Must have features for a 3.5 t conversion?

Borderreiver

Borderreiver

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 March 2010
Messages
590
Location
Northumberland
Visit site
What do you think are essential features in a 3.5 ton conversion box?

There are so many things to think about at an early stage. I'm getting one made to carry a pony plus carriage so a bit different to many. It would also carry two ponies without the carriage. No living obviously and this keeps the weight down.

A lot of maths goes into the measure up and the payload calculations, but it's the small things I need to know about from anyone who had already been down this road. Thank you.
 
Last edited:
Tie rings inside and out, safety breast bar ideally (if not then a grooms door), internal lights if you'll be loading or tacking up in the dark, LOADS of ventilation including a fan if poss as 3.5s can be like ovens, saddle and bridle hooks, reversing beeper and a camera if the budget will
stretch and I love my internal camera but that's a luxury.

I've recently added one of the round black roof fans you see on police dog vans to the roof to keep the air moving while it's parked up as I was having problems with condensation.
 
And I prefer a split ramp that goes top and bottom rather than stable door style because it helps keep the rain out when the ramp is down - I tack up under cover on bad weather days and only emerge to mount up.
 
I've thought some more!

- some method of stopping your stuff (buckets, grooming kit etc.) sliding around in the back. It could be a simple as hooks for bungee ropes or a proper cupboard or locker(s). Some are upholstered on top to double as somewhere to sit

- some way of storing stuff in the luton, e.g. a lip, net or cupboard arrangement (which if you don't mind a little overhang could also double as somewhere to store your spare wheel if it doesn't have a home, but get it well strapped in if that's the case)

- haynet rings

- I have a small window (oval porthole with slidey safety glass) quite high up in the bulkhead so I can hear what he's doing in the back and if I'm traveling a nervous horse they can hear me. It's covered with a flat grill on the horse side for extra safety.

- if you'll mainly just be traveling one your divider could be half height to save weight but perhaps the carriage adds complications here?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top