Which lorry - votes required

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flyingfeet

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I need to choose a make of truck to build a lorry on so I need votes between an iveco or DAF LF

This is for a 2002-2004 age range

What I have heard thus far is that:
Ivecos can rust out, and have stiffer clutches and crunchier gear boxes. Not sure how true this is!

So I need opinions!
 
I'd say DAF but I am biased cos I have one (way older than that though) and it is great and very reliable. It has passed its last 4 MOTs with the minimum spend as well. (Although thats probably jinxed it now
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Not from personal experience, but from what I've heard over the years: go for the DAF. Iveco's don't have a great reputation and probably don't hold their value as well. But that might be total bolloxs!
 
I haven't voted as I don't know alot about the DAF LF however I have a DAF FA 45 (2000) & that runs smooth as silk & is really nice to drive. I've heard mixed reports on Ivecos.

As for Man & Mercedes, very good lorries but they have a much heavier chassis so you will end up with a smaller payload. Apparantly Renault are expensive on parts & a Volvo lorry mechanic friend of mine says Volvo don't make a good small lorry, their big HGVs are great but don't touch the smaller ones with a 10' pole as horsebox owners always have a large bill when they come in for plating etc.
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I don't think it matters. As a horsbox it will probably do 10% of the miles it is supposed to do as a commercial vehicle. You aren't going to wear it out or anything. I've just bought an 03 Iveco Trector and it seems nice enough. My brother in law, who is a lorry mechanic said it is a nicer lorry than the DAF. I don't think there is a proper answer to the question, just depends on the lorry.

Is it from 03 that they are the new emissions standard - might be something to think about as well.
 
i've got an Iveco 04, v nice to drive for the most part, gearbox can be a tiny bit sticky for the first 5 mins if it hasn't been anywhere for a few weeks. i was advised when i bought it that it was better than the DAF, can't remember why though, sorry!
maybe ask at local garage which will service it, whether they have a preference?
 
what i would say is get the highest BHP you can - there is a Daf LF 170 which i am after for my next truck - defo no less than a 150 unless you like crawling up hills on the motorway!!

Weight power and now emmissions are my main consideration (plus that daf parts are readily available

The Mercs are reliable but parts are expensive and the suspension is soft behind - not ideal for horses.

The Mans go like stink (theres a 180) but the mechanics / pro drivers hate both them and the renaults (had much lorry discussion with a polish hitchhiker i picked up (he pro driver number plates and was more scared of me in my truck than I was of him!!)

not really had much to do with the ivecos to be honest - except my friend killed a full engine in her truck when it was unwell and was £8k lighter for it!! (2002 engine)
 
Well I am currently looking at a DAF LF 180, which has the perfect body on, but its got no service history

Although then the dealer was trying to tell me unless you've seen it doen the service histories aren't worth much - arggh!

This is worse than buying a car
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I have had both a DAF and an Iveco - to date * touches wood* the Iveco has been fantastic and cost me a lot less in running and maintenance costs. Of the two the Iveco is also easier to drive - more like a car. I would definately have another.

Just make sure you get a mechanic that you trust to look it over and tell you what / will need doing.

Good luck!
 
Dont be put off by the fact that it has no service history as a lot of commercials on fleets have been maintained in house.
Also if it has been on a large fleet it will probably have been maintained regardless of cost .
If you can see the registration Doc before you buy make a note of the previous owners and the registration no then try and phone the previous owners and see if you can find out any problems they were aware of when they sold it,they should be honest as they have already sold it.
 
Can't comment on the others but we have had Iveco's for 10 years now (all Euro Cargo's) They are very easy to drive, will happily trundle along the motorway at 65 and have **touch wood** been good servants to us.

TBF tho, I think any model, as long as they are looked after, will be as reliable as a lorry can be - especially if you are looking at fairly recent chasis. Just depends which one you find at the right price!
 
oooh the 180 is even better - how much difference is it weight wise as its a marginally bigger engine! I haven't seen any 180's that have been of any use (ofetn used as skip lorries and tippers so no use for horse boxes!

if you don't want it...... PM me!!!!!
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I have a DAF LF and it is sooooo easy to drive (sorry, she is so easy to drive... M'Lady Doris)
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I have to say, I would struggle going to another make now after driving her
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Even after a long day competing, it is just like driving a car home!
 
My Dad is a mechanic, and would only ever let me have an IVECO. He's done quite a few conversions too, and again will only recommend Iveco. Partly this is because he has a few older ones lying around so always has a spare part if something suddenly fails (not that it happens often, but if it does, it's bound to be on Sunday morning when the suppliers are closed
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), but he just prefers them, and agree with others that they are really easy to drive. Get the 6-speed if you can though, the more gears they have, the better pull you have and the smoother the drive.
 
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