following on from my last post, I think fitting up a NOS cab is a bit dicey given how tired many of the ancillary bits of the cab look. So…I have my eye on a very decent cab locally but it may sell as part of a complete horsebox (the rest of which is rubbish).
So…ideas please…I know many people swear by Merc 814s but they are just too slow for me.
Have seen a nice looking 1998 MAN 8.163 - any thoughts on that?
Or should I really be looking for a plain Jane run-of-the-mill 03 or 04 DAF? (May be hard to find a 3.8m or 3.9m wheelbase).
Remember, it’s going to be a nice retirement job - only about 3,000 miles a year, but out twice a week so no seizing up.
Advice much needed - just realising HOW much I have to learn about trucks!
MAN have a reputation for being eye-wateringly expensive for spares. IVECO seem quite popular as horseboxes. How many horses will you need to transport and what is your budget?
To do it legally you will need an operators licence and also WATO horse handling qualification.
Actually, no I don’t as I’m only going to be driving my own horses around.
ETA I meant retirement job for the chassis not for me!
foxhound1:
Actually, no I don’t as I’m only going to be driving my own horses around.
Unfortunately, DVSA are taking a rather strict attitude towards horsebox owners at the moment. Even if it’s your own horse, If it does so much as win a rosette, then they are taking the attitude that you are operating the vehicle for reward and need an Operator’s Licence. This has been discussed at length on equine forums and that might be a good place to continue your research.
From horseandhound.co.uk/forums/a … 16998.html
I had the same thing a few months back, ironically I did not have horses in as I was on my way home from having my tacho calibrated.
I had a valid tacho in but they clearly wanted to get me for something. they dipped my tank to check for red diesel and then asked for my national insurance number and called some office to check I was not claiming benefits and driving a lorry on the side. Went all over the lorry and even asked if I had any rossets and that would be proof I was using the box for ‘gain or reward’ as a rosset is an award!
foxhound1:
following on from my last post, I think fitting up a NOS cab is a bit dicey given how tired many of the ancillary bits of the cab look. So…I have my eye on a very decent cab locally but it may sell as part of a complete horsebox (the rest of which is rubbish).
So…ideas please…I know many people swear by Merc 814s but they are just too slow for me.
Have seen a nice looking 1998 MAN 8.163 - any thoughts on that?
Or should I really be looking for a plain Jane run-of-the-mill 03 or 04 DAF? (May be hard to find a 3.8m or 3.9m wheelbase).
Remember, it’s going to be a nice retirement job - only about 3,000 miles a year, but out twice a week so no seizing up.
Advice much needed - just realising HOW much I have to learn about trucks!
814 slow. LOL
A 7.5 tonner thats pre euro 1 emissions (which most 814s are) is still legally allowed to do 70 and use the outside lane on multi lane motorways. So by all means buy a 98 MAN - but watch the old 814 fly by doing 70 - while you’re limited to 56…
Told you I had a lot to learn!
foxhound1:
Told you I had a lot to learn!
Feel free to ask. The horse and hound forum would probably be a better place to ask for advice from other horsebox owners to be honest but I’m sure we’ll do the best we can!
Harry Monk:
From horseandhound.co.uk/forums/a … 16998.html
I had the same thing a few months back, ironically I did not have horses in as I was on my way home from having my tacho calibrated.
I had a valid tacho in but they clearly wanted to get me for something. they dipped my tank to check for red diesel and then asked for my national insurance number and called some office to check I was not claiming benefits and driving a lorry on the side. Went all over the lorry and even asked if I had any rossets and that would be proof I was using the box for ‘gain or reward’ as a rosset is an award!
■■■■ - that would be an interesting test case in court.
Now I’m not disputing the incident, but surely they have to prove numerous elements of an offence? First off, it will need to be proven that the carriage of the horse is for business purposes - as O licences are strictly for those operating goods vehicles for business purposes. You could say technically transporting your own horse (‘goods’) means you fall into the restricted operator category, but this still has to be transport for business purposes? And amateur shows/events are recreation/pleasure activities right?
Taking this further, would it then mean that the police would have to start tugging vintage car drivers who are insured SDP only? Would they need business insurance for attending shows and winning rosettes?
Crazy world of public service privatisation through the back door…
Thanks for all that cheerful stuff. TBH I am pretty sure I can cope with any VOSA daftness.
But I would appreciate some views on pros and cons of various wagons (bearing in mind I spend all my money on horses so am very poor)…hope that’s not too much to ask?
Thanks
PS No need to ask other horsey people about the box bit, I have a perfectly good one…this is very much about what lies beneath it.
iveco cargo 75e-17. we have 2 in the family. one horsebox and one recovery lorry. theyre stable, cheap to run and comfortable.
That horse & hound link story is odd, other than them not running tacho in an 18t which was daft, the Vosa guide is pretty clear that as a hobby inc moving your pals nags even if you get fuel money win small prizes is OK.
Page 5 & 6
gov.uk/government/publicati … ler-owners
foxhound1:
Thanks for all that cheerful stuff. TBH I am pretty sure I can cope with any VOSA daftness.
But I would appreciate some views on pros and cons of various wagons (bearing in mind I spend all my money on horses so am very poor)…hope that’s not too much to ask?
Thanks
PS No need to ask other horsey people about the box bit, I have a perfectly good one…this is very much about what lies beneath it.
Foxy, I guess spares and reliability will be key. I run an Iveco 75e15, V plate, 6 cylinder engine. Easy to find spares, easy to work on, and iveco/ford have quite a few dealers around the UK. The only gripe I have is whoever designed the cab floor needs shooting. Far too many little hideaways for rust. Not that my cab is too bad, but then I keep on top of washing it and cleaning it out.
The 6 cyl engine is strong as an ox - loaded I get a good 18 ish MPG, pulls nicely and can keep up high average speeds.
Plenty of Iveco’s around and quite cheap.
Horses for courses?
There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with that MAN although parts and service support will be weaker than equivalent DAF/Iveco. 1998 is a bit long in the tooth really unless kept under cover.
There’ll be loads of 2003-04 pre-adblue vintage DAF and Ivecos around for buttons.
"The only gripe I have is whoever designed the cab floor needs shooting. ".
In which case whoever designed the DAF cab needs grilling over a slow fire!
Old MAN has sold already, off to look at a 2001 MAN straight off fleet today or tmrw.
Crossing fingers the local wagon with an amazingly good cab but the rest totally knacked doesn’t sell on Fleabay…crazy man, the local breakers had offered him an astronomical price which he turned down. Hopefully greed will have it’s own reward - which will suit me just fine!
Good luck!
I toyed with the idea of using an old military Daf 4x4 as a livestock/horsebox unit. Just the height of the bed kinda makes things impractical.
Great minds! I even looked at the idea of pulling out the whole 4x4 drivetrain and suspension and slotting a civvy 4x2 one in instead but apparently it’s not that easy. I actually think it might be but don’t feel like being the one to give it a try…
Ivecos are ok if you can avoid the tin worm, a DAF LF would be a better truck imo
