Opinions on mercedes horseboxes ??

D

DonkeyClub

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 July 2013
Messages
238
Visit site
Specifically the mercedes 1117 Eco Power. 1998 11 ton model.

How are these for reliability, Economy, and parts?

Do they give the horses a smooth and stable ride ( it does have air suspension) as I heard that mercedes lorries will rock horses around?

Are they good on fuel, Do they last well or are they the type to rot away?
 
Never had that particular model but I had a 6.5t 709D and it hardly ever had anything wrong with it - my friend has it now and the garage always says it will go on forever. I may be buying it back soon :)
 
Mercs are very reliable but the parts are one of the most expensive out there.

The chassis don't rot out like cargos do, but then you do get the exception if a lorry has not been looked after.

fuel economy will depend upon how its driven and loaded up of course but you should be getting around 15 miles to the gallon.

You have not said what the horsebox itself is Oakley, Olympic etc???
 
Can't comment on the model you mention but mercs in general seem to have good availability of spares for old models compared to other makes as they are widely used abroad. We have an 814 k reg and have no problem with spares. Husband is an hgv fitter and doesn't feel spares particularly expensive generally speaking.
Although it does seem to rock'n'roll well in the cab I rode in the living once and was surprised how stable it felt.
Do think a non tilt cab is a no go, will make some jobs virtually impossible.
 
I had a 98 Merc Atego a few yrs ago - brilliant lorry :) Tho not the weight you are looking at.

It had anti-roll bar on the rear axle & never had it rocking & gave a lovely ride.
However, tho general servicing was fine, spares were not always as 'cheap' as its contemporaries from similar age/sized lorries.
Biggest issues were with electrics as so many to go wrong; from heated mirrors, elec windows to the all-singing dashboard, so complicated that needed dealer input only for plug-in & not the attentions of a local mechanic, who could only deal with mechanical & std issues (service & clutch/brakes etc)

Non-tilt was not a problem, as long as I didn't fill the cab up with shed loads of stuff, as the passenger seat got whipped out, engine cover removed & access was fine unless serious work would be required (luckily we never needed more than injectors attending to)

Worth you checking with local commercial garage to hear their thoughts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top