This article is from the February 2020 Horse Deals magazine.
Photos: Julie Wilson. Article: Anna Sharpley
One look at the massive Kenworth that powers Laura Darvall and Mat Chase’s Southern Cross Floats horse trailer and you might think it is a bit of overkill and over power for the task. Well yes, the Kenworth T409SAR 550 HP with 18 manual gears is more than is needed to pull the trailer, but the fact is the truck is a worker. Mat and Laura were the owners of MPC Excavations, which has subsequently been sold to Martin Collins Australia, who Mat now works for. The Kenworth has another life, but it certainly looks impressive pulling into a showground, especially towing the amazing Southern Cross seven horse trailer with apartment sized living area. At night it looks like the carnival has come to town.
Laura Darvall, a former eventing rider turned showjumper, and husband Mat and daughter Ella, also keen jumping riders, have the ability to turn business into pleasure. And there is plenty of pleasure to be had in the Southern Cross trailer. The horse section accommodates six horses on the angle and seven straight across. The living with three slide outs is one of the most spacious we have seen and could certainly be a comfortable second home.
The rig is 19 metres long from bumper to back ramp, 4.2m high, weighs 21 tonne and has 18 wheels. There are three slide-outs on the trailer. This passenger side pop-out contains two generous sized bunk beds. Most horse people know that Marine Park is the Darvall Family property in Dromana, Victoria. MPC Haulage is owned by Mat and Laura and Chase Equestrian is their business principally selling the imported Alberto Fasciani riding boots. The signage and artwork on the trailer was done by Prime Signs at Safety Beach.
On the driver’s side, the slide out nearest the cab is the master bedroom and the other, the dining room and lounge. There are four stainless steel fuel tanks carrying 1,600 litres in total. That amount will easily get to Sydney and back. There is plenty of stainless steel featured on the Kenworth and Mat keeps it all in immaculate condition.
The massive
Kenworth prime mover.
The classic dash of the Kenworth.
Interior of the Kenworth with aeroplane like controls and reversing/CCTV display above the windscreen.
The kitchen with TV above. There is a sink, three burner gas hob, convection/microwave oven, full-sized fridge, small Miele dishwasher and plenty of storage.
The dining and lounge slide out. All the windows have fitted roller blinds and the double recliner leather sofa faces the TV.
The view from the master bedroom down to the horse section door. The timber laminate floor is very effective.
The master bedroom slide out.
The master bedroom has a pop-up TV and plenty of storage.
Full sized shower.
The wonderful bathroom with proper flushing loo.
The bottom bunk is a king single and the top a single, so plenty of room.
The door through to the horse section. The bathroom on the left and the bunk beds on the right.
The gleaming stainless steel interior with the beautiful timber-lined ceiling that continues throughout the trailer. There are rubber kick mats on the dividers and sealed rubber on the floor and up the sides making it comfortable for the horses and easy to clean. The chain tie-ups are covered with plastic that helps reduce noise and the pined partitions are easy to adjust.
A view down the six angled galvanised bays. The truck can carry seven straight across, but Laura and Mat prefer to give the horses that extra room and only ever carry six.
The stainless steel overhead, enclosed rug storage. Notice the wood-lined roof which with insulation prevents condensation. There is also plenty of ventilation in the roof.
The ramp is quite steep, but it is wide, solid and with plenty of grip. “Most horses are very happy to load,” says Laura, “occasionally we have a youngster that thinks about it for a moment before stepping aboard.”
The washing machine in a chest box cupboard in the horse section.
The Cummins 5KVA generator will just about run a small village and certainly three trucks and a float for three days. There is an internal starter for the generator and it can be set on timers to start up at any time.
The 12 volt inverter system really only runs the fridges and freezer when the truck is moving. Usually at shows there is 240 volt power available and if not the generator is turned on.
The external fridge for ice boots and beer next to the steps to the living.
The diesel tank that runs the generator.
Feed storage etc that runs all the way through to the other side.
The hot/cold hose for washing horses, or indeed cleaning out the horse section after travel.
Special storage for saddle pads, helmets and boots etc.
The tack room has plenty of room for six saddles, bridles and gear and a removable saddle rack can be attached to the door.
Portable yards have their own compartment that runs the width of the truck. The rear ramp controls are pictured on the right hand side.
You can’t have too much storage.
The bathroom boasts a proper flushing toilet with a 200 litre black water tank.
Even the Dyson vacuum cleaner is stowed in the chest box cupboards.
Gas is used to run the hot water and the hob. The truck carries 1,000 litres of water. With the Kenworth, weight is not an issue.
A pull out hot/cold hand basin for cleaning gear near the tack box.
Daughter Ella working hard storing the feeds for the weekend. Each horse has its own colour coded bag.
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