Return to news index

Dream Rig: The Wheelmobile

This article is from the October 2020 Horse Deals magazine.

Emma Weel with Bellaphina (imp) and Deveron Nintendo.

Emma Weel with Bellaphina (imp) and Deveron Nintendo.

Emma Weel’s Wade Equine Coach

Photos: Christy Baker Photography. Article: Rachel Clayfield.

An impressive rig is no foreign concept to Queenslander Emma Weel, who’s family owned a V8 Supercar team for some 20 years. This truck does not contain race cars, engines, tyres or tools though; Emma’s into a different kind of horsepower, and the more graceful, quieter sport of dressage.

“I now have my 10-year-old daughter, Abby, competing alongside me,” says Emma. “And while we had many weekends of fun camping in our two horse angle load, we could see the need for more space. As a family of four, we wanted to be able to accommodate everyone, plus grooms when needed, and entertain easily.

“My husband Paul and I came across a Wade Equine coach at Equitana, and we were sold straight away. The fit out was simple and elegant, and the fabrication and the quality of the finishes were the best we had seen. We ordered the custom made truck in 2018. Together, Wade Equine and Sue Robbie from Lux Luxury designed and created the interior, with the blue leopard print fabric as the beginning point of the mood board.

“The truck was delivered from New Zealand in mid 2019 and the team has created the perfect home away from home for us. One of our favourite features — especially in winter — is the gas floor heating, but you can’t look past the mirrored ceilings and sparkling chandelier; they top off the look we were wishing to achieve.”

Designed, fitted out and delivered, there was one last important step to occur; the naming process. Nicole Tough, Emma’s coach and dear friend, proudly took on the role; opting for the fitting title ‘The Weelmobile’.

The body is built on a Volvo FE Euro-6 6x2 rigid with automatic transmission and 320HP.

The body is built on a Volvo FE Euro-6 6x2 rigid with automatic transmission and 320HP.

The view towards the king bed in the luton peak. The truck can comfortably sleep seven, including one in the sleeper cab. The roof features a skylight and mirrored ceiling.

The view towards the king bed in the luton peak. The truck can comfortably sleep seven, including one in the sleeper cab. The roof features a skylight and mirrored ceiling.

Alongside the light switches are controls that lift or lower the dining table hydraulically — no manual labour needed! The blind draw strings are a little ‘extra’ thanks to designer Sue’s attention to detail.

Alongside the light switches are controls that lift or lower the dining table hydraulically — no manual labour needed! The blind draw strings are a little ‘extra’ thanks to designer Sue’s attention to detail.

The 2.85m sildeout hosts couch seating and dining table which converts into a super king double bed if needed. The chandelier that hangs above is the main feature of the truck and is made up of small individual aluminium pieces, to create a two-tiered glow.

The 2.85m sildeout hosts couch seating and dining table which converts into a super king double bed if needed. The chandelier that hangs above is the main feature of the truck and is made up of small individual aluminium pieces, to create a two-tiered glow.

The black hardware contrasts beautifully with white counter tops. The stove top has a glass cover to create more bench space.

The black hardware contrasts beautifully with white counter tops. The stove top has a glass cover to create more bench space.

The coffee and media nook. This panel has USB and power points, and controls the sound system. Above is a book and magazine rack.

The coffee and media nook. This panel has USB and power points, and controls the sound system. Above is a book and magazine rack.

The near full-size black fridge/freezer has wine racks which run down the right hand side.

The near full-size black fridge/freezer has wine racks which run down the right hand side.

The view towards the back of the truck. The door into the truck is on the right with satellite TV above. The CZone touch panel screen controls the sildeout, generator, battery, water tank and solar levels (yes, the whole truck roof is solar panels!). At the rear is the bathroom to the right and a queen double bed above.

The view towards the back of the truck. The door into the truck is on the right with satellite TV above. The CZone touch panel screen controls the sildeout, generator, battery, water tank and solar levels (yes, the whole truck roof is solar panels!). At the rear is the bathroom to the right and a queen double bed above.

The toilet, shower and bathroom vanity are in the one spacious room.

The toilet, shower and bathroom vanity are in the one spacious room.

Above the toilet is the much-loved heated towel rail. See also the large frosted glass window.

Above the toilet is the much-loved heated towel rail. See also the large frosted glass window.

The bathroom vanity and shower have black matte hardware to match the kitchen. The truck holds 745L of fresh water over three tanks, 250L of gray water and 200L of black water.

The bathroom vanity and shower have black matte hardware to match the kitchen. The truck holds 745L of fresh water over three tanks, 250L of gray water and 200L of black water.

The shower is full-sized with an adjustable shower head. The bathroom tiles were selected by Sue to tie in with the colour and round shapes of the leopard-print couch.

The shower is full-sized with an adjustable shower head. The bathroom tiles were selected by Sue to tie in with the colour and round shapes of the leopard-print couch.

To the left is the door into the living space. To the right of the door are hooks, perfect for halters. Emma also has a lockable portable tack box which can be rolled down to the stables if they are far from the truck.

To the left is the door into the living space. To the right of the door are hooks, perfect for halters. Emma also has a lockable portable tack box which can be rolled down to the stables if they are far from the truck.

There are four large, padded and adjustable bays with rubber drops. The horse area has an extra high ceiling and four roof vents which are controlled via remote. In the back, you can see the larger speakers.

There are four large, padded and adjustable bays with rubber drops. The horse area has an extra high ceiling and four roof vents which are controlled via remote. In the back, you can see the larger speakers.

Emma opted for a huge mesh rug rack rather than including another groom’s bed. At the end of the chest boxes is the retractable hot/cold wash, which can be used as a pressure washer to clean the horse area out on arrival.

Emma opted for a huge mesh rug rack rather than including another groom’s bed. At the end of the chest boxes is the retractable hot/cold wash, which can be used as a pressure washer to clean the horse area out on arrival.

What Emma calls the laundry; a Bosch washer/dryer is hidden in one of the exterior compartments.

What Emma calls the laundry; a Bosch washer/dryer is hidden in one of the exterior compartments.

Each of the dedicated compartments has a label on the exterior for ease of use.

Each of the dedicated compartments has a label on the exterior for ease of use.

The dual-door tack box holds six saddles and has five hooks on each door for bridles or similar. Emma has set up storage boxes under the saddles for holding smaller bits and pieces.

The dual-door tack box holds six saddles and has five hooks on each door for bridles or similar. Emma has set up storage boxes under the saddles for holding smaller bits and pieces.

One of the many storage boxes underneath carries the family’s bikes — the ultimate transport for getting around larger venues.

One of the many storage boxes underneath carries the family’s bikes — the ultimate transport for getting around larger venues.

Champagne ready to celebrate a successful day.

Champagne ready to celebrate a successful day.

The ultimate competition party set up. The slide out BBQ with accompanying beer fridges is Paul’s favourites. To the left is a slide out bench surface.

The ultimate competition party set up. The slide out BBQ with accompanying beer fridges is Paul’s favourites. To the left is a slide out bench surface.

Each side has a 4.7m+ awning, providing ample shelter, perfect for tacking up or nestling in around a fire.

Each side has a 4.7m+ awning, providing ample shelter, perfect for tacking up or nestling in around a fire.


Sign up to our newsletter

Your browser is out of date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×