Anyone had a small lorry/van converted for them?

[Maia]

As the title says. Was chatting to mum and she wondered whether I'd be more likely to get what I want if I had something converted myself. She pointed out that I could save money by fitting some things myself (with help of OH who is very good at DIY etc).

So I was wondering if anyone has had one done?
What you had done specifically?
What are the important things to consider?
And if you don't mine me asking, what it cost? A breakdown of costs would be even better!

So far the bits that I *think* I would need to have done are:
Ramp and windows fitted
Division between "horse" area and "grooms" area fitted (if I break I don't want the horse going through it so would rather have this done properly!)
Division between horse area and cab reinforced for reasons just mentioned.
Floor re-inforced and possibly lined with rubber too.
Box respray.

What I would do is basically fit the grooms bit - put in some storage type bench seats, a saddle rack etc. I'd also fit the partition, tie rings etc and would consider putting rubber down on the floor if it worked out cheaper.

Any ideas?

 

[u04elw2]

Sorry havent had one but Id be interested to see what replies you get regarding price etc because this is exactly what Id like done in the near future. I know a few people who have had conversions and theyre amazing.

 

[LCobby]

The biggest work is getting a the body adpated for the side walls, ramp aperture, ramp fixings, door etc. but you need to find a vehicle with the right wall and hi-top roof build before you could have this done - or have hte conatiner coischuilt ont to a chassis or a standard top vehicle rebuilt

And not knowing in advance how much it will eigh if you put in florring, ramps, seating, storage etc.

 

[jumpthemoon]

You might be better off looking for one that has been part converted but not quite finished. I think you'll probably spend as much money putting the ramp in etc as it would cost you to buy one ready made - putting in the partition/tie rings etc isn't going to save you a lot of money imo

Are you looking for a 7.5t?

 

[lastresort]

My husband does them, he is a coachbuilder with 20 years experience. You will spend 5K + respray (including decent van and fittings). You need to find out the weight and how much it can carry. Dont reccomend its done DIY there is alot involved and speaking from someone which is having one done and how much is to be though of by someone with years experience it might turn out a bit too much to take on work wise and financially. eg: springs for ramp approx £200 + vat 1 window v small £50 + vat, 1 door £180 + vat


You might be better having one done for you and fitting the living yourself. This might be better.???

Sorry dont meant to be negative but i have seen some VV bad diy jobs that are VV dangerous and end up being left as cant be finished.

Good luck whatever you choose to do.

 

[LCobby]

If you are buying 6 or 7,5 tonne, there are some builders who wil do the basics and leave the living unfitted. Then you can DIY the living from an old touring caravan etc.
But you must have gas checked by a CORGI fitter

however,. no room weightwise for much living on a 3.5 tonner as not enough payload, even for one horse.

 

[Maia]

Oh, good idea regarding getting one partially converted!

I did think I'd do just as well not to bother and just by the ready made article (not looking to buy till end of summer anyway so plenty of time to look into these things). But I don't want to end up paying a premium for the "finnish" if you get what I mean.

I'm only looking to get a 3.5T (due to license and only to carry one horse) and was thinking about having something like a high top LWB converted (having done a bit of research I can pick up a van with reasonable milage and age for £2-3K).

 

[LifeofRiley]

I bought a 3.5 tonne lorry and spent £3k "doing it up". I had basically everything ripped out and had new floor, new sides, new partitions, new windows, rubber matting etc. The only thing that I kept was the roof and the ramp - and even that I had stripped down and the rubber replaced!

Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing - all in all the work cost me about £6k and I think I could have spent that on a newer vehicle. But I think I'm glad I did it this way - I know it has been done properly and because I practically re-built it I had it exactly the way I wanted it - I wouldn't have been able to do that if I'd have bought a "ready made" one!

 

[lastresort]

Sorry meant to add they do them for you if you supply the van (but not renault masters) this can save you too, you could try this??

 

[lastresort]

L Cobby- disagree you can have a small living/changing area done look on HH in adverts theres lots on there!!

 

[Maia]

LCobby - not looking for "living" as such, just a bit of space where I can chnage/shelter from rain and keep my kit, a picnic box, tack, and grooming kit. Most 3.5T conversions offer this.

Its not so much the converting it myself, more buying a van and having it converted by someone else vs going through a dealer, especially as it is something I want done properly!

 

[LifeofRiley]

Maia

Where abouts are you - I can recommend some people - PM me if you want more info?

 

[Maia]

Hi, I'm in the SW but happy to travel (within reason).

 

[LCobby]

yes, You can have a small tack and changing area, but ask the vendors the payload of ones with 'living' -

I don't need to look in H&H adverts to read fairy tales - you can also read adverts for 3.5 tonners that say 'takes two x 16H horses

 

[SpruceRI]

I had a 3.5t Ford Transit Luton converted to a horse box a few years back.

Lorry was about 10yrs old, lowish mileage and cost £1900. My brother, cousin and I converted it so I was very lucky that labour was free.

We did it on the big cheapo and all parts and materials cost just £600.

Took out roller shutter, and my cousin made the ramp by hand. We got the ramp springs second hand and free from a friend of his.

In fact everything was made from scratch including the jockey door, partition, loading gates etc. Made a lockable area above the cab which happily carried 2 saddles, rugs, bridles, First Aid kit etc.

They strengthened the underside of the floor and then put a double marine ply floor in.

Didn't put windows in, just air vents. It had a fibreglass roof so was very light anyway.

Wasn't enough room for any 'living' just a space to stand and change. Store water and a few tools and hay.

Didn't have it resprayed as couldn't afford it so it stayed the same colour I'd bought it as. Admittedly it wasn't very pretty and my cousin decided not to have his racing car company name sprayed on as an advert because it looked a bit of a heap! But I'm not proud!!

Lorry took 2 ponies herringbone (and one of those was my Shetland)

Had that lorry for 3yrs and went everywhere in it. Easy to drive, turn and could get ramp up and down on my own unlike previous one!

Sold it for the same price I'd bought it for!!

 

[PeterNatt]

One issue that is often forgotton is that you need to take care that you do not overload the rear of front axel as each of the front and rear axel have a maximun allowable weight on them so if you are going to fit out the living yourself you need to work out the weight of these items before the bodybuilder builds the vehicle so that they can allow for this (may no be possible especially in the case of a conversion).)