Going to view a lorry - what to look out for?

[Patterdale]

As title really! It looks ok and it’s a genuinely reputable company.
Any tips much appreciated - what to ask/what to look out for.
I’ve never bought a lorry so it’s all new to me.

 

[Red-1]

Weight! I mean, actually take it out and weigh it.

Even reputable companies will take the rubber mats and partitions out, have a small amount of fuel and get a good looking weight certificate that you won't achieve in the real world.

Is it a new one? As new or used would bring a whole different set of things to look for.

How the horse is restrained is important, especially in a 3.5 tonne. Does it have a secure back to it, so the horse doesn't join you in the cab? Some cheaper ones have no bracing between floor and walls. Some allow water to pool and the floor/ramp/wall can rot.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Not an expert and just bought my first lorry.

Take a tape measure.
Ask about water tank
Look underneath, does the floor look solid or are you nervous?
Have a go with the ramp, if electric, what happens if it fails? Can you still open & shut?
Check the plating certificate
Ask about the payload
Do they offer a warranty?
Can you get a pre purchase inspection (can cost around £150 but worth it to the novice buyer)
Think about how you would use it, storage etc.

 

[Patterdale]

Thank you!
It’s a 12 year old 7.5t. I can’t take it for a test drive sadly as I dont have my test yet, but will I sound silly if I ask to go for a test drive as a passenger!?

 

[Red-1]

Thank you!
It’s a 12 year old 7.5t. I can’t take it for a test drive sadly as I dont have my test yet, but will I sound silly if I ask to go for a test drive as a passenger!?

I would make sure it is a tilt cab in that case. I would also still take to a weigh bridge, even if that is with them driving. yes, i would think it beneficial for you to be a passenger. Check the warning lights do come on when the vehicle is started and then do all go off and stay off when driven. I would empty the air tanks and make sure they build back up in a reasonable timeframe. Check for oil leaking, smoke, dodgy thumps etc.

I would look underneath for the floor, check you can actually raise and lower the ramp alone. Check the roof is high enough.

If you like it, I would get a mechanic to give it the once over.

 

[outdoor girl]

I would try and take a mechanic with you or find one who will go and take a look if you decide you want to buy it. The last one we bought seemed great when we went to see it, but the mechanic found out it needed a new power steering thingy and there was something else which needed doing as well. He managed to get the cost of the new parts taken off the price for us plus a bit more for the inconvenience of having to wait to be able to use it.

 

[jnb]

I took my lorry man with me, he announced that if I didn't buy it, he would for a client he'd been asked to look out for.
Mine had full service history (all receipts) had recently had the entire braking system replaced and was waxoiled throughout the undercarriage and engine bay. Doesn't have a tilt cab and so far has cost me a couple of hundred more per year for servicing.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Thank you!
It’s a 12 year old 7.5t. I can’t take it for a test drive sadly as I dont have my test yet, but will I sound silly if I ask to go for a test drive as a passenger!?

Not at all, I did that because of insurance stuff.

 

[humblepie]

As above, definitely get a good mechanic to look at it. When I was looking years ago, I saw a lot that had nice fittings but were rubbish underneath. They do drive differently even two of similar models and years so ideally get mechanic to drive it and get a feel. Mine is older so things may have changed but the gearbox on mine is heavy but when I moved a Man one of a similar age the gearbox was like a car one.

Don’t be put off by high mileage. If well maintained they were designed for big mileage. Don’t be swayed by pretty fittings and nice curtains . Personally I don’t like lockers in the horse area but that is personal taste.

 

[Orangehorse]

Well you will need to drive it, to get a feel of steering, gear change and brakes.

Agree with if you like it, get a mechanic to look over because things that need doing can quickly mount up.
How many horses/weight (not "stalled for")

When getting a weight certificate it used to be that the vehicle was emptied, and more or less rolled onto the weighbridge - even "respectable dealers"

 

[humblepie]

There was a lovely looking fairly modern at least in my world 7.5 tonne lorry advertised last year £60,000 plus and the payload would have been one horse and stuff and people and probably not a lot of fuel.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I went with a friend who has their own lorry and had it customised. They know how lorries work everyday. My dad was a mechanic so I know the sound of a poorly engine. I felt this was good enough when I was also going to get a pre purchase inspection from a proper mechanic. (A recommended one)

 

[Tiddlypom]

As above, do check the payload. The fancy new 7.5t 2 horse/sleeps 4 people boxes on show at Badminton from a well known company have a payload of 1500kg, plus or minus a few kg. That's less than the payload of my Ifor trailer, which only needs to carry the horses. The payload of a horsebox has to be enough to include the horses plus all tack and equipment, the driver, passengers, water, diesel...

 

[eggs]

As others have already said - payload is important. If you like the lorry get a mechanic to give it a thorough pre-purchase examination and get it on a weighbridge.

Can you lift the ramp by yourself? How steep is the ramp? Check and double check the flooring under the mats (take a screwdriver with you to poke any suspect looking bits).

Look up the MOT history - has it had advisories?

Definitely take it for a test drive - being a passenger should not be a problem.

Does it have spare keys for all locks?

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Same as everyone else really. Check the payload and also check advisories online. Many people get carried away by a nice container with all the smart living and forget to check the age and condition of the chassis.

 

[Patterdale]

Thank you so much, all replies read and considered in my viewing!

Payload was 2004kg witnessed. The lorry was immaculate and absolutely the thing of my dreams. I am no mechanic but I went over every inch of it, from the ground upwards with a torch.
No rot/rust etc.
Proper hardwood floor all sound (not ply)
Lifted all the mats.
Tried all the buttons, switches, lights etc.
Ramp was super easy on my own.
Tyres all good.
Miles of room for 4, would have fit 4 horses never mind ponies (payload wise not though, but more than ample for my lot).
Tiny simple living, just a bench with storage under.
No tack lockers in the horse area or anywhere else, just racks in the living.
Went for a test drive as a passenger, it’s an automatic and flew up the hills, cruised along like a van. No rattles or shakes or noises.

I couldn’t fault it! They took it for a test while I waited and it passed with no advisories. So I bought it!!

My first ever lorry, I am so super excited, MORE than a kid at Christmas!

 

[catembi]

Wow, well done! I agree, first lorries are so exciting!

When I had my first lorry, I made up a first aid kit for it after I got a double puncture on the way to the vets and had to unload onto a busy road & walk the rest of the way. Water, oil, rad weld, exhaust tape, baler twine, tow rope suitable for 7.5 ton, very heavy duty jump leads, 8 ton bottle jack, warning triangles, hi viz vest, a scaffold pipe thing to help get wheel nuts off... Better to have it & not need it than the other way around...! And make sure you get horse breakdown cover!

 

[humblepie]

Patterdale - how exciting and an automatic as well. Catembi - that sounds like what we carry. Also spare light bulbs.

 

[Red-1]

Congratulations!!!

I carry a spare wheel. Can't bear the thought of being stranded on a smart motorway.

 

[Patterdale]

V good ideas thank you!! Not sure my payload will support a spare wheel but I’ll have good breakdown cover, and I avoid smart motorways where at all possible!

Going to spend tonight googling accessories/what to pack. It’s a Winterborne - I’d never even heard of them but it’s just so beautiful and traditional. I’m honestly on cloud 9 I’ve waited years for this!

Any other lorry essential recommendations gratefully received

 

[Red-1]

V good ideas thank you!! Not sure my payload will support a spare wheel but I’ll have good breakdown cover, and I avoid smart motorways where at all possible!

Going to spend tonight googling accessories/what to pack. It’s a Winterborne - I’d never even heard of them but it’s just so beautiful and traditional. I’m honestly on cloud 9 I’ve waited years for this!

Any other lorry essential recommendations gratefully received

Yes, join National Tyres before you need them, if you don't have a spare wheel. If you have a puncture out of hours and don't already have an account, it causes all sorts of issues! Much better to have an account up and running, and it doesn't cost anything. I keep the details in the cab.

 

[luckyoldme]

Get yourself a daily check book , this will give you a prompt as to what to look for on a daily basis.
Buy a tyre depth gauge, and an hgv tyre pressure gauge(eBay )..it will only take a few minutes to check these once a week and write down tyre depths so you know where you are with them.
Make sure you keep a close eye on the oil and as other have said get it on a weighbridge laden and unladen so you know exactly where you are.
Most importantly buy a Yorkie bar and when money permits a nice set of airhorns.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Get yourself a daily check book , this will give you a prompt as to what to look for on a daily basis.
Buy a tyre depth gauge, and an hgv tyre pressure gauge(eBay )..it will only take a few minutes to check these once a week and write down tyre depths so you know where you are with them.
Make sure you keep a close eye on the oil and as other have said get it on a weighbridge laden and unladen so you know exactly where you are.
Most importantly buy a Yorkie bar and when money permits a nice set of airhorns.

I shall donate mine to the OP. My husband bought it when the truck arrived last week. I've had a few trucks over the years but been without one for a little while now and don't have a decent horse anymore, but it was still very exciting when it arrived, and its been out twice and come home with 3 rosettes. All I need now is for Adorable Alice not to throw a sicknote and actually manage to get to some ID shows.

 

[EventingMum]

Just a word of caution, some breakdown policies say in the small print you must carry a spare tyre.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Just a word of caution, some breakdown policies say in the small print you must carry a spare tyre.

I'm a trailer owner, not a lorry owner, but please never venture out without a spare tyre. Ditch anything else for weight to make capacity for the spare.

How much does a spare lorry wheel/tyre weigh? It sounds like you have bags of payload.

 

[Red-1]

I'm a trailer owner, not a lorry owner, but please never venture out without a spare tyre. Ditch anything else for weight to make capacity for the spare.

How much does a spare lorry wheel/tyre weigh? It sounds like you have bags of payload.

A spare wheel was one of the reasons I uprated my 3.5 tonne. That and wanting a proper water tank and a fan ventilation system.

A friend got a puncture on the A1. No-one would come for hours. National Tyres eventually helped but it took so much longer as they didn't already have an account. The recovery company could have done it in a trice if they'd had a spare wheel.

 

[AmyMay]

Most importantly buy a Yorkie bar and when money permits a nice set of airhorns.

You’ll also need a cb radio and a handle (good buddy! )

 

[luckyoldme]

You’ll also need a cb radio and a handle (good buddy! )

Bluetooth saw them off long ago!