What to look for in a horse trailer?

[gsganzer]

Thanks for all the good advice!!

Why do I have the feeling this is going to be an expensive purchase!?!? :shocked:

 

[ultrarunner]

Noticed an uptick on trailers recently... we found a nice used two horse Logan in 2012.... seems like a lot of people were still paring down then.

Went bumper pull because we can pull with multiple vehicles like the Land Rover and 3/4 Suburban...

It was kept inside and we keep it in the equipment shed... does make a difference keeping the elements at bay...

 

[Soundguy]

if going 2 horse.. i'd avoid looking for a slant. go straight load. also.. look for a combination stock trailer. very similar to a single purpose horse trailer, but other neat options like a chute door, etc.

make sure you have a front area in the trailer and an escape door.. very usefull.

if your horses won't trailer in dark areas.. install lamps.

get horse stall mats on the deck.

backup bunji whatever external type of latch mechanism you have. many trailers have a dual latch system, like a sliding bar lock, and something that cams over to secure it. even with this.. I have seen a kicking horse jar a door loose.

lastly, if you have a swing out door, make sure each lane/loading gate has a chain across the back so that when you have one loaded, it doesn't try to unload while loading the next one..

i have found some 2 horse bumper trailers that have non removeable dividers.. I much prefer removeable dividers.

 

[Soundguy]

Thanks for all the good advice!!

Why do I have the feeling this is going to be an expensive purchase!?!? :shocked:

i wish I had never seen horses.. and if you think they are expensive to own and maintain.. wait till you have to dig a horse sized hole.... at an inopertune moment, or in a hard to reach spot. I'm not trying to be morbid.. but imagine extracting a 800-1200# animal from INSIDE a stall or other enclosed area... or worse yet.. finding one that is down, but still alive, in a hard to get to spot....

 

[drizler]

As for deterioration think of the trailer being parked in the Atlantic Ocean up to just above the floorboards. Those nags wiz everywhere and by the gallon. I have even seen people who say theirs are kind enough to hold it:thumbdown: till they get out. Well guess what they don't and you get gallons of it to settle down into the floor boards and frame. Take a good look at that if you are buying used. The tailgate hinges are usually the first to go for those reasons. Slant loads are nice and make for a lot easier coming and going with no huge ramp to deal with. The nags seem to like riding half sideways as well.
What are nags good for: Not much unless you are the friend of someone with them and have a garden.

 

[texas42]

Hauled horses for years in in about everything - straight load, slant load, bumper hitch and gooseneck. I can tell you the horses rode better and I rode better in a slant load gooseneck hitch trailer. It's just easier on the tow vehicle and the horses. A three horse slant load gooseneck would serve you well and the third stall is always handy for extra stuff you want to take with you and maintains a good resale value if properly cared for.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

We have some ponies and pull around a 6 horse slant load aluminum trailer with a dual front tack. The aluminum is great for the simple fact it doesn't rust. The dual tack is Great for tons of storage. We also have the storage compartment underneath the horses noses for hoses, coolers chairs etc. I highly recommend a GN if possible or a good W/D setup. I also pull around a 3 horse slant load BP with my 3/4 ton from time to time. The 3 horse trailer looks absolutely ridiculous behind the international!

 

[ultrarunner]

Hauled horses for years in in about everything - straight load, slant load, bumper hitch and gooseneck. I can tell you the horses rode better and I rode better in a slant load gooseneck hitch trailer. It's just easier on the tow vehicle and the horses. A three horse slant load gooseneck would serve you well and the third stall is always handy for extra stuff you want to take with you and maintains a good resale value if properly cared for.

For years we hauled horses around in Nevada in the back of a 3/4 pickup... it had custom coral panels on the side and over the cab...

Most of the ranchers hauled stock this way... back as late as the 70's... and trucks were not as heavy duty as they are now...

The wranglers never seemed to have a problem loading and unloading and some said it was easier because it was open as opposed to a confined area that spooks some horses.

Here is a link:

The Evolution of the Pickup Stock Rack - Equipment - Farm Collector

 

[Soundguy]

if i was hauling 3 or more.. yeah.. slant and gn. if i was hauling 2... depends on the space requirements and the room i needed. i just like straight loads for 2 horses, and no ramps.

 

[EddieWalker]

if i was hauling 3 or more.. yeah.. slant and gn. if i was hauling 2... depends on the space requirements and the room i needed. i just like straight loads for 2 horses, and no ramps.

Why no ramps?