Horsebox Conversion

[D4n1el]

I'm looking to get a horsebox for transporting my horses to shows. Looking at some of the sites for ready made ones has shocked me at the prices (£8k upwards for a basic!!) so I've decided to have a go at some DIY. My brother is a carpenter so the woodwork side of it will be fine I just need to get some tips from people who've done this successfully!

I was looking at spending around £2k on a van, short or long wheelbase.
I then need a re-spray
The horsebox will be used for transporting miniature horses (depending on the wheelbase will determine how many partitions I need, I own 4 horses in total ranging in size from 28" high to 34" high) I'd also like some storage space for equipment.

Many thanks
Daniel

[DMTL]

Daniel, if you are considering making a horse box, then I would recommend a Luton, it's not as easy or as cheap as you think to convert on a DIY basis. I seriously suggest you look at as many conversions as possible and take photos for reference, my ate supplies vehicles to the horse box trade for conversions, but these are usually Iveco Cargos as they have sleeper cabs etc.
Carpentry skills will only play a small part in the conversion, engineering is the skill you will require mate, spring assisted ramps etc.
Don't forget, if you tip up in a Tranny van full of horses and it looks like a tranny van, the RSPCA will have a field day with you, and I recon VOSA may have something to say mate.

That's my bit mate, just trying to help.

[bigjohnthomas]

28 -34 inches that's dane size
A basic m6 lwb hi roof would give you loads of room for those little chaps and have plenty left to hang your tweed up in

[bigjohnthomas]

Although if you don't need to stand up it a low or med roof or mwb depends how long horses are
Twin side loading doors would be good you can have 4 separate bits with thier own door then and a good diff if your traveling to shows
Ones dogs are as big as your horses and I get 4 in comfy for long trips in a swb Lo roof mot much room left for tweed though


Mwb m roof I rekon you can have above horse storage

[priesty]

proper conversions cost a bomb to do properly best go fo some thing basic if doing a diy the father in law has had horse box company for years but thay all want vauxhall monovers etc when it comes to 3 1/2 ton vans not transits he cutts the back right off the vans and coach builds the bodys but some companys are just takeing the sld off and putting the ramp there a few windows in etc job done

[duvet]

luton gives you the over cab bit for sleeping/storage..... and a tail lift to get them in and out?

not sure you can racket strap horses down but other wise aren't you just making a race van of sorts?

[FredTransit]

Ironically I did the reverse. I reverted a horse box to a luton! She was pro converted early in life (Mk1) and our reversion involved removing the partition and THREE extra floors (2 thin steel and plywood) before getting to the luton box's plank floor!! We kept the ramp door as replacing it with the preferred roller shutter due to cost. Just goes to show how much reinforcing is needed! Most was rotten too, horse wee is pretty corrosive stuff

[bigjohnthomas]

It's a horse box but not as we know it dudes the little fellows are only dwafs they would get lost in a luton

[bigjohnthomas]

Go missing in a medium wheel base

[FredTransit]

yeah I know but my main point is protecting rhe floor. Putting some little critters that leak corrosive stuff in a van that rusts at an epic rate might not be the best idea!!

[bigjohnthomas]

what do they use to deice runways with I thought that was piss as is dosnt rot the alloy hairyplanes so much
Are they not house trained ?

[FredTransit]

Horses?I doubt it! The ones that had been in my van werent. Was 30 years worth though

[bigjohnthomas]

can't be as bad as the stink in my van atm a standard poodle just moved his bowels on the table

[bigjohnthomas]

To put it in to perspective the horses are 28 -34 inches and this young man is 37 inch at the sholders

Have you thought about converting a smart car or a Renault twizzi

[FredTransit]

:lol: can't be as bad as the stink in my van atm a standard poodle just moved his bowels on the table

OMG WHY? Was it some kind of statement??