Travelling advice in VW LT35

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yellowdun

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I've just bought one of these 3.5 ton lorries. Its a good solid box, side ramp and rare in that it was coachbuilt for a 17hh horse. It has a double axkle at the rear. I will only travel a 15hh native in it so there is lots of head room and 6 windows, so nice and light. He doesnt like loading- we are doing lots of practice, but I need some practical advice re the partition, breast bar and travelling (when we finally get to that bit:D).

He will load most times now but panics when his bumb knocks against the partition. I'm thinking of taking the partition out- do you think it is safe to travel in a box by just cross tying him? I know lots of people with trailers do this.

I also want to guard against him trying to get over the breast bar area. Its pretty solid-- been built well, and comes with a slot in steel panel so it can be 4.6'' or even higher for a horse. I'm wondering if I should keep the higher panel in to guard against him getting over (assume it was designed for the large horse), or if this might be restrictive for his neck given his lack of height:). Alternatively I wondered if I should put tie up rings at the back of the box and as the partition wont be in, he can face a solid wall at the back with a nice thick steel area to rest his backside on. I suppose the other option is to put weave bars up. There is a tiny area in front of the breast bar/panel to stand in and reach the luton before a cut through to the cab (cut through has sliding doors so the horse cant see the driver or passenger.

I'm interested in what others may have done given this type of box.
 
My friend had a 3.5 tonne lorry and she took the parition out, her 16.hh travelled so much better. My horse always travels on her own, and what has really made her a confident loader/traveller is that she can see me when travelling. My lorry has a 'stable door', from the horse bit to the living with a walkthro to the cab. With the top half of the door fastened back, my horse can see me when travelling and it really made a massive difference. Good luck with your lorry, sounds like you will have lots of fun!
 
I have just bought a 3.5t which WRC are refurbing and i am planning no partition. It has a rear ramp and is not wide enough to travel my 16.2 Herringbone. So he will travel diagonally with a solid partition at the front instead of a breast bar. I know alot of peeps do this with trailers and their horses travel great ;-)

I had an lt35 a few years back. Great box. Only reason i sold it was because it was petrol and gutsy on the go go juice! Keep it well maintained as previously mentioned and u will be fine ;-)
 
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