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The ladies 20' 6" Helios horsebox standard specification
Kevin Parker Horseboxes Ltd.... a small family firm and a conscientious team of skilled coach builders with over 30 years of manufacturing experience, specialising in the manufacture of the Helios horsebox range.
The 23’ Helios horsebox standard specification
Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association Ltd (VBRA) approved horsebox coachbuilder
The Helios horsebox range, manufactured with pride by a VBRA approved horsebox coachbuilder with over 30 years of manufacturing excellence.
Customer care
Product quality and customer care are our main objectives as a company. A good name cannot be bought, it must be earned. With the Helios range of horseboxes for sale customers are buying peace of mind. With our 2 years warranty and exceptional customer care program we aim to be amongst the best. To this end continued improvement in quality and customer care has become our driving force. Of course all these words are only as good as the staff behind them and we have an excellent team, both skilled and proud of what they produce. We aim to be as transparent as possible and customers are able to view boxes at all stages of the build process. We post all our information on the website including detailed pictures with a high enough quality to make informed choices. There are no sales people as we let the quality of our horseboxes sell themselves. We put great emphasis on ease of use and comfort for horses and owners alike and with over 30 years of experience can advise customers on the best ways to incorporate their requirements whilst staying within the load capacity of the horsebox.
Responsible coachbuilders and manufacturers and the 2 year warranty
We have a commitment to our customers that all Helios horseboxes for sale have to be fit for purpose and legally carry the horses they are stalled for. For this reason alone we have designed the Helios to be light, spacious and have limited the maximum size of our bodies to 18’, allowing our customers to buy and drive a Helios horsebox with complete confidence. Most customers would assume all horsebox manufacturers have this approach but unfortunately this is not the case, so be extra careful when making your choice. Time and time again we see new build horseboxes at 7.5 tonnes on the market with bodies in excess of 22’ long and an overall vehicle of 27’ long. No amount of lightweight materials will make these boxes able to carry more than one horse, if any at all, without being over the legal weight limit. Many manufacturers are now looking to reduce weight and what we are seeing is quite flattering; horseboxes for sale are being reduced in lengths to the sizes we have specified for over 10 years, manufacturers are trying to copy our Coat-X and other unique design features just to compete. For years we have had weight tickets for every horsebox we produce and now, with a more informed public, other manufacturers are being forced to provide weight tickets too. This can only be good for the industry as a whole and especially for customers buying any horseboxes for sale.
We are so confident in the quality of our builds that we include a two year warranty on all our body work, 3 months warranty on the chassis and free introductory breakdown cover with every Helios horsebox. We only require a small deposit when the order is placed and the balance on collection. Again this is to give customers peace of mind, especially in the current economic climate. For many years we have include a 12 month test, full service, gas safety certificate, electrical installation safety certificate and weight certificate with each horsebox. We openly state the weights of our horseboxes (Standard Helios weighs just 4.7 tonnes!) and have a responsible attitude to what we produce. The longest Helios horsebox we build is an 18’ body, 23’ overall length and they can legally carry 3 horses and tack. With high fines and many prosecutions weight has become probably the single most important issue when buying a horsebox today and for this reason other builders are now following our lead, although still not posting weights!
The deluxe Helios horsebox in Helios metallic pearl blue
The Helios horsebox website
To make browsing our website and buying one of our horseboxes for sale easier we have listed a few important pointers in terms of the quality of any coachbuilt horsebox. This information is factual and there are no catches or clever wording on the site. We avoid phrases like ‘We believe’ and would rather put factual information at your fingertips. There are very large pictures to show detail throughout the website and in addition we can put you in touch with any of our previous customers. For further information see our ‘Feedback’ section on the website for their recommendations.
Unfortunately there is a down side to placing all this information on the website, anyone can copy it! This happens on a regular basis, however it must be noted that all words, phrases and pictures on any website are not what customers buy. It is the years of manufacturing expertise, quality of workmanship, dedication to our product and excellence in standard of service that draw customers to choose a Helios horsebox from Kevin Parker Horseboxes Ltd.
All the information below is factual and lays bare our build process. The photographs are of the highest quality and show parts in detail, giving customers enough information to make an informed choice.
The Helios horsebox name and design
We chose the name Helios from Greek mythology, Helios was imagined as a handsome god crowned with the shining aureole of the sun, he drove the chariot of the sun across the sky each day.
When we started designing, manufacturing and offering Helios horseboxes for sale, we had a clear goal to aim for. The Helios had to be pleasing to look at from all angles, very strong and incorporate the latest materials for strength and lightness. We are very pleased with the outcome and know our customers feel the same. We have an alluring design that is also aerodynamic and even lighter than before. The smooth lines flow from the tilt luton, down through the skirt, to the moulded in rear lights. Other benefits, unlike most universal fibreglass parts our Helios fibreglass pod and full tilt cab system have been specifically designed for the Helios horsebox range. The curves of the luton pod flow into our unique curved roof system giving an internal height of 8’ 2” for the largest of horses. This stunning design also sets us apart from the boxy delivery wagon shape! Other advantages of the Helios design are an overall height of 11’ 3” and the height of the ramp at just 32”, making it extremely low and very easily loaded. As with all our ramps they have no heavy rubber matting or cappings around the outside to let water ingress. They can be closed easily without the need for heavy hydraulic rams and oil tanks. Here is link to a video showing our amazingly light Helios horsebox ramps
The Helios horsebox gallery
Why buy a Helios horsebox?
- All customers deal directly with Kevin
- We are a small family firm with a conscientious team who have worked together for many years
- Each Helios horsebox is a completely bespoke build, finished to the highest standards possible
- Alluring design with strength and longevity in every build
- Ground breaking features, like Coat-X, full solar charging and curved roof system
- A comprehensive two year warranty with every Helios horsebox
- Probably the lightest and strongest horseboxes on the market with more than 2.5 tonnes payload
- We use the very latest manufacturing techniques and materials
- Our engineered composite panels were developed for the aerospace industry – they contain no wood infill, totally removing the possibility of water damage and the need to skin them in aluminium, saving even more weight!
Helios horsebox with green-credentials
Bespoke build for each customer, made with pride
Every Helios horsebox is a bespoke build. This gives customers much more choice in their horsebox design, for example, we can allocate the outside tack storage either in the living area or the horse area. From years of manufacturing experience we know customers already have a preference that suits their own and their horse’s needs, so we have designed the Helios range to be very flexible. Through solid research, innovation, unrivalled build quality and customer care the Helios brand has become synonymous with quality and value for money. All the Helios horseboxes we have manufactured are still with the original owners. This is a testament to the desirability and quality of the Helios horsebox brand. Because of the quality materials used and our very high standard of workmanship, the finish on our horseboxes for sale stay like new for many years, making all Helios horseboxes for sale very sought-after. This translates into low depreciation costs and the highest of resale prices, making them extremely good value for money.
The ladies 20' 6" Helios horsebox standard specification
What’s included?
These are just a few of the standard features included on each Helios build.
Many of our items below like ‘gas safe’ and weight certificates, including hidden security stamp on the horsebox body are now recommended as best practice by the VBRA for all horsebox manufacturers.
- 12 months test
- Full service
- 2 years warranty on all bodywork
- Gas safety certificate
- Hidden security stamp on the Helios body
- Electrical installation safety certificate
- Weight certificate
- Can legally carry 2.5 ton of horses and tack
- Chassis fully painted
- All underside sprayed in Waxoyl
- Ramp and horse area fully coated in Coat-X
- Full solar power system as standard
- Curved roof as standard
- Aluminium based composite horse floor and ramp
Dimensions of the Helios horseboxes for sale
Height and width - our horseboxes are stalled for the largest 18 hand horses with 8’ width and 8' 2" height. The length of the horse area can be specified by the customer. The partitions can be moved up and down the horse area to suit and therefore fit any width of horse. One of most distinctive features of the Helios design is the curved roofline, setting it apart from other horseboxes for sale. The advantages of a curved roof being; increased aerodynamics, greater load capacity, a more inviting horse area and most of all, a really eye-catching shape. Other advantages of the Helios design are an overall height of 11’ 3” and the height of the ramp at just 32”, making it extremely low and very easily loaded.
The Helios horsebox on the road
Unique features
Coat-X - slip tested to BS 7976-2
We lead the way with Coat-X our spray-on polyurea protective coating. Sprayed in all our horseboxes it is proven to outperform rubber based sprays and heavy rubbers mats and kick sheets. It has many design advantages, including an unrivalled finish. For every statement on the website we have corroborating evidence and this is true of the properties of Coat-X. We are so confident in the extra grip Coat-X provided over rubber we have commissioned an independent Slip test to BS 7976-2 standards. Here is a excerpt from the 10 page report:
’Independent slip testing experts, tested "Coat-X" and a standard rubber mat side by side for slip resistance to BS 7976-2, the HSE's preferred slip test method. "Coat-X" clearly provided an increased resistance to slipping in water wet conditions compared to a standard mat. "Coat-X" achieved a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) of 44 in the wet, comfortably falling within the 'Low risk of slip' category as determined by the HSE, whilst the standard mat achieved a PTV of 29, falling within the 'Moderate risk of slip' category.’
Add to this the noise reduction properties of Coat-X and we have probably the quietest and most comfortable horse transport available. One of the ways we do this is by replacing all the heavy rubber mats and kick sheets in our horseboxes with our Coat-X spray-on protective coating.
Finish in the horse area is paramount and any coachbuilt horsebox must be able to withstand power washing and disinfectants on a weekly basis. One of the advantages of Coat-X is that there are no seams which eliminate the problem of water ingress. Each horsebox looks like new after each wash. We fit long drain tubes to take any water out of the horse area and past any chassis parts underneath the horsebox. These are not just holes drilled in our aluminium floor! Coat-X on our ramps has removed the need for capping, when a ramp is left down Coat-X stops water getting behind the edges and in turn stops swelling and rotting. Coat-X is sprayed at a high temperature and completely seals all edges for the life of the horsebox. This product alone is revolutionising the industry. It is a fraction of the weight, totally waterproofs any horse area and ramp, stopping water and chemical cleaners rotting aluminium and steel chassis parts underneath. It can be power washed and it does not degrade or distort with heat, cold or age.
Another great advantage of Coat-X is that we spray in a light grey making our horse areas inviting, light and airy.
Prototype military vehicles protected inside with Coat-X spray on Polyurea and sprayed externally with the latest Glasurit paint by our commercial spray shop
As predicted other manufacturers are now following our lead. Word has spread throughout the horse community and many customers are asking for Coat-X in their builds as a lightweight alternative to heavy rubber mats and kick sheets. It is worth noting that any spray on protective coating is only as good as the people doing the job. It is the preparation and their experience and skill that count and our commercial spray shop team pride themselves in the quality of our Helios horsebox horse areas and ramps. It is easy to cut corners and hard for a customer to tell a good job from a bad one. We are so confident in our product and workmanship that we cover Coat-X as part of our 2 year warranty. Coat-X is keeping us very busy and we have ongoing commissions for spraying Coat-X in state of the art prototype military vehicles, horse stables, ranges of engine hoods for industrial machines, service vehicles, work top sales counters, plus our usual through put of horseboxes and ramps. Customers who have heavy manufactured horseboxes are amazed at the lightness, finish and quality of each commission. To read more about Coat-X visit www.coat-x.co.uk
Helios horsebox sprayed in metallic blue paint by our commercial spray shop
Solar power system as standard
Again we are leading the way with a two panel, full solar charging system now fitted as standard to all our Helios horseboxes for sale throughout the range. The system is maintenance free and the quality panels and charge regulator have been thoroughly tested over many years. This is not a token system to tick boxes but rather a large 2 panel system powerful enough to run all the LED lights on the Helios horsebox and keep the batteries topped up. The panels are so efficient they charge even on the dullest of days, keeping the batteries topped up all year round. LED lights and solar power is really the future for horseboxes, campers and motor sport vehicles. When you consider that the time between each trip can be weeks and on standard vehicles batteries can run down completely during this time, a vehicle with solar panels will remain fully charged and ready to go. When using the new LED lights they will last for days instead of hours like the old bulbs. If we had to predict the next big thing other manufacturers will copy it would be solar power systems and LED lights.
Helios horsebox tilt cab
All our horseboxes for sale have tilt cabs. With the new Helios design tilting a cab is now a five minute job. It is just not possible to service a modern chassis when the cab is fixed down. Soon all horseboxes will need vehicle type approval. Customers will need a certificate to get through an MOT test. This will ensure any vehicle alterations are done in a safe way and should remove some of the dangerous practices from the industry and thus give customers peace of mind. To this end in 2008 we became members of the VBRA (Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association).
Horse area floor, sub frame and ramp
Amazingly light Helios horsebox ramps
Our horse area floors and ramps are manufactured with an aluminium based composite. Bearer spaces of 10" to 12" for maximum strength and clever use of materials means our horseboxes are far lower for better stability and loading. This in turn lowers the overall height of the box to just 11’ 3”.
Ramps are perfectly balanced and we pride ourselves with making light ramps that can be closed easily. The ramps are foam filled with large hinges with grease nipples and hardwood slip rails. They are smooth faced on the outside with no screws or rivets to spoil the lines. They are the full width of the horsebox to make the entrance as inviting as possible. Again our unique design allows us to have a floor to top of ramp height of 32”. This makes loading the horses much easier. The whole design of the horse area is aimed around ease for loading and transporting horses safely. Customers will not find heavy stainless sheet or heavy rubber mats, just a clean smooth finish made to steam clean and look like new each time.
For safety and strength we build a galvanised steel cage in the horse area that is welded to the steel centre partition and to the ramp frame. The horse partitions are hung from this, adding to the safety and in turn the quality of the build.
The deluxe Helios Horsebox
When looking at horseboxes for sale weight must be one of the most important considerations
Whilst we understand that weight is an important issue we will not compromise on the strength or the stability of our builds. We have tested each innovation thoroughly and have only incorporated them in our manufacturing process when they offered both improved lightness and strength. These modern materials are tried and tested products in both the aircraft and automotive industries. They offer many benefits over previous materials. One quick example is the use of modern engineered composites panels and adhesives. These latest technologies represent a leap forward from the old style of wood filled fibreglass panels (GRP) and unlike these old panels they are not affected by water and don’t need lining with aluminium sheets and joining strips. If you consider a 24’ body, that’s an extra saving 202 kg!
In the aerospace industry the use of these materials is established practice. Their very light weight combined with high shear strength and high compressive strength enables the panels to carry high loads. The adhesives and tapes have considerable advantages too; added strength, stiffer construction, reduced vibration and noise, improved appearance and reduced corrosion to name a few. For these reasons we use these technologies in nearly every part of the Helios manufacturing process. More information about our construction process, materials and sizes are documented throughout the pages of the website.
If you consider that a typical horse can weigh up to 655kg, a pony up to 455kg, feed 20kg, add to this, fuel, water, tack, driver. Fines for overloading can be up to £5,000. If you are stopped and found overloaded a prohibition notice will be issued, banning the vehicle from being driven. To clear a prohibition notice, another vehicle may have to transport the excess load or temporary accommodation for your horses may have to be arranged. You could then face prosecution, as well as license penalty points. If your vehicle is overloaded, insurance cover also becomes void. We recommend that you always ask for a weight certificate for the finished vehicle as there are many horseboxes both old and new that do not comply with legal requirements, so BEWARE!
Our standard ladies Helios horseboxes are 4.7 ton so they are all legally capable of carrying 3 of the largest horses (they can legally carry over 2.5 ton of horses and tack). We weigh each horsebox on completion and give a certificate with every horsebox for sale. At the other end of the scale our heaviest Helios horseboxes for sale with all extras fitted, fuel and water weigh just 5.3 tonnes. Recently we have seen an increase in the number of customers wishing to trade in their horseboxes because of weight issues. These horseboxes for sale range from self builds to coachbuilt horseboxes by some of the larger manufacturers. In addition we have had many requests to reduce the weight in existing horseboxes.
The ladies 20' 6" Helios horsebox standard specification
Quality manufacturers and coachbuilders
Product longevity is the key to building a quality product and we go to great lengths to paint, glue, seal and Waxoyl every part where appropriate. Having our own spray shop is of great benefit in this area. Our commercial spray shop department have over 30 years of paint experience in both the commercial vehicle and aerospace industries (military and commercial aircraft) and we spray parts at all stages of the build rather than just painting at the end of manufacturing. We do not have to complete a build and drive it offsite to a spray shop for painting. After we service and prepare each chassis it goes into our steel fabrication workshop where the sub-frame and horse cage are fitted. Next it moves into our paint shop; the cab, engine, chassis and all steelwork are sprayed with 3 coats of oil resistant paint. After the box is finished it goes back into the spray shop and the underside is painted again and finally Waxoyl is applied. Steelwork and partitions are galvanised keeping a quality finish for the life of the horsebox. On the same theme we use sealer glue on every part fitted to the horsebox. All rivets and screws are stainless steel and each hole is sealed before they are fitted. On the Helios range we have removed nearly all the outside fixings. For more information on Helios horseboxes for sale Visit www.helioshorseboxes.co.uk.
The 23' Helios horsebox
Research and development - horsebox coachbuilders and manufacturers with an eye to the future
As forward thinking manufacturers, at the design stage of the Helios horsebox we decided to lead the competition rather than react to what others do and follow. We constantly search for any new manufacturing techniques, components or materials that are lighter or stronger and incorporate them in our horseboxes for sale. With a sensible approach to materials, weights and sizes we design the whole box around each customer’s needs. For this reason any Helios horseboxes for sale will boast one of the strongest and lightest builds on the market today. The ladies Helios is just 4.7 tonnes and we provide an independent weigh bridge certificate with each one to give customers peace of mind. We innovate wherever possible, choosing the best possible options to make owning a Helios horsebox trouble free for years to come. Some examples of this are the large solar charging system we fit as standard, the curved roof system that adds interior space and reduces wind noise and fuel consumption whilst making the Helios shape even more alluring. Looking to the future we know that each customer is potentially our best salesperson and that to be successful we have to get everything right first time. For this reason we offer the highest quality of customer service backed by our 2 year comprehensive warranty on all bodywork.
The horse area was our first consideration and we have gone to considerable effort to make our horse areas as comfortable as possible for transporting horses. From loading, colour and size to prevention of noise and vibration, each aspect has been carefully considered. We use the latest adhesives and tapes throughout each Helios build to reduce sound, vibration and add strength. We use light grey Coat-X and white ceiling and walls to make the horse area light and inviting as possible, large windows also help with air flow and natural light too.
One common concern amongst the equine community is the stress their animals endure every time they transport them. Equine experts have found that vibration and noise inside the horse area can cause both fatigue and stress to horses or ponies. This leads to long recovery times before horses are ready to show, race and event. It is widely believed that stress and fatigue during transport also lead to colic and other health concerns, not to mention poor performance. As part of our research and development, including recent independent studies by acoustic and vibration experts, tests have proven that manufacturing using the latest adhesives and tapes offer noise reductions at highway speeds of up to 41% and vibration reductions up to 30%. Other benefits include stronger construction, longer lifespan and reduced corrosion.
Helios horsebox close up pictures
Our commitment to improvement, innovative design and greater choice for customers continues with new products
- As part of our ongoing research and development and through our ties with a local equine College we are running our own tests on the horse area and ramp colours. Latest studies have shown that grey wall and floor colour has the most calming effect on horses and also the lowest percentage of adverse reactions. Add to this a maximum width loading area and an extremely low ramp height and this results in ease of loading and safe transportation of horses.
- As part of our commitment to reducing weight, we have added an aluminium based composite horse floor and ramp adding to both strength and lightness.
- Over the past year we have been asked more often to fit trackers to our horseboxes for sale, mainly because insurance companies have specifically requested them. We are now agents for SmarTrack (The Thatcham Accredited Stolen Vehicle Tracking System) and offer a next day fitting service. We can demonstrate how the system works with a unit fitted to one of our company vehicles. Having a tracker fitted may reduce your insurance premiums.
- Through Equine Rescue Services we now include 3 months free equine and tyre support with the option to upgrade to full road recovery and rescue.
- We now have available an option of bonded windows. These have been designed by Kevin Parker Horseboxes Ltd specifically for the Helios range.
- New for 2011 we have added an ultra modern Helios fibreglass back panel assembly for motor sport boxes and for horsebox customers who want side ramps as a complete solution to the rear in one panel. We have designed the fibreglass panel to complement the Helios fibreglass body kit. It has light recesses at the top and bottom, a moulding at the top to fit a reversing camera and at the bottom a number plate moulding with cut out for a tow bar.
Motor sport
Alister McRae - Rally Driver, collecting his horsebox
Click the image for a larger photo...
"Kevin and his teams ability to build exactly what was required into my truck would give me no hesitation in recommending them no matter what your requirements"
The new coachbuilt Helios shape is proving very popular with motor sport enthusiasts, so much so that we now build motor sport transporters with drop well workshops. Because each motor sport transporter is unique we build to individual customer specification and there are always several in build available for viewing. For people who want to build their own horsebox or race transporter we now sell the basic Helios fibreglass kit as well as our new bumper design, please phone for details or
see more details here.
Our other sites
Visit Sign-X for signs and graphics
Visit Coat-X for our Polyurea protective coating
Our opening times
7.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays
7.30 am to noon on Saturdays
Our workshop phone number is 01772860150 and we realise it can be difficult to get away in working hours, so if these times are not convenient and you would like to arrange an appointment at an alternative time please call Kevin on 07956222678.
Click on the pictures below for larger images or for a full range of pictures visit our gallery pages
