new 5.2 ton horsebox - advice please

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allyrow

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Hi I am going to look at some horseboxes with a view to buying one at the weekend, this will be my first box and i have decided on (hopefully) a 5.2 ton one.

As I have never bought one before i would appreciate any hints or tips, what should i be aware of and look out for. \What needs close attention, my OH will be doing the technical bit but i will be more interested in how nice it should look lol. neither of us are mechanical , but we do know someone we can take back to check out the engine as a safety measure but are there specific things we should be looking for? any advice greatly appreciated.....
 
allyrow said:
Hi I am going to look at some horseboxes with a view to buying one at the weekend, this will be my first box and i have decided on (hopefully) a 5.2 ton one.

As I have never bought one before i would appreciate any hints or tips, what should i be aware of and look out for. \What needs close attention, my OH will be doing the technical bit but i will be more interested in how nice it should look lol. neither of us are mechanical , but we do know someone we can take back to check out the engine as a safety measure but are there specific things we should be looking for? any advice greatly appreciated.....
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make sure you find out the unladen weight best is a quick run in it to the nearest public weighbridge you need to be sure its got enough payload , yes definatly get it checked over someome needs to check the floor and the ramp for safety and the build quality as well as the mecanical bits, also remember you will need a pre 1997 licence or a hgv licence to drive it ..good luck hope its a good one..
 
The two most important things to get checked is:

1. mechanical (Engine, gearbox, steering, brakes, suspension etc)/bodywork/chassis/floors & this needs to be done by someone who really knows their way around lorrys.

2. The unladed weight is a must to know. Without that you will have no idea what you can legally carry. The seller should be able to take it to a weigh bridge & get a certificate, it only costs a few pounds to get this done.

Oh & thirdly don't believe anything that the seller says unless it can be absolutely proven to be correct. If they say it's been regularly serviced you need to see bills & have a good look at them to ensure they are real & not in mint condition & just been printed off their computer. Ideally have 12 months test on it as from very near the day you go to look at it.

A pretty paint job can cover a multitude of sins, so don't be swayed too much by it being 'pretty'.

Sorry to sound negative, but there are loads of junk out there being sold & you don't want to be one of those buyers as it will cost you a fortune in the future.

Good Luck
 
Assuming you have a pre 97 licence then if you ever decide to get a trailer for it in the future, the maximum plated weight or MAM of the trailer cannot exceed 3.05 tonnes as your C1+E has a code restriction for a combination weight of 8.25 tonnes

5.2 + 3.05 = 8.25

Unlike the rules for towing on a B+E licence, the LGV (over 3.5 tonnes) towing rules are based on the plated weights

This might be useless info for you but just in case.....
 
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