Build your own lorry?

[Brandy]

Hello,

Is there anyone out there that has done this and would they recommend it or not?! My other half works for a lorry dealership, and they have a second hand lorry for sale - he can get it cheap as it was taken in part exchange. He can also get cheap parts etc and has access to the lorry workshop, and used to work as a mechanic.

What I would like to know about is the back of the lorry - this one doesn't have one so needs a new one making, or buying, and then making good for horses to travel in. Any advice or ideas?

Thanks

 

[smiffyimp]

Have no idea on building one, but you can get the boxes only on ebay. What state they're in I've no idea

 

[trendybraincell]

You want to speak to Juno, he frequents CR more so, but he's just done a 3.5t conversion for his rather lucky misses. He did a series of photo updates which are well worth looking at too

 

[Kokopelli]

Have a look at PRB horseboxes, we went round their workshop and saw lots of lorries in different stages of being built and was fabulous.

 

[perfect11s]

Hello,

Is there anyone out there that has done this and would they recommend it or not?! My other half works for a lorry dealership, and they have a second hand lorry for sale - he can get it cheap as it was taken in part exchange. He can also get cheap parts etc and has access to the lorry workshop, and used to work as a mechanic.

What I would like to know about is the back of the lorry - this one doesn't have one so needs a new one making, or buying, and then making good for horses to travel in. Any advice or ideas?

Thanks

7.5 ton ?? You could start with a GRP box needs to be about 7ft6 to 8 ft high and wide and 16 to 20 ft long depending on how much living space you want, leave about 10 ft for the horse area but make sure the chassis is long enough so the back wheels are under the middle of the horse area, you can get a ramp fitted or build one
if your oh can weld and measure you should be able to convert a box, OR you could buy a scruffy lorry with a good horsebox and swap it onto your better chassis.... Im building my second one on a daf lf , it isnt cheap parts and stuff soon mount up good luck let me know if you need anymore info...

 

[OWLIE185]

Unless your better half has had lots of experience building lorry containers - don't bother.

 

[diet2ride]

I don't know any specifics... But I do know my friends dad converted a lorry for her. It cost an absolute fortune and she used it once to go to scope where it promptly broke down. Now it sits on the yard... And every so often they send it off to be plated. And then they find something else wrong with it.

Where as the people on my yard had some ancient purpose built boxes... Still going strong.

Sorry don't mean to be so negative... I know the feeling of wanting horse transport well.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

7.5 ton ?? You could start with a GRP box needs to be about 7ft6 to 8 ft high and wide and 16 to 20 ft long depending on how much living space you want, leave about 10 ft for the horse area but make sure the chassis is long enough so the back wheels are under the middle of the horse area, you can get a ramp fitted or build one
if your oh can weld and measure you should be able to convert a box, OR you could buy a scruffy lorry with a good horsebox and swap it onto your better chassis.... Im building my second one on a daf lf , it isnt cheap parts and stuff soon mount up good luck let me know if you need anymore info...

Re buying second habd box - yopu might be able to get a mot failure cheap and have box transfered, or there are dealers who sell boxes - Idelay a nice solid coach built one,, just need to make sure it fits the dimensions of your lorry - especialy if you want a luton.

 

[cundlegreen]

Be careful if buying a ready made container that it and the lorry don't weigh too much without the horses in. GRP containers weigh a lot, I know, because I've built two this way, and decided to go to an aluminium body this time round. My last GRP build on a 20ft chassis weighed best part of 6 tons without any horse or extras in it. As somebody says, it isn't a particularly cheap option even if you do your own welding as I do.

 

[Louby]

I bought an older horsebox that although mechanically sound was hmmm old, I was having some work done on the body and was offered a newer chassis at a good price, so decided to go for it. The chassis were the same apart from age, the lengths the same, wheel arches same place, Luton height same etc so it was a straightforward swap.
Im just miffed I didnt do the same a few years ago when I found a bargain wagon, tired chassis, good body. I thought there would be so many complications, was afraid to have it done in case I got it wrong and thought that it would cost a lot to do it.

 

[Dubsie]

There's also a firm in the North West that sells all the components for horseboxes, OH (also a mechanic) found it on Google as he's been eyeing up a few options.

 

[Brandy]

Thanks everyone, esp perfect11. Other half as I said used to be a mechanic and now works in a lorry dealership, with service and repair workshop, and can get parts cheaply through work, and help from the lorry mechanics there. So I am not too worried about that actual doing of it, just really wanted to get my own idea of what is involved. I only have ponies generally - welsh cob etc so wouldn't be carrying huge horses. Other half also wants it for taking the motocross bike out.

Yes it is 7.5tonne, and also a DAF.

I asm more than happy and able to drive a lorry like this but really not keen on towing, also he wants somewhere to sleep for his weekends out with the bike.

 

[flyingfeet]

If your OH is competent then their is no reason why they cannot build the lorry

GRP isn't that heavy as mine is GRP ali clad and with heavy howdens kitchen units, rubber matting and krailberg ramp and all bells and whistles mine was 5.8t unladen (shower, loo, hot water, diesel heating, spare wheel and heavy partitions)

What is the box on the back? Ideally you want cross members of 18" apart or closer, and 8ft high box. Mine is 7ft9" wide, which is good on narrower lanes!

 

[Coop]

Following on from this, we are upgrading from a 6.5 to 7.5 tonne and have begun the box-lorry search. Ideally want a daf lf as my friends is nice to drive and an 16-18ft container. We will do the horse section first and then the living and know this will be a long project!

Can all box lorries be cut thru/had a luton added, do I need to look for something specific when buying the lorry? Is it imperative to retain a tilt cab?

Does the box have to be in alloy or not if the container is in good nick?

Thanks xx

 

[OWLIE185]

Coop. Ensure that the cab can be tilted as otherwise mechanic costs can be excessive. For instance if the radiator needs replacing and the cab can not be tilted the job becomes a total nightmare. The cab can be cut through but you will nead a good seal between the tilting cab and container to prevent ingression of water.
Make sure that the vehicle is thoroughly checked out by a commercial mechanic.

 

[Super_Kat]

Friends have just done this, bought a cab and a wacking great M&S trailer (this is a huge artic we're talking about here), they managed to convert it to have a huge basic living and stalls for 6 horses in good time and with relative ease. Haven' a clue how to do it though!

 

[perfect11s]

Following on from this, we are upgrading from a 6.5 to 7.5 tonne and have begun the box-lorry search. Ideally want a daf lf as my friends is nice to drive and an 16-18ft container. We will do the horse section first and then the living and know this will be a long project!

Can all box lorries be cut thru/had a luton added, do I need to look for something specific when buying the lorry? Is it imperative to retain a tilt cab?

Does the box have to be in alloy or not if the container is in good nick?

Thanks xx

No can be alloy but GRP is much easier to work with.. but make sure the container is in good condition GRP look to make sure there are no cracks and spiders webs from things hitting the inside, parcel vans can be very knocked about and oftern have dammage caused by unsecured pallet trucks roling about in the back ,, I would avoid ex parcel vans as a rule as they get alot of hammer due to short runs !! some are ok, but can be realy tatty remember once the gel coat is dammaged water gets in and rots the panel from the inside... DO NOT fix the cab down it is almost impossible to do even simple repairs.. and as in previous post make sure the chassis is long enough you dont want too much of the horse area behind the back wheels gives the horses a bouncy ride and makes the lorry truely horible to drive and maybe overload the back axle...

 

[flyingfeet]

Friends have just done this, bought a cab and a wacking great M&S trailer (this is a huge artic we're talking about here), they managed to convert it to have a huge basic living and stalls for 6 horses in good time and with relative ease. Haven' a clue how to do it though!

Slowly is the answer - still they have an impressive generator and had a queue of people wanting to dry their hair and use hair straighteners at the M&S lorry this weekend!!

The polocrosse fraternity have a good selection of welders and fabricators, so many have started converting lorries. The key is to start with a sound lorry and make it as easy as possible.

 

[Super_Kat]

Slowly is the answer - still they have an impressive generator and had a queue of people wanting to dry their hair and use hair straighteners at the M&S lorry this weekend!!

The polocrosse fraternity have a good selection of welders and fabricators, so many have started converting lorries. The key is to start with a sound lorry and make it as easy as possible.

Ha ha ha, I had no idea they had those facilities! I think I may have to bribe Caroline with some wine to let me use a plug for 10 minutes

(who are you, I'm curious now!!)