I have never done it, but have researched the effort. A complete door assembly from the OEM would be the best source. The necessary structural modifications will be a test of the capabilities of the average DIYer, with a knowledge of sheet metal repair and fabrication skills a prerequisite.

Several owners have successfully installed walk through doors with no prior knowledge. This would be a little more involved, but with a good source of materials and a parts department willing to work with you, it should be a viable project.

A custom fabricator or conversion company would probably have the knowledge and tools to effect the modification.

Gard

That was my response. In my text I  compared  it to the efforts of those who have successfully installed walk through doors, but added it would be more involved. It's the same type of installation, cut a hole, and install the new door. There are many issues with reinforcing and finishing the edges of the cuts, and fitting the new frame etc.

Starting with a factory door and frame is the first step. Cutting an exact hole to fit the frame is next. Reinforcing the trailer structure has to be accomplished then the installation of the new door frame and door can be effected.

A knowledge of various power tools and metal fabrication is necessary.

Gard

If it's a new trailer, perhaps you could order the trailer from the manufacturer and have them install it for you. What brand/model of trailer is it? When I custom ordered my trailer it took about a months' time before I could get it, but it was worth it.

First stall is a great place to keep them after they have asked "are we there yet?" for the umpteenth time!

Okay... I understand how useful the door would be for disposing of noisy, pesty, agravating kids - having hauled a bunch of Pony Clubbers and 4-H brats around for many years, but in all seriousness, especially in a slant load trailer, don't be fooled by thinking that an escape door will allow your kids to "escape" if a horse is unruly in the trailer. 

The child (or adult) leading a horse into a slant load is going to be in a potentially dangerous situation - they may be able to duck under a divider if there is no horse in the 1st stall (where the escape door usually is), but that's an "iffy" escape.

Teach the horses to go in without being led.  That's the safest method of loading.  That being said, I love my slant load with an escape door in the first stall.  It is actually wide enough for a horse to get through - some are not - and it serves as a "back door" to my living quarters with camping.

But, how does one hitch the horse to the trailer tie without entering that small space, and subsequently unhitch? My daughter could, if necessary climb up on my brushed aluminum fenders and stick her hand through the window. Two things wrong there. Most importantly, it's not the safest way to do it, and secondly, it would scratch the hell out of my fender.

Having said that, I have to do that to unhitch or hitch the back horse,(I kneel on the fender so as not to scratch it to hell) But, that's me, not my kid.

Now, my horses are all reasonably calm for loading, unloading and hauling on most occasions. But you never know what can happen. There's a reason it's called an "escape door" and I feel better knowing it's available.

Edited by barstow 2008-03-11 8:26 AM

Personally I wouldn't tie the horse while I was inside anyways. I have had a dead broke horse get stung and climb all over me trying to get away and had young horses, well, be young horses. Load them, shut the divider, and tie from the outside. Safest possible way.

As far as the escape door goes...I have had trailers both ways. It is handy with the LQ. Non LQ...I can take it or leave it.

Barstow, I'm vertically challenged and in addition have not been able to balance well on that brushed aluminum fender.  I use the step stool that assists me in getting into my LQ for a "boost".  I run a 20 or so inch piece of bailing twine through the tie ring in each stall making a loop.  I tie the leadline in a quick release knot to the bailing twine.  I'm not fond of trailer ties with that big heavy quick release clip that I can never seem to get released.  If I couldn't get the leadline knot untied, I could always cut the twine with the knife I always carry when doing horsey things.

If you are going to depend on the escape door in a slant load trailer to get yourself out, make sure it's open from the outside before stepping in.  I've never seen an escape door with a latch on the inside.

Teach the horses to go in without being led.

Teaching them to load on their own is great, but if you don't get in there at some point how are you going to latch/unlatch the dividers?