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New User
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Location: Savannah, NY | I'm new here and I didn't see this subject in the last couple of pages so I thought I would ask and, hopefully, the subject hasn't been asked in a while. My husband and I are thinking of purchasing our very first new trailer. We have had our own set up for 20 years but never gave trailer width much thought. This is only our 3rd trailer. So the trailers we are looking at are 6'9" wide and 8'0" wide both with LQ. Our first thought was that we would like the 8' wide trailer because it would give us more LQ room, however our second thought was that the wheelwells usually cut into the trailer interior. Salespeople have all said it doesn't matter, but I keep thinking that the tendon on the back of my horse's legs will hit against the wheelwells and could eventually injure the horse. What are your thoughts? Am I overthinking this whole thing? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
 
Location: TN | I had an 8' wide living quarters in the past and now have a living quarters that is 6'8" wide. If I had to do it all again, I would go back to 8' wide. This is one situation where size DOES matter and the extra 16" makes a HUGE difference!
I will say my 6'8" wide trailer pulls like a dream, but the width makes it very tight with more than one person in the trailer! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350
Location: Penrose, Colorado | we have had both widths but there are thousands of horses being hauled in 8 wide trailers and I have never heard of one being hurt that way. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350 | The width's you describe (6'9" and 8") make it sound like a Sundowner trailer. All new Sundowner 8 wides have tapered fender wells in them; so there is no "shelf" like the old ones had. The taper is pretty much the same angle as a horses rear legs, making for a comfortable ride. several manufacturers are now making the tapered fender wells as an option. From both the standpoint of being both a living quarters owner and a trailer salesman; go with the 8' wide. |
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Member
Posts: 45
| Our trailer is 7.5 wide and the living quarters is very comfy. 8 wide would be great, but I'm not a big fan of mangers plus with the mangers, the horses actually have less room for their feet in an 8 wide. I agree with the other poster the tapered wheel wells are good - that is what my trailer has. IMO anything less than 7.5 wide would be too tight in the living quarters.
With any width, measure the length of the divider; the angle of the slant varies greatly between manufacturers/models.
My horses have tons of room and they are big horses. This was our first real living quarters and we've had a blast camping in it. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | Mangers or not, the horses feet are still gonna be in the same place on the floor. The manger only takes space under the head and neck. In my opinion, they still have the same amount of space to stand |
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Expert
Posts: 1351
Location: Decatur, Texas | Originally written by Posetiew on 2013-12-05 2:30 PM I'm new here and I didn't see this subject in the last couple of pages so I thought I would ask and, hopefully, the subject hasn't been asked in a while. My husband and I are thinking of purchasing our very first new trailer. We have had our own set up for 20 years but never gave trailer width much thought. This is only our 3rd trailer. So the trailers we are looking at are 6'9" wide and 8'0" wide both with LQ. Our first thought was that we would like the 8' wide trailer because it would give us more LQ room, however our second thought was that the wheelwells usually cut into the trailer interior. Salespeople have all said it doesn't matter, but I keep thinking that the tendon on the back of my horse's legs will hit against the wheelwells and could eventually injure the horse. What are your thoughts? Am I overthinking this whole thing? My opinion you are overthinking it!!! Horses will be horse and could hurt themselves in padded stalls. As everyone else has stated most inner fender wells are made "horse friendly" and most are covered with either a heavy rubber mat or spray type lining just like the floor has...... As far mangers that someone mentioned, I will NEVER buy another trailer that does not have mangers.... They do not take up any space where the horse actually stands. (unless you horse stands on his head!) And add a ton of storage!
Edited by hogtownboss 2013-12-06 2:48 PM
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 Member
Posts: 47
Location: South Dakota | I have an 8' now and I'd never have anything but an 8. Love it for myself in the LQ and also the horses. |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | Have had both, prefer the 8, the curve of the hip stands the hind leg in from the wheel well. the manger is in the space under the horses head. Works fine, have hauled some clients horses that were "bad haulers" they did perfectly in the 8 wide slant... and how you drive makes a great deal of difference in a good trip fro the horse, as well as the dimensions of the trailer... YMMV |
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Regular
Posts: 70
| 8' wide gives you more room in front and your horses more room in the stalls (longer stall length from nose to tail) Horses don't stand with their hind feet plumb straight aligned to the back of their hip.
You are allowing the horses' NOSE to have more room, so he can stretch his head/neck OUT farther, allowing for a more balanced position when traveling.
I don't like mangers because I like my horses to be able to stretch down a bit and cough or just not stand with their neck/head held high. My trailer is 7'6" wide and I love it! Fits the biggest of horses.
Edited by Fancy That 2013-12-23 4:03 PM
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Regular
Posts: 70
| ^^^ won't let me edit my post above :) Meant to say, horses DO STAND with their hind feet aligned to back of hip. Like this. See where the hind feet are?
Edited by Fancy That 2013-12-23 4:07 PM
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Member
Posts: 11
Location: Oak Ridge, NC | I am also looking at purchasing an 8 ft wide trailer for the extra space in the LQ. From those that have had both widths, is there any difference hauling and seeing around the trailer in the rearview mirrors? Any difference turning or maneuvering? I have decided if I don't get an 8 ft wide trailer I will need a slide to keep my hubby, and two labs from tripping over each other at night. |
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Regular
Posts: 78
| I have pulled an 8' wide for the last 14 years. You can see just fine beside the trailer and where the wheels are tracking. Your visibility behind the trailer is more limited. I don't find that this matters. Watch for jacknifing too far in a short bed truck, but I towed with one for 5 years without incident. I've had 7, 7.5 and 8. Would not own less than 7.5 but prefer the 8 for horses and people. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 218
Location: Ohio | We have had both widths and if I EVER have a choice it will be the 8 ft wide. Much better in the LQ area. Also it will make the entrance in the back wider for the horses to load. We have never had a problem with the horses legs. There is no comparison for me, go 8 ft. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
 
Location: Vermont | Horses comfort should always come first... |
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Member
Posts: 6
Location: Oklahoma City, OK | Don't be afraid of going with an 8-0" wide trailer. Many manufacturers will taper the wheel wells on top and ends to prevent injury to your horses. |
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Member
Posts: 6
Location: Oklahoma City, OK | I see a few references to mangers. For my 2ยข worth, mangers are great for short hauls. On a long haul (>4hrs) I would only have mangers if I were willing to stop every couple of hours to unload and allow my horses to stretch their necks down and clear their airways. Many people don't realize the significant amount of dust and debris that blows around the interior of trailers as they travel down the highway.
Horses cannot effectively cough to clear their lungs unless they are able to lower their heads almost to the ground. |
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Location: Tulsa, OK | That's a really odd post; PRCA/IPRA contestants haul their horses from RODEO to RODEO coast to coast in 7'6" & 8' wide trailers w/ mangers ........ |
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Veteran
Posts: 218
Location: Ohio | Butch, you are right, horses can't clear their airways like we can. They need to get their heads dependent to clear the throat. Just because someone hauls long distances with the mangers does not mean they are good for the horses. People use bungie cord ties for trailers too but I have seen horses get severely injured when they broke and snapped back into their face. You can buy those trailer ties all over the place and people use them...still not a good idea. |
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Member
Posts: 40
Location: Laguna Hills, CA | My 8 foot wide Cimmeron has way more room in the stalls than my old 7'6" trailer did. And the wheel wells do not impact the horse stall room at all. The stalls are way bigger and roomier. This conversation baffles me that folks are trying to say 8 foot wide trailers have less room for the horses. go look at them. They are roomier and the wheel wells hardly affect the room available. Terry |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373
Location: Texas | My horse can drop his head to floor in our trailer with mangers |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434
Location: Brooksville, Fl | I have always had 8ft wide trailers (except for my 2H straight load that I use around home). It gives all of us more room. Our trailers have not had the slanted wheel wells so I just wrapped the rear legs if I was concerned about rubbing on long hauls. No horse has ever injured itself on the wheel wells. I used to be against mangers but I am not anymore. My current slant has mangers and my horses can step back and lower their heads as much as they wish. They really have quite a bit of back and forth room in an 8 wide trailer. I would never own a narrower one. |
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Trailer Width
