Oakley Horsebox.....renovating

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YummyHorses

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Advice and guidance required!

I have a very old Oakley Horsebox, still in good order however on an old cab/chassis. Been advised by a coach builder near me to put it on a new (ish) cab/chassis, respray, tidy up and will look great.

What experiences do people have in doing this? Was it a success? And can anyone offer recommendations for good Horsebox coach builders in the south east?

Thanks.
 
We bought a 20yo Oakley earlier this year and initially thought that we should be contemplating moving the body to a newer chassis. I was quoted 20k plus chassis plus respray by Oakley (ok I didn't expect it to be cheap, but...) but then discovered that the Scania chassis is in great condition.

From the investigations I did at that stage a third to half that price seemed possible. Personal recommendation would be my preference for finding someone to do it, if you can. I'd be interested to hear how it goes.
 
I think you'll have to weigh up the cost of a newer chassis, then changing the body ( my mechanic said he'd never do it again). Then the cost of a respray ( at least £3.000 for a reasonable job) then the refurb inside which could be another grand or so.
Depends on whether all this work will add the same amount to the value of the lorry, it may be more cost effective to sell it as it is and spend that money on a slightly newer Oakley.
 
Our lorry is an older Oakley body onto a newer chassis. The quality of the Oakely body is fantastic and nothing is worn. Ours is a unique(ish) 2 horse 7.5 tonne and to find another Oakley like this would have been far more £££s than transferring to a newer chassis. Key is to get the right chassis at the right price and have the right person do it, ours was actually done before we bought it but actually at the same garage we use (so not sure on exact costs, in the North) but it was a success and like I say nothing is wrong with the body at all so I can see why previous owner had it changed to the newer chassis.
 
Thanks everyone.

I have a need for an automatic as my leg/ankle is still very weak so can't push down the clutch, major break about 5 months ago. Haven't found many decent automatic lorries that I can afford so this seems to be a good alternative.

Been quoted 20k ish to put the box on a 55 reg chassis, respray, put in loo, general tidy up, put in external tack locker but leave the living and horse area alone and then do that up at a later date.

Kinda feel it's a good idea, but wanted a sanity check!!
 
20k sounds expensive! I recently had a quote to re chassis my truck which was 10k including 54 plate chassis and respray. Ok it isn't an Oakley but surely it can't make that much difference. This was from a company that does lots and lots of chassis switches and sells lorries that they have updated so know their stuff.
 
Sorry - the 20k is to buy a new chassis (quoted about 8 - 9k for a 55/56 plate automatic), tilt cab, switch over the chassis, re-spray, put in a loo, repair body dents, replace some body parts, put in a tack locker - cant remember anything else.

Its a 7.5 ton lorry and currently takes 3 horses but will go down to 2 horses with the loo going in.

I think the cost of the chassis depends a little on manufacturer. Mine is currently on a DAF but thinking of putting onto a MAN chassis.

I havent been able to find any decent automatic lorries (with similar build quality) for 20k have to be honest but maybe I am looking in the wrong places.

Can anyone offer any recommendations of coach builder firms - or ones to avoid?

Thanks!
 
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