Any thoughts on this for a first lorry (young driver)

My friend had one and found it did sway quite a bit, esp in side winds. She sold it and went for a more stable renault van but of course they cost a lot more.
Hopefully others have had more positive views
 
I wouldnt travel my horse in it. Ponies 14hh max but Iwouldnt want to put anything heavy in it, just dont trust it but thats gut instinct. I dont like putting winston in a trailer I just think if he got upset he would turn it over (850kg of horse easy).
 
Sorry but I have to agree with the others. I wouldnt like to put anything large in it because its so high up and would imagine it being unstable. The front ramp is so narrow and steep too. I think most horses would struggle to make that angle to get out without banging their sides.
Please be careful what you buy with your budget as you may end up spending more keeping it on the road unless you fall lucky.
 
Hi, in a previous life I was editor of a Trucking magazine.

I'd tend to go for something bigger and more truck like.

It's too easy to think because it drives like a car that you can drive it like a car.

That body looks 'big' for the chassis it's on, and your cargo can move about.

Bigger truck and lots of practice (without the horse)first, and you'll be OK.
 
Sorry I'm with everyone else - have driven one just like that a couple of times and was terrifed it would turn over at any moment :(
 
I would say no - not big enough for a horse really and also the centre of gravity is too high. I don't like these styles of boxes.

In all honesty I would try and save yourself a bit more money or look at getting a loan to buy a better one for a bit more cash. If you really need a wagon you want to have one that's safe at the end of the day and that you're happy driving.

I am not a fan of the new driving legislation at all - when I was 18 I was able to jump straight into a 7.5T lorry and they feel sooo much safer than these small ones or a trailer. I would try looking for the small boxes that were built as horseboxes from the word go or were converted by a professional. The older ones I think tend to be Renault Master or Mercedes. I think if you increased you budget - say maybe to £5K you could get something a bit better.

Have a shop round for loans if you can or if your parents can give you an 'interest free' loan then that could help!
 
Ditto the other posters and yes take your test you will have more choice of proper lorrys the little 3.5 ton boxes are very poor value realy you realy need to spend upwards of 12k to get a half decent one, and then one big horse or 2 ponies not much living and they are all built on a cheap tradesmans van not a heavy duty truck...
 
I had a similar little lorry when I was younger (a ford transit) and I loved it! Gave me freedom to go where I wanted and when I wanted, my 16.2hh tb travelled great in it. When I got my next horse however (also a 16.2hh tb) she didn't, and when she moved about I could feel the whole lorry move. I sold it and got a 7.5 tonne, and have had one ever since. I know what it's like to have a small budget to work with, my last lorry (7.5 t) cost me £4k and I bought it knowing I would have to spend £1K to get it how I wanted (luckily my friends include mechanics and welders!) . I do feel that with a budget of £2k, you need to take a mechanic with you so your not sold something which will cost you alot to run/maintain. Good luck!
 
Keep looking. Ideally you need to double your budget to get something half decent. We have just bought and R reg renault master for 3.5 k which was a pretty good buy but we have had to spend an extra £500 replacing the floor and cam belt and other bits and bobs. Whatever you get please check the floor. Ours was in regular use by its previous owners yet when we lifted the rubber matting the layer of wood was rotten through.
 
Thanks so much everyone - it's certainly a resounding 'no'! What a shame - I can't afford any more than that really, so a lorry seems to be off the cards for now. I'm lucky that I can catch lifts a lot of the time though.
 
imho no. too high and unstable for a larger animal to travel in comfortably

the 3.5t boxes are a premium price- proba around 9k.

ditto checking the payload of it at a weighbridge and also the bulk head and flooring.
 
DiablosGold said:
Thanks so much everyone - it's certainly a resounding 'no'! What a shame - I can't afford any more than that really, so a lorry seems to be off the cards for now. I'm lucky that I can catch lifts a lot of the time though.
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I still think you should take the extra test and save up your pennies whilst you're cadging lifts. Before long they'll be coming to you. Karma. What goes around comes around :) Here's the other way to look at it - you'll be safer and with more money at stake you're more likely to go in with your eyes open and not rush it. Our little beasties are worth it.
 
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