7.5 tonne lorry vs 3.5 running costs

A

Ahrena

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 June 2007
Messages
1,873
Visit site
I'm trying to get an idea of the general difference in costs of different size boxes?

My 7.5 tonne box has been notorious in repair bills over the last few years and today cost £3000 to pass the MOT 😳😳 I can't really afford to keep this up. It's a 19 year old Isuzu with about 200k km on the clock.

In the last 5 years it's had;
New clutch
New floor
Ramp reattached after it FELL OFF
New exhaust
New manifold/turbo something or another for 4k
Endless battery issues (seem to be on top of this now)
And various other smaller ailments.

I'm wondering about downgrading to a 3.5T but part of me wonders whether I've put so much into fixing so many parts of this one whether I'd just walk into new problems with another box, so it would be useful to have some figures to compare to!

I think I'd be fine with a 3.5 as rarely travel with 2 (I realise 2 can be tricky in a 3.5) and rarely stay over these days so as much as I love my living I can cope without it.


I don't fancy the trailer route because my mare won't travel in one (could be overcome with work), i'd need to pass another test (hate tests and took me long enough to pass my hgv), I'd have to trade in my beloved dream car (middle aged VW convertible bug which I've lusted over my whole life) and also just it's not as practical for eventing due to the sheer volume of stuff I find I need!
 
It sounds like other than a complete set of tyres, brakes all round and major electrical failure you've covered all points. I'd keep.

Unless you've come into a fortune and are buying new that is. (Did you buy a lottery ticket?)
 
Oh brake pads were part of the MOT today �� Because something or another else was broken and leaked on them I believe. I think anyway, it may of been something else. The MOT list was 2 pages long.

Has it just been bad luck?! Maybe I should sell my house and buy new, I could get a lorry about the same size as the house then...

Thank you, I have to admit I like your answer haha I love my box despite all its issues!
 
My 13yo 3.5ton is just as prolific in its love of repair bills. It's had 3 new batteries, new cam belt, new handbrake cables, new light stalk, new glow plugs, new starter motor, general touching up work to the horse area and exterior, isolator switch, new window winder, a few new lights, central locking fixing, interior lights fixing, 3 new tyres... and is currently sat useless at the yard awaiting mechanic looking at it to figure out if the half a key snapped in the ignition is retrievable or if it needs a new ignition barrel plus the hazard lights have gone dodgy and the handbrake needs looking at again. I have owned it about 18 months and am having similar thoughts re whether I should keep throwing money at it! I don't particularly wish to add up what it's cost me in repair bills as I think this may depress me!
 
Having had both, the 3.5t is defiantly cheaper to keep as mechanical failures tend to cost less. Tax is a little more on the 3.5t and insurance similar.
However, imho, I am happier with the costly 7.5t as it is much safer to drive, and for the horses to travel in.
But, I did sell one 7.5t as it kept having issues even after I had had spent a shed load on it it. I missed it a lot, and after a year with a trailer, and loathing towing, I went back to another 7.5t!
 
Sounds as though you're working through it's issues and you may as well keep if it does the job.

Outside chance it's the lorry equivalent of a stereotypical self-harming TB with a passion for going to horsepital, I suppose!

Can you summarise the MoT bill?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top