Horse box as a bike trailer?

[DaveW_42]

Hey all,

After a bit of advice or opinions on using a horse box as a bike trailer.

I'm looking at getting rid of the trusty van, mainly due to difficulty finding somewhere to park it and the expensive insurance, tax, MOT and servicing for a van that is now rarely used.
Since I became a dad last year, I've not raced at all but am looking to get back into it. I've now started getting some grief about where the van's parked and am not looking forward to paying out insurance, etc for the full year, so, it has to go.
Now... I don't have a driveway or allocated parking, but I could store a horse box trailer at the bottom of my garden quite happily so no issues with storage, I also wouldn't have to tax, ins and MOT it so no outlay there either.

I'm going to be running both a wet and dry bike so the horse box trailer would have to be big enough for 2 bikes plus all the kit, awning, genny, fuel, etc. and I'd kip in the back of it too.

Question really is, does anyone use one already? Any probs with it? Is it big enough? How do they tow? Are they sealed or are there loads of open grates that allow air flow for the horses that would just make me freezing cold at night!? Can you buy them ready converted? Any reccomendations on the type of horsebox? (atm I'm looking at either a Richardson Supreme or an Ifor Williams 510).

Any help?
Cheers,
D

[sv4me]

I thought about it as my step mum has a horse trailer just sitting around doing nothing. What put me off was it was a too much of a squeeze getting 2 bikes in and would have required removing the internal dividers. We've got a Mitsi L200 Warrior pickup that I use to go trackdays and its shocking on fuel consumption (even more so when towing) so that was the clincher and also ruled out getting a box trailer. I went for a brenderup unitransporter in the end,piece of **** to use. What I spend on accomodation i'd probably only be spending on fuel if I was towing a big ass trailer unit I could sleep in

Coldness wise, take plenty of hay

My mum keeps horses and I have used the horse box before to pick up bikes, but not regularly. could definitely get 2 bikes genny etc. in the back of the one my mum has but dont think you would be able to kip in it as well with all the stuff in. They come in all shapes and sizes, my Mums one is about the same size as that Ifor Williams 510 looking at the pics on google. The door/ramp doesnt form a particularly tight seal so imagine it would be a bit chilly at night and you would want to add some insulation/draught excluders in that area but dont think generally they have that many openings/grates. Not sure how much work they would need to 'convert' just a few fixing points to keep the bikes tied down.

As I say this is only my experience from going to pick bikes up or move them about occasionally, but im sure someone will have used one to go racing.
HTH
Ben

Originally Posted by sv4me

What put me off was it was a too much of a squeeze getting 2 bikes in and would have required removing the internal dividers.

Just to add that I also had to remove the internal dividers in my mums horse box when using it for bikes, but they were designed to be removed so wasnt much hassle. Would be helpful if I new the make/model I suppose but all I know is its big old and blue

[sv4me]

Ah you see, my knowledge runs a bit deeper I know ours is big, old, blue, has seized brakes and stinks of horse **** plus the ramp doesnt go all the way to the roof. Not exactly the Ritz!

[DaveW_42]

good stuff guys. I'm still a bit worried about whether or not I could fit 2 bikes in it but looking at the dimensions, there'd be about 30cm or so of clearence on a standard size horsebox without the central divdider thing. I wouldn't kip in it with all the kit in it, first thing I do when I get to the track is chuck the awning up and unload everything but I'd be looking to build some sort of fold out beds or something in it.
Anyone actually used one for racing?

see the other thread
ps you could live in my oscar charlies one easily
and ive got one word for you
hamock

[yorkie_chris]

If you get a hammock you are contractually obliged to come to some NEMCRC meets so we can giggle in the manner of drunken feckwits while listening to you swearing as you bounce off the deck repeatedly

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

If you get a hammock you are contractually obliged to come to some NEMCRC meets so we can giggle in the manner of drunken feckwits while listening to you swearing as you bounce off the deck repeatedly

shuuuuush you fool

Originally Posted by DaveWalker

Anyone actually used one for racing?

Would imagine they would a bit of a handful in corners, but eh, whatever floats your boat