3.5t 7.5t or HGV

M

milo'n'molly

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 May 2010
Messages
903
Visit site
Help me make my mind up please.
I am currently transportless and I'm looking for a new box. I've always had 7.5t boxes before but always had more than one horse but now I've only got one 16.1hh horse but he's a chunky chap at 680kg. I've looked at 3.5 7.5 and now I've seen a compact 10t and it seems crazy that the 3.5t are much more expensive than the bigger boxes.
What I'm trying to decide is if it is worth spending the money on a smaller box as it will have lower running costs, tax, fuel, mot etc or saving the money and buy the hgv and have money left over for running the bigger box.
 
Anything over 7.5 (LGV C1) will put you into full EU tacho regs

The reason that 3.5s are more expensive is because after 1996 the free LGV C1 and B+E entitlements were withdrawn under EU law


Below is for info only =

The term HGV went out in 1991 so over 25 years ago

Everything over 3.5 tonnes GVW and less than 10 seats is LGV
 
I have just down sized to a 3.5 yet to be delivered. I am changing because the difficulties of driving a big lorry in very narrow lanes, combined with the difficulties of handling a big ramp with a horse tied to a lorry parked on public roads is stopping me from getting to varied hacking and visiting my friends and spoiling my enjoyment of my horses.

I've got a great 7.5 for sale of you want one!
 
I passed my test in 2001 so had to take my cat c test to drive our previous 7.5t.
We had a fab 7.5t made for us but sold it when we sold the horses and can't find anything like the quality of what we sold for the price now. I don't stop over anywhere so wouldn't use living, would much rather have a newer box and no living than a posh living area.
 
ycbm said:
I have just down sized to a 3.5 yet to be delivered. I am changing because the difficulties of driving a big lorry in very narrow lanes, combined with the difficulties of handling a big ramp with a horse tied to a lorry parked on public roads is stopping me from getting to varied hacking and visiting my friends and spoiling my enjoyment of my horses.



I've got a great 7.5 for sale of you want one!
Click to expand...


Thanks, yes please send me some info but I don't have a huge budget
 
You could go somewhere in the middle and go for a 5 or 6 tonne stalled for two. I have a compact 6 tonne and find it does the job well.
 
milo'n'molly said:
Thanks, yes please send me some info but I don't have a huge budget
Click to expand...

i don't think it will suit you if you have had one built for yourself. It's not pretty, it's aluminium, just very functional, with a huge payload and very low mileage for an 02. Hope you find what you want.
 
Hmm good qu. I've had both and find the ease of the compact 3.5 is better for me. Mines is 3.9t actually so I get a bit more payload although still don't take two these days. You do seem to get more for your money with a 7.5 presumably because of the licence restrictions, to a great extent. I'd like to go for something in between although they seem pretty pricey too for what you get, and even rarer!
 
3.5t are easier to drive and park, much more economical on fuel and generally cheaper to run, especially if it needs repairs. 7.5t+ you do get much more box for your money, but if budget is tight and you end up with a big repair bill that could be kinda awkward. If you need living you really want a bigger box. A big horse like yours will fit comfortably into most, if not all, 3.5t lorries, but some will leave you with insufficient payload to be legal so you would need a very light build. Or could look at 3.5t sized vehicles but uprated to 4t or 4.5t, which will give you a bit more payload to play with.
 
I went from a 7.5 toon to a 6.5 van type stalled for two with a pop out it offers everything my 7.5 did in a slightly neater form, except the two horses who travel forwards have more space .
It was pricey but then a new 7.5 was going to be pricey but it's a lovely little thing and I really like it so easy and cheap on the fuel .
The only thing I am not mad about is the side ramp it's a pain out hunting .
 
Micropony said:
3.5t are easier to drive and park, much more economical on fuel and generally cheaper to run, especially if it needs repairs. 7.5t+ you do get much more box for your money, but if budget is tight and you end up with a big repair bill that could be kinda awkward. If you need living you really want a bigger box. A big horse like yours will fit comfortably into most, if not all, 3.5t lorries, but some will leave you with insufficient payload to be legal so you would need a very light build. Or could look at 3.5t sized vehicles but uprated to 4t or 4.5t, which will give you a bit more payload to play with.
Click to expand...

My new 3.5 has been built with ultra light materials where safe, and has a payload of 1300kg with an extended living space. I'm having it altered before I collect it next week to move the partition over so the horse will travel centrally. That gives me a big storage space down the side where I will have a loo and store tack.

The luton would sleep two, but I will use it for storage. The living is big enough for a sink/hob unit. I don't want one, but I am having a foldaway 'stretcher' bunk put in for the OH to snooze while I'm riding.

I think it's a fantastic compromise if you know you only want to travel one horse. But yes, eye wateringly expensive for a 2.5 year old new build van, compared to an older preloved HGV. Older, higher mileage vans tend to cause more problems than the same age and higher mileage HGVs, they aren't built to last the same way.
 
Last edited:
milo'n'molly said:
Help me make my mind up please.
I am currently transportless and I'm looking for a new box. I've always had 7.5t boxes before but always had more than one horse but now I've only got one 16.1hh horse but he's a chunky chap at 680kg. I've looked at 3.5 7.5 and now I've seen a compact 10t and it seems crazy that the 3.5t are much more expensive than the bigger boxes.
What I'm trying to decide is if it is worth spending the money on a smaller box as it will have lower running costs, tax, fuel, mot etc or saving the money and buy the hgv and have money left over for running the bigger box.
Click to expand...

I would get the 10t every time if you already have the C licence. Whatever you wish to do in future you will never have to worry about weight and they are no more expensive to run than a 7.5 as they are much the same vehicle.
 
Micropony said:
3.5t are easier to drive and park, much more economical on fuel and generally cheaper to run, especially if it needs repairs. 7.5t+ you do get much more box for your money, but if budget is tight and you end up with a big repair bill that could be kinda awkward. If you need living you really want a bigger box. A big horse like yours will fit comfortably into most, if not all, 3.5t lorries, but some will leave you with insufficient payload to be legal so you would need a very light build. Or could look at 3.5t sized vehicles but uprated to 4t or 4.5t, which will give you a bit more payload to play with.
Click to expand...

Thank you, this is exactly what I was thinking. As there's only me and one horse now and I never stay over it would be cheaper to run a 3.5t. We lost a lot of money when selling our last 7.5 so think a 3.5 would be easier to move on too should I need to.
 
milo'n'molly said:
Help me make my mind up please.
I am currently transportless and I'm looking for a new box. I've always had 7.5t boxes before but always had more than one horse but now I've only got one 16.1hh horse but he's a chunky chap at 680kg. I've looked at 3.5 7.5 and now I've seen a compact 10t and it seems crazy that the 3.5t are much more expensive than the bigger boxes.
What I'm trying to decide is if it is worth spending the money on a smaller box as it will have lower running costs, tax, fuel, mot etc or saving the money and buy the hgv and have money left over for running the bigger box.
Click to expand...
I am a 7.5 ton fan - personal choice but for many many reasons i would always go this route,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top