anyone converted van to a horse box

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maree t

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Anybody out there got any advice. I have been looking for ages for a 3.5 ton box for kids ponies with a bit of living and cut through. I cant afford the ones I like:( so am thinking about converting one . We have got an old transit with a back on and are thinking of changing it on to a newer chassis and changing the ponies to side facing so that we can have a small area for seating and a hob for hot drinks. Either that or we buy a box van and change the ramp over and go from there any thoughts or lottery winners with spare funds.......
 
OOOh I would be very careful, if it was possible to convert a transit economicallyl I think companies who specialise would do it already.
1) weight carrying capacity
2) insurance
3) floor re-enforced
4)Bulkhead re-enforced
5)A ramp of some sort instead of doors
All the fitting are expensive, no all in all not a practical idea. get a trailer.
 
sorry didnt make it very clear, the transit that we have got has a proper horse back on so already reinforced and ramp etc ,but the chassis is very old and really hard to drive, it was previously a tipper so thinking of changing over to a newer chassis. at the moment it is stalled for two facing forward with a front ramp so thinking of turning the ponies round so that we can have a bit of living. we already have a trailer but would love to be able to load up with basics the night before . we are having to travel further and further and hate having the trailer on the motorways.
 
Do you have to limit yourself to a 3.5T or would it be worthwhile looking for a larger lorry? You get more for your money as 3.5T lorries are in demand due to the change in licence regs. Something maybe 5T to 7.5T may be more suitable. They do not cost a lot more to run overall - the tax and insurance are not much different, it's just the fuel that may be a little more expensive. I think that'd be my preferred option as opposed to converting a transit.
 
Im not sure of the costs of swapping a body of a 3.5t from one to another but I learnt the hard way getting a 7.5t converted. It ended up costing me more than I could have bought one ready done for and the finished result was safe but for the cost not in the league of some horseboxes of a similar age.
My mechanic talked about getting a body for one of his chassis but to keep costs to a minimal it had to be the right size to accomodate the cab etc etc. I did ask a horsebox company for prices too and he said it isnt always as straight forward as it seems, as often major structures of the old body are rotten and need replacing, then theres the skirts etc etc.
People do do it though successfully.
 
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