What chasis is your box & what do you think of it? (class two advice)

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I am looking for a chasis at the moment to have a horsebox made, and last night sat in an MAN and a Leyland DAF. The DAF's clutch felt just like driving a car, whereas the MAN was a lot heavier but it felt a much more solid vehicle.

We are looking at an 03 MAN this week that is a strong possibility, but I was wondering what other people thought of the chasis they have and what they are like to drive.

I have also booked my medical for my Class 2
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Has anyone else done this and what did you think of the lessons and test???
 
I have my provisional for my horsebox a leyland roadrunner, it is very light to drive has a great turning circle and is easy to drive. I would try driving several and see what you prefer?
 
I've done it - lessons and test very easy, failed first time as examiner did not think girls should be driving trucks (his exact words to me as we drove back into the test centre were 'you are perfectly safe and competant but I'm going to have to fail you'). Second time round, same examiner, drove same route in same way and he passed me - go figure.

I have a Leyland Daf now and when I was looking was advised that MANs although nice trucks are more of a lorry for a bloke, and as I drive myself everywhere, after a long day eventing I want the easier drive! I love my leyland, it's like driving a car!
 
Mans can be quite expensive to maintain. We had until recently a DAF which ws nice to drive. We have now got a Iveco which I have to say is lovely the most like driving a car and fairly good for getting parts and things.
 
But do you find the luton is very low for sleeping in? I looked at Ivecos, but the cab is much taller than other types of lorry meaning the luton is a bit lower? I just thought they looked a bit squished!

Having slept in mine twice in the last 2 weeks, and doing so again in a couple of weeks I have a looooong list of upgrades I want in mine, starting with either electric hookup or a way of charging the wretched leisure battery, and continuing with a shower, a fixed partition, and outside tack locker, and adjustment to the ramp springs....the list is endless! (But some are easily fixed and I am going to book it in to be looked at for ramp springs etc after this weekend!)
 
Not sure what size/weight lorry you are talking about. We have had an IVECO & DAF 7.5t and I have to say the DAF was a joy to drive. I have also driven an 7.5t MAN and wasn't as keen.
We have now gone to a 12t MAN which my wife drives (I would fail the medical on the uncorrected vision test !) which she likes although she does say that the pedals are a bit heavy.
I think that your original comments are correct especially at the 7.5t mark that the DAF drives like a car but the MAN may be a little more robust. The other thing that may be worth considering, if you are talking about 7.5t is that the DAF may be lighter and therefore allow a heavier load.
 
We have a Leyland Daf - It is really easy to drive, with a great turning circle. Before the Daf we had Cargos, but I much prefer the Daf.
 
The Iveco Luton is lower but I can sit up just and I feel fine sleeping up there. Agree with SteveGG very important to consider weight of lorry and MANs can be quite heavy whereas the DAF and Fords are lighter. I have to say the Ford was more economical although that could have been because it was quite a bit younger.
 
I got a little wooden ladder which lives up there and I pull down when I need to get up. I must admit we love the lorry and our mechanic swears by the newer Ivecos.
 
Thanks... it is the 7.5 I am looking at.

Yes, the MANs are heavier, but when I looked at the two together the other thing that bothered me was that the DAF was a lot lower to the ground and I think it woul struggle over some of the venues I will be going to (including our rather high speed bumps at the yard
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)

Has anyone else had this experience with tha DAFs? It looked as though the bumper would be continually getting knocked about.

I did like the MAN in every way, just the weight of the clutch concerned me, but I do think that is something you could get used to... SteveGG, does your wife find yours easy enough to drive?
 
Never had a problem with mine and I compete at a venue with huge, narrow speed bumps - think of a drainage pipe laid on the ground then tarmaced over! You could measure the clearance of the lorry and the height of the speed bumps to check?
 
We never had any problems grounding the DAF. Do make sure you see a weight ticket for anything you are thinking of buying. If unloaded it is over 6 tonnes you will never carry 2 without being overweight.
 
we've got an Iveco R - Reg. Its a really smooth ride. However its not that easy to drive (according to my mum). But once it gets going we can cruise happily at 55/60 on the motorway.
 
Thanks... we are buying the chasis directly from the manufacturer and there is already one box completely done (exactly the same on a MAN) that I have seen the weight docs for.

It will be stalled for three, but I know it will only ever take two plus fuel, tack, water etc etc.
 
Just applied for my provisional so feeling nervous! Not booked lessons yet but my dad can take us out as provisionals (Mum & I both doing it as just bought HGV)

As far as chassis go MAN's are built to last & DAF's tend to rust quicker than others. My Dad is only happy if it's a Volvo/MAN or Merc
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(Spot the haulage man!)
 
We have to go over evil speed ramps to our yard and the drive can be a bit like off roading with all the pot holes. Never had a problem. You may have looked at a body with big skirts on it though?
 
My Dad is prefering the MAN too for exactly these reasons (he would prefer a Scania but I don't want to be driving a full HGV
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) He has several wagons as he has a roofing company so has lots out on the road. He knows everything too, so has been putting me off the DAF even though I preferred the clutch.

I am going driving them this weekend though
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becki2003 - my wife finds the MAN is fine to drive it's just heavier on the clutch. I'm sure it's something that you will get used to, we have only had ours a month or so.
 
Thanks SteveGG... That makes me feel a bit easier about it.

It is hard because until I have my license I cannot fully drive one around (don't even have the provisional yet, although have the medical on Friday
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) and other people's experiences will help me to deduce whether it is something you learn to deal with.
 
[ QUOTE ]
*dreams* OOOoooooh Scania. Yum!
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[/ QUOTE ]

On speaking to a couple of firms that run large fleets one stated that the MAN's cost him less to run (fuel & repairs) & he thought that the Scania's were overrated. The other one had no preference.
 
we are in the process of having a box built, we have bought a W reg MAN (as recommended by the guy building the box and the Garage that maintain and plate our current lorry) Mum didnt find the clutch a problem
 
I know, ours was started on Friday so going to be about 6-10 weeks! seems a long time!

How much do you think it will cost for your licence in total? I would like to do it. I passed my driving test in sept 97 2 months after they changed the law on driving lorrys!
 
Aimee, I took mine in Stonehouse with C&G services, they were really good, can recommend them. Cost me just shy of a grand in total, but that was with the retake, however it was a couple of years ago now, so prices might be higher? I did a 5 day intensive course with test on the Friday, think it would have come in at about £800 without the fail!
 
Think that might need to be an xmas present then! havent got a spare £800 right now and if i did i would be buying a jumping saddle
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Thanks for the recommendation, I really want to do it next year if i cant afford it this year, such a pain with events in the week to check mum or dad arent working to take me!
 
LOL, well if I am doing something mid week and the lorry has a full set of partitions (so many ifs!) I can always give you a lift! Trouble is I hardly ever do stuff mid week as work is so busyb in the summer - boooooo!!!
 
Thank you! I have had to scab so many lifts for mid week stuff The JAS at WW (and the final as our lorry failed its plating!) PN at WW and Nov at Stonar to name a few! Luckily Frank doesnt mind what, where or how he travels!
 
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