Smashed the top door off my lorry :(

poiuytrewq

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I've got a 3.5 t with the top door that lifts up. Well it lifted up alone today as I was driving along and hit a tree. Whipped the entire thing off and snapped it in half.
Very shaken me and a complete saint of a horse (looking very confused but behaving!)
Anyone know a ball park figure of what this may cost :'( lorry is also a very odd colour so probably going to look rediculous from now on as I can't afford a respray
 

sallyg

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The exact same thing happened to me, fortunately without a horse on board. Wiped off the top door on an oak tree, it smashed the side window on its way down and made a huge deep gouge across the tack locker doors. I was on the way to the horsebox hospital to get the dodgy door fastener fixed as it was a bit stiff. I claimed on the insurance and I think it was about £3 grand altogether including a new window and new tack locker doors, matching paint and decals.
 

poiuytrewq

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3k?!! Oh god, it's not a expensive lorry, not sure what it's worth but can't spend that on it.
Id like to try and do it without insurance as I think my premiums will rocket.
One of the door catches is slightly dodgy, as In you have to position the handle slightly to one side rather than flat to lock it. I know this and am paranoid about checking and double checking whenever it's shut. I honestly can't remember checking this time, I'm pretty sure I would have as it's like clockwork- I do it automatically. I have no idea why the other handle came undone.
I saw it fly up and tried to pull over but with cars behind and s horse on board of course couldn't stop quickly enough.
I'm so so gutted.
I had a good lesson which I was really quite nervous about but now it's all ruined :(
 

ester

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Speak to Paddy+ Monty on here, I'm sure it shouldn't be that much for a functional repair at least. is it coach built or van conversion?
 

catroo

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You need to inform your insurance anyway so you may as well claim. I wouldn't have thought your added premium would be more than the cost to fix
 

Mike007

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A fairly classic 3.5 tonne box problem. Poor catches and poor hinges. If anyone has a 3.5 tonner with a plastic upper door hinge ,get it replaced with a stainless steel piano hinge.You can absolutely guarantee that sooner or later the plastic hinge will fall apart. Plastic hinges are completely unsuitable for a safety critical situation.
 

poiuytrewq

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The catches and all fittings were metal, it's an old box though so maybe all a bit worn although obviously I thought safe.
It's coach built.
Do I need to inform my insurers? I was actually unaware of that if i wasn't claiming?
 

PaddyMonty

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OK, lets not panic here.
I'm assuming the top door is a one piece job like this....
hZ9DVgh.jpg


If yes then it's just a bit of glassonite (plywood with thin fiberglass either side). If you bought a new peice you would be looking at £75 to £100 but you could find a breakers yard that has a box van you could cut a piece out of.
You will need a new hinge. The one on our box is a full width weatherproof (no drips in to box when open) strip and would cost around £40.
Fit a central handle that pushes a bar in to either side of box (very secure) around £50 (possibly less).
Ali strip to edge the glassonite another £30.
Paint can be matched at a car paint supplier and put in spray cans for you to spray yourself. £20
Now all you need is a competent DIY person to cut door to size, fit hinge and ali edge then a quick spray. Would take me about 4 hours max but no I'm not offering as you are too far away. :p
 

catroo

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The catches and all fittings were metal, it's an old box though so maybe all a bit worn although obviously I thought safe.
It's coach built.
Do I need to inform my insurers? I was actually unaware of that if i wasn't claiming?

Yes, you have to inform an insurance company of any accidents whether fault or non fault.
Same with horse insurance, you should inform of any non routine treatment regardless of whether you're claiming
 

PaddyMonty

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If no other party involved I'm not sure you do have to notify insurance. If other party certainly as they may claim later for injury etc but not an issue in this case.
 

LeannePip

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Similar happened to us at an event last year, top door was open (flapped up) and someone tried to squash through the gap and took the top door all but off! They didn't stick around so we had to go through the insurance, they didn't quibble. And from what i remember it didnt cost all that much in the end; less than £1000 i think

it was shut with these fittings (one each side and opened with an equitrek gas strut
Uag4alD.jpg
 

ester

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Similar happened to us at an event last year, top door was open (flapped up) and someone tried to squash through the gap and took the top door all but off! They didn't stick around so we had to go through the insurance, they didn't quibble. And from what i remember it didnt cost all that much in the end; less than £1000 i think

it was shut with these fittings (one each side and opened with an equitrek gas strut
Uag4alD.jpg

Friend has those on an alexanders and they are a bloody pita! normal slot ones were rapidly added!
 

ester

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they were just very random at popping themselves up again. She didn't have the box from new (it's an 07 had it 4/5 years now) but they started doing it as soon as she got it so got the alternatives welded on to be sure.
 

poiuytrewq

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OK, lets not panic here.
I'm assuming the top door is a one piece job like this....
hZ9DVgh.jpg


If yes then it's just a bit of glassonite (plywood with thin fiberglass either side). If you bought a new peice you would be looking at £75 to £100 but you could find a breakers yard that has a box van you could cut a piece out of.
You will need a new hinge. The one on our box is a full width weatherproof (no drips in to box when open) strip and would cost around £40.
Fit a central handle that pushes a bar in to either side of box (very secure) around £50 (possibly less).
Ali strip to edge the glassonite another £30.
Paint can be matched at a car paint supplier and put in spray cans for you to spray yourself. £20
Now all you need is a competent DIY person to cut door to size, fit hinge and ali edge then a quick spray. Would take me about 4 hours max but no I'm not offering as you are too far away. :p

Yes, that's very similar! We had wondered about replacing with doors rather than a single lift up one. Would that be much more hassle?
I have a big old horse who has always refused to go on but has loaded no trouble on other little boxes so we put it down to the door above him. He's retired but would be handy to know I can get him to the vet for example if need be.
It's going to a guy on Monday to have a look and see what he thinks but this info is very helpful thankyou!
 
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