Cost of running a 26T rigid

[AndyC_123]

Hi

We use a couple of pickups and trailers to move various pallets and IBCs about at the moment, but we're often pushing the weight limit, can get dictated to by the weather and have to do numerous trips to similar destination due to carrying capacity.

I'm thinking about getting a lorry, but obviously going to be a step up in cost.

I like buying second hand to reduce depreciation, but is that a false economy with a wagon? It's not going to do a huge amount of mileage, all pretty local.

Needs to be a rigid to get into some our our customers, although the drag trailer option could come in handy if we're moving 22 pallets at once, which we currently get outside hauliers to do.

What sort of MPG, MOTs, depreciation do these things have? Anything else to watch out for? I'm very green to this.

Many thanks

[powerstroke]

You would get a 26 tonne for 7 k upward if you don’t need a euro 6 emissions, for London or one of the cities that are going for low emissions zones then you’re looking at 20 k plus
The biggest obstacle is the operators license
Which entails , proof of financial standing ,
How you are going to maintain the truck and where you’re going to keep it ( operating centre) a transport manager and other paperwork Driver records tacho downloads etc ...

MPG would be 10 ish MPG
Mot , (plating) Test is about £180 depending on where you take it plus the pre test checks and a steam clean if it needs it ...

Edited by powerstroke on Wednesday 17th March 17:49

[Chrishum]

I think the first step would be to do some reading up on the O licence and how easy it would be for you to obtain one if it’s necessary. There’s a possibility (without knowing the ins and outs of your business it’s hard to say) that you may be able to run on a restricted licence meaning there’s no need to have a qualified transport manager.

[AndyC_123]

Thank you both for you help.

We would only be delivering our own products so think we could run off a restricted license? We basically get artic loads delivered in, then send them out in smaller quanitites.

Is the plating a yearly test? I'm guessing as they get older, they're harder to get a pass?

We're up north and rural so emissions not too much of a problem thankfully!

Cheers

[powerstroke]

AndyC_123 said:

Thank you both for you help.

We would only be delivering our own products so think we could run off a restricted license? We basically get artic loads delivered in, then send them out in smaller quanitites.

Is the plating a yearly test? I'm guessing as they get older, they're harder to get a pass?

We're up north and rural so emissions not too much of a problem thankfully!

Cheers

Yes yearly unless you get stopped by DVSA and they find a problem, hopefully the six weekly and driver daily checks will help avoid that little problem,
I think restricted O licences is for carrying own goods only so you may be ok there are agents who will help with application etc ,
test is like a car really with wear parts failing with age So yes gets harder as it gets older
Springs and bushes king pins , engine issues for the smoke test , oil leaks , etc

[smifffymoto]

If you are unfamiliar with trucks,a maintainance contract would be a good idea.They will do your 6 week checks,mot prep etc. Pick a garage with a night shift to limit down time.
It may even pay to lease as older trucks can be expensive to keep on the road.

[red_slr]

I run a fleet of DAF CF75s. 26,000kg MGW and will carry c.14,000kg (ours are brick grabs on flat beds).

As with all trucks they need a lot of up keep. I would budget £3000 a year for general W&T and MOT prep if you are unable to do your own R&M (sounds like you wont).

Obviously you need to be aware big bills can and do come up. Buy on condition and mileage. It will save you a lot in the long run. Over the years I have lost count of the number of engines and gearboxes we have had replaced. At least half a dozen of each.

Financially its sometimes just better to lease a truck. You might find a new CF is about £2k a month on R&M. So turn the key and off you go. Sounds like a lot of money but after R&M and depreciation its actually not *that* bad if you can afford it.

The legal side, as others have pointed out you will require an OL and all the other guff. (Driver with DQC etc)

As a new operator you will be on 6 week inspections. These are normally part of your R&M unless you have in house (like we do). We are on 7 weeks and we have been operating for over 30 years.

The DVSA are not difficult to deal with however its a lot of responsibility running a truck now and you must have good record keeping. The DVSA run ANPR and use a "blue/green/amber/red" system for stopping vehicles...

Everyone has to start somewhere however its a big undertaking if you have no knowledge so get as much advice as you can.

We service all our vehicles in house and always have. It costs us about £500 in parts to do a thorough service. I would have thought a similar service at an indy dealer (if you went with a second hand truck) might be £1k or maybe a bit more.

Service consists of;
Engine oil and oil filters (they take 26L of oil....)
Fuel filter x 2
Air filter
Adblue filter
Cab filter
Air dryer
Grease king pins
Adjust brakes
Test all lights, electrical systems etc.

We periodically change the coolant and gearbox oil (usually every 3-4 years). (expensive)

Trucks eat things like batteries, tyres, brake pads. A pair of batteries is the best part of £400. Tyres are £350 ish each. So a full set about £3.5k.

I could go on for days..... but you get the idea.

[smifffymoto]

Out of interest Red slr,what is the name of your firm.
I used to drive brick wagons,back when I lived in the UK.

[red_slr]

Would rather not say we are more of a builders merchant type outfit.

[smifffymoto]

I respect that.