Lorry buying

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Allykat

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I'm currently looking into getting my own set of neddy wheels, but not sure where to start
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I have a 16.2 tb and a 15.1 light cob. I have a kind of ancient style driving licence meaning I can drive anything upto 7.5t. Any idea what kind of lorry I should be looking for?? and and idea of what a resonable price is??

Many thanks
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unless you have a real need for living space and quite a bit of money, I would use a trailer and 4x4 combination. Your horses will be well within the towing capacity and you only have the running costs of 1 vehicle (assuming you drive a car anyway and the lorry would be in addition).
If you are set on a lorry, then to be honest they are all pretty much the same, but check the unlaiden weight before buying. Some lorries can be as heavy as 3.5t before the box is on, leaving you less than 1.5t for your horses..fuel..tack..water...you etc.
This is one of the reasons I stay with the Rice triple, trailer weighs 1.1t, capacity is 3.5t (in the trailer) car can still carry tack etc...... I dont think i will be able to get 2.4 tonnes of horse in the trailer!! LOL

what are you thinking of getting??
 
Now in complete opposite to allij - I'm a lorry fan. Lot easier to drive than a trailer - especially reversing. You can get some with a bit of living so that you can leave your stuff in it and make tea and have somewhere to sit and get changed if it is pouring with rain. Like Allij says check the unladen weight - ask to see the last print out of their brake test which would have been done at a MOT it's got the weight on that. If the Lorry did weigh 3.5t like the example above you would have 3.5t for horses. Unladed they ar usually between 4-5t depending on how much living you have etc.

The sort of lorry you buy depends on how much cash you have - but go for the best that you can afford.
 
I'm a lorry fan as well. Am currently looking at the non-HGVs 7.5 tonners. Set yourself a budget and stick within it. Make sure the lorry has a long MOT and that you know what was done at the last plate. and when it was last serviced and who by. I much prefer coachbuilt to conversions. Don't discount something that perhaps needs a new floor or ramp as long as it is well within your price range, it can be worthwhile spending a bit of money on the right box.
 
Thak you for your replies. Its good to hear both side of trailers v's lorry. I use my car daily for work so would prefer not to use a big fuel guzzler for that
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I don't think my trailer reversing skills would be up to much either
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so would prefer a lorry

Would a 3.5t lorry be enough for my 2 or would I really be better off with a 7.5t? Living space isn't important but a bit of space would be nice.
 
I prefer a lorry to a trailer as they are more stable. A 3.5 ton would not be suitable you would go well overweight with them both in and all your gear. Go for a 7.5 ton lorry but remember they need to be driven out at least once a week. Nothing worse than keeping them standing still. Also be aware of the maintenance costs, breakdown insurance, insurance, annual MOT etc. I hardly use mine and it costs about £3,000 per year on average and that is without fuel.
 
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