Am I the only one that downsized to a 3.5t and regrets it

[Louby]

Im seriously thinking of going back to a 7.5t, been looking through ads to see whats out there and loads say they are downsizing to a 3.5t as only one horse. Ive only one horse but just feel so much happier driving a 7.5t.
3.5t are so expensive, my insurance and tax is higher, I do get that repair costs are usually lower. I keep thinking I could have a nice compact 7.5t and probably money in the bank too.
Apart from needing a licence to drive a larger lorry, just what do you find so appealing with the 3.5t? I just dont want to regret changing back and probably a divorce too if I regret it lol.

 

[ycbm]

I love the fact it drives like a car, not having to climb up and down into and out of the cab and living, being able to lift the ramp with no concern for my back, (I used to winch the old one), the MOT being done in town instead of at an HGV station, any repairs being able to be done by a number of local garages instead of one HGV place that charges the earth when they see a horsebox, being covered by our car policy to get it home if we break down (friends will take the horses), the fuel consumption, being able to park and manoeuvre easily in tight spaces, how fast it warms up the cab in winter....

Apart from that, I hate it ?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

The highest plus is getting MOT easily and not playing date roulette in getting plating done.
Yes, I miss my bed, cooker etc but I cope easily enough with flask etc, I've camped in the back just for a couple of nights and I didn't expire.
Its far easier in narrow lanes, better on hills, simple to park. So much more economical on fuel, tyres, servicing. Heater v good.
Having had from 22ft to 38ft boxes, this 3.5 still feels like a kids toy (had it since 2012) to handle.
Having a 2.2 turbo it bumbles along cheerfully but has the oomph to steam past if required. Its fine to leave parked up for a few weeks without getting grumpy about starting.
I can't give other horses lifts due to weight allowances so no need to get embarrassed when folk ask about lifts.

Ycbm, you say yours is covered on existing breakdown? Who is that with please, as our AA doesnt cover it, so needing specific cover.

 

[milliepops]

I have gone from 3.5 to 7.5t and the things I miss are the fuel economy and how easy it was to drive down little lanes etc. was much more handy having a little box. (not going to downsize tho, I'm still appreciating the "facilities")

 

[ycbm]

FF I think it's with RAC but I'd need to check with OH, might be someone else. I asked him to make sure it was included.
.

 

[Bernster]

I’ve got a 4.5 t but drives like a 3.5t and had one of those before that. Drive ability for me.

 

[Muddywellies]

I too am thinking about downsizing. We had a blowout once and that was scary, and eyewateringly expensive to call out a mobile tyre chappie to sort it. The ramp kills me to do. Everything is just 'big' and cumbersome. I age about 10 years at MOT time, and this year its been hard getting a slot. There are so few places who can do repairs and MOTs. Needed a brake overall once and it cost £1300!!
It's a pain down small lanes and not every yard can accommodate a lorry. Yes it's great having somewhere to sit and get out of the weather, but surely in a van you just sit in the drivers seat or the small grooms area? We have done stay away shows and if course its great for that, but I'm not interested now in staying away. I want something nippy that I can happily manage on my own, get serviced and motd at any garage, won't cost a gazillion pounds to do so, and don't have to book the mot months in advance. ?

 

[ycbm]

Mine is long wheel base so I have 4 feet of living with a 4ft bench and a full wall so it's clean. I have a stretcher bed that can be unfolded to sleep in, a portaloo in the unused part of the horse area, and if I really wanted the Luton would take a mattress and sleep two.

But if I did an overnight now, I'd just drop the horse and drive off to a nice warm hotel, another bonus!
.

 

[Bernster]

Ycbm I have living but I’d still always go for a local bnb if available! Too old and creaky for camping nonsense ?

 

[Goldenstar]

I went from 7.5 to a 6.5 van type .
I did miss the lorry at first but the 6.5 is just so easy to drive has beautiful living with a slide out .Although I loved the seats in the 7.5 they where so comfy .
But the advantages of the 6.5 it is nice to drive Horses face forwards and travel so well I just love it .

 

[Baccara]

Well, Ive upsized to a 7.5 and love it. My 3.5 was not cheap to buy, but it was crap. Yes, it was easy todrive, park etc. but the horse (only a 15.2) who travelled well, sat back on the bulkhead and it split and lots of minor problems which added up to a major headache to sort out. My 7.5 is a daf extremely well built, solid and wont fall apart if the horse has a meltdown in it. Yes, it took a while to get use to the width, but now would not go baack to 3.5

 

[Louby]

Thank you all. I also cant get it out of my head that theres a big horse in a little van its a coachbuilt type with stallion partitions and nothing to jump over, but they just dont seem as substantial as the 7.5t. It fits on my drive which is great as would have to find somewhere to park a bigger one unless I can find the rare 20/21ft 7.5t's

 

[Annagain]

Maybe a 5T would be a good compromise? A friend has one after owning a 3.5T for many years and loves it.

 

[humblepie]

I was going to say how about a 5 or 6 tonne? I had a 5 tonne, two horse, lots of payload, small grooms area, turned on a sixpence, nippy and economical. I have a 7.5 tonne which I love for motorway work as it just churns through the miles. Agree not always easy to find somewhere to park at livery yards and sometimes a pain if going for a lesson to a yard with not much parking but I like the convenience of having loo, lots of space etc etc. When I am having a feeble day, I sometimes think why is everything so heavy but it isn't really, just needs the ramp to be kept well greased and it springs up like a springy thing! Fortunately OH is a mechanic so he has the joy of maintaining it!

 

[oldie48]

I used to like driving my 7.5 but I didn't like the cost of getting it plated, or the diesel or the repairs. I now stay B&B rather than in the lorry and tbh it's much much nicer!

 

[Louby]

Thank you, I think if Im going to go back to bigger it would be a compact 7.5t, the inbetweenies seem like hens teeth to find, still need the VOSA plaiting and still cost a fortune to buy. You just seem to get so much more for your money on a 7.5t.

 

[tristar]

we have 6 ton, very very economical, same as the jeep, specially since our garage told me to change up gear sooner, lovely living, auto ramp, i love driving it