As you may be aware, the DVSA is paying close attention to the horsebox industry and in particular, to lightweight horseboxes which they suspect may be operating overweight.
2014 saw more than 40% of all horseboxes weighed by the DVSA being overloaded and since then a year on year increase on overloading. This means they are:
- Unsafe
- Uninsured
- Illegal
Be sensible and have your horsebox weight checked when fully loaded. We have seen cases of horseboxes being stopped, checked and impounded on the roadside, owing to running overweight. The horses in transit have to be loaded into a different box and taken away and the resultant fines are ever increasing in size. Yet there is an alternative!
We can assist with:
It is worth noting that some uprates require modifications or changes to the vehicle’s braking, tyres and/or suspension, for which SvTech provides a simple purpose-built suspension assister kit. This will take between 1-2 hours for you to fit. Your horsebox will then go for a formal inspection to bring it into the ‘Goods’ category, and, depending on the vehicle’s age, may also require fitment of a speed limiter, for which there are one or two options. Most importantly vehicles registered after May 2002, must be fitted with manufacturer’s ABS, if going above 3500kg.
If you’re unsure, or don’t believe, that you need to uprate your lightweight horsebox, try taking it to a public weighbridge when you’re fully loaded with your horse, tack, passenger, hay, etc, and weigh off each axle individually and the vehicle as a whole. There could be a distinct chance that you’ve overloaded one of the axles, even if you’re within the GVW. If there is a problem, we can help.
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