Converting a transit van into horsebox...

[wench]

Bored in the evening so doing some research!

I would love a coachbuilt 3.5t horse van, unfortunately my finances are not likely to stretch that far for a very, very long time. However a family member will have a transit van up for sale cheaply in a year or so, and I would be able to buy it for virtually nothing. Got me thinking, is it possible to get it converted into a reasonable coach built van? Or totally pointless!!!

 

[PeterNatt]

Transit vans have a very high centre of gravity and do not make the best vehicles to convert to horseboxes.
You are better off getting a chassis pan cab and putting a new container on the back as this will give you a far better container.
Renault Masters have a nice low centre of gravity and are ideal for horseboxes.

 

[Carrots&Mints]

There is a guy on facebook who does a basic conversion for around 3 grand! when i get home ill find out and pm you their name

i think most are renault masters or the vauxhall panel type vans, youll have to ask him

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

deleted

 

[WelshD]

yes its possible to get one converted, I have a reasonable though not very pretty transit box

Don't scrimp on the important bits and use someone reputable

The asthetics are not important - just keep telling yourself that!!

People may turn their noses up at it but if its safe and does the job it doesn't matter

 

[Orangehorse]

You need to be really careful, as there have been some horror stories of conversions where the materials used were not strong enough to be used for horses. They looked OK from the outside, but were dangerous.

You need to do some research, there are several firms that do this.

 

[LittleRooketRider]

O G@d!! Please don't.. those things give me nightmares.

 

[unicornystar]

please dont...as an ex owner of a transit box with ifor williams well made box on the back....high centre of gravity, even if you get springs adjusted and hardened, unless you are travelling shetlands or 12.2hh's ponies, dont go there, deathtraps!

 

[EmmaB]

I used to have a transit van box it was originally a tipper so had the box built on the back and was high up. It was fine I just drove carefully, was gutted to get rid of it but it was old and needed loads of work to pass the mot. But if you mean its a panel van type of transit it will be fine, basically any panel vans are fine as long as they are the high roof ones. I've had a look recently and cheapest I can find for a really basic conversion is £3500 to kit out the inside so that its safe.

 

[Carrots&Mints]

she could be on about the transit panel type vans rather than ones with the ifor on the back? OP what type of van is it??

This type

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=l...=tIAmVbGUO4aKsgGa3oOQAg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=1

 

[wench]

I am on about using a transit van as the "base" of the box and getting it converted into a coach built type one, not putting one of those horrendous ifor things on the back of it!

 

[popsdosh]

I am on about using a transit van as the "base" of the box and getting it converted into a coach built type one, not putting one of those horrendous ifor things on the back of it!

Please just ask yourself why do you not see any converted transits out there and it is not because they are any good for the job . Their wheel arrangement is no good for a conversion as the body has to be to high so making them unstable . Not sure VOSA would ever give type approval for it anyway because of these dangers. Any conversion carried out now needs type approval or it will never pass an MOT test.

 

[LittleRooketRider]

she could be on about the transit panel type vans rather than ones with the ifor on the back? OP what type of van is it??

This type

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=l...=tIAmVbGUO4aKsgGa3oOQAg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&dpr=1

Both types give me nightmares!

Wasn't there a campaign from the Fire and Rescue service back along to ban these due to the number of accidents/incidents they had been called to where the horse needed rescuing??