DIY Horsebox Living

[icestationzebra]

I'm sure there are clever people on here that have fitted their own livings - could you give me any tips? I have been let down by various people I have tried to contract to do it, and I have also received laughable quotes for doing it - think brand new car type price I only want a basic living - it is currently empty but we have put in hook up.

Has anyone any idea of how much this should cost to do and how to go about it? OH is very handy, but he is also a perfectionist and I can see it taking ages

Any help or useful sites I could look at would be gratefullly received!
thank you!

 

[OWLIE185]

Before you even consider doing it check what the current payload is of your lorry as you may find that the additional weight of the units and appliances will dramatically reduce the payload of your vehicle. You need to use lightweight units to keep the weight down. Best places to get them from are the people that supply units to caravans and mobile homes.

 

[icestationzebra]

Thanks Owlie - I have my lorry weight and have plenty of payload, but you are right to raise it. I want to keep it as lightweight as possible anyway to keep it economic to run. Will have a look at caravan fittings - thanks.

 

[jhoward]

Have a google of caravan breakers in your area, id think there is one fairly close. and you can normally just go and rip out what you want.

other thing i considered was just bying a really cheap caravan (think ebay) taking out what i wanted then scraping the caravan.

3rd option.. if you know somebody good at diy then they are easy enough to build.

lol 4th option the smaller units you see in b and q etc can all be bought as a singular item.

hope that helps!

 

[E_Lister]

We don't have a horsebox so it may be irrelevant. However my Dad bought himself a little cruising boat ready for his retirement and he has just redone the living area to make it a little more comfortable.

It is reasonably easily done (according to him) if you have the necessary skills and has the advantage of you being able to make everything to your exact specifications. For example the boat is very narrow but he wanted a seat where we could all sit round for a meal, to do this he managed to design something that could pull out to ensure maximum space when needed but also maximum sitting space. Coincidentally that very same chair can also be lengthened to make into a bed and all the cushions are the right shape and size to fit both the L shaped chair AND the "bed". Because he made and designed this all himself it saved him a fortune.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, if you have the skills needed and the inspiration too, making really great, personalised living, at a fraction of the price of the professionals is possible.

 

[icestationzebra]

We don't have a horsebox so it may be irrelevant. However my Dad bought himself a little cruising boat ready for his retirement and he has just redone the living area to make it a little more comfortable.

It is reasonably easily done (according to him) if you have the necessary skills and has the advantage of you being able to make everything to your exact specifications. For example the boat is very narrow but he wanted a seat where we could all sit round for a meal, to do this he managed to design something that could pull out to ensure maximum space when needed but also maximum sitting space. Coincidentally that very same chair can also be lengthened to make into a bed and all the cushions are the right shape and size to fit both the L shaped chair AND the "bed". Because he made and designed this all himself it saved him a fortune.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, if you have the skills needed and the inspiration too, making really great, personalised living, at a fraction of the price of the professionals is possible.

Thanks E Lister - OH has just bought Turbo Cad in order to do detailed drawings..... God help us! It will still be empty this time next year!!

 

[icestationzebra]

Have a google of caravan breakers in your area, id think there is one fairly close. and you can normally just go and rip out what you want.

other thing i considered was just bying a really cheap caravan (think ebay) taking out what i wanted then scraping the caravan.

3rd option.. if you know somebody good at diy then they are easy enough to build.

lol 4th option the smaller units you see in b and q etc can all be bought as a singular item.

hope that helps!

Thank you - yes very helpful. The caravan route is not something I had considered but a few people have suggested it as an option.... makes perfect sense really!