Trailer Choices?

TravelingGirl · 02-26-2006, 06:41 AM

1. http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/hom...l.asp?ID=65159
or
2. http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/hom...l.asp?ID=65161
or
3. http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/hom...l.asp?ID=65160

The prices aren't different enough to be part of the decision and whatever I buy will have mats and a spare tire. The weights are all within 200 pounds of each other, so again, not enough difference to be a deciding factor. I want something I can use for a few years. I'm new to all of this so I want to get into all this hauling my horse someplace to ride is for me before I make a huge financial investment.

I'll be transporting 1 horse (14.3h), tack and food/water for a weekend. What do you think?

freedom32 · 02-26-2006, 06:54 AM

I like #3 for what you'll be doing Karen, the tack and changing areas will be nice since you'll be spending alot of time at your trailer, and possibly camping out. The money they want for mats and a spare is high tho, you can do better doing it yourself.

3WishesDun · 02-26-2006, 07:06 AM

I also like #3...if I remember correctly....I want to say my first trailer (which was a slant load) was a bit wider than a straight load trailer....just a thought....I could be wrong too! I do not like mangers in horse trailers....just my personal preference. Supposedly horses travel better when they are able to lower their head a bit and have less respiratory issues without the mangers. I agree you can get the mats and spare for cheaper. My last trailer was a two horse straight with the worst mats when I bought it. I bought some "mighty lite" mats...that are 4X6 (I think) and interlock...they are very light (12 pounds a piece..).easy to cut with a box cutter and interlock together for a nice fit. (just a thought if you are looking for mats) Good Luck!

CJ · 02-26-2006, 08:48 AM

I dont much like 3 only b/c it doesnt have a front window. I like the red one best, and the dark grey (windowed) 2nd. I like the window b/c not only can the horse see, but you can see it+- at a glance. Ok its aerodynamic, but the sloped front looks to me like some sort of "wreck damage," lol.

Top Dun · 02-26-2006, 08:55 AM

My next trailer will be a slant load no matter if it is a two horse bumper pull or a three horse or larger gooseneck. I like the slant loads better overall for horse comfort. Horses generally load and travel better in a slant load. I highly recommend slant loads over straight loads.

nd deb · 02-26-2006, 08:59 AM

You will really love 3 and never want to go back to a trailer without a dressing room and tack area. It is really conveinent having your stuff in there and just being able to keep it all in there. Sure beats packing in a trailer and pickup and unpacking. I havent done that for yrs and if there is a time that I ride with someone else and have to pack and repack it is a pain in the butt. Got spoiled just having it all in there.

Lindsayanne · 02-26-2006, 09:01 AM

I like number three except that it's open and you live in NJ.

That could be a cold breeze coming through! Also it's just my personal preference, but I don't believe a horse should ever ben hauled in an open trailer on the interstate or urban highway. The risk of debri in the air, and the speed you have to go to be safe, just doesn't seem at all safe to me. I don't know how far you have to travel to your trials, but that should be a consideration.

I would definitely stay away from #2. That door they have to reach in and tie the second horse loaded is way, way to big. Too big of a window in a trailer like that + horse scared or ansty to get out ot the trailer = absolute disaster.

Frankly I think all three are overpriced.

Maybe it's just your part of the country but have you looked at private sellers instead of dealerships? Have you looked at http://www.equine.com/trailers/index.aspx ?

I have a straight load and have been nothing but happy with it. I also have an 9ft dresing room and agree with the above poster, you'll never go back. It's really nice.

nd deb · 02-26-2006, 09:03 AM

I used to have a 2 h bumper striaght load with tack room /dress area and I used to sleep in there on trail rides and shows. For one person it isnt bad. For 2 it would still work but maybe a bit tighter. All i can say it is real nice not having to haul all your stuff back and forth between the barn and trailer/pickup since you can just keep it in the trailer all the time. That is what i do.

TravelingGirl · 02-26-2006, 09:25 AM

Lindsayanne, I had thought of that, but the vast majority of my traveling will be in spring and fall for field trials, so extreme temps won't be a problem. I won't run my dogs if it's too hot or too cold, so Trav won't be hauled in temp extremes.

I need to keep horse, trailer & gear down under 4000 lbs, which means the trailer should stay at around 2500 lbs., which is very limiting in a steel trailer, and the aluminum ones are way too pricey for me right now. I'm going to find out if this trailer takes plexiglass inserts in the slats...that would solve any weather or debris concerns.

Apparently there's loads of money in my area, because I can't find anything used but rust buckets for under $10K and the tack shops that sell steel trailers all sell Adam trailers and they don't offer anything with a dressing room that I'd be comfortable hauling (not to mention they look like big boxes on wheels).

I figured finding a nice little used trailer would be easy...WRONG! As it is, the trailers posted are 10 hours away in North Carolina. Road trip?

EventingBandit4 · 02-26-2006, 09:27 AM

I like number one. Personally, I HATE slant loads...I've seen too many things happen in them thata re bad. Trailers ing eneral,c an be dangerous for horses, but I prefer good old straight loads with ramps

View Poll Results: Which trailer?
#1	7	26.92%
#2	1	3.85%
#3	17	65.38%
None of the above, is none, state reason	1	3.85%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll

02-26-2006, 06:41 AM	#1
TravelingGirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 2,252 Images: 240	Trailer Choices? 1. http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/hom...l.asp?ID=65159 or 2. http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/hom...l.asp?ID=65161 or 3. http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/hom...l.asp?ID=65160 The prices aren't different enough to be part of the decision and whatever I buy will have mats and a spare tire. The weights are all within 200 pounds of each other, so again, not enough difference to be a deciding factor. I want something I can use for a few years. I'm new to all of this so I want to get into all this hauling my horse someplace to ride is for me before I make a huge financial investment. I'll be transporting 1 horse (14.3h), tack and food/water for a weekend. What do you think?

02-26-2006, 08:55 AM	#5
Top Dun Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,714 Images: 183 Blog Entries: 1	My next trailer will be a slant load no matter if it is a two horse bumper pull or a three horse or larger gooseneck. I like the slant loads better overall for horse comfort. Horses generally load and travel better in a slant load. I highly recommend slant loads over straight loads. __________________ Cattle Producers DO NOT want NAIS: When asked if they thought NAIS should be a mandatory system requiring all U.S. cattle producers to participate, 21.22% of respondents said yes, 50.32% said no, and 28.46% were undecided.

02-26-2006, 09:01 AM	#7
Lindsayanne Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Joplin, MO Posts: 10,550 Images: 465	I like number three except that it's open and you live in NJ. That could be a cold breeze coming through! Also it's just my personal preference, but I don't believe a horse should ever ben hauled in an open trailer on the interstate or urban highway. The risk of debri in the air, and the speed you have to go to be safe, just doesn't seem at all safe to me. I don't know how far you have to travel to your trials, but that should be a consideration. I would definitely stay away from #2. That door they have to reach in and tie the second horse loaded is way, way to big. Too big of a window in a trailer like that + horse scared or ansty to get out ot the trailer = absolute disaster. Frankly I think all three are overpriced. Maybe it's just your part of the country but have you looked at private sellers instead of dealerships? Have you looked at http://www.equine.com/trailers/index.aspx ? I have a straight load and have been nothing but happy with it. I also have an 9ft dresing room and agree with the above poster, you'll never go back. It's really nice. __________________ Bashkir Curly Poster Child *NE Prime Time Regal - 2006 ABCR National Champion & 2008 Breyerfest Demo Horse

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02-26-2006, 06:54 AM	#2
freedom32 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Capital of the Steeler Nation--PITTSBURGH Posts: 8,644 Images: 496 Blog Entries: 147	I like #3 for what you'll be doing Karen, the tack and changing areas will be nice since you'll be spending alot of time at your trailer, and possibly camping out. The money they want for mats and a spare is high tho, you can do better doing it yourself. __________________ Pittsburgh gals bleed black & gold 'If Detroit is hockey town, then Pittsburgh must be hockey Heaven!'~Paul Steigerwald proud resident of the city of Champiyinz

02-26-2006, 07:06 AM	#3
3WishesDun Senior Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: At My Wit's End Posts: 17,689 Images: 659 Blog Entries: 27	I also like #3...if I remember correctly....I want to say my first trailer (which was a slant load) was a bit wider than a straight load trailer....just a thought....I could be wrong too! I do not like mangers in horse trailers....just my personal preference. Supposedly horses travel better when they are able to lower their head a bit and have less respiratory issues without the mangers. I agree you can get the mats and spare for cheaper. My last trailer was a two horse straight with the worst mats when I bought it. I bought some "mighty lite" mats...that are 4X6 (I think) and interlock...they are very light (12 pounds a piece..).easy to cut with a box cutter and interlock together for a nice fit. (just a thought if you are looking for mats) Good Luck! __________________ Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. -Frost I've Been Snowballed!

02-26-2006, 08:48 AM	#4
CJ Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 5,983 Images: 48	I dont much like 3 only b/c it doesnt have a front window. I like the red one best, and the dark grey (windowed) 2nd. I like the window b/c not only can the horse see, but you can see it+- at a glance. Ok its aerodynamic, but the sloped front looks to me like some sort of "wreck damage," lol.

02-26-2006, 08:59 AM	#6
nd deb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ND Posts: 694 Images: 19	You will really love 3 and never want to go back to a trailer without a dressing room and tack area. It is really conveinent having your stuff in there and just being able to keep it all in there. Sure beats packing in a trailer and pickup and unpacking. I havent done that for yrs and if there is a time that I ride with someone else and have to pack and repack it is a pain in the butt. Got spoiled just having it all in there.

02-26-2006, 09:03 AM	#8
nd deb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ND Posts: 694 Images: 19	I used to have a 2 h bumper striaght load with tack room /dress area and I used to sleep in there on trail rides and shows. For one person it isnt bad. For 2 it would still work but maybe a bit tighter. All i can say it is real nice not having to haul all your stuff back and forth between the barn and trailer/pickup since you can just keep it in the trailer all the time. That is what i do.

02-26-2006, 09:25 AM	#9
TravelingGirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 2,252 Images: 240	Lindsayanne, I had thought of that, but the vast majority of my traveling will be in spring and fall for field trials, so extreme temps won't be a problem. I won't run my dogs if it's too hot or too cold, so Trav won't be hauled in temp extremes. I need to keep horse, trailer & gear down under 4000 lbs, which means the trailer should stay at around 2500 lbs., which is very limiting in a steel trailer, and the aluminum ones are way too pricey for me right now. I'm going to find out if this trailer takes plexiglass inserts in the slats...that would solve any weather or debris concerns. Apparently there's loads of money in my area, because I can't find anything used but rust buckets for under $10K and the tack shops that sell steel trailers all sell Adam trailers and they don't offer anything with a dressing room that I'd be comfortable hauling (not to mention they look like big boxes on wheels). I figured finding a nice little used trailer would be easy...WRONG! As it is, the trailers posted are 10 hours away in North Carolina. Road trip?