I've been looking for a 3 horse slant so that I could toss the hay and camping gear in the first stall, but due to weight, money, and me just getting antsy to get a new (to me) trailer, I may go with a 2 horse slant (BP) that has most of the amenities that I would (ideally) want, and just put a hay rack on top.  I have been looking at new vehicles lately with more towing capability, but am struggling with the age old question; new (high) note vs no note. Also add in the note of the new (ideal) trailer...My LC is paid for and in good shape.  I would like to sit back and enjoy no car note for a while....Painted Horse, I noticed on your picture showing your hi ties that you have a hay rack..  I know a ton of you others do too..My question is this.. Is there any other (easier) way to get hay up on top with out having to flat out muscle it up there? I am as strong as the average person, but I don't relish the thought of climbing a ladder while trying to heave 4-5 80 lb bales on top. I know there is a "hay bucker" or something like that but it is rather involved and expensive.. Is there some trick to the trade or home made device out there to make hay loading easier?  I have a bale bag and thought of buying several more to protect the hay from blowing in the wind while on top. The handles on the bag would add strength and stability for using some sort of device to drag the bales up.  Any ideas anybody?

Do you have a tractor with front end loader? Or barn with hay loft? I use the bale bags for ease of lifting from the front end loader of the tractor. Just drive up to the trailer, go real slow to the side where the hay rack is and then set the brake. Climb up your ladder and unload the bales. I strap them down with ratchet ties. I've also backed the trailer to the hay loft in the barn.

Once when I was at a horse camp I needed to get a bale back on top and I used a long, thick lead rope and tied the rope around the handles then used the side of rack as a brace and hoisted the bale back up. It helps to have a friend keep the bale from swinging and banging into the trailer until the last 2-3 foot.

However, it is much easier just to load in the stud stall of a 3 horse trailer. Since we only have a 2 horse LQ, it's gotta go on top for week long rides. For just weekends I through it in the bed of the truck under the goosneck.

Maybe you could spruce you trailer up with new comforter, pillows to give it a new look. I'm in that nesting phase too. Happens every winter when I want something new to look at and use. This year I want a new house!

On item to note is that if you do put a hay rack on a 2 horse BP, make sure that the trailer weight will still be evenly distributed when loaded. You won't have much weight on the tongue if you put the hay rack on the back and have two horses loaded too with a front dressing room.

We have a hay rack that has never been used. I physically can't lift the hay into it, and don't need to. We typically haul one or two horses and own three horse trailers. We've been doing this now for about 17 years with various trailers. The additional stall is for the extras, including hay bales. The additional weight of a 3H trailer over a 2H isn't significant, particularly when a third horse is not included. The additional space is welcomed and well utilized.

Gard

Check out "bale buddie".  They are inexpensive "manual" version.  Easily installed by me.

I recommend that you take a look at www.hayrak.com.  This HayRak is easily installed on most trailers and comes with a ladder included (most don't have a ladder).

As to getting the hay up there if you don't have a tractor and loader..... then put the hay in the back of your pick up... then back up to the trailer, then toss it on in.  This may not be practical for the ladies, but it is one style of getting the job done.

Another idea I have seen...... If you by hay from a feed store then go to the feed store and when they go to load it for you, you say, "Up there" .

No more hay or cubes than you need for a weekend or a week that can work really well. 

Another way is to put it in the back stall and pull over to a neighbor who has a tractor and loader and ask a favor.  Bake'em a pie........  The smaller the rig more you can utilize top storage.

Now please understand that I am not the least bit prejudiced, just because I invented the HayRak .  Well, maybe just a little....

The Bale Bucker is another great quality product (not mine) www.balebucker.com.  A little pricey but well worth it if you go a lot. 

Look at our picture gallery and you will see several small trailers with a HayRak.  Over and over I hear.... "The trailer is paid for,  I just need more space and no new loans."

If I can answer questions for you please feel free to contact me...

Dan

good ideas, everyone!

I board at a barn, no hay loft or tractor available.. SOMEDAY We'll get to retire and I can have property of my own ..

Gard, that is EXACTLY why I am looking at (for) a three  horse BP. I only have two horses, for a total weight of approx 2000 lbs.  I don't currently own a truck, so putting hay in the bed is not an option. Last time I strapped the hay on the luggage rack of my SUV..  I've test driven a couple of trucks, but am not mentally ready to change to having a truck as my only vehicle and having both a truck and passenger car is NOT an option.  Hubby wouldn't go for me breaking the bank on my "hobby".  I've looked at the new Expeditions and that may be a do-able route... However, My LC is a nice car and is PAID FOR!!!

We enjoyed our 3H for about 15 years and only got rid of it because we wanted some bathroom facilities. We had a stock combo that had three slant load stalls. With a large one piece tailgate, any horse would load; anything would fit including tractors. We never ran out of room while hauling two horses and their various equipment.

The trailer only weighed about 3400#, and with two horses, was well under the towing limits of our Expedition. Even though our Expo only had about 230 hp and a four speed, it had more than enough power on our hills and the interstates. The newer ones have about 310 hp and a six speed, so they will be more than strong enough. The new regular length vehicles are rated at 8700# towing.

If you've pulled a 2H BP, you will like the additional versatility of a 3H BP. It does everything better, with little additional bulk and weight.

Gard

We had a stock combo that had three slant load stalls. With a large one piece tailgate, any horse would load; anything would fit including tractors.

I've been looking for all-enclosed with drop heads and butts, but I did see an all aluminum stock combo that looked interesting.. What did you do with your horses in the winter? Even blanketed, wont they freeze to death being trailered when it's cold?  I imagine that a outside temp of 30's (conservatively) would be hell when that wind is hitting you in the face at 55-65 MPH

I enclosed all the slats with Lexan window panels, closed in the gaps around the escape door, and minimized the outside air infiltration. I did not close the curved arch over the rear tail gate. I had ordered adjustable ceiling stall vents to install, and sold the trailer before this was accomplished.

We rarely haul in the winter, but when we did, a blanket and hood sufficed. There was no wind in the face of any of the animals.

Here's some for sale now: 

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=178491

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=172378

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=170543

http://www.cornprotrailers.com/Slant.html

Gard

That was pretty much what I wanted to do also, have a DR big enough to add a cot inside so I didn't HAVE to set up my tent if I didn't want to.. I rarely camp during the middle of the summer, so heat would not be a problem (for me to sleep in the DR)  I guess I could get a GN w/ a weekend package, but that is bigger than what I wanted to fool with, plus I'd have to get a truck and the whole shebang.. The trailer I saw,I'm sure it was on this website was an all-aluminum WW. I dont remember if it had a front tack, but it was light and looked plain but nice.. if I start adding all of the gadgets and widgets that I like to an all-enclosed, it will run my weight (as well as the price) up.  I'm seriously thinking about trading in my LC on a new Expedition, which will give me @ 8-9000 lbs tow capacity; more than enough to accomodate my two girls and their get-up.

add'l note:  Well, I guess i was smoking crack when I went thru the list last time, because I cannot find any mention of an aluminum WW..I was just sure that's what it was, because I remember being surprised that WW made anything aluminum. I went back 17 pages ljust now ooking for it. Oh well,.. I guess I'm nuts...I did see an elite and a featherlite (I think one of the ones  linked above)..

Here's some WW trailers

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=177927

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=164079

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=139290

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=136932

http://www.mrtrailer.com/balebucker.htm

 http://www.mrtrailer.com/stepabove.htm