Horsebox 6t / 7.5t - costs

[pink_princess]

Can anyone shed some light please?
I currently have a 3.5t 1997 Renault master and fuel economy is fab. Previously had a very old ford cargo that due to age and size used an awful lot of fuel.
The 3.5t isn't big enough, the Insurance / breakdown & Tax costs are around the same 3.5-7.5t, I know the MOT is slightly dearer.
So its a question of with not a huge budget prob age 1995 -1998 is there a huge difference in running costs of 6tonne and 7.5tonne
Only travel one horse very occasionally 2.

 

[humblepie]

I went from a 5 tonne to a 7.5 tonne and the 7.5 does less mpg but is lovely for trekking up and down the motorways. The annual fee for the VOSA inspection has gone up astronomically recently. Can't remember how much it is but basically the VOSA owned test stations are being closed and the VOSA inspectors are based at places like the local bus centre or a commercial truck centre where VOSA have to rent the test lanes. This has put the cost up a lot. I think on repair, it is always how much is a piece of string. I am sure you would anyway but if buying something of that age, make sure you get it fully inspected by a good lorry mechanic before buying. My OH (and again not advertising as it is only something he does for people I know) has recently looked at a handful of lorries around 1995 - 2000 for someone and at least two of them were borderline unsafe and needed a substantial amount spent on them. One was for sale at lorry builder, having been taken in part exchange. He has now found a nice well maintained within budget lorry for the person but you do need to make sure it is checked out. Good luck.

 

[Potter84]

I bought a 7.5 ton a few months ago. Paid 5.5k for a 95 plate lorry in great condition. Running costs are very reasonable in my mind. Plating is about £130 a year. Servicing only needs doing infrequently if you're a low mileage leisure user.

Plenty of benefits over a smaller box especially the living area and hob allowing for hot food/drink when you're stuck at a show all day.

Edit to add: insurance is stupidly cheap. £140 for the year and about the same again for all inclusive recovery as well