3.5t horsebox storage ideas

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Louby

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Just bought a 3.5t, its got a stallion partition and not much else lol. The luton will need to be used, if only for a couple of rugs but its open fronted if you get me. How do you stop things falling out?
Ive got somewhere for my saddle and bridle, seats and 2 shelves. After having tons of room in a 7.5t, Im obviously going to have to be mindful as I havent a clue where Im even going to put or more secure a muck bucket.
 
I have elasticated net over the luton, I just keep rugs on there and that keeps them secure.

In the grooms area my muck bucket is just tucked in a corner, I don't find it moves around. I have a hanging organiser with pockets for grooming kit, plaiting stuff, boot polish and other small things. first aid kit in a lidded plastic box. I don't generally keep much else in there other than washing buckets and a folding mounting block.
 
milliepops said:
I have elasticated net over the luton, I just keep rugs on there and that keeps them secure.

In the grooms area my muck bucket is just tucked in a corner, I don't find it moves around. I have a hanging organiser with pockets for grooming kit, plaiting stuff, boot polish and other small things. first aid kit in a lidded plastic box. I don't generally keep much else in there other than washing buckets and a folding mounting block.
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Thank you, Im going to look for an elasticated net :) I never thought of a mounting block, off to look now. Thanks again x
 
Dont forget that everything you put in adds to your laden weight. Most 3.5 tons lorries only have a payload of between 900 and 1100kg and that has to include you, passenger,dog, horse, tack, 'junk' diesel, water etc etc. Probably a good idea to put lorry on a weighbridge so that you acutally know, as opposed to guessing, how much you can carry.
 
Yes Tiddlypom, its very similar to that but the grooms area is very basic to keep weight down I presume, so just 2 shelves, a seat and saddle, bridle rack. Its just for the essentials really, Im sure I will sort it, think Im a bit excited ha ha.
 
Tiddlypom said:
Do you have a grooms area like this at the rear of the box? Pic of a Marlborough hunter stallion box.

View attachment 37748
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That looks massive! I could almost live in that 😂
The back of mine is tiny as it’s an old crew cab so a bench seat behind the drivers takes a chunk of horse space.
Bungee ties are pretty handy for securing stuff.

Edited to say, not actually a chunk of horse space but the horse stands that bit further back making the rear storage minute!
 
Tiddlypom said:
I’m well jealous, I’ve always had a hankering for a stallion box! I’m sure that you'll soon sort out where to store your stuff :).
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I bought it because of the partitions lol. Its not a posh new one but its got a camera in it too, so I feel posh ha ha. I admit Im excited!! Im going to get some decals too as its just plain silver but dont want overkill, just something simple but something that will hopefully make it look like a horsebox to others on the road.
 
Depending on which side your ramp is, you can do the whole 'spare' partition out as storage.

2 partitions tend to be a waste of time anyway on a 3.5 tonne as the weight is not enough. If the ramp is on the offside there are a whole load of storage possibilities.

You can have storage shelves, tack racks and a toilet. Then the back is saved for seating and human comforts. Access to the spare side is great through the access door at the front of the spare partition.
 
Red-1 said:
Depending on which side your ramp is, you can do the whole 'spare' partition out as storage.

2 partitions tend to be a waste of time anyway on a 3.5 tonne as the weight is not enough. If the ramp is on the offside there are a whole load of storage possibilities.
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Thanks you. The ramp is on the passenger side, cant get my near and offsides in my head when it comes to a van lol. Im presuming she travels behind the driver?
 
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Louby said:
Thanks you. The ramp is on the passenger side, cant get my near and offsides in my head when it comes to a van lol. Im presuming she travels behind the driver?
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Yes, the horse needs to be behind the driver so they are not making the box tip more with the camber of the road.

There are advantages and disadvantages of having the ramp behind the driver or passenger. I did it behind the driver so I could have more storage as I frequently go for overnighters and sleep in the box. Means I have a person place for eating etc and a separate toilet/storage area.

I guess you could have some kind of wheel-off storage, but with the ramp on the passenger side you are a bit limited in using the spare partition as the horse needs a quick exit route in case of emergency.
 
I used to have a super raised "lip" at the edge of my luton to stop things falling out but have also hired boxes with netting (which is what I actually WANTED but guy who did the modification for me had other ideas!) which seems to work well & is lightweight. I had a foothole cut into my partition so I could actually reach things (will try & find a picture) but normal people just tend to carry a folding step. I also had a cupboard in the tack area with a shelf that was cut away at one side to leave room for my mucking out tools to stand upright in there (alternatively some of the grabby rubber tool holders would probably work well for those things). Regarding your muck bucket unless you drive like a maniac it should be fine just sitting on the floor in the tack area... I used to put my water bucket & water container inside it to give it some weight & stop it rolling over (obviously only when it was empty!). I used to drive around with allsorts in the back (including occasionally 10-20 small bales of haylage! Slightly daft when mine didn't have a wall between that horse & tack areas but luckily pony never worked out he could get into the bales or thought his haynet was much less effort!) & it usually didn't move about too much
 
I've got little lightweight opening doors above my cab, got them put on by hunters afterwards who made the box for about £120. My living area is basic but has a wardrobe hanging rail in the living so bought a lot of peg bags for storing smaller stuff like gloves, spurs etc.:)
 
welshstar said:
I've got little lightweight opening doors above my cab, got them put on by hunters afterwards who made the box for about £120. My living area is basic but has a wardrobe hanging rail in the living so bought a lot of peg bags for storing smaller stuff like gloves, spurs etc.:)
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I was saying this morning to a friend about doors being good, shes just bought a 3.5t with an open luton too. Peg bag idea is great thanks, I just need a hanging rail to put them on lol
 
welshstar said:
Before and after :)
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Ahh this is what I want to do with mine, otherwise for the short term I'll add a net.

I found the 'Damage free' sticky things really useful for attaching mirror, whip holders and more hooks etc. but I have been careful not to put too much that's too heavy on them.
 
Louby said:
Thats brill!! Im not sure who built mine as its a few years old now but Im sure a local horsebox builder could do it. It makes me wonder why its left open in the first place really.
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yet another thing stripped down for payload probably.
 
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