Considering 7.5t Lorry - Advice pls!

[Anne_Burns]

I have a 2007 Landcruiser and, due to increasing diesel costs/miles covered, am considering selling and buying a small car and 7.5t lorry. I am at the stage of doing all the sums and would be grateful for advice on current running costs of such a lorry (tax, insurance, plating, etc). Aware that MOT costs will vary widely dependent on any work needing done. Has anybody else taken a similar step and regretted/been pleased with their swap from a trailer to a lorry?

 

[jhoward]

we changed from a trailer/4x4 to a 7.5tn

it may not be relivent as I bought an old lorry (bedford tk)

but.. tax was 90 for 6 months insurance was 300 including the highest level of break down (did help hubby is 47)

when we put it in for its mot.. it had been standing for 18 months in parts it cost £105 but the morons of a company we used well and truely screwed us over with a labour bill of 1000
Plating wise it had a life plate on it due to age.

fuel wise with one big 16.2 in it it was on the same par as the trialer and 4 x 4

I did before purchase get a horse box firm to come out and give it a once over to ensure I wasnt bying a money pit.

we never regretted bying it it never broke down, always started and although noisy the horses all travelled well.

we tarted it up a bit and made 2k when i sold it.

 

[Anne_Burns]

Thanks, JHoward. Lorry's beginning to look favourable! Spent £95 filling my car's fuel tank this weekend and probs need to do that more than twice this month :-(

 

[scribble]

You need to ensure that you will use it often enough if an older lorry ie; once a week as they dont like being stood up.

 

[Anne_Burns]

Budget will probably be around £12k. We'll definitely be out once a week, sometimes more (2-3 times in spring/summer). Pony club family so lots of 1-2 hour journeys but usually no further than that.

 

[jhoward]

You need to ensure that you will use it often enough if an older lorry ie; once a week as they dont like being stood up.

mine had been stood for 18 months when i bought it, it started first time! and i never used it that much once a month max.