Building a 10t horsebox

[Whiterhino]

Hi all.
I'm a new member but thought it would be a good idea to ask on here from seasoned riders to ask what you would class as essential to have in a horsebox and what some of you may have had good or bad experience with.
I've already started building the frame etc it will only carry 2 forward facing due to 1 of my daughters horses being difficult travelling any other direction....
Oh and I've probably posted in the wrong category.
Thanks in advance
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[Laurac13]

Hello ! Is it actually 10 ton? That sounds big for just 2 horses ?

 

[Cowpony]

Have a search for Farmer Chalk's thread on here about his new build journey. He put up lots of photos and talked about things he put in. He also did a follow up once he'd used it for a bit.

 

[Tiddlypom]

This is Farmer Chalk's epic thread about his 12t horsebox build. Well worth a read through.

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/horsebox-build-our-story.712136/

 

[AdorableAlice]

Tilt cab is every mechanics dream and will save you a fortune on labour costs when it goes in for anything.

I do wonder if 2 facing forward on a 10t would be tricky to sell on when the time comes, maybe design the container so it can revert to herringbone x 4 if needed. Designing a box would only ever be a dream for me, but I would concentrate on maximum air quality and ventilation, being able to keep myself warm in the living and easily accessed tack area's that are well lit. Matching or luxury seats etc don't interest me at all and I can't see the point of these cream leather living areas we see. Let's face it, the job is a dirty one, who needs cream seating !

 

[ycbm]

I do wonder if 2 facing forward on a 10t would be tricky to sell on when the time comes, maybe design the container so it can revert to herringbone x 4 if needed.

This, or downrate it to 7.5t like I did mine.
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[Whiterhino]

This is Farmer Chalk's epic thread about his 12t horsebox build. Well worth a read through.

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/horsebox-build-our-story.712136/

Farmer chalk is partly to blame ?
That's what inspired me to do it and we get what we need rather than a generic one

 

[Whiterhino]

Tilt cab is every mechanics dream and will save you a fortune on labour costs when it goes in for anything.

I do wonder if 2 facing forward on a 10t would be tricky to sell on when the time comes, maybe design the container so it can revert to herringbone x 4 if needed. Designing a box would only ever be a dream for me, but I would concentrate on maximum air quality and ventilation, being able to keep myself warm in the living and easily accessed tack area's that are well lit. Matching or luxury seats etc don't interest me at all and I can't see the point of these cream leather living areas we see. Let's face it, the job is a dirty one, who needs cream seating !

Definitely got a tilting cab personally would not entertain one without, I'm not having a Luton on the roof as let's be honest how many 6ft3ins men as wide as a tank can even climb up there. Let alone sleep in it ?
And at some point it will leak so rather not go down that road. Internally it's having a proper shower and toilet with sleeping above it so can still accommodate 4.
Main reason for having it stalled for 2 is unfortunately I won't have the room to take any others - may sound a bit mean but could do without the extra responsibility of someone elses horse, it's stressful enough with the white rhin on board,
I can always down rate it to 7.5t if I ever decided to sell but I'd rather have much more payload than not enough,
Ventilation is a main priority for me as a result I have already purchased x2 air conditioning units so the horse area is completely independent with heating and cooling.
Just hope it all turns out as planned. When I can post a few pics I'll put them up on progress.
Very much looking forward to gaining ideas and general chat

 

[Red-1]

I had a 12.5 tonne for 2 horses, although it was stalled for 4 (or could be). I actually had it so each horse could open up to a large stall at the event. Or, if I took just one, she could have a square stall once we arrived.

It would have been tricky to downrate as the chassis/cab was a lot bigger than then 7.5 tonne equivalent. I mean in height as well as simply being built on another level.

I can see why you would want forward facing. I like them TBH, if the horse travels well with them and is OK with a breast bar. I would choose movable partitions as larger vehicles tend to be 8ft wide and some horses prefer a smaller space, but when you arrive you can then open it up to tack up. Have a look at the Bloomfield (Legacy I think) where the partition is on a rail and is easily slidable. Two of those would do nicely.

I like lots of windows, and it is best to have windows on both sides of the wagon or the wind booms inside. I don't like space taken under the horses' head for a tack locker: it encourages some to climb on the top of the locker and means you can't as easily access the horses by ducking under the breast bar. I would insist on a breast bar that collapses. I like plenty of space in front of the horses and also a front ramp. I was once in a box where the main ramp had hydraulics (essential for a tall box) and they set on fire. The ramp wouldn't work and we were grateful for a front ramp. It can also be opened on hot days for through flow of air.

Beware of Leyland Daf larger vehicles: their centre of gravity is too high. Air suspension is far superior and means you can level the box up when you arrive.

I like the heavy rubber flooring, in as few pieces as possible. The roof is best lined and I like forced air ventilation as well as roof lights. I use many tie rings. It is also best to have a leaf between the two heads to stop fighting. If that moves with the sliding partition, all the better as a gap between head leafs stops fighting and intimidation.

I like the water tank to have a manual tap at the bottom as well as a powered water function (shower). It means that if the electrics let you down, you can still offer a drink.

I prefer two small gas bottles rather than one small. It means that, when one runs out, you have another to use whilst sorting out to refill the first.

For ramps, I like the ridged flooring.

Doors are rarely made wide enough to easily carry a saddle through.

There are never too many hooks in the tack area.

I would prefer to have the living with less head room so there is better storage below.

I didn't have a luton in my 12.5 tonne, but I did have a cut through. It meant I could scramble through to use the toilet on a long journey without stopping. The passenger could also pop through to check horses in person. I hate to say it, but I would also make coffee and fry bacon whist Mr Red drove up the A1/ down the M1. It was convenient and time saving.

Walls are best to be wipe clean. I had stucco in the back and white laminated boarding in the living. Another lorry I had used some padded plastic walling, this was also good, hardwearing and easy to clean. I would not sue carpet on the wall.

For the floor in the living, I like laminate laid on a underlay. It was soundproof, stopped cold and vibration.