Female hauling alone here!

The extra length of the trailer is an absolute non-issue.  I went from a standard 3h/4' sw no LQ gooseneck to a 3h/midtack/9' shortwall trailer that is 36' end to end.   Its alot heavier than the non LQ trailer was, but it doesn't take long to get used to the extra length.

I think the difference between the 8' and 10' LQ in many trailers is the size of the fridge and how much storage you get.  If had to do it over again, I probably would have tried to find something with a 10' LQ and a full size fridge.  I just have one of those under the counter fridges with an icebox.  Not really convenient for long show weekends or long hauls.  But that is my only complaint so I guess I didn't do too bad.  I make up for less cabinets/closets in the main LQ by having a full midtack with lots of storage. 

I haul a 15 foot shortwall LQ, 2-horse, 8 foot wide Elite alone most of the time. Just take corners slow and swing wide to avoid clipping the curb or other vehicles. Stopping a longer, heavier trailer takes more time so keep several car lengths between you and the vehicle you are following.

10 foot shortwall is plenty comfortable for 1-2 people and you'll have plenty of room for nice amenities like full size shower, fridge w/freezer and lots of storage cabinets. You can never have too much storage. I also have a dropped nose to make for more head room in the gooseneck bed. I'd also go with ducted a/c and heat in any trailer that is 10 foot or longer. Makes for even cooling/heating.

If it is in your budget, I'd get the horse compartment insulated. I noticed a big difference in heating the Elite with a insulated horse compartment versus my non-insulated one that I had before. Plus we use the horse compartment as a mud room and a place to store our riding clothes/jackets/shoes. So we keep a ceramic space heater in it and our clothes etc. are not frigid on cold mornings.

Originally written by CrazyAgain on 2009-04-27 6:56 PM

I have been shopping for a quality 3H LQ trailer (4Star, Elite, Platinum, etc.) and not really finding what I am looking for. When talking to reputable dealers and other trailer owners at the Midwest Horse Fair and the MN Horse Expo, they almost all seem to think I should go to a 10' SW and skip the 8' SW. I have a 2005 6'SW LQ, 7 wide that is just too small and was a perfect fit as a first LQ. So my question is this? How big of a difference will it feel to pull an additional 2 feet? (please don't say 2 feet worth )I also would like to hear from women who haul your own rig because your SO/hubby is non-horsey. Do you just adapt to the longer trailer? Do you wish you had less and not more? I do more weekends and long weekends and most of the time take a family member - my grown daughter or my mother. Looking forward to your input,Sue

Not really that much difference in price.  Go with the 10'SW, 2 feet is nothing to worry about.  Now if you was talking about going up to something like a 8' with a midtack or a 15'sw then you could worry about it.  My better half hauls a lot by herself or with her girl friends and has never had any issues.  But we had a Exiss SS413 that was 40' hitch to bumper that she pulled with no issues. (you should see the looks see got at the fuel stations, she is only 5'4" tall)

Bottom line is she said the 10'sw we have now is just PERFECT!

HTB

I found a 8 foot sw to be too long.Guess it depends  on where you go.Logging roads and such.Even here at home it was hard to get around the barn and so on.It was to much trailer.The turning radius stunk.IF I buy another one I want a weekender with shower.Bed,store gear,shower.

When we shopped for a LQ, we settled on an 8' model. It had the 3 CF refig, dinette, and a modest but complete interior. By the time we had driven home from the show, we already had reservations about the size we had chosen. The next day we had definitely talked ourselves out of the trailer, and Monday morning we canceled the order.

We ended up buying a 13' LQ with a mid tack. With a couch it comfortably sleeps three, the size of our family. With a dual door 6 CF fridge, we can carry several days of cold produce. It's comfortable, and when it's set up, a pleasure to use.

It's also long. Too large for quick trips to the vets or a local ride at a friend's house, we frequently used our shorter stock combo trailer for running around errands.

I would recommend a 10' trailer as being comfortable for two or three people. I would rather have a less lavish bathroom and have more useable space in the living area. The larger fridge is a must, as is the most amount of cabinet storage and counter space. We use our cook top, but not our oven. The microwave and AC are must haves. A long awning is often used and welcomed.

If you will only have one trailer, a very long one will become an impediment. If you have to compromise, a 10' LQ is a good choice. My wife pulls both of our trailers with no problems. On the open roads you will not notice the additional length. It's only when parking, tight corners or crossing rough terrain, that you will notice the length differences. The change for you would be slight, far less than the switch from a BP to a goose neck trailer.

BOL  Gard

Thanks to you all for your quick responses. What a great site and group of members! You actually have just verified what I have been hearing for 2 weeks of talking about trailers with just about anyone who wanted to talk! :-)

I plan to proceed in my search of a new LQ and will keep you posted on my results!

The state trails in MN open on May 1st - Whahoo! It was a long off season this year!

Happy Trails. Sue

The friends we were with at the MN Horse expo were trailer shopping so we looked at a lot of trailers with them. I think now is a good time to buy IF you can afford it. Seems like there were some pretty good deals available.

Good luck with your search.

Update from my first reply,

Better half said the only thing that bother her was going to an 8' wide trailer.  Some 3/4 ton trucks do not have extendable trailer tow mirrors and only have enough sticking out to see down a 7' wide trailer.  But with extendable or larger trailer tow mirrors you should not have a probelm.  Our older Ford and Dodge has standard mirrors and we can not see down the side of our 8' wide trailer, but our new Dodge has folding mirrors and she has no trouble at all.

HTB

Why anybody would think of something around a 10' sw in UNDER 8' wide is beyond me.

No tow mirrors on thr truck?...well, you are under mirrored for pulling any HT.

The GN trailers all have 102" outside width axles, whether 7' or 8' wide. The width of the box has no effect on cornering.

Not all of us have your bank book.

To the OP - I just bought a Bison 10ft SW/3hrs - 7wide. LOL!

I love it!

I wanted the 10ft because: Full bathroom, two sinks, and more storage!

At first I was pretty nervous, my last trailer was a 8ftSW/3 hrs.

I love the way the 7wide pulls compared to the 8wide.  I feel like it follows better.  I got a heck of a buy on my Bison from Uncle Bobs!

How could it follow you any different than an 8' wide? Mongo no understand.

The extra foot in both the horse area and LQ way offsets the perceived difference between the two widths.

A fiend has a Bison with a 10' sw...but it's 6'9" wide.....but really, what's 15"?, I mean heck, that's only 7 1/2" per side.

He paid $1400/ft from Pony Hills for the LQ.......he wishes he'd have popped for the 8' wide.

I have met lots of folks camping and doing 4-H with the kids and I have never met anyone who regretted the 8- wide trailer.  Usually folks say they like their trailer, but wishes they had gotten the 8-ft wide.  Trailer follows the truck.  Swing wide and use the mirrors.

I got three trailers, none are LQ equipped, two goosenecks and one is a bumper pull stock. We show alot and wife does some clinics and a little trail riding.... Alot of the time, where we go dictates which trailer we use. The six horse head to head gets the most use, but if we're going to someones house for a local "day show", forget about it... Most of the folks drive ways are too narrow at the road to make the turn with the 6H2H..... I have found that in our area that a trailer with 25-28 foot on the floor (with the axles toward the front a little more than most) is about as much as you would want to use, specially if you're visiting friends and trail riding.

OH... I like them 102" wide trailer also!!

I wanted to thank each of your for your responses.  I did purchase a 3H 4Star with a 10' Trail Boss LQ.  It is everything I wanted except it has a dinette vs. a sofa and I can use it this season and have the dinette replaced with a sofa if I decide to do so.

Can't wait for the weekend now!!

Originally written by genebob on 2009-05-19 11:32 AM

Good for you! Enjoy it now that we are finally getting some descent weather here in good old MN.

.....Yep and just as the fuel prices keep on creeping higher.... and higher..... and higher.....

Thanks to your wife doing an excellent job spotting. I could do it again quick now that I have the first one out of the way....LOL