7.5 t lorry load question

Iceweasel

It's very easy to overload the front axle on a 7.5 tonner by innocently putting big heavy items in first so putting them hard up against the back wall next to the cab.

We used to have a sleeper-cab 7.5 tonner which only had a capacity of 2450Kg - but we were carrying large bulky lightweight stuff.

Anyone moving house for example needs to think carefully about the loading order to keep heavy things to the rear /over the back axle.

onomatopoeia99

MEM62 wrote: »

Absolutely, hence my caviat normally.

I've known people with privately owned 7.5t trucks, and they've only passed their car test. I've hired such a truck to move kit to a temporary venue for a motorsport event (it is big rather than heavy, so the load isn't the problem in that instance, it's the volume that tipped us from a Luton to a 7.5 tonner) and I've only passed my car test. That's all perfectly normal to me.

It is unfortunate that many people don't know how to read a vehicle plate though.

Car_54

bugslet wrote: »

If you really want to check yourself, run the vehicle over a weighbridge with the driver and a full tank of fuel in.

... and the driver's mate, and their sandwiches etc. ...

AdrianC

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

I've known people with privately owned 7.5t trucks, and they've only passed their car test.

If they passed before 1997, that's fine. If they passed after, then they need to take the C1 test.

System

MEM62 wrote: »

There are a couple of cowboy haulage firms around here that 'hire' vehicles in order to circumvent the licensing regulations.

The ability to hire 7.5 tonners without the hiree having an O license ended several years ago when VOSA changed the rules. If any hire company is renting out a 7.5 tonner to someone without an O license they're breaking the rules. It is impossible to hire a 7.5 tonner any more for personal use, let alone business.

Warwick_Hunt

Tarambor wrote: »

The ability to hire 7.5 tonners without the hiree having an O license ended several years ago when VOSA changed the rules. If any hire company is renting out a 7.5 tonner to someone without an O license they're breaking the rules. It is impossible to hire a 7.5 tonner any more for personal use, let alone business.

Is it????????

Iceweasel

Tarambor wrote: »

The ability to hire 7.5 tonners without the hiree having an O license ended several years ago when VOSA changed the rules. If any hire company is renting out a 7.5 tonner to someone without an O license they're breaking the rules. It is impossible to hire a 7.5 tonner any more for personal use, let alone business.

Can you provide a link for this, bearing in mind that the VOSA no longer exists.

What exactly changed?

A quick google for a hirer gives results where they say no O licence is required for domestic users e.g for house moves.

There are several other instances where no Operators Licence is needed - hiring or using a vehicle to do a charity pick-up for example.

The charity I assist has a copy of a letter from the Traffic Commissioners in a folder in the cab explaining that in case the driver is questioned.

BeenThroughItAll

Tarambor wrote: »

The ability to hire 7.5 tonners without the hiree having an O license ended several years ago when VOSA changed the rules. If any hire company is renting out a 7.5 tonner to someone without an O license they're breaking the rules. It is impossible to hire a 7.5 tonner any more for personal use, let alone business.

I hired a 7.5 tonner from a national hire chain only a few months ago, so that's patently !!!!!!!!.

forgotmyname

You only need an O licence if your a business, hired lots of 7.5 tons vehicles for work and privately.

My local hire place have 65 7.5 ton vehicles for hire. Cheaper if you have a fleet policy and have your own insurance but insurance can be included for private users.

They also state this on their website, no O licence for private users moving house etc.

onomatopoeia99

Tarambor wrote: »

The ability to hire 7.5 tonners without the hiree having an O license ended several years ago when VOSA changed the rules. If any hire company is renting out a 7.5 tonner to someone without an O license they're breaking the rules. It is impossible to hire a 7.5 tonner any more for personal use, let alone business.

You appear to have made that up.

You need an operators licence if you wish to hire for commercial use. Not for private use.