Would you buy A horsebox conversion?

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Corker

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I have seen a T reg conversion for sale for £3000 it has horse area done but don't think any living. It had 230,000 miles on it, would you advise to buy a lorry that's been converted?
Also is 230,000 a lot of mileage for the price?
I have seen an M reg box with only 77,000 miles at £3000 and I thought this seemed very low for its age?!
Any advice would be much appreciated.
 
By no means an expert on lorries but do believe that the more standing about they do the worse they perform so I would be very suspicious of a very low mileage one.
 
Most horseboxes are conversions, so no it would not bother me. Low mileage is not necessarily a bad thing, my lorry did 104,000 in it's first 4 years (it was a double glazing van) it has only done 10,000 in the last 10 years since we converted it, it is used about 3/4 times a month and does longer journeys (over 300 miles) only once or twice a year. If a lorry has stood around, the biggest problem tends to be the battery.
 
Corker said:
I have seen a T reg conversion for sale for £3000 it has horse area done but don't think any living. It had 230,000 miles on it, would you advise to buy a lorry that's been converted?
Also is 230,000 a lot of mileage for the price?
I have seen an M reg box with only 77,000 miles at £3000 and I thought this seemed very low for its age?!
Any advice would be much appreciated.
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Forget about milage unless there is written history , previously comercialy used lorrys may have had a new tacho fitted as they do go wrong so old mileage is then lost , 77,000 might be possible if the lorry has always been a horse box but age is worse than mileage for condition genraly, Yes a conversion is fine if it was done well, if its GRP make sure the body isnt cracking or damaged by water ingress check if there is any soft areas in the sides and of corse the floor, but always get the lorry checked by a pro before you buy ...
 
if it is the orange waggon from stoke on Trent then I have seen the waggon and think 3k is a bit OTT for the quality of conversion so far.
 
I bought a converted horsebox about 5 years ago and the mileage seemed low. When I did a check on the internet it was actually 2nd time round on clock. I had a mechanic check it over and he said it was in very good condition and not to worry about the mileage. I bought it and it was very
reliable only had to have a battery isolator fitted and the usual service and MOT. Sold it two years ago and OH saw it the other day so I'm pleased it's still in use :D
 
Thanks for the advice :-)
mga4ever - yes it is the orange one I have seen it on eBay it's done 205k not 230k (my mistake sorry) when you say the price is OTT for the quality so far is it not done to a very good standard?
Thanks.
 
When you are viewing the horsebox what is the best type of flooring in the horse area under the matting? I'm guessing wood is no good?? If I went to view a few do I need to take a horsebox professional with me or just a general mechanic??
 
I take my dad, he is a machanic and hvg class 1 so knows his way around lorries.......he told us if we ever buy and Iveco that he would disown us as the are a **** to work on and he won't be doing it :D

I'd take someone who knows lorries as well as the different makez all have there kinks.

Xx
 
I'd do a search on horseboxes here, quite a few threads about running costs and what to look for.

I think most are converted, and as well as the condition I'd look at the weight and therefore allowable payload to ensure you can get the one/two horses plus associated gear/water etc within the weight limitations. E.g. If it is a 7.5 ton lorry and it weighs 5 ton, then you the payload is 2.5 ton...the payload could include fuel as well as horse and gear.

Remember, the more cosy the living with fridge/cooker/microwave/tv etc, then the more weight it will be and so less of a payload.

Also tilting cabs seem to be preferred for cheaper maintenance, and get a local mechanic to look at it and advise condition and parts availability, especially for the older lorries.
 
What manufacturer and model is it?
I would be very carefull about purchasing a conversion as most of them are not done correctly and many are not safe.
A vehicle of that age is worth scrap money only £500.00p unless it is a collectors piece!
 
Check if a conversion of a van that the bulkhead between cab area and horse area has been strengthened, otherwise you could find the horse on your lap

Also check what the vehicle is registered as on the V5 type registration doc. If its as its former role and not 'livestock carrier' do check that your proposed insurer is able/willing to insure it as a horsebox.

A 7,5T lorry is currently worth nearer to £1k than £500 for scrap if is is metal bodied, but closer to £500 if mainly wooden.

A well maintained unrotted wooden floor is perfectly acceptable as are aluminium planks but both depend on the strenth of the supports beneath and the wooden one will need more regular maintenance and checks.

Any plating on the vehicle will exclude any living furniture and fixtures, so unless its a weighbridge cert done after putting all that in, that needs to be added on.

230000 is highish for a T reg but is more likely to be genuine than a very low mileage so that wouldnt put me off if the vehicle was properly maintained.

Recommend a battery isolator very much to stop the battery draining down from other equipment in the lorry.

To be honest if it is a 3.5T and well maintained 3k is cheap (have recently paid more than that for an M reg albeit with 125k mileage). For a 7,5T it is about right with the mileage provided it is in good condition with MOT and some tax.
 
Four white socks said:
I think most horseboxes are conversions, so alot depends on the standard of work. I'm also looking and have seen this one http://www.homeofequestrian.com/ViewAd.aspx?AdID=131
but at 7.5 ton I'm not sure if it is HGV or not (don't have a HGV licence).
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It isnt HGV (thats anything over 7.5T) but if you passed your driving test post 1997 you would need to take an additional driving test to drive it as after that date the over 3.5t rights werent included automatically any more.

As it is over 3.5T it will need a proper lorry place to MOT it, not a car garage. It will have a tachograph but you dont need to use it, the tacho should be sealed up and that will be checked.

The air suspension and electric ramp would put me off a little, as they are extra things to go wrong and expensive to fix if they do. Also beware of the dangers of someone manually lifting an electric ramp without your knowledge eg at a show to get their box past, if you dont know and come back and press to open the ramp it may just fall straight down onto you with no warning. See the H&H article below, a guy had his back broken from this...
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/309125.html

It doesnt state mileage in the ad and although stalled for 4 you wouldnt get 4 horses in and still be under weight. So it might be better if stalled for 2/3

If you wanted it make sure you get them to take it to a weighbridge to get an accurate weight as it has quite a lot of living fixtures and the original plating weight wont have included any of that.

It is a nice looking lorry tho and looks well looked after cosmetically at least, I can see why you are tempted!
 
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