Does anyone know anything about 7.5 tonne lorries?
Discussion
Hi, Sunday afternoon, sun, beer, and just throwing a couple of ideas around in my head at the moment... appreciate some help if anyone can 
Daughter and missus are into ponies and a few overnight events are starting to materialise. I have this mad idea about buying a 7.5t box with living, and using it as intended.
How reliable are these? I'm looking at something around 2013-2017. I think most are built on IVECO's or DAF's (I can link some examples if required) and have circa 100-200k miles.
What yearly maintenance do they require?
Anything else I need to know
Thanks!
Daughter and missus are into ponies and a few overnight events are starting to materialise. I have this mad idea about buying a 7.5t box with living, and using it as intended.
How reliable are these? I'm looking at something around 2013-2017. I think most are built on IVECO's or DAF's (I can link some examples if required) and have circa 100-200k miles.
What yearly maintenance do they require?
Anything else I need to know
Thanks!
LuckyThirteen said:
Very reliable.
Half a million kilometres is normal. Do get decent breakdown cover though as modern trucks aren't often roadside fixable.
If the body is too heavy or just heavy and you might be on rough or rutted roads and tracks then keep an eye on body bolts. They can snap.
Do get the tracking done, don't skimp on tyres, and stay on top of tyre pressures.
Annual service - get all filters replaced. Always.
Thanks, LuckyThirteenHalf a million kilometres is normal. Do get decent breakdown cover though as modern trucks aren't often roadside fixable.
If the body is too heavy or just heavy and you might be on rough or rutted roads and tracks then keep an eye on body bolts. They can snap.
Do get the tracking done, don't skimp on tyres, and stay on top of tyre pressures.
Annual service - get all filters replaced. Always.
It's the first time I've considered or looked into them but a lot of horsey forum sites are saying go DAF and stay away from IVECO. Do you have an idea roughly of yearly costs - much appreciated if you do! I'm guessing insurance is approx £1k/yr but will try and get some quotes. Thanks
Matt_E_Mulsion said:
DAF's are generally a decent middle of the road 'bread and butter' truck as someone once described them to me. Iveco's on the other hand are cheap - and that is for a reason.
You will need to keep on top on maintenance and truck parts can get pricey quickly, like it has already been mentioned tyres are another thing to watch, they don't so much wear out but give up as they don't do the big miles and let go in other ways. There is also a ten year tyre age limit on trucks on steered axles.
Make sure that whoever wishes to drive it has the 7.5t entitlement on their licence and I don't know about the more modern 7.5t horse boxes, but certainly the older ones had issues trying to keep them under 7.5t in weight. The DVSA are wise to a lot of this now so you need to be mindful that you are the right side of the law.
Thanks, MattYou will need to keep on top on maintenance and truck parts can get pricey quickly, like it has already been mentioned tyres are another thing to watch, they don't so much wear out but give up as they don't do the big miles and let go in other ways. There is also a ten year tyre age limit on trucks on steered axles.
Make sure that whoever wishes to drive it has the 7.5t entitlement on their licence and I don't know about the more modern 7.5t horse boxes, but certainly the older ones had issues trying to keep them under 7.5t in weight. The DVSA are wise to a lot of this now so you need to be mindful that you are the right side of the law.
Yes, passed test in 1994 so ok.
Couple of boxes that I'm interested in (links below)...
https://www.kphltd.co.uk/kph-horseboxes-for-sale/
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5659806457218...
Pot Bellied Fool said:
Speak to Matt at Millring Horseboxes, very knowledgeable and might be able to point you in the direction of a second hand one (he custom builds boxes on 2nd hand chassis - top notch stuff if you're seriopusly into competing). He's on 07939 691667
Cheers Dunc. Just got off the phone to Matt - top bloke. Very knowledgeable. He's given me some more food for thought. Thanks again 
Thanks also to all for the last few posts - it's all very helpful - thank you
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