Toy Hauler to Horse Trailer Conversion

[Guilherme]

Just mucking about I found this: http://www.stableboykit.com/main/default

Started me thinking about using a RV Toyhauler as opposed to a dedicated horse trailer. The cargo/garage capacity of many RVs runs in the 3500-4000 pound range, meaning a two horse setup is possible. It requires a minimum 12’ garage space to work.

Not being an engineer I don’t know if this would work out or not. Right off hand if the decking is strong enough and the structure is strong enough, why not? Serious question, this.

Most of these “blow away” anything but the highest end horse trailers in terms of space and human conveniences but for considerably less money.

To see some examples go to rvtrader.com and look for “toy haulers.”

G.

[clanter]

The full kit sells for $8682.

Interesting concept but I believe I would have priced it at $8783 as it looks more friendly …when I was in college back in the dark ages I did an informal study on pricing and how people perceive numbers … 2s and 9s were not liked where as 3s and 7s were

[soloudinhere]

@Guilherme

Just mucking about I found this: http://www.stableboykit.com/main/default

Started me thinking about using a RV Toyhauler as opposed to a dedicated horse trailer. The cargo/garage capacity of many RVs runs in the 3500-4000 pound range, meaning a two horse setup is possible. It requires a minimum 12’ garage space to work.

Not being an engineer I don’t know if this would work out or not. Right off hand if the decking is strong enough and the structure is strong enough, why not? Serious question, this.

Most of these “blow away” anything but the highest end horse trailers in terms of space and human conveniences but for considerably less money.

To see some examples go to rvtrader.com and look for “toy haulers.”

G.

I think Mr. Truck did a review on this. My concern was having enough ventilation for the horses but otherwise it looks like basically the same infrastructure as the pallets used to load horses on planes.

[ThreeFigs]

What a great idea! I suppose ventilation for the horse could be added, yes?

For Para-riders who need motorized wheelchairs and the like, this is awesome.

[DunByMistake]

A while ago on Horse Trailer World, there was someone selling an RV with toy hauler space they had converted to horse stalls. I thought it was a really cool idea. Still out of my price range but definitely cheaper than if you were to buy a horse trailer with comparable living quarters. I think they were asking $50k for a trailer that was top of the line. All leather furniture, a kitchen island, I think it even had a fireplace. Even used for a comparable horse trailer, you’d be looking at double that.

[Guilherme]

They are certainly not a “cheap” alternative but looked like a reasonable alternative. One big advantage is that if a person decides to leave the equine world you can remove a temporary stall set up easily, clean up the garage, and then sell to a MUCH wider universe of potential buyers. My concern was structural integrity but all the reading I’ve been able to do that addresses the issue (and there isn’t much) doesn’t seem to think it’s important.

Seems to be something worth exploring.

G.

[DiamondJubilee]

My husband and I were talking about this the other day. We saw the same link!

The one big issue I had about it was - have you ever seen a RV trailer in an accident? Have you seen a horse trailer in an accident? I have seen both and they look quite different…RV’s “blow” apart. Walls built with 2" x 2"'s. I can tell you I wouldn’t want my horses in there. The walls and structure of a horse trailer is a lot different - they are also meant for live loads, where a toy hauler is not.

My in laws have a very large toy hauler with a 12’ garage and we have thought about this as horse trailers with LQ cost so much more $$. I just wouldn’t feel safe hauling my horses in the back of one, even with this product. I would rather spend the extra $ on a horse trailer just for peace of mind.

We are having a custom built horse trailer right now for us with LQ, but the back of our trailer will have 28’ of open space. If were were to ever sell it, it could be sold as a toy hauler type of trailer. Cars, dirt bikes, 4 wheelers etc could easily go in the back, and of course our horses can as well.

[cutter99]

This has been discussed at length on Horse Trailer World. Toy haulers, like RVs, are not built like horse trailers. Look at roll over pictures of a toy hauler or RV, and you’ll see what I am talking about. They are also not designed for live loads, even with the aftermarket conversion you can buy.

http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/upd…cc4c03286.html

http://k2radio.com/wyoming-school-bu…arate-crashes/

You and your horse’s safety is only as important as you think it is. It is very important to me, which is why I pull what I pull.

[cherham]

Hey we sold our lovely 3 horse slant trailer with a small LQ to a man and his daughter and they use it to haul their big motorcross bikes across the country to compete. They LOVED how it handled the weight of the motorcycles, all their gear etc. and the bikes fit just perfectly into those extra sized warmblood slant stalls. They also looked at “toy haulers” and were not impressed at all. Just flimsy design and no stability…we got a VERY good price to sell. I think this might be an idea catching on.

[StormyDay]

RVs are basically made out of styrofoam Which makes them easy to patch when you back into a rock (ask me how I know) but very flimsy. The part where people sit to drive is usually reinforced but everything else is super flimsy. I know there are some manufacturers who reinforce the whole RV but it is really quite cost prohibitive.
It would probably be cheaper and safer to buy a Uhaul or the like and reinforce the box, divide it, and put in LQ and stalls. Or just buy a used horse box.

[kathy_s]

@DiamondJubilee

My husband and I were talking about this the other day. We saw the same link!

The one big issue I had about it was - have you ever seen a RV trailer in an accident? Have you seen a horse trailer in an accident? I have seen both and they look quite different…RV’s “blow” apart. Walls built with 2" x 2"'s. I can tell you I wouldn’t want my horses in there. The walls and structure of a horse trailer is a lot different - they are also meant for live loads, where a toy hauler is not.

THIS ^^^^^^^

ETA: the hitch on an RV is not built to handle a “live load.”

[akdraft77]

Its an awesome idea, in theory, but as others have pointed out, construction and tolerance differences make it dangerous. Not just getting in a wreck, but even for horses that paw, don’t trailer well, or go down in the trailer.

I have a well made RV trailer. No way in H-E-Double Hockey Sticks would I ever put my horse in there.

There is a reason for the huge cost difference.

[clanter]

our horses would have wanted access to the big screen TV…and the remote contol

[Sarah315]

We saw a Jayco fifth wheel with the Stable Boy conversion at a horse camp last year. I was intrigued, so went to the dealer we bought our fifth wheel from get us the brochure. I took one look and said no way! The kit sits over top of the standard diamond plate rubber flooring of the “garage” in the toy hauler. The first time a horse pees in there you are going to have it leaking somewhere it shouldn’t, and soaking into the cardboard-like wall paneling. And I can’t imagine how uncomfortable the ride would be for the horse. In our aluminum LQ horse trailer, I can leave glass of water on the counter and it will still be full and upright when we get there. In our fifth wheel, the clothes fall off the rod in the closet because it’s so bumpy back there.

[Denali6298]

My chief has an RV that has space for his motorcycles in the back. He said the company he bought his RV from did a horse box option as well.

[Hopeless]

@clanter

our horses would have wanted access to the big screen TV…and the remote contol

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[demidq]

I have seen a cube van converted to a horse box, very nice but it was too high for a step up, ramp seemed too short so steep. I can see the potential for this, tho, and would prefer this to an RV trailer.

[Guilherme]

@demidq

I have seen a cube van converted to a horse box, very nice but it was too high for a step up, ramp seemed too short so steep. I can see the potential for this, tho, and would prefer this to an RV trailer.

Great minds run in similar trucks!!! I’ve thought of this often. If you Google “expediter trucks” (sometimes called “hot shot” trucks) you’ll find quite a range of vehicles. They often have a very nice sleeper that, with a bit of work, could make an adequate LQ base and if the box is big enough you can extend some into the box. They are certainly more robust than toy hauler. The ramps do tend to be short (or non-existent) but I think you could have one made that would be safe and functional. Pull a “toad” and you’re in business!!!

Seems the consensus is that this might not be a good idea unless you have an extremely robust unit and such might just erase the cost advantage that was at least in part a motivation to explore this route.

I guess we just have to say that this was not a failed experiment, just an opportunity to get more data!!!

G.

P.S. Not all spelling deviations are errors.

[AKB]

My daughter has a friend who has ordered a toy hauler with two stalls from Sundowner. It sounds like a great setup.