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Member
Posts: 34
Location: Spokane Wa | I am looking at buying a living quarters horse trailer and would like to know what you all think about width? I am wondering if I should just buy an 8 ft. wide and not have to deal with a 7 wide with slide. Pro's and con's? I am hoping to find one with a 10 ft short wall all aluminun 3 horse to pull with my 3/4 Dodge...I do have air bags on all four corners.Thank you |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| The 8'W without slide will give you mangers, a larger rear tackroom, and more closets in the LQ. And I believe you'll be surprised at the open feeling- especially with a lighter wood.
And without a slide, 10+ years from now you aren't replacing seals, awning, and whatever else a moving room in a big hole may contribute to.
I realize many folks on here will push you towards a slide, but we did the 10-11' sw without and have been happy. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 404
Location: Valentine, NE | IMO, it depends on useage and storage. If you are going to use it a lot, and store it outside, a slide, might cause more problems. If you use a few times a year and store it inside, a slide should be fairly trouble free.
I am not a slide fan as I have seen them up close and personal at the local conversion company's shop. To me, to many moving parts and chances for more maintenance. Also, the floor plans typically don't allow much use unless slide is out..that is in 8' wide--I would hate to see what a slide does in a 7' when closed...
Good luck. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN | Go wider! You will not regret it! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | Why ask us. Look at both trailers and decide which YOU like the best.Different folks have varied opinions. And just because some body presents a valid argument for them. Doesn't mean it's valid for you.Think about where you will haul this trailer. The bigger trailers are great. Never complain about too much space. But I do complain about not fitting down Forest Service roads. about dragging over BLM roads. Sometimes a smaller trailer is a blessing.Consider the weight difference, if any. Slides often weigh more than traditional trailers, because they have to beef up the trailer to support the slide. Will you truck haul the heavier trailer?What about height? I hate 7' tall trailers, if I sleep in the gooseneck. If I never sleep in them, then 7' is fine and lower wind resistence. 7'6" is a lot nicer to sit up in bed and not boop your head on the ceiling |
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Regular
Posts: 78
| If for no other reason, I would go with wider for the sake of the horses. I like it for me too tho. That extra foot throughout makes a big difference, and since I was buying used planning to keep for a long time, the potential maintenance of a slide was a factor. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350 | We have had women customers that feel intimidated to pull an 8 wide LQ, so a good compromise is a 7 wide with a slide out. We order them with mangers, just like the 8' wides; although the seven wide mangers aren't quite as wide as the 8' wides, they still allow ample room for a horse and still provide a lot of storage room.Tthe trailers will be similar in weight , due to the slide on the 7' wide as opposed to an 8' wide non-slide. The folks that pull the seven/slides really like them. |
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New User
Posts: 1
Location: Oregon | I just bought a 7 ft. wide with a slide, getting it today. Will let you know what I think. I agree with the post above about pulling a 8 ft. wide. I like to see the side of my trailer thru the mirrors and not feel claustrophobic going down a two lane highway in traffic to be honest with you. JMO |
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Regular
Posts: 78
| I'm having trouble understanding the fear of 8' wide. I can see down the sides of the trailer in my mirrors just fine--I know exactly where both sides are tracking, and I live on a 2 lane road that is not even 16' wide in places with lots of farm traffic. The axles are the same width, so what's the difference? I learned to pull a trailer when I was 15 that was 7.5 wide and the step up to an 8 a few years later didn't seem like a big deal. |
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Regular
Posts: 80
Location: Central WI | Big difference with 8' trailer for me is backing. Hard to see where your rear end is going. Pulling down the road is no big deal as long as you have mirrors that extend out far enough for you to see down both sides of the trailer. When passing on the hi-way I have no problem seeing in the side mirrors when it is safe to pull back into my lane. Truck came with mirrors that pull out for towing and push back in for unloaded driving. |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | I like the non slide 8, like the room for the horses, and like the idea that on a quick stop I can easily get through the trailer to get to the bathroom... get what YOU want and are comfortable with. I haul cattle and hay so the 8 wide was not a great big adjustment for the hauling vision wise. |
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Location: Tulsa, OK | @painted horse - maybe they would like to hear other's opinions (pro's/con's) before they decide themselves... |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Western WA | I think either trailer is too much for a 3/4 ton truck. Check weights and your towing/hauling capacity.
Edited by headhunter 2014-03-18 5:16 PM
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7ft wide with 6 ft. slide or 8 ft. without slide which should I buy?
