I have had my new to me 2000 4 star 3 horse gooseneck now for 3 months and I love it. When I purchased the trailer, I had them install screens, so I could haul with the windows down. They were around $65.00 a piece, have 2 zippers and appear heavy duty. The horses have been pushing on them, and finally the other day, while in the parking lot, my mare managed to rip them along both zippers, sigh.
My query is:
1. Should I replace them with cargo net style, they appear a little stronger?
2. Do I replace the torn one, and reinforce them somehow from the inside, so the horses can't push through and tear (don't have any ideas on how to do this yet
3. Contact 4 star and try to get the new drop windows with bars? I imagine this would be very expensive, and possibly a custom job. We don't have a 4 star trailer dealer close.
4. Or? Any ideas? I am at a loss
I am so frustrated and I don't want to spend a bunch of money and have it happen again. I haul all summer and fall with the windows down, to keep it cooler during
hot weather, and feel like the slide windows on the drops don't provide enough
ventilation. Help...
Posted 2010-10-04 2:10 PM (#125454 - in reply to #125451) Subject: RE: Screen Netting Drops/ Tearing/ replacing
Veteran
Posts: 112 Location: ohio
We have a 2 horse 4Star with the screen also. Ours have zippers in the middle but they are fastened on with velcro so I would guess they would have give at the velcro before the zippers broke. If you could take them to a fabric shop to have zipper replaced then velcro them in. We also have drop down doors in our LQ 4Star trailer with the bars which I love, but the horses should have a fly mask on with them down but I don't always use them. Our 4Star dealer would send us replacement items and we pay with credit card. We are in Ohio and they are in PA. Maybe find a dealer and have them send replacements to you. Hope this helps.
Posted 2010-10-04 11:20 PM (#125472 - in reply to #125451) Subject: RE: Screen Netting Drops/ Tearing/ replacing
Member
Posts: 40 Location: Selah, WA
sdlepalpm: Thanks for your input. So you are saying the nets are connected to the horse trailer with velcro? Just wanted to clarify. Currently my nets are attached with a grommet and twisty screw that locks them down. (sorry, I have no idea what they are called.) The netting ripped all the way around the zippers. Perhaps I can just have them resewn. I might email 4 star and see if they even make drop down doors with bars for this trailer.
Does anyone have on input on the cargo net type screens. Are these stronger? I realize I would need to haul with fly masks, but just wondering if anyone had used them.
Posted 2010-10-05 6:35 AM (#125475 - in reply to #125472) Subject: RE: Screen Netting Drops/ Tearing/ replacing
Veteran
Posts: 112 Location: ohio
Yes, the nets are secured with velcro, if I remember there are three of them on each side. This is the trailer in my avatar if you can see it. It is a 2002 4Star and it had drop down windows with the netting.
Posted 2010-10-05 8:30 AM (#125476 - in reply to #125451) Subject: RE: Screen Netting Drops/ Tearing/ replacing
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
We have an older Sidekick that has bars and screens built onto the windows. Obviously they protect the windows, but do nothing to restrain the horses when the windows are dropped open.
We have cargo nets to keep the noses inside the trailer. The nets are unbreakable against a horse, but the hardware that affixes them to the window frames is the weakest link. The snaps and "D" rings will break before the net does. We have never had any net hardware yet fail. The nets work perfectly to contain the horses, but offer no protection against wind carried objects striking their faces. This is best accomplished using face masks.
Our Exiss has no bars installed. My wife bought solid screens that were installed by velcro into "D" rings, that I affixed to the inside windows' frames. One piece screens do not allow access for the attachment of the trailer ties from the exterior of the trailer. She bought some HD YYK zippers and sewed them into place which solved the problem. It is easier to purchase zippered screens from the outset. It shouldn't be a problem repairing the zipper, whilst using a household quality sewing machine. Adding some nylon strapping to the screen fabric near the zipper's edge, will reinforce the seam.
Posted 2010-10-05 2:34 PM (#125493 - in reply to #125451) Subject: RE: Screen Netting Drops/ Tearing/ replacing
Veteran
Posts: 212 Location: novinger, mo
If you are trying to protect the faces/eyes of your horses, just use fly masks. We have the drop-down bars up when the windows are open and just use a fly mask. Cheap and easy to replace!
Posted 2010-10-05 6:02 PM (#125500 - in reply to #125451) Subject: RE: Screen Netting Drops/ Tearing/ replacing
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Iowa
slidingirl, I would try to get bars installed on your trailer. It might prove to be cheaper in the long run. The you could always put fly masks on if needed. Thats all I use but I have bars that stay up when the windows are down.
Do you know of any one that can weld aluminum and maybe make you a set of bars? I had a friend do that with his older trailer. They are permanent. He can't remove them at all. But at least he can travel with the windows down and the horses aren't sticking their heads out the windows. Good Luck.
Posted 2010-10-06 2:57 AM (#125515 - in reply to #125451) Subject: RE: Screen Netting Drops/ Tearing/ replacing
Expert
Posts: 2615
I ordered new screens for our 2000 4Star that did not have any and just had drop down windows or closed with sliders.to install bars was going to be far too costly.Our screens were custom made,by RV Sunscreen,and,although not cheap,they are of excellent quality.Not apt to flop or tear easily at all.You might contact them with your window measurements for a quote.I think you would be pleased.We were also able to order silver instead of the standard black ones.
Screen Netting Drops/ Tearing/ replacing
