1985 so we are ok on that score.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is quite an old lorry so I would seriously urge you to get it checked out thoroughly. We have a 1988 Ford Cargo and it just cost £1200 to put through it's plating ! There was nothing really wrong...it needed a couple of new exhaust parts and I had a couple of small welding jobs done (nothing mechanical, but re-attaching the living steps and re-hanging the rear gates). Nothing with lorries comes cheap unfortunately

 

[ecrozier]

Yeah definately want to get a horsebox specialist to have a look. It was plated about 6 weeks ago and hardly needed anything done, luckily current owner's dad is a mechanic apparently (she didn't tell me that, someone else did!) so it should have been fairly well looked after.
Thing is, we are swapping it for a 505 that will need an alloy floor put in in a year or so, and a jeep that has cost me nearly £3k in 3 years to keep running! So I am well used to expensive motors....!! Seems a good time to swap it as well, while trailer floor still good enough to sell it without changing it.

 

[Rambo]

Sounds like you know what you're getting yourself into

Hope the lorry works out for you...

 

[ecrozier]

Thanks, very excited about being able to make a cup of tea once I get to a show (sad eh?!)

 

[Baggybreeches]

Roadrunners are great, the bits are really cheap and the newer Daf45 parts are often used as they basically the same. Do look after it and keep on top of the maintenace. I used to do a lot my self (its that easy). Invest in a really good battery or 2 (if 24v) and you should be pretty ok. We have a dealer up here who deals in parts new and secondhand. Will pm you details as they courier things out which still works out cheaper than Leyland dealers.

 

[Happytohack]

Lorry tax is £185. Leyland roadrunners are usually pretty good, especially ones with Cummings engines. who are you going to get to service it and get it through the plate for you? You could get them to check it mechanically for you before you buy it - but it sounds like a pretty genuine lorry. Do you remember I had a Ford Cargo for sale - an A reg? It was snapped up within a couple of days of advertising it, so if you like the look of this lorry, I'd go for it. Ours was insured with SEIB for £220 a year - the expensive bit is the plating.

 

[ecrozier]

Hi Jaylen
Yes I do remember, glad you sold it ok! Not sure who to go to for servicing etc, going to ask around the riding club to find out who people use. Def will get someone to have a look before handing over the money!
Need to move quick-ish as she hasn't advertised yet and would rather get there before she does!

 

[spooks]

if 1985 is old mine is ancient! lol, mine is 1976! seriously though rambo is right get it checked properly especially the floor as when they do the plate apparently they dont check the floor, a copper checking lorry conditions at a show i went to told me that! also a friend recently bought a ford transit horsebox which had 6 mths plate on it, she decided to get it serviced and a good job she did! the king pins (£1000 job) needed doing and it needed lots of welding underneath to.

to get it plated cost £46 , obviously if theres anything wrong with it its going to cost more, mines just cost me 1200 to get it through its test to so your not alone rambo!

 

[Rambo]

[ QUOTE ]
when they do the plate apparently they dont check the floor, a copper checking lorry conditions at a show i went to told me that!

[/ QUOTE ]

No they don't....you're dead right. All the Plating / MOT does is check that the vehicle is roadworthy and meets all the legislative requirements for it's type on the day it is tested. There is no requirement for a lorry to have a sound floor as it doesn't affect the way the vehicle goes on the road. Obviously loose bodywork and the like would have an effect on the MOT as things falling off the lorry would be a potential hazard for other road users