Posted 2013-09-15 9:13 PM (#154773) Subject: Sundowner Charter SE 2 h bumber pull with front exit ramp
Regular
Posts: 60 Location: Alberta Canada
Just wondering if anyone has any feedback on the Sundowner 2 horse Charter SE straight load trailer with ramp in the back as well as a front exit ramp. I just sold my old trailer and am scoping out my next one lol. Anyone have one of these trailers? Do you like the trailer? I only need a two horse now and I want either one with exit doors on the side or that front exit ramp/exit door combo.
Posted 2013-09-16 5:00 PM (#154787 - in reply to #154773) Subject: RE: Sundowner Charter SE 2 h bumber pull with front exit ramp
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
A neat design. But it is tongue heavy. That is the only drawback I've heard about it. Will require a decently heavy tow vehicle. Even with a WDH, don't think I'd want it on the typical SUV that folks want to use to tow a BP.
Posted 2013-09-16 5:00 PM (#154788 - in reply to #154773) Subject: RE: Sundowner Charter SE 2 h bumber pull with front exit ramp
Veteran
Posts: 136 Location: Watertown, TN
Don't want to be argumentative but, if my horse is not smart enough to back out of a trailer without hurting himself.......... I really should find another horse. I sure don't want to be trusting my life to him while on his back. Just say'in.
Posted 2013-09-16 5:58 PM (#154790 - in reply to #154788) Subject: RE: Sundowner Charter SE 2 h bumber pull with front exit ramp
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by Arieldouglas on 2013-09-16 5:00 PM
Don't want to be argumentative but, if my horse is not smart enough to back out of a trailer without hurting himself.......... I really should find another horse. I sure don't want to be trusting my life to him while on his back. Just say'in.
Why you got to be a smartass? Nobody said anything about it's for horses that won't back out... We load ours into the trailer using the side ramp... Backing them up the ramp and into the stall. I bought the trailer because I'm in a wheelchair, I use the side ramp for me to get in and out of the trailer.
Posted 2013-09-16 6:26 PM (#154791 - in reply to #154773) Subject: RE: Sundowner Charter SE 2 h bumber pull with front exit ramp
Veteran
Posts: 136 Location: Watertown, TN
Not trying to be a smart mouth. I asked what the advantage was and now you have answered the question. Not being mobility impaired that was not something I had thought about. I can now see where the front ramp would be a distinct advantage for you.Similarly I have never understood the idea of an escape door on a slant load trailer. It's only good to get one horse out. This I do have experience with, having been rear ended an having to wait on a wrecker to get my horses out. Hummmmm, I guess I just answered my own question. If I had been towing a straight load with a side ramp, I could have gotten my horses out.
Posted 2013-09-18 8:24 PM (#154829 - in reply to #154773) Subject: RE: Sundowner Charter SE 2 h bumber pull with front exit ramp
Regular
Posts: 60 Location: Alberta Canada
Thanks to everyone for the replies. I'm so glad that the side ramp enables mobility challenged folks to still be able to enjoy trailer inch their horses, and wheelchairs/scooters to their favorite equine events. That's awesome! Excellent point about them being tongue heavy though. I hauled my horses in a three horse angle haul for years with never a problem. That is, until a few months ago when I had a near disaster experience. Like most folks, I got complacent doing the same old task of unloading my very well trained horses. They all hop on and off the trailer as good as gold. Except on that day I unloaded the mare first and my friend was holding her off to the side where my gelding couldn't see her . I walked in and reached up to Unclip himAnd BAM!!! He exploded backwards. He slammed me head first with his trailer tie into the side of the trailer and after coming forwards a few steps he thrashed backwards again thankfully breaking the quick release snap of the bungee trailer tie. I saw stars for a few minutes but was okay. Except for the "what if " factor. Being trapped in the nose of a trailer with a panicked horse scared me to death. I have asked my vet and riding coach for feedback on this and have some great hindsight tips. Such as... Always unclip the horse before opening the trailer door (through the drop down windows) never use bungee trailer ties and remind the horse you are there before reaching up and touching him. So I see that I did a few things wrong but I also see how potentially lethal those slant loads with no escape door are. For me, too much risk. I sold my trailer and my next one will have escape doors at the front and or this nice big exit ramp on the side. 55 55
Posted 2013-09-19 5:00 AM (#154839 - in reply to #154773) Subject: RE: Sundowner Charter SE 2 h bumber pull with front exit ramp
Expert
Posts: 1871 Location: NY
I have use my trailer with side ramp to take horses to the clinic that could not back off, it is also less stress on the horse to walk off the trail them back I see the different
Sundowner Charter SE 2 h bumber pull with front exit ramp
