Comfort for horse and rider – thanks to AL-KO VT low-frame chassis
When transporting horses, the requirements for safety and driving comfort for the four-legged passengers are high. In addition, depending on weight, a special driving licence may be needed. The French vehicle manufacturer MTM has found the answer: a horse transporter with a Mercedes-Benz drive head, combined with an AL-KO VT low-frame chassis.
Facts about the cooperation between MTM and AL-KO VT
- The vehicle manufacturer MTM and Mercedes-Benz France have jointly developed the SPRINTOVAN horse transporter, relying on an AL-KO VT chassis.
- The AMC low-frame chassis is 220 mm lower than conventional versions and makes transport more comfortable and safe for both horse and rider.
- Thanks in part to lightweight construction, the vehicle remains under 3.5 tonnes permissible gross weight and does not require a special driving licence.
MTM: Vehicle manufacturing with tradition
Animal welfare in focus
Bodywork manufacturer MTM from Poilley, near Le Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France, specialises in horse transporters for both the light and heavy segment. Already in its fourth generation, the company is dedicated to building horse transporters, combining expertise and extensive experience. MTM offers both horse trailers, such as the INOVAN tandem-axle trailer, and horse transporters such as the SPRINTOVAN – both based on AL-KO VT chassis.
MTM transporters are not made on an assembly line, but are individually planned and assembled by hand. Only when horses can travel stress-free and in safety are they able to achieve their full potential.
Transporting horses: a challenge
Escape reaction undesirable
Transporting horses is a real challenge. Horses aren’t goods to be loaded and unloaded – they are flight animals. This means they are very sensitive to their surroundings and will want to run at the slightest sign of danger.
That’s why horses should lose their fear of transport. If they associate the vehicle with danger or stress, it can trigger a flight reaction. If a horse weighing several hundred kilograms panics in the loading space, it becomes very difficult to keep the horse transporter calm and stable on the road.
It is therefore important to get the horse used to transport through regular training. Journeys should be made as pleasant as possible to alleviate the animal’s fear. For this reason, the transporter should have enough space for the animal and be at least 2.40 m high. The horse should have access to water and feed at the correct height. Otherwise, the horse would have to adopt an unnatural feeding posture. All these aspects must be taken into account in the construction of a transporter. These influence factors such as vehicle height, weight distribution and axle positioning.
Horse transporter with low transport compartment
The lower the better – for horse and rider
In June 2022, MTM and Mercedes-Benz France launched a new project and developed a horse transporter based on a Sprinter 317. With a transport compartment as close to the ground as possible, the vehicle now offers sufficient headroom for the horse while remaining aerodynamic, which improves driving comfort. The lower vehicle centre of gravity provides extra safety, and the low entry angle makes getting in easier for animals and people alike.
AL-KO VT low-frame chassis in use
Minimal installation space & optimal driving dynamics
The standard chassis of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is, however, too high for this purpose. For that reason, MTM brought on board its longstanding partner AL-KO VT Vehicle Technology. The AMC low-frame chassis from AL-KO VT is up to 220 mm lower than the original ladder frame. While standard chassis usually use rigid axles, AL-KO VT axles come standard with independent wheel suspension and torsion bars. This system takes up very little installation space and provides optimal driving dynamics. That makes it ideal for a vehicle that needs to be both safe and lightweight. In addition, the shear-nut fastener makes perfect connection with the Sprinter drive head possible. The variable axle positioning also benefits the design of a horse transporter.
Custom solutions as a key discipline
The right weight distribution makes all the difference
“Just like all living things, horses come in different sizes. That’s why at MTM we develop transporters to suit the individual needs of the animals. Comfortable and stress-free travel makes a significant contribution to the well-being of the animals,” explains Olivier Theault, President of MTM.
“Tailor-made solutions are a key part of our work. In order to optimally distribute the weight of the horses in the vehicle, for example, we need to be able to position the axles so that the horse’s hind legs are directly above them. The horse must be positioned within the wheelbase to achieve optimal stability. This ‘customised’ function and the lightweight design of the low-frame chassis make AL-KO the right partner for our Mercedes-Benz transporter,” says Olivier Theault.
AL-KO VT lightweight engineering for transport
Every kilo counts
Drivers can also do a lot to contribute to animal welfare. By driving with foresight and care, unexpected braking and acceleration manoeuvres that could frighten the horse can be reduced.
Weight is a crucial factor. Depending on breed, a horse typically weighs between 400 and 700 kilograms. Certain cold-blood breeds can weigh over 1,000 kilograms. In order to be able to drive the horse transporter with a standard driving licence, every kilogram must be considered – especially in the light vehicle segment.
With a horse on board, a transporter can quickly exceed the permissible gross weight of 3.5 tonnes. In France, as in Germany, a driving licence is required for any vehicle above this weight limit. In such cases, a category C licence is required. In both countries, the licence regulations are based on Article 2(1) of EU Directive 2006/12.
“At MTM, all our vehicles are designed for quality, comfort, safety and animal welfare. Thanks to the trustful cooperation between AL-KO VT, Mercedes-Benz and MTM, we have created a transporter that meets all these requirements,” says Nicolas de Costa, Sales Manager at AL-KO France. “Together, we have created a suitable means of transport for animals of all sizes.”
