Which Lorry??

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mossy

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I am currently looking for a used lorry and would appreciate as much input from you guys as possible. I'd be interested to know what lorries you have,why you chose them,how easy they are to get parts for and work on etc. Also any particular makes that you would avoid and why. Any help would be great, i've only ever had my current lorry which i've had years and bought off a friend so knew roughly what i was getting.
 
i've got a Cargo, great runner, not expensive repair bills. this one is 5 speed, my last 6 speed cargo had a dog of a gearbox, it was a total nightmare to drive, so avoid that if pos! this one's got a much quieter engine too, but still pulls up hills really well.
 
what is your budget?
bedfords are getting very difficult to repair, but not impossible
avoid cargos over 10 yrs old....
leyland daf after 1994 have an air clutch, which believe me is an absolute must for ease of drive.
mercedes are known to be "heavy" chassis wise, so limiting the amount of extras you can have..ie living, horses to carry etc
MAN are my favourite..great to drive, have the lightest chassis, so more likely to be well under weight with 3 horses and living..

all the above are 7.5T...

HGV's i would go for a Scania everytime....
 
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Ford Cargo's are now becoming hard to get parst for if you have older models -

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I keep hearing this yet I have an 87 cargo (0811) and have no trouble getting parts for it, and at very reasonable prices
 
we have an old Bedford TL. It is the best, and the safest lorry i looked at that was within my budget. It needed work when we had it, but nothing mechanical luckily.
It depends what sort of traveling you intend to do. I've been told that parts are hard to find, and expensive but luckily we've not had to replace anything major as yet.
 
I've got an old Bedford TL and agree - had no problems getting parts for it - not that I've ever needed much
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Had it 12 years now and it's cost no more than £1500 in that time inc tyres
 
Dependent on you budget, but i would realistically buy a horsebox mounted on the newest chassis you can afford, DAF(my personal favourite) , M.A.N and Iveco are relatively cheap for parts, as there are plenty of outlets countrywide for you to buy the parts "off the shelf". We build our lorries only on those 3 chassis type. Mercedes is more expensive parts wise, and more "springy " ride for the horses and with both Mercedes and Volvo the chassis are heavy reducing your payload. I personally would not touch Renault chassis with a barge pole - as they are pretty unreliable and not particulary great at holding their resale value. Choose a lorry with service history, and have it mechanically checked before any purchase, and as mentioned earlier HPI checked too.
 
Wow thanks for all the quick replys. My budget isn't huge i'm afraid between 10 and 12k(possibly a little higher) I'm really worried about buying a dud as i have no idea what to look out for. Its a bit of a minefield!!
 
i would probably go to a reputable dealer as you will get a good back up service too, try central england horseboxes , andrew saywell at select horseboxes and jm horseboxes - ask for martin taylor, all have websites and if they dont know of something now they will keep you on file and find you a lorry...
 
Agree with you totally- Chiltern Brake in High Wycombe Bucks have just about everything on the shelf at great prices. I believe its the pre 1986 cargos with 4 speed gearboxes and rear drum brakes that are more difficult to source new yet there are loads in scrapyards so S/H shouldnt be a problem.
 
and also remember the greater london emmissions zone - minimum euro 3 - unless you ad blue - that is if you are planning on driving through greater london.
 
Thanks everyone. Will take on board all advice and show my husband the post later, certainly given me plenty to think about. Thanks again.
 
I would go for as new a chassis as possible and get one that is from a largly used brand such as DAF or Iveco. Man or Mec parts are more expensive and difficult to get hold of.

If you are going to driving through London or any other city then you will need a newer vehicle which has a Euro 4 compliant engine if you are to avoid a £250 penalty each time you drive in.

Also get the weight checked on a weighbridge so that you know exactly how much weight you can carry. i.e. if a 7.5 ton lorry weighs 5.5 tons then you know you can only carry 2.0 tons before you are over the limit.

Get the vehicle checked out by an idependant commercial mechanic to give the mechanics a once over.

Also get the floor and ramp thoroughly checked out for rotting wood or rusty cross members or corrosion to aluminium panels.
 
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