Things I need to know about 7.5t lorries?

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MyBoyChe

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Am thinking of buying a small 7.5 rather than my current 3.5t van convo. I am ancient so my licence is OK. What are the main differences, pros/cons of a bigger lorry? I know it needs plating, not MOT, I have a good mechanic who is happy to go and give it the once over but what should I bear in mind and anything it must have/I must avoid I need to look out for. I have no experience of lorries so any tips, even if they seem glaringly obvious, gratefully received. Hubbies biggest worry is that even minor maintenance will need a mechanic and parts will be mega bucks compared to the van. I will only be doing low miles, mainly used for boxing out to better hacking and the odd local show so how old a lorry could I safely consider, what is high mileage for a lorry? (Told you I know nothing!)
 
The older lorries can be looked after by a mechanic with a hammer and spanner. The newer ones need a man with a lap top to identify exactly what is wrong. Life was certainly more straightforward with our old M reg DAF if it was going wrong you did not know. It either went or it didn't. Our newer one will flash all sort of messages to let you know it may be going wrong!!
 
Still make sure you have a recent weighbridge cert, any horsebox - whatever its size - can still be on the heavy side!

Engines usually go on for well in excess of 250thousand miles (some well over 500k) but DO check maintenance records (as well as mileage on the annual certs).
Before you buy, check out the replacement cost of std wear & tear parts: brakes, clutch etc

4pot will suit local trips, 6pot for hill work & longer trips.

Usual visual checks as per anything you put a horse in - flooring, ramp etc, tho best to get a proper pre-purchase inspection if you can.
 
they are expensive!!

If you are buying a horsebox, its much better going for one that has been used regularly and indeed its much better to run them regularly when you have one..

They need to be MOT'ed at a testing station (rather than your local car garage). It cost £141 for an MOT.

Do find out the weight of the truck before you buy - the more 'gadgets' the heavier it will be..

They are great fun and I always feel a bit like a tortoise (or snail) carrying my 'home' with me!
 
I've just downsized from 7.5t to 3.5t so think carefully before you do it as I wish I'd done it sooner!!

I've only used half a tank in my new one so far, have had it 6wks and it's been out every weekend, the big lorry would've probably gone through 2 tank loads!!

So, yes, they are expensive to run, tyres c£200 each - you'll have 6! Servicing if you don't gave a tilt cab is also more costly.

Have you thought about a 6.5t?? Whatever you decide, have it thoroughly inspected :)
 
Thanks everyone so far. A 6.5 would be perfect but I cant seem to find any advertised within my budget, Any good places to look other than the obvious, ebay etc.
 
ROG said:
Air brakes can take a bit of getting used to so gentle squeezing until they suddenly bite
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Never come across a 7.5 tonner fitted with air brakes .LOL. They are normal hydraulic brakes with an air assisted servo. If they grab ,then they havnt been maintained and adjusted regularly. I merely mention this because it is astonishing how many people dont realise that there are brake fluid reservoirs to check as part of the daily check. The only thing that astonishes more is when people dont check and suddenly have no brakes.
 
You will get a few more grey hairs every year at MOT time, & will find that your bank account has mysteriously been emptied :-))

(I'm just jealous cos I want another lorry & can't afford one!)

T x
 
Sneedy said:
I've just downsized from 7.5t to 3.5t so think carefully before you do it as I wish I'd done it sooner!!

I've only used half a tank in my new one so far, have had it 6wks and it's been out every weekend, the big lorry would've probably gone through 2 tank loads!!

So, yes, they are expensive to run, tyres c£200 each - you'll have 6! Servicing if you don't gave a tilt cab is also more costly.

Have you thought about a 6.5t?? Whatever you decide, have it thoroughly inspected :)
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Totally agree with Sneedy on this! I have just downsized from a 7.5 ton to a 3.5 ton and really don't know why I haven't done it before.

The running costs of my 7.5 ton that was a pretty new chassis as they go with low mileage was getting silly. I also know they are getting harder to get through the plating at test centres don't really like dealing with them. I'd certainly look for a tilt cab and make sure you get a good mechanic who is used to working on lorries to give it a good going over before you buy anything. Good luck with your search :)
 
Tilt can is a must for me
I've now fine for a 6t. Which for one horse is more than enough
Not sure how old your thinking of but power steering is another must have

Check inside, behind cupboards for damp as leaks can be a real pain to deal with.

I love my iveco daily :)
 
Mileage - not really a concern, question more about what the lorry did before it became a horsebox, multi drop vans (DHL, parcelforce etc) will often have had a lot of stop start which lorries are less well designed to cope with and will have put more wear and tear on the gears/clutch (if the owners aren't sure have a look at the drivers seat, if its quite worn on the side from driver continually getting in and out or been replaced then there is a chance it was a multi drop!)

DAF and MAN are nicer to drive, Ivecos are heavier through the gears and on the steering (in the older models, haven't driven anything younger than an 02 plate). Some mechanics aren't fans of Ivecos (but then its often hard to avoid them as there are so many on the market), Ivecos are often rust buckets (particularly chasis etc). DAFs can also suffer from rust.

Weighbridge cert as above. Coachbuilt is often preferable to conversion but depends on who did the conversion. Check for leaks in living/horse area (particularly in a conversion).

Check state of tyres (as above, very costly to replace) and check there is a spare tyre.

Check flooring in horse area.

Check you can lift the ramp on your own (and get it down as well!)

Check windows open and shut, check heating in cab works, check if CD player works (if there is one in the cab!) go for as newer a chasis as you can afford! Check horse area is solid and will put up with horses bashing around in there (nothing worse than partitions that suddenly bend or a horse's foot coming through a wall)

7.5tn is still an MOT but needs to be done at a specialist centre, it is easiest to get a mechanic to take it for its test (but possible to do yourself) and you will need to book in about 2months in advance at many centres (but the MOT goes for 13months).

Tilt cab is desirable but if you have a good mechanic with a hoist or a pit they will manage without (however labour time might be slightly more as will take longer than with a tilt)

Get some practise driving one - have a course with an instructor (even just a lesson or two) so you get to grips with the different width and length and road rules. Check up on speed limits etc.
 
Re the annual test - gradually the VOSA centres are being reduced in number with the testing being done by VOSA using "private facilities" i.e. being based at a bus centre or similar. The test at the VOSA centre is around £90 but I struggled to get a date at our local one within 4 months - to have it done at the local bus centre was more like £140 but could offer more dates. Just something to bear in mind if you get one needing its annual test or for booking in the future.

I used to have a 5 tonne lorry - ideal for one horse with lots of space but also with plenty of weight to carry two. It is a very nice size of lorry.
 
thank you everyone. Sadly, in the main, you seem to be confirming hubbies view, not really my brightest idea. Someone at our yard has a very, very old 6.5 ton and I agree, it would be the perfect size for me, or a 5 ton. I just don't seem to be able to find one, I suppose the good 2nd hand ones will be snapped up really quickly. Ill keep my eyes peeled in local tack shops and put the word out. Thanks again.
 
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