J Dow Horseboxes

J Dow Horseboxes Specialist horsebox repairs, refurbishment, and MOT work — delivering professional solutions for every age, make, and challenge.

How did one tiny hole cause £0000’s of damage?This lorry suffered a catastrophic rear axle failure after corrosion ate t...
28/05/2026

How did one tiny hole cause £0000’s of damage?

This lorry suffered a catastrophic rear axle failure after corrosion ate through the diff housing and allowed all the oil to leak out.

With no lubrication left inside the axle, the differential components rapidly overheated at highway speeds. Eventually the pinion twisted and fractured, causing a total loss of drive. The now free-spinning propshaft then struck the rear airbags, dropping the suspension as well.

A small leak turned into a major mechanical failure.

The moral of the story? Pre-journey checks matter — especially on vehicles that have been sitting unused for long periods.

Checking oil and coolant levels is essential, but even a quick look underneath the lorry for leaks or corrosion can save thousands in repair costs and prevent a dangerous breakdown.

Side panel replacement on this 3.5T horsebox.A straightforward job, but the finish matters. The new GRP panel has been f...
30/04/2026

Side panel replacement on this 3.5T horsebox.

A straightforward job, but the finish matters. The new GRP panel has been fitted using stainless steel screws on the windows, and the original fibreglass skirt was refitted with stainless fixings as well — no rust bleed or tired screw heads down the line.

We’ve used colour-matched white GRP rivets to keep everything looking clean, and had the original decals remade so the vehicle looks exactly as it did before the damage.

Simple job, done properly.

23/04/2026

Some behind the scenes content of a couple side panel replacement jobs 🐎 🚛

A proper service should leave a proper record.Every trailer we service at J Dow Horseboxes is issued with one of our cus...
16/04/2026

A proper service should leave a proper record.

Every trailer we service at J Dow Horseboxes is issued with one of our custom branded service books — giving you a clear, professional history you can keep with the trailer for years to come.

It’s not just paperwork. It’s proof the job’s been done right.

Every customer also receives a full video inspection outlining any work required, along with a clear estimate before anything is carried out — so you can see exactly what we see and make informed decisions.

We stock a full range of Ifor Williams horse trailer service parts, allowing us to carry out work efficiently without cutting corners. All servicing is completed using genuine parts only — because reliability and safety matter.

When you see one of our service books, you know exactly where the work’s been done — and the standard it’s been done to.

Some vehicles don’t have the luxury of readily available parts.This 1994 VW LT came in needing an accelerator pedal — a ...
02/04/2026

Some vehicles don’t have the luxury of readily available parts.

This 1994 VW LT came in needing an accelerator pedal — a part that’s no longer manufactured and simply can’t be sourced.

So we made one.

Fabricated in-house to get the vehicle safely back on the road, exactly as it should be.

At JDow Horseboxes, we work on vehicles of all ages. Whether it’s modern or 30+ years old, we don’t turn work away — we find solutions.

Because keeping your horsebox safe and usable is what matters.

A first for us this week…A rear leaf spring fitted so incorrectly it was resting directly on the hanger bracket.Accordin...
26/03/2026

A first for us this week…

A rear leaf spring fitted so incorrectly it was resting directly on the hanger bracket.

According to the MOT history, this spring was replaced last year after a fail — which raises some serious questions.

This isn’t a minor issue. Suspension installed incorrectly can seriously affect vehicle stability and safety, especially when carrying horses.

If you’ve recently bought a horsebox, even with a fresh MOT, it’s still worth having it properly inspected — because this is exactly the kind of thing that can be missed.

Dream truck or nightmare?This truck was suffering from intermittent gearbox communication faults.Using our PicoScope aut...
12/03/2026

Dream truck or nightmare?

This truck was suffering from intermittent gearbox communication faults.

Using our PicoScope automotive oscilloscope, we captured an internal power loss inside the transmission control module. Each time it dropped power, the module disappeared from the CAN network, causing the gearbox to lose communication.

This type of fault won’t always show up through normal diagnostics.

A PicoScope lets us monitor electrical signals in real time, allowing us to catch faults that happen in milliseconds and prove the root cause.

Accurate diagnostics isn’t guesswork — it’s measurement.

Not all horses travel the same, and sometimes the internal layout of a horsebox needs to change to suit the horse.This 3...
05/03/2026

Not all horses travel the same, and sometimes the internal layout of a horsebox needs to change to suit the horse.

This 3.5t horsebox originally had an open stall with only a breast bar separating the horse area from the rear section. For this owner’s new horse there was a risk of it attempting to jump the breast bar.

We modified the internal layout by installing a solid partition to properly separate the stall and prevent the horse entering the rear of the vehicle.

Small changes like this can make a significant difference to safety and peace of mind when travelling.

J Dow Horseboxes

This coachbuilt HGV horsebox came in with impact damage to the front passenger-side skirt and a large storage locker doo...
26/02/2026

This coachbuilt HGV horsebox came in with impact damage to the front passenger-side skirt and a large storage locker door.

Using our in-house sheet metal equipment, we fabricated new aluminium sections to replace the damaged panels, ensuring correct fit, strength and alignment with the original coachbuilt body.

The new skirt and locker doors were then installed, prepared and painted to match the existing finish.

The result is a repair that restores both the structure and the appearance of the box without compromise.

19/02/2026

J Dow Horseboxes – MOT Preparation

An MOT isn’t just a test.
It’s your safety, your plans, your peace of mind.

We inspect every part of your horsebox — the obvious, the hidden, the areas most workshops overlook. If something needs attention, we fix it properly. No shortcuts. No guesswork. Just thorough, reliable work every time.

We know what a horsebox means to you: early mornings, ponies loaded, shows booked, and a day that needs to go smoothly. Our job is to make sure your vehicle is safe, compliant, and ready for the road — every journey, every time.

MOT preparation done properly, with care and expertise you can trust.

Address

Gorebridge
EH234LT

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+447973217405

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when J Dow Horseboxes posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category