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Last Updated : 15th September 2007
Please find following, regularly update information, requested by our customers. Please feel free to print or save this page.
HORSEBOX MAINTENANCE
Do you love, protect and service your horsebox regularly or are you perhaps like many others who have limited time? The horsebox sits in the corner of the yard, ignored and expected to be ready to go when you are! During the summer months, maintenance is fairly straightforward so hopefully the following information will help you. However, if you are not mechanically minded, I would strongly advise getting the vehicle serviced regularly.
Before Each Journey : Check List - Vehicle
- Check Oil
- Check Water
- Check Fuel
- Check Screen Wash
- Inspect Wheels and Tyres for obvious wear and tear, stones, nails, etc. (Minimum tread depth is the same as a car 1.6 mm at the time of writing). Also look out for scrubbing of the edges which may indicate incorrect tyre pressures or wheel alignment
- Check tyre pressures often and watch for signs of cracking or bulging, some boxes are prone to this when not in regular use, don't forget the spare wheel if fitted (however, bear in mind that carrying a spare wheel is not standard practice and adds excess weight)
- Check hubcaps are in place, especially after a long journey, and check that they are not hot. They may get warm, but, if they are too hot this may suggest problems with dry or failing bearings.
- Ensure water tank is full for horses and living
- Empty Toilet
- Check Gas Bottles
- Clean off mud and road salt as soon as possible, especially underneath
Check List - General
- Tack
- Cleaning Equipment
- Mucking Out Equipment
- Food, People
- Food, Horses
- Riding Kit
- Entry Tickets/Paperwork
- Horses!
- Jockey!
- Driver!
Maintenance - Check List
YEARLY
- MOT
- Tax
- Insurance
- Breakdown/Rescue Association
- Service
- Check brakes (possibly every 6 months, depending upon use). Have someone remove wheels and check condition of brake pads. This may sound simple but is often forgotten. Unlike cars, some horseboxes require manual adjustment to the brakes, so check for this too. Whilst the wheel is off, check the other side of the tyre thoroughly. Check brake cables or hydraulics and ensure braking mechanism is working well
- Greasing : Every year/6 months, you should grease every grease-nipple you can find, even those well hidden. You should also grease the ramp springs and door hinges
- Paintwork will generally be obvious when it needs to be renewed. Touching up the paintwork by hand is possible, as a temporary solution. When washing, use a soft brush and warm soapy water, pressure washers can cause paint damage.
- Cleaning The Chassis : This should be done well, at least once a year. You may also consider using a decent anti-rust paint such as Hammerite.
- Check the flooring. Make sure it is dry and aired and there are no signs of wear and tear.
AND WHEN YOU HAVE DONE ALL THIS, ARE SAFELY AT HOME, AND ARE COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED - POUR A GLASS OF YOUR FAVOURITE TIPPLE - YOU DESERVE IT!!
LOOK OUT FOR NEXT MONTH'S ARTICLE ON CURRENT LEGISLATION AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU PLUS THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE IN REVERSING A HORSEBOX
If you have any further requests for information which you would like published on this website, Please E-Mail Us :
sales@moorhousehorseboxes.com
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