First and foremost thank you for your time.  I have been researching starting a business that will provide complete finish interiors in horse trailers.  We live in Eastern, MO about 45 min. so. of St. Louis and I feel that there could be a real need in this area to provide this type of service.  However, before I would invest a lot of time and money in a project like this I am trying to do some research.

1) Based on current Living Quarter construction, most of the cabinetry is constructed of particle board.  If the cabinetry were constructed of a product like Finland Birch, a much stronger (laminated plywood) product be available and would last much longer, along with commercial hardware, would the end user of the trailer consider the cost and life span increase over the product that is currently being used? 

2) In numerous cases it seems to me that most owners do not "remodel" the trailer to meet their current needs.  They seem to want to upgrade to a newer model.  Have you ever considered a remodel to your current trailer to include all of the bells and whistles you are looking for?  I understand that you may need more room or are wanting to go to a Alum. trailer from a steel trailer. In this same idea do you ever contact a person to perform repairs or is this more of a self perform type of project?

3)When you decide to have the Living Quarters built, is it after a design that you would like to see, or is it from a cookie cutter type of design?

4) What do you look for during the design phase?  Items like Solid Surface tops, Hardwood Cabinetry, Sound Insulation, Types of floors?

Our experiance is from a current business that installs and provides custom casework/millwork items in the Commercial Construction Industry.  We have worked on projects ranging from Hospitals, Doctors/Lawyers offices to Retail outlets and seems like everything in between.  I am looking at this type of business because it is very interesting to me and my wife & I like horses.

I would appreciate any comments that you may have from private owners to trailer dealers & manufacturers on these subject questions.  For any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Thank you.

First off, good luck with your adventure!  I am just about done with my project of finishing off my living quarters.  We contacted a LQ finisher, but the main discouragement was cost.  We have saved over $1500 even before we put furniture and tables into it!!  From the research I did before I started my my own trailer, I would say that most people use particle board to keep the weight down and allow for a little flex.  I also found that most of my trailer was not straight nor square, so building a beautiful cabinet outside of the trailer is not an option.  Everything needs to be done inside and it just seems like the cheaper materials allow for a little more "creativity" with mistakes!!

Most important to me was the insulation.  I am in Minnesota, it is VERY important!!!! As for design, I am not fond of the "cookie cutters".  I like that everything is just where I want it, not comprimising because that was a layout available.  And I think we don't remodel because it is far more fun to go shopping than to be out a trailer for a few weeks.   I know I have enjoyed every step up I have taken and look forward to the next one, even though my blood sweat and tears are in this trailer!!!

Good Luck!

I have had discussions with the RVIA on certifications for interior finishes.  In fact we are currently reviewing the application and all associated costs.  I agree that if a company is going to sell a service that company should offer the best service with the best pricing.  However, there are times that a company have fixed rates that have to be met to make a profit.  That is where our company will not sacrifice quality for costs.  I still have a lot of questions concerning this business and I will be asking those in the coming weeks. So I do appreciate the honest responses and hope to have further discussions in the future.  Thank you.

Check with other conversion companies in your area, there are several in Missouri.  More and more horse trailer dealerships are also doing their own conversions which in my opinion will really hurt not only the conversion companies, but also the trailer dealerships that are not able to install conversions.  The ones that have that ability can cut another dealers price by thousands of dollars. 

To use the classic phrase of "Ricky Ricardo" . . .

ESPLANE LUCY

In researching trailers on the net, I felt a little bit like Goldilocks...this one is toooo plain and this one is tooooo fancy.  And all of them are tooo expensive! So we decided to remodel the one we have. We have a 3 horse GN with a 3 ft short wall dressing room which we have had redesigned into a mini LQ. All of the campgrounds we stay at have bath houses and I have no desire to fool with water tanks and such so why take up space with a shower and vanity. We did put in a "bucket potty" for that first morning bladder call. We line it with a trash bag and fill it halfway with sawdust which absorbs the liquid and keeps down the odor. We put a bench on the long wall which opens for storage. In front of the bunk, we put steps to get into the bunk. These steps have cabinet doors which open for storage also. I hate wasted space. Also in front of the bunk, we built a cabinet for our fridge and microwave. The walls and ceiling are insulated and carpeted and the floor is vinyl for easy cleaning. We have just returned from our first long weekend since the renovations and I am tickled pink with our accomodations. In a few years, we will want to upgrade to a trailer with a little more space. I would like to have room for a dinette that converts to a bed since we have a grandson who will undoubtedly want to go with us when he's big enough. But in all my searching I have yet to see a trailer with a dinette that doesn't have the shower, etc.  I guess I could use the shower stall for a closet! Or most likely we'll end up buying a plain jane and doing it ourselves again. I just wanted to give you a little insight into what a lot of weekend riders are looking for. Everyone in our riding group feels the same way about the water issue and I'm sure we can't be the only ones. Why don't the trailer manufacturers make a spacious but simple LQ???  Hope this gives you some ideas to work with.              RIDE ON!

I don't want to impress the Jones. I don't even KNOW any Jones. I don't care about fancy: fancy means expensive, heavy, and trouble to care for. I'm on vacation, folks, I don't need or desire fancy. I want easy and simple.

S0, in no particular order, here's what matters to me:

weight- i don't want heavy builtin stuff as I'm hauling a buncha heavy stuff, too

Convenience - little things like drawers that don't open on the road, light switches, ample lighting, optional lighting, good drawer/shelf planning. Make use of every inch, intelligently.

Easy to clean, and lighter colors: I hate the astro-turfy stuff running up the wall to the GN inside- it's a good back scratcher but day-um it's ugly. Why not linoleum? Paneling? Something!

Counter tops- some sort of solid surface, stain resistant something would be great, or tile with dark grout. Maybe?

slide out with sofa. I've yet to sit in a dinette that was actually sit IN able for more than 2 minutes. Ugh.

OH my gosh, that is a great idea.  I just spent $80 on a port-o-potty that leaked all over my new trailer, I was horrified.  I am definitly going to think about the bucket, what a great idea. 

I completely felt the same way.  When I started looking that is the normal interior that you see in "stock".  I thought it would be cheaper for me to do it myself... Boy when I started adding up my time and materials, WOW..  I actually got mine done and Sierra Conversions, they have many dealers to go through, they are located in Northern Indiana, but they have specific trailer packages that do not have water, potties and even custom shortwalls, etc.  I have a 4 foot shortwall and I have running water (wash hands with soap and water, brush teeth, etc (but no bathroom) it was a waste of space for me, as I show, and need the closet space.  They ended up putting a closet where the bathroom/shower would go and I mean I LOVE IT!  I can't tell you enough how many people have complimented me on the trailer.  There are other companies out there and Sierra was priced the best expecially for having so many different packages.  You can work with their dealers to get the exact layout you are looking for. 

It isn't just trail riders that are looking for different options, us show people feel the pain.  That is why I am so glad they work with you to get it exactly the way you want.  I could not be happier with it.  :)  We even managed to haul it down to the INDY 500 and camp the night before... Talk about our friends being jealous, they said it was nicer than their house!  ;)