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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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...
To add;
Buying a vehicle that's been run on an O License is a world apart from a privately owned.
Running a 12 or 6 week maintenance schedule on these means they have to be kept tip-top. And are so.
Privately owned with just an annual (less rigorous) inspection does mean a chance the vehicle won't be as good.
My personal 6T motorhome I maintain like fleet HGV's. However I'm aware of the number of issues it came with despite having a recent MOT and only 25k miles.
So, even if a vehicle that's been run on a fleet under an operators license is up for more money......it's likely worth it compared to other options.
Buying a vehicle that's been run on an O License is a world apart from a privately owned.
Running a 12 or 6 week maintenance schedule on these means they have to be kept tip-top. And are so.
Privately owned with just an annual (less rigorous) inspection does mean a chance the vehicle won't be as good.
My personal 6T motorhome I maintain like fleet HGV's. However I'm aware of the number of issues it came with despite having a recent MOT and only 25k miles.
So, even if a vehicle that's been run on a fleet under an operators license is up for more money......it's likely worth it compared to other options.
That is swings and roundabouts though. A truck on an O licence does indeed have to be maintained on a rigorous schedule but that requirement grew up around the absolute hammering they take day & night The same truck used to take Dobbin & Daisy up the gallops a couple of times a week is an an entirely different bag of bolts.
President Merkin said:
That is swings and roundabouts though. A truck on an O licence does indeed have to be maintained on a rigorous schedule but that requirement grew up around the absolute hammering they take day & night The same truck used to take Dobbin & Daisy up the gallops a couple of times a week is an an entirely different bag of bolts.
That's exactly what I was thinking (speaking as an ex Iveco dealer. No offence taken at the slurs above 
)President Merkin said:
That is swings and roundabouts though. A truck on an O licence does indeed have to be maintained on a rigorous schedule but that requirement grew up around the absolute hammering they take day & night The same truck used to take Dobbin & Daisy up the gallops a couple of times a week is an an entirely different bag of bolts.
I do agree.However the engines are solid, gearboxes too.
Rust and bushes are what would worry me first. The private truck doesn't have these as top priority.
Moreover oil leaks are less likely on the fleet vehicle and so the issues that cause these leaks more likely to be addressed.
Brakes may have been hammered but aren't expensive.
No, for me on the private ones it's rust, (air tanks, chassis and cab) bushes, and looking for seized brakes.
On the fleet vehicles it's checking switchgear still works, and the gearbox shifts ok.
ETA if the fuel tank isn't plastic then check it carefully. On the MAN's - damn they rust quick.
And on ALL vehicles check the exhausts for rust. They're cheap, but a PITA
Do agree btw with LT, a lightly used hobby truck will accumulate different issues than say a Tuffnells double shifted industrial estate rat wth Captain Janeway mileage that is unexpectedly available at a very reasonable price but on balance, I'd always take the former over the latter, based on a long career in haulage & acquaintances with more than a few HGV fitters over the years.
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
Phooey said:
Thanks, LuckyThirteen
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
I wouldn't discount an Iveco for horse box use. All trucks are designed for much harder applications than occasional private journeys. I'd buy on overall condition and keep open minded about the brand.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
A DAF however will drive more nicely than an Iveco. Getting a proper weighbridge check is essential as is the ability to tilt the cab.
It's worth thinking about who will service and maintain it - main dealers are often swamped with fleet work and small private customers can get relegated to the corner of the yard. As with a car, if you can find a local indie and build a relationship the ownership experience will be improved.
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