Inside your 3.5t van/lorry conversions...

Tiarella

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Hi, I've had my little Renault master van conversion for 3 years now and it's been fabulous. It was made by Marlborough horseboxes so nothing dodgy! I am having the floor re done and made to look a bit nicer all over but reading so many awful stories about horse getting stuck over the breast bar I'd like to see what you have all done to yours to make them safer. It's always been fine as so far travelled very quiet steady 14.2's but I am now looking for a slightly bigger horse and want to travel them as safe as possible.

Thanks :)
 
I recently got a new (to me) Renault master coach built. The groom area is separated from the horse area by a solid bulkhead which seems like a really good idea. If you do have this done though remember to get it weighed again as it will affect your payload.
 
To stop them getting over the breast bar you could have it converted so that the jockey area is completely blocked off like this:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?560888-Designing-the-perfect-3-5-ton-Horsebox! (scroll down and there are some photos of someone's 3.5 conversion)

Also, if you're travelling two ponies in a 3.5, surely that is over the maximum weight?

Thanks for the link.

I didn't say I travelled them together? I had the horses at separate times but both happens to be 14.2.
 
I'm looking at getting one coach built to my spec, have discussed with 2 companies and am now looking for the right used van to use as the base.
Both have given me the option to include a solid breast bar from floor to chest level with an emergency exit door set in that gives the option for use for a grooms door or to get the horse out of the back if there's an issue with the ramp. They will also put anti weave grills onto the breast bar to prevent the horse rearing or climbing over.
 
Ive got an old Renault van conversion and our horse attempted to go over the breastbar (luckily she didn't manage it!). My husband made a shelf from the breast bar going into the groom area, and then a wall going up towards the roof. Does that make sense? So horse now has a wall facing her and the groom area is a bit smaller (but cleaner as its no longer covered in hay!). It was going to be a cheap temporary fix, just to see if horse was ok with it, but a year on and it's still doing the job so no reason to change it.
 
I'm having a barrier fitted to my box at the moment. I've taken it to Racemaster horseboxes as they built it originally. They had several types that I could choose from. Will post pics when I collect it :)
 
Picked it up this afternoon. Pictures as promised. It's very solid :) Recommend Racemaster to deal with if you are in their neck of the woods, they are a super team, very efficient.

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