Changing from a 7.5t box to a 3.5t or 4.5t box. Pros and cons?

[ann-jen]

The amount of money I am having to spend on the old rust bucket is driving me to the decision I finally have to replace the iveco :-/
The box I'm looking at is a 4.5t but the dealer keeps sending me links to alternatives that are 3.5t. I have 2 horses that weigh approx 650kg and 550kg and do sometimes want to transport them together. I'm concerned I would be overweight in a 3.5t? So not sure there is any point looking at anything this small? There is a 3.9t I've seen that might suit me if that would be up to the weight? Just wondering if anyone can guide me to the right answer or whether I even need to look at another 7.5t even?
Also I assume fuel economy will be similar.... Newer vehicle vs less powerful vehicle? And insurance should be cheaper?
Any comments welcome on anything relevant to switching not just the weight issue.
Thanks in advance!

 

[ROMANY 1959]

I have a 3.5 boss lorry with 1300 payload, but when we do Polocrosse tournaments we only have two small horses in it neither are more than about 450 kg . I also tow a caravan so all stuff goes in there. A 3.9 would suit you as long as the payload was true at about 1600 kg. when you start going to 4.5 ton, I found they payload was not that much more than mine, as the lorry alone weighed more than 3.5 one. Your best looking for one with weigh bridge certified unlaiden weight to suit your horses and you and tack and kit. They are out there. Good luck

 

[Gleeful Imp]

I went from a 7.5 tonne to a 5.5 because I couldn't find anything smaller that gave me confidence in the payload for 2 plus kit and people. Absolutely loved it! Had 2.1 tonnes of payload. Fab. Small living which was great, so easy to drive. Only sold it because had spent 18 months trying to get horse right, and was obvious little truck was facing another winter doing nothing.

 

[philamena]

I've just gone up from a 3.5 to a 7.5. I loved my 3.5, but I would personally prefer to stay well under payload wherever possible rather than be squeaking it. Just personal preference.

In terms of economy etc, my 7.5 is cheaper to tax, same to insure, and fuel-wise it's basically the same to run, though more eye-watering to fill obviously! I guess the theory is that your 3.5 is at full stretch when fully laden whereas the larger lorry isn't, and provided your lorry's economical (they all vary) it shouldn't be too thirsty.

I would gladly have gone for something between 3.5 and 7.5 but they're so hard to find.

I do think you get less for your money / have to pay over the odds a bit for a good 3.5t because so many people want or need them now so they can go for a premium. And there are a lot of feeble builds so you need your wits about you

I like the flexibility of the bigger lorry in terms of if you find yourself needing to transport something heavier... but I also LOVED pootling around in my 3.5 and they're so easy to park.

 

[ann-jen]

Thanks everyone. Fingers crossed the iveco is fixed today and gives me a bit more time to think over my options re what to do next. Sounds like. 3.9 or 4.5 would be more suitable than a 3.5 really

 

[Abacus]

I doubt you'll find the payload you need in a 3.5. However if you see a good one they can be upgraded to 3.9 quick cheaply (they need the springs changing and then plating). So it may be worth watching the ones you are being sent.

 

[ann-jen]

Ah great. Thanks for that advice. I never knew that

 

[Meems]

I doubt you'll find the payload you need in a 3.5. However if you see a good one they can be upgraded to 3.9 quick cheaply (they need the springs changing and then plating). So it may be worth watching the ones you are being sent.

Any idea how much that costs? I've got a 3.5 and am pretty sure I've been very close to my weight limit on a few occasions, having a 3.9 seems a much more sensible payload if I've got two medium sized horses on board.

 

[ROG]

Any idea how much that costs? I've got a 3.5 and am pretty sure I've been very close to my weight limit on a few occasions, having a 3.9 seems a much more sensible payload if I've got two medium sized horses on board.

Many are built as vehicles over 3.5 but have been plated lower at 3.5 for B licence driving so to uprate them is easy

Driving licence for one over 3.5 is LGV C1

 

[cptrayes]

I always thought that the major benefit of a 3.5 ton is that it can be mot'd and serviced in any garage. For that reason I would not buy any small lorry over 3.5 if there was a 3.5 that would take my payload safely, because you would lose a huge benefit for not much gain.

 

[humblepie]

Aside of the weight issue, also consider what you do with your lorry/horses etc. I used to have a 5 tonne and that was lovely for what I was doing then - mainly shows within about 2 hours and lorry had lots of space to put tack etc. Now have a 7.5 tonne as go longer distances. I really liked the little lorry and would have said it was better on fuel but the bigger lorry is really good on motorways and eats up the miles.

 

[Spottyappy]

I changed from a 3.5 to a 7.5 few years ago, as I couldn't legally carry two horses, and needed to carry three at times.
I love my current 7.5, an iveco, and much older than my 3.5t was. It gives a much better ride for me and the horses. I loved my 3.5 at the time too, and would use the same manufacturer if I needed to return to smaller box, but the ride was nowhere near as stable and smooth as the 7.5s I have subsequently had.
The tax is less on the bigger box, the insurance similar, BUT the mileage is much less than the 3.5t. My 3.5 was a Citroen and did in excess of 50mpg, even loaded. My iveco does about 15mpg!
And the biggest ouch is the cost of work doing on the bigger lorry. The smaller one was much, much cheaper on both parts and labour.
But, I still would be reluctant to return to a smaller box as the big one just wins hands down for safety, smoothness of ride and comfort.

 

[Meems]

Driving licence for one over 3.5 is LGV C1

Would I need to take a special test for that, I did pass my driving test in the dark ages (the early 1980's), so is there any chance my licence would cover me for that class anyway?

 

[Arniebear]

U can drive up to 7.5. Tonne on ur normal license if u passed it before 1997! Ive just sat my LGV C1 passed my normal license in 07...yes im a baby!!!

 

[kevd]

You could always go for a 6.5t that way you have a decent payload but a smaller vehicle than a 7.5t

 

[Abacus]

Hi, sorry I only just saw your question. I haven't had it done so am really not sure how much it costs but when I was looking at 3.5 tonne lorries I saw a couple of dealers that said they could get them uprated to 3.9 for about £400. It would probably be less if you just got a mechanic to sort out the springs and then took it for plating yourself. As cptrayes said, you would then have to plate it each year which is more expensive, as the huge benefit of the 3.5 tonne vans is the MOT and is the main reason I got one (for just one horse).

 

[cptrayes]

Just like to add to this for people who are getting a lorry for the first time. If you are considering a lorry over 3.5 tons, check out where you will have took take it to get it tested, it can be a very long way away to have to go for the mot, and lack of competition in the area can make maintenance very expensive.

 

[OrangePepper]

A 7.5 ton lorry is higher off the ground and has a far stronger chassis so in the event of an accident your horse and you are far better protected.

 

[Abacus]

A 7.5 ton lorry is higher off the ground and has a far stronger chassis so in the event of an accident your horse and you are far better protected.

It depends on the accident of course. The walls of a 7.5 tonne aren't usually stronger - so it depends on where you get hit and by what.