Oakley wooden lorry

[andreo]

Hi I am very excited as found a little bit of money to look for a lorry, I had a lovely Iveco that we had built but had to sell it couple of years ago so now starting again. I have found an old Oakley wooden lorry that looks very classic, I am just wondering if anyone has had one or got one and any mains things I should be concerned about

, I am going to also get a mechanic to check it over.

The engine is a bedford TL

 

[spacefaer]

it may not have power steering

also check the weight as they're very heavy

 

[Shipley]

I have one, I love it. My one does not have power steering, would recomend a mechanic to look over. The weight of the lorry is on the print out at the time of MOT (emmisions etc so you can check that without having to go to the weighbridge

 

[andreo]

Hi yes its got power steering, luckily. I did think of weight so have asked for weight certificate, but may not be too much of problem as will mainly use it for just the one horse.

 

[SpruceRI]

My friend has a 30yr old Bedford lorry with an Oakley wooden back on it. Still going strong.

Has it well maintained. The horses travel really well in it.

No power steering and rather draughty but does the job well !

 

[andreo]

Thanks ship didn't know that about the weight, its being plated tomorrow so can have a look.

 

[WoodsideEventing]

I'd say weight should be ur only issue but if using it for one horse it won't make much difference. I had one and it was beautiful! But 6.4 tonnes unladen!! Sold it a couple of years ago still driving really well. Was a C reg so over 25 years old I think? X

 

[christine48]

Weight will definately be an issue. We had a wooden lorry and they do take a lot of maintenance (varnishing and wood rotting if you're not careful). Getting old Bedford parts amy be a problem too.

 

[PeterNatt]

I would not worry about Bedford parts. I have a 30 year old Bedford and can still get parts for it. Find yourself a nice old timer mechanic that was trained on Bedfords (Ask local Bedford horsebox owners who services their vehicles). A wooden container is heavier but most of them where built on nice short chassis's which do not weigh as much.

 

[andreo]

thanks memo, luckily my husband has said that he would really enjoy sanding it all back and restoring it

and I have found somewhere that I can get parts from I think

 

[Donkeymad]

Oakley are nice lorries but the old wood ones are VERY heavy, and you will find yourself pretty restricted in how much you can legally put onboard.