Lorry Advice

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kellybrown11

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Hi,
This is my very first post!
I am thinking of buying a lorry but its so complicated. I was thinking of buying a 3.5 ton but i am worried about weight, however a larger lorry will require plaiting. Is it possible to find a 3.5 ton to take 2 x 16.2 horses?

Also does anyone know of any reliable sellers? i went to see one and they said it was in good condition yet it had damaged wings and holes in the floor?!?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks
 
in a word no not legally. Most 3.5t lorrys although stalled for two will only legally take one horse, depending on the chassis you may get away with 2 14h2s at best.

I went down the 7.5t route and don't regret it at all
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Nope, very unlikely you will find a 3.5ton to carry 2 16.2hh unless the build quality is very weak!! Plating is just another word for a bigger MOT, and isnt that much more costly, although labour and parts can be. What sort of budget are you looking at?
 
We've got a 3.5t that i love, sooo good to drive and my horses are very happy in it. We've had two 15.3hh - fair amount of bone - in there at same time and it coped with them fine. Ours has PLENTY of room above and to the sides of each horse. Don't know where i'd be without it as i can't afford to do trailer test and certainly not hgv!! It's a Renault Master which we bought privately, but my dad knows alot about cars, etc so can suss out problems before buying. Hope this helps.
 
I don't know how old you are, but if you passed your driving test after 1997 you can not drive a 7.5ton or tow a trailer without passing a test. You can only drive up to 3.5ton.
 
I was thinking of about 5-6000 but i am worried if i buy something old it will just break and i have no real mechanical experiance.

Should i save a bit more?

The thing is we have hired a new build 3.5 ton and fitted two horses but like you say it might not be legal.
 
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We've got a 3.5t that i love, sooo good to drive and my horses are very happy in it. We've had two 15.3hh - fair amount of bone - in there at same time and it coped with them fine. Ours has PLENTY of room above and to the sides of each horse. Don't know where i'd be without it as i can't afford to do trailer test and certainly not hgv!! It's a Renault Master which we bought privately, but my dad knows alot about cars, etc so can suss out problems before buying. Hope this helps.

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But how much did it weigh?!!! They are cracking down...:(
 
[ QUOTE ]
We've got a 3.5t that i love, sooo good to drive and my horses are very happy in it. We've had two 15.3hh - fair amount of bone - in there at same time and it coped with them fine. Ours has PLENTY of room above and to the sides of each horse.

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They might fit in it fine and there might be plenty of room, but have you taken it on a weighbridge with two 15'3s with 'plenty of bone' in it and had it weighed to check its legal? Whats its unladen weight?
 
my A reg 1983 lorry is more mechanically reliable than instructors 1995 lorry!! old if maintained well shouldn't have big problems, and choose a make that isn't too hard to get parts for so if there is something that needs replacing it won't cost the earth!!
 
All the above advice is right.
It's highly unlikely a 3.5 will legally carry 2 horses. The horses and your own safety is vital.
It would make more sense if you bought a 7.5 but, within your price range it could be difficult to find something reliable.
 
Sadly it is not about the lorry having plenty of room and coping fine, it is now all about how much the lorry weighs with a load. Would be very suprised if your 3.5T lorry was not overweight with two well built 15.3's
 
I have been looking for a lorry for some months now and every one I looked at were either rust buckets or very over priced. I ended up buying a new 4x4 and intend on staying in bed and breakfasts or in the trailer It's as good as a tent in the summer all you need is a blow up mattress. I may start looking for an equi trek but only if the price is right. Good luck in your lorry hunting and best take some one along who knows what to look out for as there are a lot of sharks out there.
 
Welcome to H&H forum
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I've got a 6.25ton lorry and that's only just legal with two BIG horses so I would say a 3.5ton would carry two but is likely to be overweight.
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The Renault masters are capable of carrying more than the 3.5 tonne limit- however as people say it would be illegal. Maybe go for a 6.5 tonne lorry as these are smaller but able to carry more weight. OR you could get a 3.5 tonner and get it uprated to 3.9 tonne- gives you a little more to play with but prob still not enough to carry 2 LARGE horses. Have a look at www.freewebs.com/traveltwo lots of info there and Polly is very helpful if you need to ask her questions.
 
Police are checking horse boxes more and more as so many are being used over weight. We have a 7.5 tonne box but would not carry more than two horses and a small pony as its close to limit with two horses. Its also about safety, over weight vehicles are unstable and will tip over easier and can be difficult to stop. Always take someone who knows about trucks with you, people are not always honest and things may be covered up. Also remember a 3.5 is really only a van and not a truck, it will not have the same lifespan or capabilites.
 
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