This article is from the August 2019 Horse Deals magazine.
The Rowville EquiVan, rather than being a float that accommodates people, is a caravan that accommodates horses. Here you can see the fold down steps and caravan double door.
"We found that we often needed to be at competitions the night before” says Reece Adnams, supportive father of aspiring and successful eight year old jumping rider, Zara. “We didn’t just want a float you could sleep in, we wanted something a little more comfortable and we found the EquiVan ES-H by Rowville. The front is just like a caravan with all the associated room and comfort and the ponies go in the back. There is a double bunk bed in the horse area. When we get to a show, we remove the partitions, clean out the area and lay a specially cut piece of rubber backed carpet on the floor and we have quite a spacious bedroom, so the van sleeps four comfortably. We only have one daughter that rides, so with the extra bunk bed, she can have a friend stay with us at the events which is nice. We also really wanted a shower and toilet and the EquiVan fitted the bill. There is plenty of storage space for clothes etc in the caravan area and plenty of horse gear storage space about the van. We leave quite a bit in the van and all we need to do is load the ponies, the saddles and bridles and pick up some milk and we are good to go.
“We took delivery of it in April and ours was the first EquiVan ES-H made by Rowville. We usually only stay in it for one or two nights, but at the EV Interschool Championships earlier this year we camped in it for five nights and we were very comfortable. It has an awning that can create another living space in nice weather. We pull it with a Range Rover Sport and it tows well. We are really, really happy with it, it’s great”.
The right hand side of the EquiVan has two tie ups and the axles strategically placed under and supporting the horse section at the rear. The EquiVan rides on rocker/roller suspension and is 3.05m high, 5.3m long and approx 2.55m wide and weighs 2.45 tonne.
At the entrance to the living area you can see in to the roomy living space. The fridge is pictured straight ahead kitchen to the right and dining area to the left.
The surprisingly spacious dining area easily accommodates four and comfortably sleeps two. The window above the seats can be completely blacked out for sleeping. There is also plenty of power points throughout the van and plenty of storage above the main dining/sleeping area at the front of the van.
Everything including the kitchen sink. “We opted not to have a stove” says Reece, “to reduce a bit of weight. There is a microwave and plenty of storage above the sink.
The EquiVan boasts Wi-Fi, smart TV and bluetooth stereo.
The entrance to the shower and toilet and to the left is more storage and the fridge.
The shower and toilet combined take a little getting used to, but are perfectly functional and provide a bit of luxury on the road.
A view of the toilet within the combined toilet/shower room.
The doorway to the left of the kitchen leads to the horse section with the reverse cycle air conditioner above.
Zara showing the bunk beds all set up with the rubber backed carpet on the floor and the partitions removed all ready to close up the horse area to use a bedroom. The easy load, open and close rear ramp is on gas struts and provides a gentle incline in to the float.
All ready for loading horses with the partitions in and the rubber backed carpet removed.
A closer look at the padded dividers and the thick rubber, non slip covering over hardwood floorboards in the horse section.
The head divider swings back to be flush with the wall. There are nylon bushes on the partition fastenings to help reduce noise in the horse area whilst traveling. The dividers and head divider are easy to open and close and are easy to remove. The bays are set on an angle and are 2.32m long and 660m wide.
There is a fold up picnic table on the side of the van which makes life easy for lunch breaks at the show. Plus speakers for the stereo below the table compartment.
The bunk beds are simply but securely held in place while the area is being used for horses (above), then easily set up when you’re ready for bed (below).
Plenty of storage for horse gear in tack box on RHS and feed and buckets etc on LHS. The generous almost full length awning provides plenty of shade and protected outdoor living.
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