Lorries - help please

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MysteryGirl

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We need to upgrade our lorry as we currently only have day living and struggle with a lack of storage and comfort!

We have looked at Solitaire and like their lorries, but thought we'd ask for any tips, pros/cons, must haves etc from you knowledgeable people before we make a decision.
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We need a non HGV lorry suitable for 2 horses for anything from a quick trip to the gallops to a 3 day event.
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We have a solitaire and are so so happy with it. I can't rate them highly enough absoloutley fantastic lorry. PM me if you want any information.
 
We have a Bretherton lorry (bought second hand) and absolutely LOVE it!! Have a look at their website
www.brethertoncoachworks.co.uk.

They are quite pricey now I think. I was lucky in finding one second hand, but had to travel to Surrey from Scotland! Could sell mine tomorrow up here - everyone loves it!

Things I was looking for , which Bretherton lorries have:
Underfloor storage
Outside tack locker - NOT under horse's heads (as very bad for long journeys) Makes checking and watering horses en route so much easier.
Spacious living (for untidy daughters - especially at 3-day events)
Raised living (makes getting into Luton to sleep a doddle!)
Sleeping for up to 5 (bed over loo and hallway)
Easy instant hot water
Light -unladen weight (ours is 6 tons but I think they can be even lighter)

BTW I am nothing to do with Bretherton - I just LOVE my lorry! The newer ones are even better I gather (Mine was built in 2004 or 5.)
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Having had a shocker from Chaigley before that, I can give you endless tips!! PM me if you like!!
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Well I too have a Bretherton they are well made with plenty of storage. Look on their website. If you see a second hand one I'd go and look.
A friend had a JM horsebox built and I was impressed with that for the price. A lot depends on your budget. Other good ones are West Yorkshire and ABI.
After this you get into the price bracket of the Oakley, Prestige and Lehel etc.
There are some pretty shoddy ones on the market too. I'd also avoid one made of glasonite too.
 
6 tons is heavy for a lorry - You'd be very boderline weight wise with 2 horses, kit, diesel, water + people on board.

Are you buying new or second hand? I would just go look at a few in your price range and see what you like.
 
Check if Solitaire have gone bust, rumour was there were looking that way, as manufacturer of cabs told me they had to cancel orders. Watch the wobble!!!
 
Apparently you are allowed to be 10% over weight (someone who was stopped told me that but they don't make it known) IF that is true then a 7.5 ton could carry upto 8.2 ton. As I say I was told this but don't know how accurate it is, would be interesting if anyone knows. 6 ton still gives you 1.5 ton anyway.
I've come to the conclusion that most 3.5 ton lorries are effectively a 1 horse and most 7.5 ton lorries are 2 horse lorries.
 
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Apparently you are allowed to be 10% over weight (someone who was stopped told me that but they don't make it known) IF that is true then a 7.5 ton could carry upto 8.2 ton. As I say I was told this but don't know how accurate it is, would be interesting if anyone knows. 6 ton still gives you 1.5 ton anyway.
I've come to the conclusion that most 3.5 ton lorries are effectively a 1 horse and most 7.5 ton lorries are 2 horse lorries.

[/ QUOTE ]Dream on, ,10% overloaded,expect a big fine!
6 tonnes unladen gives you the ability to carry two of my horse.(18 hh ISH)
 
As above dont listen to them not only are VOSA giving fixed penalties now ,they are tending to be at the top of the range they can levy they are not renowned for their sympathetic behaviour.
More of a problem will come from them making you rectify the overweight before you can continue so something will need to be left behind.
Dont forget when you are weighed it includes driver and all passengers so allow for this.
 
Memo - I had heard that too re 10% allowance. Not sure I would trust it though!!
I think it is more like they won't FINE you if you can get rid of some of the weight (ie empty water tanks/throw the children out
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Friends of ours were stopped on the M74 on the way to Weston 3-day and were well over weight. However they emptied water tanks, and left their feed and bedding (someone with an HGV picked it up for them) and were allowed to continue - still a bit overweight, but within 'reason'.

I think it depends on the person you get - some are reasonable, and realise that it is v. difficult for non-commercial drivers (ie without a weighbridge) to know exactly what they weigh when leaving at 5 in the morning!

However there are always the 'jobsworth' ones that resent people with horses and flashy transport, so beware!!

It is difficult for a 7.5 ton lorry to be much under 6 tons, and still be well built - ie strong partitions, good flooring etc, but for 2 horses it should be OK.
Just remember they weigh EACH axle and then add the weights together
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- which is another reason for not having a lot of storage at the back
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OP sorry to hijack but..

Argh - you can't be overweight period!!! OH's dad runs a shipping company and he said that it's incredibly dangerous to be overweight as the lorry brakes and suspension are calibrated for the designated weight (eg. 3.5T, 7.5T etc) and if you are even slightly overweight, these can and do catastrophically fail. He had a driver of his go to jail as he picked up an extra load trying to make some money on the side, the lorry was overweight and the brakes weren't sufficient to stop and when the lorry hit traffic on the motorway, it piled into the back of a queue of traffic and seriously injured about 4 people. Court said he was lucky not to kill anyone - hence why VOSA is sooo strict about it.

I agree it's difficult without a weighbridge but if you know the weight of the horses, people (eek) and calculate 1kg per litre of water plus an extra 20kg for tack then that will give you a rough idea.

Friend of mine just got a lorry custom built so it could take 3 horse legally by EA horseboxes. I think she was very happy with it and it was done on time. Don't know about other companies, sorry.
 
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Memo - !

However there are always the 'jobsworth' ones that resent people with horses and flashy transport, so beware!!



Just remember they weigh EACH axle and then add the weights together
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- which is another reason for not having a lot of storage at the back
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On the first quote Why should horseboxes be treated differently to everybody else with a lorry.

Nearly every horsebox that fails on axle weight it will be the front axle that is overweight due to Lutons and heavy living in the front end causing an imbalance so the storage should be nearer the back that is why they have twin wheels on the back
 
no way should they be overweight, ever. sounds like a good way to have a crash to me.
i have a solitaire that i bought new from them last year and am pleased with, fwiw. it's had a few mechanical probs which is annoying and expensive, but the build quality etc is very good.
 
Where are you Mystery Girl (OP)!!

Has this post just gone way off the point?!!
I think my original reply gave some useful tips, and I am very happy with my lorry and confident that it is underweight when I drive it with 2 plus clobber. I take it to the beach/gallops with three. Haven't wighed it then, but they are quite small beasties!!

Memo - my comment on the 'jobsworth' front was meant with tongue in cheek
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. Sorry if you took it seriously.

With regard to the brakes - I don't know what age of lorry you have, but I also have close links in the trade, and I can assure you that the brakes on a newish 7.5 ton lorry, if well maintained and calibrated, are capable of stopping far more than the prescribed gross weight.
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Punk, we're in Leicstershire, so Solitaire is round the corner (ish) Looked at Bretherton, don't seem to keep stock and look ubber expensive but very nice. Still trawing through loads of websites will no doubt post when we take the plunge!!
 
I wouldn't risk going overweight.hence will never take 3 on my 7.5 ton lorry. It's just someone who was pulled over (and was overweight) was told that you were allowed to be 10% over. They did get away with it
 
PMSL!!!! Do hope you find your perfect lorry!!!

The way we are going at the mo, our Bretherton may be on the market by the end of the year - last daughter havering about gap year away or with horses....................!!
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