Help needed with lorry decision

D

daisy27

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 October 2008
Messages
74
Visit site
Need some input into changing my lorry. At the moment i have a 6.5 ton dodge which is really old, so would like to upgrade...

I really like the 3.5 lorrys but am slightly worried i'd be over weight with a 16.1 and a 14.1. Only take them both out together once a week, other times only 14.1, which can be upto 3-4 times a week..

seems daft to get a large lorry when i mostly carry 1 and we don't really use the living we have now...

What do you think?? Any advice appriciated....
 
not at all.theyre more sterdy than you think but all deopending on what you buy.
The equi treck ones in my opionon are the best of the best the ones that look like transits are rocky.
I know someone that used to travel 2 16.1 eventers in one of them Vauxhal (i think) 3.5 tonn so with your 2 youd be fine.
 
You need to know what your horses, their tack and equipment plus driver, any passengers and their extra kit weigh. If you go just on the weight of the horses and the fact that most of the 3.5 tonners have a payload of around 1.1 tonnes I think you'll find you'll be overweight very quickly.

Yes you can physically fit in two big horses but the weight will make you illegal (and unsafe!)
 
You need to know how much the lorry weighs on its own before you make that decision. You should have a rough idea on the weight of your horse so add the 2 together and make sure it doesn’t add up to more that 3.5ton.

Each lorry will have different unladen weights (minus horses) depending on the conversion and materials used so you will need to ask for each lorry. I think you will be close to weight with both in so it is worth making sure before you buy and find out you can’t travel both your horses.
 
My 6.5t Dodge just died as well
frown.gif
the rust got it. I have ended up buying a 7.5t, which actually has the same size engine as the dodge did, I haven't really driven it that much yet to work out the difference in fuel comsumption.

What I can tell you though, is that I can now speak to my passengers as the engine is so quiet, I have power steering and a heater that works, and I think why did it take me so long to buy a new one.....

I wouldn't buy a 3.5t as I do like some living and I can drive a 7.5t. I think more than likely you would be overweight with 2 horses in a 3.5t

Why not go for another 6.5t? can you swap the body on to a new chassis?
 
With a 16.2hh and 14.2hh you should (in theory) be ok but double check the payload. As said they are generally only 1.1 to 1.2 T payload wise so with all your tack, water and people you could be pushing it.

I think there are some nice 3.5T out there. Equi trek do some smart ones but I am not sure about the power of the Isuzu vehicles they use.

Most seem to be built on Vauxhall Movano/Fiat Ducatos and they look pretty sturdy and smart. If you can drive a 6.5T though you may be better off looking at 4.5 - 5T boxes that will be better payload wise.

When we were looking we also realised how little stoarge space there actually is to be honest. We ended up getting a newer 7.5T instead (we had a oler one) and pretty much manage to fill that with 'stuff' when going out so I think we'd have struggled with a smaller vehicle.
 
Did a lot of research on this recently and only found two small lorries that had a reasonable payload. The Equitrek SuperSonic has a payload of 1400 kg and a Marlborough Cob which has been uprated has a payload of 1550kg. However, both would need to a brand new purchase as they are almost impossible to find second hand. I had great fun at Hickstead asking all the lorry people about payloads and all said a 3.5 tonne can't do 2 horses (apart from the Equitrek but I think that goes over 3.5tonnes) - maybe in a few years when they are all built from composite materials it may be possible.

We viewed so many small 3.5t boxes that could carry our 2 neddies size wise but none could cope with the weight. If you can drive over 3.5 tonnes go for one that is slightly bigger but not right up to 7.5t. We went for a 6.4 tonne in the end.

I'd take your two neds to a weight bridge in the lorry, together with all your kit and find out the actual weight, that way you'll know exactly what you have to play with...you may be lucky and be able to do it.... we couldn't.
 
It's such a pain, i love my dodge but we just don't use the living and like i said mostly i've only got one on board....
 
[ QUOTE ]
It's such a pain, i love my dodge but we just don't use the living and like i said mostly i've only got one on board....

[/ QUOTE ]

But if you had a bump with both on board and was over weight you wouldn’t be insured.
 
Funny - I think we ended up buying a Dodge - is yours a Renault Dodge?

You say you don't want the living but after years of trailer driving and then having a Ford Transit, we've found the day living to be a godsend. We can use it for changing, relaxing, storing stuff at the yard....not sure now how we ever managed without it and I bet you'd miss it!
 
[ QUOTE ]
What I can tell you though, is that I can now speak to my passengers as the engine is so quiet, I have power steering and a heater that works, and I think why did it take me so long to buy a new one.....

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh how I know those problems!!

But I wouldn't swap my Dave, he is so easy to fix if anything goes wrong
cool.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What I can tell you though, is that I can now speak to my passengers as the engine is so quiet, I have power steering and a heater that works, and I think why did it take me so long to buy a new one.....

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh how I know those problems!!

But I wouldn't swap my Dave, he is so easy to fix if anything goes wrong
cool.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Am so with you, i am deaf when i get out of Dorris!!!!!
 
If you look for a 5 or 5.5 tonne one you'll have better payload, more space and you'll miss the price premium that the 3.5 tonne lorries now have - given that they can be driven by a 17old.

What's your budget? I'm bored babysitting 2 sleeping twins so can have a search for you.
 
Hey we should start an I love dodges clique - we found a website for dodge 50's there are some realy cool conversions out there, no dusty red horseboxes like mine though. Personaly I dont always want to hear my passenger, I would rather hear the dulcet rumblings of dodgies engine.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
What I can tell you though, is that I can now speak to my passengers as the engine is so quiet, I have power steering and a heater that works, and I think why did it take me so long to buy a new one.....

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh how I know those problems!!

But I wouldn't swap my Dave, he is so easy to fix if anything goes wrong
cool.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I had to get a new one as mine had just rusted away. It hadn't been driven for 2 years and the bit that held the engine in place no longer exisited
frown.gif


They are really easy to fix, especially as Massey Fergusson tractor bits fit them. The engine on mine is still perfect etc, just will never get thru an MOT because of the chassis.

I loved my lorry and was really worried about getting a bigger one, but because it is so much easier to drive than the Dodge I have found it alright.
 
Hi Daisy27,
As above, please weigh your horses so you have an idea of what payload you need to be looking for. Also, look around for a medium wheelbased Renault Master or Vauxhall Movano (they are the same vehicle), built with the new composite material and you will get in excess of 1.3T payload. This payload should carry both your horses, tack ect.
 
What about the Chevals? I'm looking at the three or four horse trailers - having discussed it with various people, inlcuding Land Rover, I could tow three horses with my Disco (we'd have 3.5 tons to play with, of which about 1.2 tons would be the trailer).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top