Horsebox build.....our story!

littleredmare said:
Looks great!
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Many thanks....

The great thing about building our own is we can spec certain things to be fitted....hence we are putting two additional sets of reversing docking lights down the side of the truck and one pair 3/4 forwards facing behind the front wheels which will illuminate those awkward gate posts when you try to turn in.....:)
 
dingle12 said:
Looking really good x
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Many thanks....

Can anyone who owns a truck or Horse box give us advice on what does or doesn't work on their horse box design.... What you can't live without or what you would do away with given a second chance...

All your thoughts are very gratefully received.....:)
 
Farmer Chalk said:
Many thanks....

Can anyone who owns a truck or Horse box give us advice on what does or doesn't work on their horse box design.... What you can't live without or what you would do away with given a second chance...

All your thoughts are very gratefully received.....:)
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I only have a 3.9 tonne (4.2 T on order!) but the thing I really love is my locks-from-the-outside tack locker. When I am at a venue I can leave my darling dog in the cab with windows open, lock away my handbag and keys in the tack locker and just take the tiny tack locker key with me which is unlikely to remove a kidney if I should fall on it. this may not be such an issue for your daughter as it will be many years (!) until she has to take the lorry to events on her own!!

My other reflection is that you cannot have too much ventilation in a lorry. My nightmare scenario is to be stuck in a stationary traffic jam for 6 hours on the hottest day of the year and I have tried to ensure my lorry is spec'd so that this is non-fatal to my horse :(

Oh and you can never have too many external tie rings either - depending on the venue and whether you are travelling or rendezvousing (is that a word?) with more than one horse, it may be easiest to tie up at the back or on one or other side... a bore if you are stuck with the less convenient option. I dont know if you have a dog(s) but consider them being tied up in safety too!

other thoughts.. I don't think there is much else that is not over-comeable with a bit of ingenuity, duct tape and bungees. I have had a head injury from top doors blowing shut in very high winds, so consider all the extremes of weather and what the safety features are! Although I get the feeling you are going to be far more expert at this stuff than I will ever be and have probably thought of everything already.
 
Tobiano said:
I only have a 3.9 tonne (4.2 T on order!) but the thing I really love is my locks-from-the-outside tack locker. When I am at a venue I can leave my darling dog in the cab with windows open, lock away my handbag and keys in the tack locker and just take the tiny tack locker key with me which is unlikely to remove a kidney if I should fall on it. this may not be such an issue for your daughter as it will be many years (!) until she has to take the lorry to events on her own!!

My other reflection is that you cannot have too much ventilation in a lorry. My nightmare scenario is to be stuck in a stationary traffic jam for 6 hours on the hottest day of the year and I have tried to ensure my lorry is spec'd so that this is non-fatal to my horse :(

Oh and you can never have too many external tie rings either - depending on the venue and whether you are travelling or rendezvousing (is that a word?) with more than one horse, it may be easiest to tie up at the back or on one or other side... a bore if you are stuck with the less convenient option. I dont know if you have a dog(s) but consider them being tied up in safety too!

other thoughts.. I don't think there is much else that is not over-comeable with a bit of ingenuity, duct tape and bungees. I have had a head injury from top doors blowing shut in very high winds, so consider all the extremes of weather and what the safety features are! Although I get the feeling you are going to be far more expert at this stuff than I will ever be and have probably thought of everything already.
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Thanks Tobiano... Really helpful.... The tack locker thing is something I've thought long and hard about...my lot are dreadful at just leaving things wide open with kit laying everywhere...have thought about the locker being internal but your idea is far better...

Re the overheating issue in traffic living close to the M25 we are well versed to sitting stationary in traffic on hot days. As such we have already sourced an airconditioning unit that has three switchable outlets at least one of which will be fed into the horse area to keep it cool. This can be run whilst on the move using either the lorry batteries or the on board generator..

The multiple horse tie ups are a brilliant idea....many thanks!
 
Locker doors now on and ready to fit generator and rear tailgate...

Side panels also marked up for the window fitments...ideally would have liked the windows to run front to back in a line between the horse area and the living but this would have consequently caused the internal lockers In the living area to be tiny and we would lose a considerable amount of storage... Hence it will have to be staggered heights....

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Latest update....

The docking lights have now been inserted into the side pods.. Where we live the lanes are super tight and are unlit.. Lots of tree stumps and fence posts so we've placed two pairs of rear facing docking lights down each side which will come on with reverse...we've also done one forward facing docking light behind the front wheels which will illuminate the front 3/4 view.
This will help when turning in, especially in the dark to be able to see the gate posts. These will be switchable from the front cab as and when needed,,,

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The quality of workmanship has impressed us so greatly...in the same photo you can see the front wheel arch and the finishing panel that Courcheval have fabricated. This was a piece of aluminium sheet that they have bent, twisted and shaped into a three dimensional wheel arch to blend in with the bottom of the 'ears' at the side of the cab.... They still need finishing off but in their basic form they really are a work of art!

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The rear of the truck is coming along...the measurements for the tow bar have been taken and the tail lift will arrive shortly..once this is in the water tanks will be located around the mechanisms! The rear lights are now in place. Again attention to detail they still require a framework just to finish the joins off. Again these are fabricated from scratch and welded together before they will be screwed into place.

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So all in all coming along nicely..now really waiting for some of the major parts to arrive before they can be fitted...started dreaming of the interior!!
 
Looking good. It's really interesting to see the regular progress of the build too.
Something i would also add as essential, is the handle Into the horse area from the living is better if fitted flush as nothing will get caught on it, being horse, tack or person. And, also be lockable so that you can safely leave the ramp down at a show, but no one can get into the living to steal anything.
 
Spottyappy said:
Looking good. It's really interesting to see the regular progress of the build too.
Something i would also add as essential, is the handle Into the horse area from the living is better if fitted flush as nothing will get caught on it, being horse, tack or person. And, also be lockable so that you can safely leave the ramp down at a show, but no one can get into the living to steal anything.
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What a brilliant idea! Thanks! That is really so important yet so easily overlooked... The handle thought is really true as I've given up the number of times I've ripped trousers and jackets on them....even more important when you're trailing lead reins and bridles or a horse is attached to them!
And the lock is also so sadly true... Lots of people I know have become victims to evil thieves at shows!
Thanks again for your ideas! Xx
 
Farmer Chalk said:
Thanks Tobiano... Really helpful.... The tack locker thing is something I've thought long and hard about...my lot are dreadful at just leaving things wide open with kit laying everywhere...have thought about the locker being internal but your idea is far better...

Re the overheating issue in traffic living close to the M25 we are well versed to sitting stationary in traffic on hot days. As such we have already sourced an airconditioning unit that has three switchable outlets at least one of which will be fed into the horse area to keep it cool. This can be run whilst on the move using either the lorry batteries or the on board generator..

The multiple horse tie ups are a brilliant idea....many thanks!
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Can I.be cheeky and ask which air conditioning unit you are having?
 
Slightlyconfused said:
Can I.be cheeky and ask which air conditioning unit you are having?
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By all means... On recommendation we are fitting a Dometic Freshwell 3000... It is intended to be built into units or a cupboard and it has three outlets...it is a heater and air conditioner cooler unit. The idea is we put two outlets into the living area for us and one outlet into the horse area for cooling on extremely hot days..and you can adjust the flow to all three outlets... I had looked at roof mounted units but it added extra height to the lorry and we would lose the ability to chill the horse area..
 
Farmer Chalk said:
By all means... On recommendation we are fitting a Dometic Freshwell 3000... It is intended to be built into units or a cupboard and it has three outlets...it is a heater and air conditioner cooler unit. The idea is we put two outlets into the living area for us and one outlet into the horse area for cooling on extremely hot days..and you can adjust the flow to all three outlets... I had looked at roof mounted units but it added extra height to the lorry and we would lose the ability to chill the horse area..
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Brilliant thank you. Will.tell dad :D add it to the list when we body swap.
 
Great thread- really interesting to see the build bit by bit.

We're in the middle of a Horsebox renovation but not quite on this scale. We managed to find a sound short wheel base 7.5t with cracking horse area but rubbish living. We're in the middle of removing the old living and fitting a new one before a full respray in march
 
:) Photos...photos.. Need some inspiration... Got a few ideas but we are always going to be limited by size...the trouble is where do you end..,starting regretting not getting an 18 tonner with a bit more body length! :)

But apparently that's what all the girls say....:):)
 
Farmer Chalk said:
:) Photos...photos.. Need some inspiration... Got a few ideas but we are always going to be limited by size...the trouble is where do you end..,starting regretting not getting an 18 tonner with a bit more body length! :)

But apparently that's what all the girls say....:):)
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Problem is that with any LGV over 7.5 you will be restricted by EU driver regs but as you have a 12 tonner then it would not make any difference to that
 
Fascinating thread, but tell me why you've decided to go with horses facing right instead of left? Are you adding windows to the offside of the truck? What is the hole on the nearside on gas struts for?
 
9tails said:
Fascinating thread, but tell me why you've decided to go with horses facing right instead of left? Are you adding windows to the offside of the truck? What is the hole on the nearside on gas struts for?
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I'd be interested to know too, I always thought that, apart from them having their heads away from the passing traffic, their hind quarters being the heaviest part of them was on the right away from the camber of the road - a bit like travelling the heaviest horse on the right in a trailer. Are you going to have small windows above their hind quarters? I find that really increases air flow and keeps them cool.
 
Farmer Chalk of D3 fame! Your box looks great but I would add to the above.....why face them right and also why have them and the tack on the right? I find it better/easier to have the tack and horses near to the living door so you can keep an eye on the horses and your exspensive tack.
As to other must haves-a horse/reverse camera really helps, a decent fridge, travelling lights for the horses, isolator switch for the vehicle batteries and I have fitted a flexi solar panel to charge the leisure battery. I have added lots of LED lights that save on battery consumption too.

Things I could do without- don't see the point in a shower, all the sites/arenas have good facilities,tv- use the iPad.

I am sure your build will turn out great!

Mark
 
9tails said:
Fascinating thread, but tell me why you've decided to go with horses facing right instead of left? Are you adding windows to the offside of the truck? What is the hole on the nearside on gas struts for?
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We haven't! The windows have yet to be cut out...the horses will face to the left... The big flip on struts will have a bonded window with large openings...in hot weather the whole panel flips open for extra ventilation...it will obviously have bars at the opening to prevent any thoughts of escape....

The right hand side will have bonded windows up high for ventilation...

Although our horse, being described as an Irish Sport Horse, is slightly mental and will travel in the middle of the trailer with legs splayed out....if you try and box him with the centre partition he has huge tantrums... Without it he goes in like a lamb, spreads his legs and watches the world go by without issue!

We decided early on that we didn't want the intrusion into the horse area that the side tack locker has...he is more than clever enough to use anything to his advantage! The downside is we then have to put the tack locker towards the front living area...in our case under the sink area....

:):)
 
tul214 said:
Farmer Chalk of D3 fame! Your box looks great but I would add to the above.....why face them right and also why have them and the tack on the right? I find it better/easier to have the tack and horses near to the living door so you can keep an eye on the horses and your exspensive tack.
As to other must haves-a horse/reverse camera really helps, a decent fridge, travelling lights for the horses, isolator switch for the vehicle batteries and I have fitted a flexi solar panel to charge the leisure battery. I have added lots of LED lights that save on battery consumption too.

Things I could do without- don't see the point in a shower, all the sites/arenas have good facilities,tv- use the iPad.

I am sure your build will turn out great!

Mark
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Drat....been sussed!! Ha ha! Yes indeedy! One and the same...for those wondering there is a brilliant forum for Discovery owners called disco3.co.uk which is a superb way to waste a few hours whilst the girls are stroking horses and tying namby pamby plaits in the poor thing.....

In relation to your thoughts about left or right tie up's I agree and ideally we would have had the stuff on the left...as with any build it is always a compromise to the perfect box..one thing that surprised me is the issues that using a later lorry has...

Sounds strange but we were immediately limited to smaller under body lockers purely due to the additional components that a late lorry has to have to comply with emission legislation. Things such as the bigger exhaust and equivalent converters, and the Adblue tanks robbed us of underbody storage. Courcheval already had to move air tanks and the batteries around the chassis to be able to locate the entry door and the steps....

So the left lockers will hold the generator and fuel tanks, and the right rear will hold the horse shower and tack cleaning ...the awning will also run the full length of the right hand side. So in theory we arrive, tie up on right hand side and then have absolutely everything for the horse to hand, grooming equipment, wash, saddles etc hopefully out of the rain....or so the theory goes!!

Some other great ideas though! Thanks!
 
Ah, that makes sense! Thanks for explaining it.

As others have said I also find we haven't used our shower much mainly due to not having a big enough water tank however the wash room/loo is good for having a basin wash and the basin and showerhead are good for a hair wash. A big fridge is a must and we actually use our oven when away overnight for heating up casseroles etc we have taken with us.

In the horse area hooks for tools, good rug racks and room for feed, haynets and buckets etc are useful. Lockers need to be shelved and big enough to take all the extras like first aid kit, studs, grooming kit, spare tack, boots etc.

The docking lights make a huge difference as does a reversing camera.
 
EventingMum said:
Ah, that makes sense! Thanks for explaining it.

As others have said I also find we haven't used our shower much mainly due to not having a big enough water tank however the wash room/loo is good for having a basin wash and the basin and showerhead are good for a hair wash. A big fridge is a must and we actually use our oven when away overnight for heating up casseroles etc we have taken with us.

In the horse area hooks for tools, good rug racks and room for feed, haynets and buckets etc are useful. Lockers need to be shelved and big enough to take all the extras like first aid kit, studs, grooming kit, spare tack, boots etc.

The docking lights make a huge difference as does a reversing camera.
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Out of interest what size water tank do you have? I was looking at this specifically and trying to understand how big it actually needs to be? Got to design a tank or two to fit around the rear end and was was trying to do the maths...(without success!)

Has anyone any solutions for wheelbarrows?? Can't believe the sh:te my two take away with them and we always seem to end up tying the kitchen sink to the back of our trailer....
 
Farmer Chalk said:
Out of interest what size water tank do you have? I was looking at this specifically and trying to understand how big it actually needs to be? Got to design a tank or two to fit around the rear end and was was trying to do the maths...(without success!)

Has anyone any solutions for wheelbarrows?? Can't believe the sh:te my two take away with them and we always seem to end up tying the kitchen sink to the back of our trailer....
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stick it on the roof?
or a fold down wheel barrow? t
 
We have a collapsible wheelbarrow:
http://www.greenfingers.com/product.asp?dept_id=500583&pf_id=LS6255D
We also have a solar panel on the roof to avoid too much drain on the batteries when we are at an event (mind you we do endurance and a lot of stupid stuff happens in the dark, so the lights get used a lot).
The other really handy thing we have is a small gas fired hot water system for the horses (and, er, people since we are not as smart as you and do not have a human shower built in!).
We carry 240 litres (about 63 gallons) of water and that is JUST enough for drinking water for 4 people and 2 horses plus strapping water for the horses (generally washed/cooled twice each at an 80km ride) from Friday evening through to Saturday afternoon, if that's any help. We wash with a small spray unit powered by an electric pump as that reduces the volume of water required to cool and clean a horse compared to doing it with a bucket and sponge.
If you are carrying water make sure you have enough taps! It's not hard (dear OH has done all ours himself) to chase piping through the body. Our water tanks on the gooseneck are at the front (weight distribution) but we have taps at the back for horse water and washing as well as one on the other side for people.
 
Farmer Chalk said:
...the awning will also run the full length of the right hand side. So in theory we arrive, tie up on right hand side and then have absolutely everything for the horse to hand, grooming equipment, wash, saddles etc hopefully out of the rain....or so the theory goes!!
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I thought that an awning would be nice but it never fails to amaze me how close other lorries park. I always try to leave a reasonable distance between us and the lorry to the left but at the GYS this year the people next to us may have well been hooked on!. They could hardly open their tack lockers so we had no chance of using the right hand side tie ups.

I agree good lighting always helps in dark lanes. I am about to try some Osram Truckstar bulbs in the headlights.


Mark
 
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