Restoring an old Rice Beaufort in Ireland

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Rangieman

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I've joined up to this site to hopefully get some assistance with my new project, which is restoring an old Rice Beaufort horse box. Getting information on them is getting more difficult as I'm led to believe that both Rice and Richardsons are no longer in business so sourcing factory records is no longer an option.
I'll establish which model it is once I collect it and take some internal measurements. It's still on the original Rubery Owen 5 stud hubs which I'm told are impossible to get parts for.
Can anyone help in giving me an approximate age for it? I'm guessing 1980's.

Thankyou
 

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we restored that exact model. I think we did the work in around 1978/1980.
our trailer was originally used with a series 2 landrover and I think they were together back in the late 50's early 60's. I think you are going back way beyond the 80's. The person ours came from used it for horses in the 60's.

It did produce a lovely trailer however if you are doing that up for horses (safety aspect) it will be expensive. We have to go back to square one, welding etc on the chassis. Double flooring etc.
Parts even then were very expensive especially the top door on the front ramp.

enjoy doing it up, it will be a lovely project and I love those trailers. There are quite a few in our area, Devon, used for mobile catering. Have you tried to see if there is a FB group for them?
 
That's the model I have, looks awful on the outside but OH re did the floors and ramps so it is solid. I found the horses preferred to travel in it rather than my sister's newer one.

Will have to repaint it one day.
 
this has a bit of activity. May be some references on getting parts or alternatives to use.


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They didnt do front unloads much earlier than the 80s so that seems a good estimate. Are the wheels not the ones that are the same as old landrover 5 stub wheels?

Trailer tek is where you will get most parts or advise on alternatives. Its often the easiest thing to change the axles out, but its not cheap.
 
I'm Dun said:
They didnt do front unloads much earlier than the 80s so that seems a good estimate. Are the wheels not the ones that are the same as old landrover 5 stub wheels?

Trailer tek is where you will get most parts or advise on alternatives. Its often the easiest thing to change the axles out, but its not cheap.
Click to expand...
ours was a front unload and taking horses hunting in the 60's. By the late 70's it had sat in a field and totally disintegrated.
 
Thanks Paddy555, an indeed it will be towed by my Series 2 Land Rover!
I'll spec it for horse movement regarding new flooring etc. I'd just like to keep it original instead of fitting modern suspension units.
The 5 stud hubs have a smaller PCD than Land Rover use, and I'm having difficulty identifying them in order to find a spare.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Rice did do front unloads from at least the early 70s onwards, more like the late 60s. I was in pony club at the time and Rice Beauforts towed by matchy matchy Landrovers were definitely a thing even back then.
(It was a Rice extra cost option to have a cream coloured roof to match your LR 😁)
Click to expand...

paddy555 said:
ours was a front unload and taking horses hunting in the 60's. By the late 70's it had sat in a field and totally disintegrated.
Click to expand...

That sounds right. I think I was lying to myself about how old I am! There were definitely front unloads in the 80s that were old then. I just dont feel like I'm that old to have had one then :oops: 😂
 
Correct!
Tiddlypom said:
Rice did do front unloads from at least the early 70s onwards, more like the late 60s. I was in pony club at the time and Rice Beauforts towed by matchy matchy Landrovers were definitely a thing even back then.
(It was a Rice extra cost option to have a cream coloured roof to match your LR 😁)
Click to expand...
you aspired to a Beaufort....!
 
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