I have wondered why horse vans (or horse boxes) like this one: http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=298293 are not more popular, especially down around my neck of the woods (Texas).

I always thought they were kind of a neat idea.

Looking forward to some answers.

Thanks!

They are used quite a lot in the TB industry.......they are generally a commercial rig, and the DOT sure see them as such.  They generally don't get a lot of MPG, but commercial hauling allows for that in the pricing.  A lot of folks that are not the best with loading horses don't need to try these, as there is a learning curve to loading in one.  If we were still hauling commercially I would not mind having one, (we worked a lot of hauling at TB sales) but they might not be my personal rig of choice....for our own recreational use we like being able to unhook and leave camp set up if we need to run to town.  One other thing, if the engine breaks down, no one can come hook up to the trailer and haul your load on to the desination or even a nearby farm.....a truck trailer has to come save you in that circumstance.

Good point!

DON'T LAUGH, but he told me that the vans are top heavy and have a high center of gravity and are hard to handle in the wind.

I have always liked the little horse vans and have tried to convince hubby they are good, he says, if they are so good, how come no one else around here has one!

Well, I don't have an answer to that, this is why I posed my initial question.

under 26 k gvw no you dont so anything under prolly a 4 horse you would not anything over 26 k would require a class B straight/dump truck 

I believe the main reason is that they are a single purpose vehicle. They are only used for what they are designed to do, haul horses. They are expensive to purchase and own. If you made a living transporting horses, they probably would be ideal.

However, for most horse owners, their horses are a hobby. The pick up vehicles used to move them are multi purpose, and often function both as daily transportation and work related duties. These trucks can be detached from a trailer at a camp gound and used to run errands and sight see the area. You can have multiple trailers of different purposes and pull them all with the same vehicle. Compared to the vans, most pick ups get better mileage, have better performance on hills, and have shorter wheel bases making parking much easier. Most pickup rigs can be driven with the same license the opperator has for his automobiles.

One of our members a year or so ago, bought a used van that she was going to restore. It would be interesting to see what her ownership has been like, and how well the project has progressed. I don't remember who posted her questions about the rebuilding maintenance issues, of an older van. I believe her questions were posted over a year ago, so they won't be able to found in a "search".

I own one of these vans - the 6-8 horse version.  I do NOT need a CDL to drive it.  One of the main reasons that you don't see too many of these is because most of them were not properly maintained and have become rust buckets.  I toured the DiBella facility in PA and saw dozens of them just rusting into the ground.  The new models are priced well over $100K.  The van I purchased was well maintained and only has minimal rust.  The best part is that it starts EVERY time!!

They are easy to drive and make hauling horses much easier - no hooking up the trailer.  They are not bad in the wind - no different than any other large truck.  They feel very stable when you are driving them.  In addition, my insurance is only $100 (one hundred!) per year. The gas mileage is not much different than my dually.   I did not have any trouble getting horses to load.  They have lots of head room (8') and can be easily configured for 3 across, 2 across or a large box stall.

I would not call them a single purpose vehicle - they are great for hauling hay (and not worrying about getting rained on) can be used as a moving van, storage van, delivery van etc.  Unfortunately, because my situation has changed drastically over the past year, I plan on selling it in the spring.

Take notice Paul... That's Virginia she's talkin' bout!!!! After a farm truck reaches a certain age, they'll flip the plates over backwards and write FARM TRUCK on them. I wouldn't be surprised if those vehicles have any insurance on them...!!

just to be clear it is only a horse van no LQ or sleeping area to add weight to it so no CDL right?

I have to admit, based on the responses to my post, I regret saying anything.

PaulChristenson - of course it includes medical coverage.  No, I do not have replacement insurance - but I don't have replacement insurance on anything but my house.  It has exactly the same medical coverage as all of my other vehicles - which is quite high I might add.  And NO I am not risking my properties to save a few pennies on insurance.  Do not make such stupid ASSumptions.

No retento - I did NOT flip the damn plates and write FARM TRUCK on them - that would be irresponsible.

Yes, I pay $100 a year to insure this truck.    That is what my insurance company wants and they know exactly what kind of vehicle it is. I have an excellent driving history. Deal with it.

Towman1 - no it does not have an LQ area.  But if it did, it would still be under the limit to have a CDL in Virginia.  I can carry up to 8 horses and be under the limit or I can convert the front to LQ, carry only 3 horses and still be legal.

Hey pinkmouse... What gives...? Bad day?

I am sorry - I do not feel comfortable discussing the specifics of my insurance policy on these public boards.  All I am going to say is that my insurance coverage is proper for what I own and I am not taking shortcuts to save a few pennies.  (I also have US Rider on top of my other coverage.)

I was surprised by how little it cost from my regular insurance company as well.

If I bought one it would be a 2/3 horse model.