Move dem Pacas
August 14th 2007 23:02
Early on, we decided we needed something in which to transport our alpacas. The first thoughts were what if one got sick or injured and we had to get him to a vet in a hurry. Also, if there was a bush fire or something, how would we get them out? Just the typical thoughts that new alpaca owners have.
We already had a flat tray ute, so it made good sense to use that. My dad was a spring maker and built us a stock crate to fit the flat tray. It was steel with wire mesh and a colourbond roof. It had a ramp at the back. The crate even had wind up struts for lifting it on and off the ute as we needed.
This worked well, as long as we could find a bank to back the ute up to for loading/unloading. On the flat the ramp was almost too steep for a person to walk up, let alone expecting an alpaca to do it.
We were showing our alpacas at the time so many hours were spent trying to coax the alpacas up the ramp into the ute - usually it was a case of one person pulling the alpaca up from up on the tray, and someone pushing him from behind. If you've ever tried loading an animal onto a vehicle you'll know this wasn't any fun at all and in hindsight, probably downright dangerous.
Going down the ramp was fine, the alpaca would simply jump. No problem as long as you weren't holding on to the lead at the time, otherwise you got to jump too - ever tried paragliding behind an alpaca?
So the thinking caps went on again and we decided to buy a van. It would be lower to the ground, so easier to get the pacas in and out. The choice was a Toyota Commuter, a 15 seater van with a high roof so we, and the alpacas, could stand up in it.
We took the seats out and put in some rubber matting (to stop the pacas sliding about - no comments about bad driving please).
Perfect. The thing was even air-conditioned. Talk about pampered livestock! This worked well for a while but we now had three vehicles to maintain: a car, the ute and this van. Registration and insurance costs went up, and we stopped showing the alpacas, so the van was used maybe two or three times in a year.
We began to feel it was a bit silly to be maintaining this vehicle, just to carry alpacas around, so the thinking caps were back on. We still had the crate, so my dad was again enlisted to make a trailer to tow behind the ute. (Dad's are magnificent people, never forget that).
The result was a masterpiece. A large, enclosed tandem trailer, complete with brakes. Low to the ground, high enough to stand up in, double doors at the back and rubber (to stop the pacas sliding about in there - the driving hasn't improved).
We had a PVC cover made up for the sides. It has a clear window in the front so we can see the alpacas from the ute.
The alpacas happily step in and out, no pulling, pushing, swearing or injuries required. Once on the road, the alpacas sit down and enjoy the trip and we can get where we're going without being covered in mud and spit. Pampered alpaca owners.
Thanks Dad.
We already had a flat tray ute, so it made good sense to use that. My dad was a spring maker and built us a stock crate to fit the flat tray. It was steel with wire mesh and a colourbond roof. It had a ramp at the back. The crate even had wind up struts for lifting it on and off the ute as we needed.
This worked well, as long as we could find a bank to back the ute up to for loading/unloading. On the flat the ramp was almost too steep for a person to walk up, let alone expecting an alpaca to do it.
We were showing our alpacas at the time so many hours were spent trying to coax the alpacas up the ramp into the ute - usually it was a case of one person pulling the alpaca up from up on the tray, and someone pushing him from behind. If you've ever tried loading an animal onto a vehicle you'll know this wasn't any fun at all and in hindsight, probably downright dangerous.
Going down the ramp was fine, the alpaca would simply jump. No problem as long as you weren't holding on to the lead at the time, otherwise you got to jump too - ever tried paragliding behind an alpaca?
So the thinking caps went on again and we decided to buy a van. It would be lower to the ground, so easier to get the pacas in and out. The choice was a Toyota Commuter, a 15 seater van with a high roof so we, and the alpacas, could stand up in it.
We took the seats out and put in some rubber matting (to stop the pacas sliding about - no comments about bad driving please).
Perfect. The thing was even air-conditioned. Talk about pampered livestock! This worked well for a while but we now had three vehicles to maintain: a car, the ute and this van. Registration and insurance costs went up, and we stopped showing the alpacas, so the van was used maybe two or three times in a year.
We began to feel it was a bit silly to be maintaining this vehicle, just to carry alpacas around, so the thinking caps were back on. We still had the crate, so my dad was again enlisted to make a trailer to tow behind the ute. (Dad's are magnificent people, never forget that).
The result was a masterpiece. A large, enclosed tandem trailer, complete with brakes. Low to the ground, high enough to stand up in, double doors at the back and rubber (to stop the pacas sliding about in there - the driving hasn't improved).
We had a PVC cover made up for the sides. It has a clear window in the front so we can see the alpacas from the ute.
The alpacas happily step in and out, no pulling, pushing, swearing or injuries required. Once on the road, the alpacas sit down and enjoy the trip and we can get where we're going without being covered in mud and spit. Pampered alpaca owners.
Thanks Dad.
Unloading an alpaca from the trailer
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
And a great explanation of what you're doing and the van approach.
I get quite excited about these things really.
katyzzz
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Hoping alpaca people might find it useful when thinking about their own transport.
The Internet is a great way to avoid wasting money and time if you can find someone has already done what you're thinking about. And if it helps someone, then it's worthwhile.
It would be good to have a Search feature on Orble. Maybe there is and I haven't found it yet.
Cheers
Rosemary
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Just found the Search feature. Right there where they usually are. Going to be one of those days.