3.5T "living" layout and tack lockers, tips needed

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Walrus

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Those of you with 3.5T coachbuilt style horse boxes (not van type) what clever or useful layouts or designs do you have in the day living area. Not looking for a full kitchen or bed but more clever ideas that make going to a show on your own easier.

I am planning an external tack locker (I think), probably ramp side. But then I'm wondering how to fit a tie ring in as well or do people find it easier to tie horse up on the opposite side to the ramp? Any layout tips welcome.

Appreciate this is first world problems but I'm spending my savings so want to get it right! 🙈🙈
 
I don't have anything much in mine, but I would give my right arm for a tack locker! I get sick of jumping in and out of the box to get my tack. Though I do often tack up on the box, it would still be easier to get a saddle out of the side than from inside the grooms area and then jump down the step. I always untack outside so would really be an improvement. personally I think I'd have it on the opposite side to the ramp, I do have a tie ring on the ramp side but I prefer to use the other side.

Do you have a full wall between horse and grooms area? I have a climb barrier. If mine wasn't solid I think I would like to have more cupboards to keep everything free from hay etc, (payload permitting) As it is I keep all my grooming stuff and travelling essentials in a hanging organiser under the saddle rack on the back wall, I keep all kinds of handy stuff in there and you can just reach in the door to grab things.

best thing I put in mine recently was a whip holder :lol: they were just floating around underfoot before so this has improved my life :p I wasn't expecting to be so chuffed with it! we screwed it on the wall to the right of the door so again I can just reach in and grab one before hopping on.

Mine really is a bargain basement box but the previous owner made little blinds that velcro up to the windows, they are so useful if getting changed when surrounded by big lorries or sleeping in the box at a stay away show :)
 
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Thanks millipops, some good tips. The plan is a full wall between the horse and living, then a tack locker accessed from the outside taking up space on one side of the living. This would then have a small wardrobe on top of the locker in the living. On the other side a bench seat that lifts up. I think!

It's hard to think how I would use it as I'm so used to how my current van is laid out.

Agree on the tack locker, this really is the pinnacle of all my horsey ambitions!! 😂
 
I’ve got a solid wall with door to horse area. Looking in from the back, I’ve got bridle and saddle racks on the left over bench. I have never sat on the bench. Above two cupboards. Under the bench I have a ‘Porta potti’ chemical toilet - that’s been really useful (although when I had a trailer I just used a bucket....). On the right I have a small hanging cupboard, takes 2 folding chairs and hanging rail for jackets. Nearest the door I have a combi sink and gas hob. I didn’t design it - I think I would prefer an outside tack locker, although I usually tack up on the box. Didn’t think I’d use the sink/hob but actually I do quite a bit. I’ve got a tie ring on each side - I usually use the ramp side one, but I have to close the top door on that side. Parking wise there’s not always room to tie up on non ramp side.
 
I had mine made with the ramp behind the driver so the horse is on the correct side for the camber, then made it just a 1 horse box (as most 3.5 s can't take 2 anyway).

Then, on the spare side I have a huge tack locker accessible from the outside at the front. It has space for 2 saddles without scratching them, a set of shelves (grooming kit /farriery tools/ studs/ brushing boots/ polos etc) and space for a step ladder / whips, plus space for buckets etc. The back part of the spare side is accessed by a door from inside the living, and has a toilet and rug storage, plus more storage on top of the tack locker (first aid/ drinks/ toilet roll etc). There is still space in the spare partition to store spare nets and a trug for mucking out (can slide under the centre partition so no need to take through the living). There is also storage in the luton, where I keep a spare wheel, breakdown stuff like a triangle / garden chairs etc.

The living is simple, just 3 seats and a wardrobe/mirror. Plus the water tank under a seat, for the horse shower. I have a rack for thingumybobs such as sun cream / gloves / hats / hair stuff / tissues etc and some coat hooks.

It is so simple to use, so easy to access stuff.
 
Thanks all. Some really good thoughts. Ramp will definitely be on the passenger side and I thought the locker would be as well but then I realised I normally tie up on the ramp side so then she'd probably be in the flipping locker. I prefer to tack up off the box, although that is mainly due to my current van being too small to do anything else practically.
 
I have an external tack locker, it's used for grooming kit, water containers, spare slice of hay in a haylage sack, buckets etc - and tack is inside the back of the box lol.
I have a collapsible saddle tree fixed inside on the wall where the tack locker is outside, plus 2 bridle hooks on the rear hinge wall to the side of the rear door.
A stuck on mirror on the other side by the rear door.
I have a bench that can seat 2, it has a garden seat cushion on which fits well.
On the box of the tack locker lives spare towels, body protector and lead ropes etc (i fitted a small lip of dowelling to stop anything sliding off).
Like Red1, my spare wheel and breakdown spares box is on the luton, along with skipping out stuff (Not often used!).
Bonus is I got a rear tuff step bumper, so have taught all mine to stand across the rear of the box, so I can mount from this :)
Under passenger seat Is emergency hi viz jacket, spare loading gloves and hat.
Copy of insurance and breakdown info is in pocket above drivers sun visor.

I have 2 external tie rings on the drivers side, never used them as always tack up on the box and tie up inside only.
 
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Red-1 said:
I had mine made with the ramp behind the driver so the horse is on the correct side for the camber, then made it just a 1 horse box (as most 3.5 s can't take 2 anyway).

Then, on the spare side I have a huge tack locker accessible from the outside at the front. It has space for 2 saddles without scratching them, a set of shelves (grooming kit /farriery tools/ studs/ brushing boots/ polos etc) and space for a step ladder / whips, plus space for buckets etc. The back part of the spare side is accessed by a door from inside the living, and has a toilet and rug storage, plus more storage on top of the tack locker (first aid/ drinks/ toilet roll etc). There is still space in the spare partition to store spare nets and a trug for mucking out (can slide under the centre partition so no need to take through the living). There is also storage in the luton, where I keep a spare wheel, breakdown stuff like a triangle / garden chairs etc.

The living is simple, just 3 seats and a wardrobe/mirror. Plus the water tank under a seat, for the horse shower. I have a rack for thingumybobs such as sun cream / gloves / hats / hair stuff / tissues etc and some coat hooks.

It is so simple to use, so easy to access stuff.
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Do you have a photo Red-1? That sounds like a really interesting layout
 
Haven't got a lorry yet but have been looking for ages, and thinking a lot about layouts. Ideally I'm after something with a breast partition and then full wall separating grooms area, with externally accessed tack lockers either side sitting under horses head in the space between the two. And bench seats in living, with hanging rail and a fold down table. I'm thinking that if I do want living facilities I'll take a camping stove/coolbox/portapotti - if it isn't built in then less faff if things go wrong. I do like the Bloomfield legacy SL.... if anyone looking for ideas for my christmas present!!!!
 
TPO said:
Do you have a photo Red-1? That sounds like a really interesting layout
Click to expand...

I did take some when I first got it, but seem to have lost them. It is a FAB layout for one horse. Everything is so easy. The actual horse compartment is 8ft tall, 8ft9 long and 4 ft wide, and can swing a bit wider still to tack up on the box. So, big enough for a 17.2 with space to spare. It is easy to work round the horse with it not having a breast bar, and I have had baby horses in that move around a bit and have not had to worry. I also had a roof vent and a fan, as well as 5 windows and roof insulation, so it feels light and airy.


There are boxes that are flasher than mine, but mine works for me. I do miss the convenience of gas rings, a bed and heating in the living of my old box, but that is minor compared to 30mpg, a ramp that is one finger to lift, a tack locker where I just place the saddle on and no steep steps.
 
Just something that I found - My tack locker is the same side as the ramp which I thought was useful but have realised that when the ramp is down there is no where to tie up, so have to tie around the other side and then get the stuff out of the tack locker, its a pain!
 
When I built ours I put in a full height wall but also built a box area in front of it.
mlBlt6o.jpg

This became the tack lockers accessed from the living area. The door on back of lorry was custom made wider than standard groom doors to allow saddles to be taken in and out without scratching them.
3O9PrKw.jpg

On either side there are seats that lift up on hinges to access storage lockers ( and leisure battery). Various hooks on walls allowing hanging of comp cloths and anything else that wants to be at hand. Only pic I have of seat is with daughter sat on it.
GmA9Cxk.jpg

having the windows in the full height wall allows us to get some airflow through the box on hot days and makes the living area bright even with door closed.
 
PonyclubmumZ said:
Just something that I found - My tack locker is the same side as the ramp which I thought was useful but have realised that when the ramp is down there is no where to tie up, so have to tie around the other side and then get the stuff out of the tack locker, its a pain!
Click to expand...

This is exactly my concern! Trying to think of a clever way round it!!
 
cold_feet said:
I find it easy enough to put the ramp up and down to use tie up in that side - I can do it with one hand, the other holding the lead rope.
Click to expand...

ahh, so do you have a tie up ring on the ramp? I never thought of that! I'm making a list of questions for the guy doing the conversion so I can work out what's possible, I think I'll add that to the list.
 
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