Horsebox build.....our story!

This brings back so many memories! We had our lorry built about a year ago (by tristar). The trips back and forth measuring floor levels, underfloor storage and bunk above shower etc and changing our mind so many times sounds so familiar - we too said I bet they can't wait to see the back of us!!
Great colour choice, same as ours (https://m.facebook.com/jpshowjumpin...1457705491./807861395960476/?type=3&source=42), looks really striking with the bonded Windows. One thing for you to look forward to is cleaning off lots of dead bugs in the summer!
Ours is probably a little bit smaller at 7.5. How many is yours partitioned for?
 
It's going to be interesting what works and what doesn't... For for the sake of the forum I will gladly keep everyone posted... It was always part of the appeal in writing the blog as I had always wondered what was needed and what wasn't!

Driving it after such a long time was also informative...the biggest frustration being a 12 tonner is the speed limiter! Constantly jockeying for position with the other lorries all with the same limiter sussing out those that were laden and those not and when to make the move to overtake on the hills!

Now in for paint...visited it yesterday and the cab was all prepped with all the dings and scratches filled ready for its coat of white paint... Starting to get excited....

It will go back to Courcheval for final fit out hopefully at the end of the month, for things like the saddle racks, lighting, kick plates dividers to be fitted etc... The cab area will then be finished with the new upholstery fitted to the original seats... The hgv sat nav systems together with the horse area and rear camera systems will be fitted to the dash together with the new all important height stickers so we don't rip the top off under low bridges!!

It will be stalled for 2/3 horses.. Although normally just used to take our nutty Irish sport horse to a variety of events..


It's strange being so close to the culmination of the project...

We will do a series of photos in its final glory and a couple of running reports.. Thanks to all again! :)
 
Jvp_sj said:
This brings back so many memories! We had our lorry built about a year ago (by tristar). The trips back and forth measuring floor levels, underfloor storage and bunk above shower etc and changing our mind so many times sounds so familiar - we too said I bet they can't wait to see the back of us!!
Great colour choice, same as ours (https://m.facebook.com/jpshowjumpin...1457705491./807861395960476/?type=3&source=42), looks really striking with the bonded Windows. One thing for you to look forward to is cleaning off lots of dead bugs in the summer!
Ours is probably a little bit smaller at 7.5. How many is yours partitioned for?
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Looks great! How could you be so cruel...dropping the comment 'bunk above shower'...this time in my build.... :(:(. :D:D

Very jealous and having seen those lorries that have split floor levels they utilise space so well...it is a clever use by dropping the shower toilet area at the side of the chassis allows the additional bunk area above...
Would loved to have done similar but the Mercedes chassis has so much hanging off it we couldn't ....
I hope the forum has made people think exactly what they want from a lorry and how with careful planning you can design most things in and don't just accept what the horsebox manufacturers will sell you as standard fare...
A good Coachbuilder will work with you and help design those features you want....they will also advise you what you can have working with the constraints of the chassis.
It will always be a compromise primarily with the chassis you choose, the essential thing being the length of chassis and rear axle location which determines the payload or horse area dimensions you can have.... ( the weight can't be hung out too far aft of the axle). This is the main reason the Daf chassis is used so much..long wheelbase short tail...
Enjoy your box and I'm sure we'll see each other on the motorway network somewhere in the country! :):)
 
ROG said:
It would be nice to have it all in a few posts rather than spread out amongst this thread
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Sorry ROG..... But that's been the point...following the build as its gone along and everyone helping out with ideas...

Precis for you.. Bought lorry, taught wife to drive, de bodied lorry, took to Coachbuilders, asked for lots of ideas from people on here who owned horsebox, searched eBay, built lorry, painted it...finished... ta da! :)

Thanks everyone else for your patience with me! Must try harder....:(
 
Jvp_sj said:
This brings back so many memories! We had our lorry built about a year ago (by tristar). The trips back and forth measuring floor levels, underfloor storage and bunk above shower etc and changing our mind so many times sounds so familiar - we too said I bet they can't wait to see the back of us!!
Great colour choice, same as ours (https://m.facebook.com/jpshowjumpin...1457705491./807861395960476/?type=3&source=42), looks really striking with the bonded Windows. One thing for you to look forward to is cleaning off lots of dead bugs in the summer!
Ours is probably a little bit smaller at 7.5. How many is yours partitioned for?
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Jasmine looks stunning....hope mine looks as good as that.....only one more sleep......:)
 
ROG said:
It would be nice to have it all in a few posts rather than spread out amongst this thread
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ROG I totally disagree, I for one have enjoyed this thread, long as it is, I will never be able to afford lorry like this (unless I win the lottery) - and long may this thread continue. I look forward to hearing of it's journeys and outings and whether the suggestions worked out.
 
Only just seen your reply!
Cant wait to see the final result, it's been an interesting thread to follow, wish I'd seen it to contribute sooner!
I'm pretty clueless with the whole mechanical side of it, we'd just had a lot of people recommend daf and our main criteria was the different levels and bunk over shower - a serious amount of trips back and forth measuring to see if it was doable in a 7.5t though!
Indeed, sure we'll give you a wave on a motorway at some point!
 
Clannad48 said:
Farmer Chalk, so you picked it up this morning - where are the photo's pretty please :) :) :)
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Phew... Spent the day on it! Still lots to do....

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Horse area needs to be finished, aircon needs to be finally plumbed in, battery chargers for the leisure batteries and the lorry batteries fitted, gas systems need to be connected, lorry seats and lorry sat nav and cameras fitted etc. etc...

I think probably two weeks work for final snagging....


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Absolutely gorgeous - 'well jel' says my daughter. Can't wait for the full reveal when it is all finished.

I agree with meesha - surely you aren't seriously thinking of putting mucky horses and people in there :) :)
 
Looks fantastic and I've really enjoyed this thread. I'm about to order a smaller lorry, currently debating between 3.5t so others can drive when I'm not well vs 5.5t which could then take both horses and have room for decent seating/seperate living so I can have a rest. Either way we will probably get one built to suit my specific needs so this has been very useful.
Would love to see your lorry with a Farmer Chalk decal so we know who you are when you are out and about ;0)
 
Thanks everyone for your lovely comments....goodness knows what I'm going to do with my spare time when this is finished....:):):)

She's not quite ready yet.... You'll be pleased to know that late last night I was still on EBay ordering more sh:te.... This time it was heavy tarpaulin material (in bright green) in order to make some protective side pads to stop the hay net rash....

Re the colour scheme..... Trust me...if the stars align the colour scheme will definately be noticeable.... Daughter did a stunning pitch to a brilliant company a couple of weeks ago.... So if it all comes off you would recognise the lorry from 3 miles away!!
Fingers crossed.......

If not how about the alternatives.....??
I used to love the Daktari zebra striped Land Rovers?

Or keeping with the Farmer theme how about some Freisian spots....


Or I'm happy with ROG's idea....Anyone know Banksy?? Well up for him using it as a blank canvas..... It would do wonders when it came to sell!! :D:D:D
 
Clannad48 said:
Absolutely gorgeous - 'well jel' says my daughter. Can't wait for the full reveal when it is all finished.

I agree with meesha - surely you aren't seriously thinking of putting mucky horses and people in there :) :)
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Clannad and Meesha....don't you worry.... There's a power shower for the horse...he won't be going near the tailboard without his feet being washed!....

I think I'm going to struggle somewhat using the Karcher on the girls though....it won't be long before they try growing potatoes on the kitchen floor...

You'll recognise our lorry at the event as I'll be the one with the pink pinny and my feather duster chasing around after them.....
Alternatively I'd have given up and probably be smashed surrounded by lots of empty Babycham bottles....( Ooooh can hear a few memories stirring there ladies...)

Can you still buy Liebfrauchmilch? I'll have some bottles of Black Tower on tap in case of emergency.....( whistfully reminiscing about all the good nights on that...) I know how to have a good night ladies!!

:D:D:D
 
:):)
Thanks LeannePip...very kind...hopefully will look even better with some lovely corporate logos down the side....

So if any of you are associated with Mumm Champagne.... Bollinger.... Pimms...... Or indeed any other nice drinks company Etc and you want a mobile customer satisfaction tasting venue then I'm your man and I have a number of ready customers ready to sample your goods...

Will travel everywhere..... ,

Even consider Black Tower but not Lambrini.... I do have certain standards to keep....


Lovely logos down the side... More than happy! At a push would consider Sunseeker, Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley or Rolex......

Or maybe Lidl......


We are based in deepest darkest Kent but hope to travel overseas this year... Hopefully Isle of Grain, Sheppey or even Essex....

In all seriousness we hope to get out in Southern England mainly but the little one has done me proud and qualified for the Nationals so hopefully see you all soon....

Give us a toot...! And company reps from the named brands are most welcome as there are lots of forum members ready to taste your goods! There that should do it! :)
 
Been away this week with work thus not much movement over the last few days....
Have spent the day trying to finish the cab area...with the cut through cab, every panel from the roof lining down to the floor has to be removed whilst a large hole is cut out of the rear panel....

Now trying to refit all the panels with the new 'window frame' inserted...

The other thing I've been doing is trying to fit the new matching leather seat hides to the original front cab seats.... So had to strip the seat squabs and using brute force and more brute force try to stretch the new leather over the frames...tonight got bruised thumbs and cut fingers but almost there...
;)
Very pleased how they turned out...was trying to replicate the leathers in an old Range Rover that I own and am very pleased with how they have turned out

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Large snagging list now created ..... If I can do something each day then I feel relaxed...
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Fantastic, that's a great job. As you have put so much time and effort into getting this exactly how you wanted, plus it means so much now, get a Tracker fitted to it.

If it does get get nicked, at least you have got a very good chance of getting it back.
 
Sorry yesterday's photo was pretty poor due to the lighting...spent another day on it today, servicing the generator, filling it with oil ready for its first start...
Fitting the bathroom out, various towel hooks etc ...my excitement today was fitting the most important thing in the lorry ..... The loo roll holder...!

Finalised the front cab fit out with the drivers seat finally fitted and connected to the air circuit...

Fitted the lorry specific sat nav so we don't drive down lanes too small for its size...very clever when I tested it... You programme in the dimensions, weight and overall size of the lorry and it chooses very specific routes that the lorry will fit down..

Anyway here is a better shot of the cab area...

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