who runs lorries

[Alexmac]

Just wondering who runs small beavertails on here to move their machines? what's the yearly cost of running one?
I already have a restricted O license and a class 2 license. I would get the fuel in bulk, so really its the inspections, mot, insurance and tax left?

thanks
alex

 

[V8Druid]

Just wondering who runs small beavertails on here to move their machines? what's the yearly cost of running one?
I already have a restricted O license and a class 2 license. I would get the fuel in bulk, so really its the inspections, mot, insurance and tax left?

thanks
alex

unless you're buying the DERV by the tanker load, the saving you'd make is peanuts from going to the cheapest in your area for juice ... and keeping large volumes of DERV is not an easy task.... unless you have a vault to lock it up in ...... depending on usage / mileage, you can stretch inspection schedules quite a lot, if you're a low user ... tax and MOT is a fixed cost .... insurance though, as you're 'young', could be an issue

 

[Smiffy]

I drive them for others so cant say the full costs but can say a couple of different fuel cards is cheaper than bulk tanks
Everyone ive driven for you have to be 25 or the insurance is silly money
And tax varies some weight classes are much cheaper than others for example a 21 tonne lorry is cheaper to tax as your not running at the full axle capacitys

 

[TiltyShaun]

Used to run an 18ton Man. I remember there was a chart that was showed inspection timescale and mileage. Seem to think with low mileage and light use you could go up to 3 months between inspections!! You also need to think that every time you drop the truck off you need transport back home!! I used to stick my car on the back!

 

[Mark]

We run a Volvo FH540, we have it on a Gold service package from volvo. It covers the lorry bumper to bumper warranty, six weekly inspections, mot, servicing and roadside assistance and brake down cover. It’s costly but has proven its worth over the 4 years with the problems it’s had.

 

[Alexmac]

It’s currently 102.6 on my fuel cards. I will ask for a price from my insurance broker so I get an idea.
What’s the average cost of the inspections and mot?
Who decides how long your inspections can be?
Tax is coming out at £160/£200 depending on the lorry and rpc.

 

[Alexmac]

We run a Volvo FH540, we have it on a Gold service package from volvo. It covers the lorry bumper to bumper warranty, six weekly inspections, mot, servicing and roadside assistance and brake down cover. It’s costly but has proven its worth over the 4 years with the problems it’s had.

Is this a new lorry mark?

 

[V8Druid]

It’s currently 102.6 on my fuel cards. I will ask for a price from my insurance broker so I get an idea.
What’s the average cost of the inspections and mot?
Who decides how long your inspections can be?
Tax is coming out at £160/£200 depending on the lorry and rpc.

I assume that is plus VAT ?? .... still a good figure and'd be hard pushed to better that with a tankerload

MOT is a fixed price for specific categories of truck .... the regular [6 weekly to 3 monthy] inspections depends on what sort of deal can be had with your service agents .... frequency depends on usage and mileage really .... mine were on 3 monthly as we didn't do a lot of miles with it, maybe ran once or twice a week on average and 99% local

 

[Mark]

Is this a new lorry mark?

64 plate, due for renewal this year but thinking of just extending the service plan as it’s as good as having a new lorry

 

[Alexmac]

64 plate, due for renewal this year but thinking of just extending the service plan as it’s as good as having a knee lorry

Do you move a lot of kit all the time?

 

[Smiffy]

I don't know what size you are looking and how much you know about them I don't mean to teach you to suck eggs
But just a word of warning I know 2 people that have gone out and bought 26 tonners really nice lorry's good lightweight beds with a 14tonne carrying capacity only to get them home and realise they are stretched tractor units so one has a 7 tonne front axle and one a 7.5 tonne front axle
So they can't actually load them up to capacity without the front axle being over weight I don't think they can even put a big dumper up against the headboard They are really only any use for carrying a 8 tonner or a 4 tonne dumper and maybe 6 tonne machine
and I've seen 26 tonners with front axles as light as 6 tonnes
obviously this only applies to one weight class so ignore me if you are looking for anything else

 

[Alexmac]

I don't know what size you are looking and how much you know about them I don't mean to teach you to suck eggs
But just a word of warning I know 2 people that have gone out and bought 26 tonners really nice lorry's good lightweight beds with a 14tonne carrying capacity only to get them home and realise they are stretched tractor units so one has a 7 tonne front axle and one a 7.5 tonne front axle
So they can't actually load them up to capacity without the front axle being over weight I don't think they can even put a big dumper up against the headboard They are really only any use for carrying a 8 tonner or a 4 tonne dumper and maybe 6 tonne machine
and I've seen 26 tonners with front axles as light as 6 tonnes
obviously this only applies to one weight class so ignore me if you are looking for anything else

I’m looking at 18t as I will only need to move 6 tonne digger and dumpers, and occasionally a 9 tonne dumper.

 

[Mark]

Do you move a lot of kit all the time?

All depends on what we are going business wise, contacting or plant hire just now it’s mostly plant hire some machines moving about almost daily.

 

[Alexmac]

All depends on what we are going business wise, contacting or plant hire just no it’s mostly plant hire some machines moving about almost daily.

Thats the thing, i could move plant several times a week then other times i won't move anything for over a month or more. For now i am just paying local firms to move my gear but there isn't anyone close to me dedicated to moving other equipment. I have a local hire company that's willing but its awkward because they only have a restricted o license. The only other company that has full o license only has a huge artic lorry and won't get in a lot of the places i need to go, he only just manages to get into my yard to load up.

Some people tell me to go for it, but the majority say don't bother it will just cause you nothing but agro and cost a fortune each year. So i am in a pickle to know what to do.

The only other thing i can think of is to change my restricted o license to a full one and then charge to move other peoples kit around as well to try and make the lorry pay for its self. But then i would rather be sat in my machine working, than carting other peoples gear about.

 

[Furniss]

Thats the thing, i could move plant several times a week then other times i won't move anything for over a month or more. For now i am just paying local firms to move my gear but there isn't anyone close to me dedicated to moving other equipment. I have a local hire company that's willing but its awkward because they only have a restricted o license. The only other company that has full o license only has a huge artic lorry and won't get in a lot of the places i need to go, he only just manages to get into my yard to load up.

Some people tell me to go for it, but the majority say don't bother it will just cause you nothing but agro and cost a fortune each year. So i am in a pickle to know what to do.

The only other thing i can think of is to change my restricted o license to a full one and then charge to move other peoples kit around as well to try and make the lorry pay for its self. But then i would rather be sat in my machine working, than carting other peoples gear about.

Lots of us in similar situation I reckon ,I have a 7.5 ton hookloader and plant trailer to move the mini diggers and 3T dumper about and for at least 10 years used a local guy whos near retirement to move my 8tonner , I have touched base with the only another firm I can find who are a good 1/2 hour away and have had the odd move from them just to make sure I have a backup worst case scenario - but still it doesnt always suit to have to work around someone else and sometimes I would like to move on a weekend or a night which he doesnt do and occasional council jobs which would involve 2 or 3 moves a day are hardly workable ......but is it worth the cost and hassle of running your own truck that can stand doing nowt for 80% of the time...... it costs me average 3500 year in transport

 

[Simon edwards]

I am currently in a similar dilemma,I'm looking at buying a small tipper,have class 2 and restricted o license pending.
I am thinking of a 10 to 12 tonner with ramps to load up to 5 ton machines ,popular set up in other parts of the world.
I do'nt think it will be a big earner but I reckon the convenience factor alone may be worth the expense,might also finally push me to chop my old backhoe in for a 5 tonner.

 

[V8Druid]

......... to change my restricted o license to a full one and then charge to move other peoples kit around as well to try and make the lorry pay for its self. But then i would rather be sat in my machine working, than carting other peoples gear about.

lot of hoops to jump to get a national

 

[Furniss]

I am currently in a similar dilemma,I'm looking at buying a small tipper,have class 2 and restricted o license pending.
I am thinking of a 10 to 12 tonner with ramps to load up to 5 ton machines ,popular set up in other parts of the world.
I do'nt think it will be a big earner but I reckon the convenience factor alone may be worth the expense,might also finally push me to chop my old backhoe in for a 5 tonner.

If you only want to move a 5 tonner then not sure but you might just sneak that onto the back of a 12T hookloader like Shaun Gratton runs ?

 

[Alexmac]

If you only want to move a 5 tonner then not sure but you might just sneak that onto the back of a 12T hookloader like Shaun Gratton runs ?

Just as well run an 18t and then you know your safe.

 

[Furniss]

Bigger lump compared to a handy little 12t - getting in - getting parked - tipped etc - depends on your work .

Just as well run an 18t and then you know your safe.