3.5t tippers.

[Barney]

No O licence, you can drive them on a car licence, that's why they exist.

 

If you spec the truck well it can work, short wheelbase, single cab, alloy planks to about the cab height. Fine for a small firm but maybe not if you turn over huge amounts of work in a day.

 

I visit a weighbridge on my 3.5t probably once a month and with 2 of us in the front with kit we have a payload of 1150kg ish. Possibly we may overload the front axle if the chip is towards the front and nothing on the rear, but we have never grossed over 3500kg.

 

 

[PeteB]

I got to admit that I decided not to get another 3500 for domestic/street treework/fencing etc back in the 90's. Woefully easy to overload, even 7500 trucks could be easy if a big chip body fitted! 

[Joe Newton]

On 01/01/2023 at 12:18, Ty Korrigan said:

Luckily, our equivalent of VOSA is not very active in our area.

I have been pulled twice at the same rest stop on the N24 both occasions empty but for kit.

Then once only 5km from home loaded with chip on a forest backroad. The truck had saggy springs on it which alerted the Gendarmes.

Fined €180 but they did escort me to our yard to tip off which was good of them.

Any future truck will be 7t though none of my colleagues have a licence for that.

A cause of anxiety is getting involved in even a minor shunt whilst overloaded.

Not the criminal aspect but a civil action.

Some litigious character dragging me through the courts in a civil case over whiplash and stress that prevents them from leading a normal life (whilst still managing to enjoy annual skiing holidays) and having to retire early even for a Frenchman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And they'd be well within their rights.

 

If you want to avoid if you'll have to invest in a bigger vehicle and the red tape that goes with it. 

[Dan Maynard]

On 01/01/2023 at 16:38, Barney said:

No O licence, you can drive them on a car licence, that's why they exist.

I think this is why people drive them, so because of the current rules it's convenient on a car licence.

 

But who set the stupid rules that mean these trucks have basically no payload in spite of being designed to carry a reasonable amount? The 3.5t limit is arbitrary and maybe silly.

[josharb87]

Let’s be honest though, it’s not the rules or the truck makers who’s stupid though is it? 

 

the rules and ratings have always been there, they haven’t snuck up on anyone during the night

 

Pretty sure that it’s us arbs who quadruple the height of the manufacturers original bed sides then moan that it’s over weight when filled 😂

 

I could over load my 20tonner very easily, most lorry drivers I’ve worked with (bio mass, log trucks and grab wagons) check their weight whilst loading then will just say no more when max weight is reached.

Personal responsibility. 
 

[Justme]

On 01/01/2023 at 13:13, lux said:

I’m shopping for 7.5t tippers atm 

 

I used a green waste centre recently that had a weighbridge.  Working out of our usual area and couldn’t get a hookloader through the gates to drop off a bin on site. Had to shuttle loads of chip out with a transit and 10ft tipper trailer behind.  
 

9 ton on the weighbridge. - up rated springs and barn doors hide it well but 2t over on train weight is a little naughty .. 

wasted time too.  Finally confirmed for me to buy a 7.5t tipper. 

Might as well go for a 10-12t.

 

Same paperwork to run it.

 

 

[woody paul]

As a standard truck they carry weight but we add extra sides and roof, so less payload. 

[Mick Dempsey]

They’re great, I love ‘em.

 

Cheap as chips to run, anyone can drive them and they carry a decent tree’s worth of chip then another run for the rakings and rubbish.

 

God’s gift to the small business.

 

Edited January 3, 2023 by Mick Dempsey

[Ty Korrigan]

5 hours ago, Joe Newton said:

And they'd be well within their rights.

 

If you want to avoid if you'll have to invest in a bigger vehicle and the red tape that goes with it. 

My previous company owner an Iveco 7t about 5 years ago.

We've no requirement for an operators licence here fortunately and I recently spoke with the police municipal about parking it up in town which requires permission normally (We currently occupy a family house on a housing project for the elderly) 

Nothing required if it is the same size as a 3.5t.

 

[Ty Korrigan]

3 hours ago, josharb87 said:

Let’s be honest though, it’s not the rules or the truck makers who’s stupid though is it? 

 

the rules and ratings have always been there, they haven’t snuck up on anyone during the night

 

Pretty sure that it’s us arbs who quadruple the height of the manufacturers original bed sides then moan that it’s over weight when filled 😂

 

I could over load my 20tonner very easily, most lorry drivers I’ve worked with (bio mass, log trucks and grab wagons) check their weight whilst loading then will just say no more when max weight is reached.

Personal responsibility. 
 

Not just arbs but every trade.

Builders, barely a pallet of blocks and over the limit plus the earlier post about a truck overloaded with a few young trees and a sack truck.