PaddyMonty
Well-Known Member
Much easier to answer your questions in a thread with pics so here goes
What did you make the ramp out of?
Ramp is made out of 15mm Glassonite
How and where did you fix the ramp to the body and did you use a spring?
Ramp hinge pins were welded (could use bolts) to the steel lower runner on the body. 5 hinges were used to spread the load. An external spring was used to assist with ramp lifting. Ramp is wider than normal to allow easy exit for horses.
You can see the spring in the lower centre of the ramp in this pic.
Did you use a piano hinge for the top ramp?
No, I used a heavy duty continous nylon hinge for top ramp. This prevents water dripping down through when wet and ramp open, wont rust, is maintenance free and looks much better.
You can see it in the pic above and this one shows it from the inside
Did you put any metal framework around the hole cut for the ramp? If so what was it made out of?
Yes, a frame was made from 40mm steel box section. You can see it in this pic. Also note the fixing of the front bulkhead to chassis. This was then reinforced with steel bars before being covered in lightweight ply and stcokboard.
How did you fix the framework to the coach body - rivets, coach bolts or something else?
M10 galvanised steel bolts with lock nuts down both sides, top was fixed using M6 countersunk bolts (to give smooth finish on exterior) and also fixes the top hinge. The body has verticle beams which have a perfect channel to fit the frame in.
What did you use to make the partition?
40mm steel box section for frame with lightweight glassonite infill.
I may change this to a carbon fibre frame to further save weight. I'm playing around with ideas for a full carbon 3.5t horsebox as could have a very high payload.
What did you use to make the wall to seperate the living?
Wall is lightweight glassonite which is really a plastic honeycomb centre with a thin fibreglass skin on either side. This was fine as the horses can not put any weight on it due to the breast bar box which has a steel frame fixed to the body, not the lightweight wall.
Who did you get the windows from and would you recommend them?
Pretty much everything needed for the conversion was bought from here
http://www.hartwood-elite.co.uk (other suppliers are available).
Did you put a small window in between the cab and lorry?
No, I didn't want to weaken the bulkhead between horses and people. Just personal choice.
Did you fit a fan and/or roof light?
No, it has a lot of windows to allow airflow through.
Has anything gone wrong since converting the lorry?
It's now been in use for 11 months without a single screw coming loose
Is there anything you would do differently?
I will possibly be fitting a roof vent but not sure until I can check temp during summer (if we get one). Other than that, no, nothing. OH and I spent a lot of time planning exactly what she wanted before I got stuck in. Time well spent.
What did you make the ramp out of?
Ramp is made out of 15mm Glassonite
How and where did you fix the ramp to the body and did you use a spring?
Ramp hinge pins were welded (could use bolts) to the steel lower runner on the body. 5 hinges were used to spread the load. An external spring was used to assist with ramp lifting. Ramp is wider than normal to allow easy exit for horses.
You can see the spring in the lower centre of the ramp in this pic.
Did you use a piano hinge for the top ramp?
No, I used a heavy duty continous nylon hinge for top ramp. This prevents water dripping down through when wet and ramp open, wont rust, is maintenance free and looks much better.
You can see it in the pic above and this one shows it from the inside
Did you put any metal framework around the hole cut for the ramp? If so what was it made out of?
Yes, a frame was made from 40mm steel box section. You can see it in this pic. Also note the fixing of the front bulkhead to chassis. This was then reinforced with steel bars before being covered in lightweight ply and stcokboard.
How did you fix the framework to the coach body - rivets, coach bolts or something else?
M10 galvanised steel bolts with lock nuts down both sides, top was fixed using M6 countersunk bolts (to give smooth finish on exterior) and also fixes the top hinge. The body has verticle beams which have a perfect channel to fit the frame in.
What did you use to make the partition?
40mm steel box section for frame with lightweight glassonite infill.
I may change this to a carbon fibre frame to further save weight. I'm playing around with ideas for a full carbon 3.5t horsebox as could have a very high payload.
What did you use to make the wall to seperate the living?
Wall is lightweight glassonite which is really a plastic honeycomb centre with a thin fibreglass skin on either side. This was fine as the horses can not put any weight on it due to the breast bar box which has a steel frame fixed to the body, not the lightweight wall.
Who did you get the windows from and would you recommend them?
Pretty much everything needed for the conversion was bought from here
http://www.hartwood-elite.co.uk (other suppliers are available).
Did you put a small window in between the cab and lorry?
No, I didn't want to weaken the bulkhead between horses and people. Just personal choice.
Did you fit a fan and/or roof light?
No, it has a lot of windows to allow airflow through.
Has anything gone wrong since converting the lorry?
It's now been in use for 11 months without a single screw coming loose
Is there anything you would do differently?
I will possibly be fitting a roof vent but not sure until I can check temp during summer (if we get one). Other than that, no, nothing. OH and I spent a lot of time planning exactly what she wanted before I got stuck in. Time well spent.
Last edited:
