Me and flipping lorries yet again

[Happy Bird]

As a lot of you know, I am finding driving my lorry really daunting. OK, I think my nerves improve each time I go out in it but I find the sheer size as well as the air brakes quite difficult to handle. It is mainly the brakes - they are very sharp and I find it really difficult to stop smoothly. It's a 7.5 tonne Ford Cargo.

Over the weekend I hired a lorry to collect furniture from Cornwall and bring back to Kent (long story). It was 3.5 tonnes and it was an absolute breeze to drive compared to the horsebox. It drove exactly like a car, no airbrakes, small steering wheel etc (it was an LDV).

I did look at 3.5 tonne horseboxes to start with but they all lacked sufficient headroom for my mare. Does anyone have a big horse in a 3.5 tonne lorry ? If so, which make/model it is ??

I am not bothered about living area. Would be nice to have a tiny bit in which just to get changed etc.

Should I go down the route of looking at a smaller lorry or just persevere with what I've got. Typically, I spent more than 6 months finding my lorry and now feel very stupid ! eek ! arghhh !

 

[miamibear]

I always said if i could afford it i would have a3.5T box. I think they are ideal and i have seen ones that are 7foot something headroom to accomodate the larger horse. Sorry cant remember the makes but they are out there!

 

[Madam_max]

How old is your Cargo?

 

[Ferdinase514]

I sympathise.

I had a 7.5ton Ford Cargo until recently. Was a pig to drive but thought that was just lorries. The brakes on both of the Cargos I have driven, were difficult either the truck is running away with you or you've gone throught the windscreen, because they've finally worked!

Anyway, sold it as was starting to rust and bought a Daf 130/45. Is soooo much better. Really does drive like a car (to use the cliche). Finni travels much better to.

Daf's are a bit more expensive but I can see why.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Sometimes there is an issue with weight on 3.5t boxes, especially if you need to carry 2 x large horses. My Leyland DAF 400 combo will accomodate 2 x 16.2hh horses, but would be well over weight. There are some 5t lorries out there someone up the yard has a Highbarn Harrier on a Renault chasis which will take 2 x 17hh horses and has some day living.

 

[Aleka81]

I have a 3.5 ton ford transit lorry and I travel my 16.2 TB in it with no problem head room wise. However I would only ever travel him in it due to weight. The way I have it partitioned gives me enough room to get changed and sit down etc.
However mine is not an IFor williams back mine was custom built by horsebox converters so its quite a one off. (its ancient though)
If you look around for one I'm sure you'll find something. Be prepared to pay a premium for 3.5 ton lorries though due to the license changes in 1997.

If I could drive a 7.5 ton lorry I would never have bought a 3.5 ton but I didn't have a spare £1k kicking around to do the test. If I were you I would persevere for a little longer.
Also if you do think about a 3.5 ton see if you can find someone with one and see how your horse travels as some don't seem to get on very well with them
Good Luck!

 

[Rambo]

Persevere with the Cargo...the brakes are a bit sharp at first, until you get used to them. That's because they work

In all other respects a Cargo is just like a car (albeit a large one

)to drive...power steering, 5 gears or more, and great visibility.

 

[wanderersmelody]

before you start looking at smaller lorries, get your brakes checked. We had a 7.5 tonne Ford Cargo and it had EXACTLY the same problem. You would brake slowly and then all of a sudden the brakes would bite and the horses would nearly be sitting in the cab! We had them checked and it was something to do with a valve needing replacing. It was under £100 to do and the difference was amazing. Plus, we were told that the brakes could have 'gone' at any time....

 

[Happy Bird]

Very old !!! It's a B-reg - think that's 1984 ??

 

[lisan]

There are quite a few 3.5 tonners on there at the mo, I know what you mean about he Cargo breaks, most drivers don't understand how hard it actually is to make a perfectly smooth stop!!
I'm downgrading to a 3.5 tonne, just to take 1 horse but still debating which one!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Movano-2-...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Happy Bird]

The brakes were completely redone about a year ago, new drums etc. I just had a full service and plating last month so I think the brakes are mechanically sound. The lorry runs away until the last moment then I nearly go through the windscreen. Through practice I have been managing not to jolt the horses, but
it makes me sick with worry in case something pulls out in front of me and I have to stop suddenly that the horses would be thrown about....

 

[Madam_max]

My old D reg Cargo was the same. We used to run it round the block before putting horses on as the breaks were so sharp. I've got a newer one now K reg and it's completely different.

 

[Rambo]

Hmmmmm....they did change the brakes on Cargo's after about E reg ('88) I think

Yours has probably got the older system....don't know if there'd be much they could do to improve them

 

[Madam_max]

How come you know so much about lorries? Your always the 1st person I think of on here for advice.

 

[Ferdinase514]

Makes sense. Mine was an E-reg.

 

[Rambo]

[ QUOTE ]
<img src="http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> How come you know so much about lorries? Your always the 1st person I think of on here for advice. <img src="http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know much about lorries

I do own two though (long story !), one of which is a Ford Cargo, and my YO has a Ford Cargo too....which had problems with the brakes. Having driven both I know my brakes are much less on/off than hers , but hers is a year older than mine

When it went in to the commercial yard for some work, they mentioned the different brakes then

PeterNatt on the other hand...he DOES know a thing or two about lorries....

 

[juliehannah58]

Hiya

I have a renault master 3.5tonne horsebox, it's has an extra high roof and 7'10" of headroom, which is just 2"'s shorter than an Oakley box! It will easily take 17.2hh plus. It is 1997 chasis although we had it converted to a horsebox to our specs 6 months ago.

It's soooooo easy to drive! I am 21 and drive it easy peasy. More importantly, the horses all travel like a dream in it, even ones who are usual bad travellers. I am so made up with it and I would recommend to everyone! It has a small bit in the back with tack storage and benches, aslo a little jockey door through to horse bit. We also opted for a hay shelf so the horses don't get their hay all over your stuff, which works well! It also has loads of space for rugs above the cab area. Everywhere we go people ask to look round it and ask questions. It one of the best things we've ever done!

Here it is, sorry pics are so dark!

If you need any more info or pics let me know!

 

[OWLIE185]

You would love my Bedford TK it is only 12 feet from the rear of the cab to the rear of the container and takes 3 full sized horses on the diagonal with plenty of payload to spare. It is like a nippy little car - I even take it to tesco's for the large weekly shop!

I would suspect that your master cylinder is wearing out as is the compressed air governing unit. You should be able to brake gradually. The test only checks when the brakes are fully applied not anything else apart from a visual check of pipework etc for corrosion etc.


What you want is a good old Bedford TK or the newer ISUZU as they both have traditional braking systems where you can very gradually apply pressure.

3.5 Ton are fine if you have a pony (not a cob!) but otherwise you will be near the limit if not over it and in an emergency situation it will not react as it should because you are exceeding it's specification.

Also these smaller vehicles have a narrower wheel base which makes them less stable in the wind and round corners.

 

[Aleka81]

I have a 3.5 ton lorry and with 30 litres water, 1x16.2hh TB and all of his stuff plus mine and two passengers I am underweight. So not all 3.5 tonnes are only suitable for ponies.
Please do not tarnish all 3.5 ton lorries with the same brush.

 

[juliehannah58]

[ QUOTE ]
3.5 Ton are fine if you have a pony (not a cob!) but otherwise you will be near the limit if not over it and in an emergency situation it will not react as it should because you are exceeding it's specification.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not really true I'm afraid.....We had ours weighed once it was finished, empty but with fuel it weighs 2150kg, that gives me 1350kg of spare weight. That will EASILY cover a large horse (600kg) plus people and tack. You could even get two average horses in there OK as long as you didn't go overboard on tack and accessories. People who make these lorries know the score, and so they are producing 3.5 tonne lorries with lower weights to accomodate peoples needs.

 

[Aleka81]

Totally agree with you. See my post above.

 

[marion95]

I have a 3.5 tonner and it is a Bedford CF - old but still chugging along fine. My mare is 16.1hh and she fits in fine. Not sure of the exact height though. It's very easy to drive although the gear box is a bit clunky.

 

[ajb]

Hi HB..I have as you know a Leyland Daf S reg and its got air brakes and its lovely you can ease to a stop with 2 large lads on no problem...I think its the age of the lorry or as said a problem with them..Pm me if you want the chap who does my lorry, hes localish and will coem collect and advise..very nice guy..if you want to come drive mine over the BH let me know..im at EGB ride Sat and Edenbridge and Ox on the Monday but happy to pop down and let you have a go if that helps...wouldnt go along the 3.5 tonne route..two big horses and you will find the hills in our area will kill your clutch (if you pardon the phrase!!)...anyway let me know if I can help im only just up the road!!

 

[Ferdinase514]

I have to agree with ajb. 3.5 ton lorries are dodgy with big horses. Had a really nasty experience with Finni in a transit.

He freaked out and put his leg through partition. Police had to come and close the road for him to be disentangled and unloaded.

It took ages to get him travelling again and is why I have a big truck for only one horse. 3.5ton never felt safe.

I'm a 7.5ton convert!

 

[AlexThe Arab]

Sorry to hear that you are not enjoying your lorry, but if it is mechanically sound and it is more a case of your nerves making it such a daunting experience to drive would it be worthwhile booking a days instruction with a HGV driving instructor? This would really boost your confidence and driving skills - lorries are different to cars and can take a while to get used to. Don't give up,

you will soon get the hang of it.

 

[Fiona]

Can't comment on you cargo brakes, but I was very nervous of driving our 6.5t Iveco until I was forced to drive it home from the vets the other day (as hubby abandoned me to go back to work). I was far better being thrown in at the deep end and having to drive it. I felt I was better on my own, but had also considered getting one or two lessons just to hopefully get some handy tips from instructor.
If you fel that your brakes are then the only prob, then my advice would be to persevere after you have had them checked.

God luck

Fiona

 

[Happy Bird]

JH58 - that looks like a seriously nice little lorry .... not sure if I could fit all my stuff into it AND my very fat horses too and be under the legal weight. Do you find it very sturdy in the wind/round bends etc ??

It would appear from everyone's answers that my lorry is simply OLD.

All I can do is persevere with it for the time being until I can afford something newer or remortgage the house (AGAIN) ha ha - think that may instigate divorce proceedings

I was going to get the lorry tarted up/resprayed but I should save that money instead towards a newer one.

The problem is there is so much rubbish out there ! I spent months looking for this one. About 10 people said 'there's no rust on the cab at all' only to get there (after driving 200 miles plus on a few occasions) to find out the lorry is nothing like what they described..... same as buying horses I guess.

 

[Happy Bird]

p.s. Fiona - I did have lessons and I have also driven in loads. I just can't believe how difficult it is to stop smoothly. Brakes have been fully checked/replaced/serviced.
p.p.s. Ajb - will pm you