Viewing a 2nd hand Horsebox - what to look out for/ questions to ask

[XelaM]

Hi All,

We're finally looking at getting our own horsebox, but unfortunately having to look at the very cheap end of the market and after two horrific trailer accidents nearby, I'm scared of getting a trailer.

I'm going to view the lorry with a relative who understands cars, but not necessarily horse lorries. What should I watch out for? I know the floor and rust is particularly important, but any tips on the details I should be paying attention to? The lorry has MOT, but may not be sound as hasn't been in use for a number of months (apparently their pony won't load in it). It's a private seller on Facebook.

I will of course get it fully checked by a horsebox specialist before putting a pony in it, but any advice greatly appreciated.

Before you purchase, make sure there is a mechanic/coachbuilder in your area who can and will work on it for you and price up any repairs you can see/they tell you about. I made a very expensive mistake recently by buying a fixer upper trailer and not being able to find anyone within a 25 mile radius who would work on it! Then because of it’s age parts weren’t easily available which added even more cost and I ended up part ex ing it for peanuts. Be smarter than me!

@Ineedanewsofa Thank you very much! Something I'm very worried about and the price of fixing it up may exceed buying an expensive newer lorry.

I assume it is a 3.5t horse box? If so, make sure they have a properly reinforced bulkhead. Check the side panels for soft spots/bubbling, check the floor in the horse area is sound too. Then the usual rust and stuff you would look out for.
If it were me, I would be paying for a horse box mechanic to check it over before I parted with any money as they can be money pits if they have problems.

Yes, it's a 3.5 as that's all I can drive at the moment. Thank you for the advice. Any recommendations for a horsebox mechanic around Cambridge?

I’m in the process of trying to buy a 7.5 lorry and it’s quite painful! If anything’s very cheap you have to ask yourself why? Check floor/bulkhead/sides - how easy is the ramp to operate? What’s the payload - often on 3.5s it can be quite small so make sure that the combined weight of pony/you/dd/tack/water/fuel/hay doesn’t exceed the payload - ask to see a certificate from a weighbridge - it’s amazing how many people just guess and they usually overestimate. Can you see the service history? Ask if there were any advisories on the last MOT and if so, have they been sorted? Check the mileage against the last MOT certificate - we saw one that was more than 100,000 miles out …

Honestly, don't buy a cheap horsebox. At best it will cost you a fortune in repairs, at worst it will be an accident waiting to happen for you/your horse.

Check payload. I purchased 3.5T it had loads done in living area great I thought, until I had MoT and guy happened to mention what was I transporting, two ponies they fit in easily I said, I had only about 650 left so was well overweight So shouldn’t have had me and kids saddles, etc, once I knew I couldn’t get over the fact I was breaking law, sold it, told new owner but they only had shetlands, lost over 2k to sell on but to a suitable home!

Check if there is a horse in it? 🐎

Check the weight because a lot of 3.5t can only legally carry a Shetland they're already so heavy.

Check floors and find a lorry mechanic to go with you. The engine will likely be the least of your issues.

Thank you all!! Viewed it and it's definitely a project. My relative who came with me (who understands cars) advised strongly against buying as he said it would be a money pit. I actually loved it so we agreed I'd return with a horsebox mechanic to price up how much needs doing on it so I would know realistic cost. The seller seemed very decent and was quite honest about how much needed doing. I'll see if I can get a horsebox mechanic over there and if it's worth the money and hassle 🥶