This article is from the February 2021 Horse Deals magazine.
The 19m long rig is as long as legally possible. The trailer chassis was custom built by Tuff Trailers. Airbags provide smoothness while on the road ensuring everyone is travelling in comfort.
Owned by Madeline Wilson and Andrew Cooper, this month’s Dream Rig is nothing short of the title.
The truck was custom designed and built by Trent Kuskopf from TMK Construction and Kean Wilson. Maddie and Andrew are both successful eventers and are based at Winjarra Park located in Morwincha, Queensland. These seasoned competitors travel across the country to Australia’s biggest eventing competitions with multiple rides between them. Combining their dream, the build was inspired by expediency, reducing the number of trucks taken to a competition due to the number of horses, ultimately creating a rig that was functional for two riders.
Noted for their immaculate presentation inside and outside of the ring, organisation is a key element for both Maddie and Andrew, which is evident in the custom build. When asked about their must-haves when they were designing the truck, the key feature was the outdoor freezer. “We started with the freezer and sort of let the builders run with it,” says Andrew. Using their previous rigs as building blocks, the pair customised features to create a comfortable, spacious, storage dream, maximising every inch of space without reducing all the eventing essentials.
Photos & article: Ashley Grant.
Built for comfort, the trailer features four self-leveling hydraulic legs, ensuring the parked rig is always level.
The Scania R6x4 V8 features leather and wood grain interior and a fridge for refreshments whilst on the road. The cab includes two single bunk sleepers, with the top bunk able to clip up providing more space.
The 3.8m drivers side pop out, provides interior space for the living area and bunk beds.
On the passenger side, the two pop-outs house the kitchen (2m)and main bedroom (2.8m). Storage for hay runs all the way through, under the living of the truck.
Step up into the living area with folding stairs.
The kitchen utilities are to the left and the couch to the right. An all-white finish was requested by the couple, keeping the space fresh and elegant. Behind a shutter sits a pull-out TV, microwave, toaster, coffee machine and additional storage. One of two air conditioning units is in the living room.
The kitchen occupies the second pop-out on the passenger side. Providing all your needs the kitchen inhabits a standard size fridge/freezer, induction cooktop, a conventional oven and sink. The kitchen was positioned as it is, as this was the remaining space that they had to work with, after the essential positioning of the bunk beds.
Providing essential hydrating luxury, an ice machine located by the couch in the living room was installed for refreshments after a long day competing.
With the white pull-down shutter in place, kitchen appliances and the TV are neatly stored away.
The control panel gives insight into tank levels, solar, battery and generator status.
The bunk beds were the fundamental element in the living room design. Providing an essential space for sleeping quarters equipped with storage was paramount. The living area is directly across from the kitchen and can seat up to eight with additional ottomans.
The standard sized bunk beds each have their own windows, power points and touch lighting. Storage is provided under the lower bed, while the floor space is additionally expanded by the pop out.
The master bedroom is expanded by a pop out on the passenger side of the truck. Spaciously designed the room permits a queen bed with individual bedside shelves, touch lights and power points. Large storage has been utilised under the bed.
An additional air conditioning system was installed in the master bedroom. The bedroom features a 44 inch TV situated between his and hers wardrobes.
The shower is a full standard size. The shower floor has been moulded into the drain to create a seamless finish and to prevent unwanted leakage. The truck holds 1400L of fresh water and has an instant gas hot water system. The truck can hold 600L of grey water. The locker located above the shower is utilised for spare linen.
Behind the towel rack is the entrance to the back of the truck. This short corridor between the shower on the left and the lavatory and basin on the right becomes part of the bathroom.
The nine-bay horse area is equipped with standard angled bays.
The stainless-steel dividers feature rubber drop downs with holes for airflow, keeping the horses cooler whilst traveling.
Fully enclosed rug racks, providing safety from falling objects whilst on the road.
The chest box was created by a perfectly curved sheet of stainless-steel to prevent and eliminate potential water leakage into the bottom (outdoor) boxes.
Rubber matting lines the chest box, providing added safety to the horses.
Horse yards are stored below the ramp.
The truck features a total of 13 lockers and drawers.
To the left is the must have freezer, built in specifically for horse ice boots, which are used at a competition after every ride.
On the driver side, additional lockers were added to avoid wasted space. This side of truck also features a slide across to protect the truck whilst the horses are tied up.
Ten saddle racks were non-negotiable in the outside tack box design. Having nine horses between them and three different phases of competition, saddle space is important.
Bridle tack boxes were also requested, along with endless hooks to keep tack tidy and organised.
The combination of solar panels, a generator, fully sufficient battery and inverter, means there’s no need to plug into mains power to be completely functional.
The exterior of the passenger side features two 4m shade awnings.
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