Posted 2013-02-27 7:04 PM (#150231) Subject: Mangers vs. Escape Door???
Member
Posts: 29 Location: California
Debating between these two options. I am looking for a 2H GN with LQ (6 or 8 foot LQ). I only have one horse and need storage. Love the idea of mangers, but am concerned about space (have posted and appreciate input on this topic). Love the idea of an escape door as I don't want to use the included toilet (as to not empty black tank) but want to put a port a pot in the last stall. Love the idea of going in there from the outside to do my business, love being able to enter from the escape door, take off my mucky boots and not drag mud in the LQ, love easily throwing hay in the escape door......Wondering what folks who have both these set-ups love / hate about both that I have not thought of.....Also - is there a way to put additional bridle racks, hooks, etc in the last stall for storage and then remove them if I transport a horse in there (which I imagine I won't do too often). Don't want him to cut himself....Thanks for ALL the amazing input.
Posted 2013-02-28 12:26 AM (#150240 - in reply to #150231) Subject: RE: Mangers vs. Escape Door???
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Charlo, MT
Our last trailer was a four horse with the escape door, so it only had mangers on three stalls and the door on the fourth. When we upgraded to our current trailer we skipped the escape door so that we could have mangers on all five stalls. I rarely entered the LQ through the stall area, so I don't miss the door for that. The extra under manger storage is more valuable than the door most times. And you will pick up extra space for those bridles under that extra manger.
As much as I like the extra storage, I have had a horse stuck in the trailer and having that door would have made the whole situation better. Since that experience I will probably go with the door on the next trailer, just for peace of mind.
Posted 2013-02-28 7:16 AM (#150245 - in reply to #150231) Subject: RE: Mangers vs. Escape Door???
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Had both and I like the escape door. Extra storage is nice, but more storage, more junk I take that I really don't need! I use the escape door a lot. Store hay, fork, saw dust, etc when not in use for a horse, put the dog in there if not clean enough for the truck (again if no horse), easier to clean out trailer, adds to ventilation when opened if stopped for a time and can't unload, along with the just in case feature of need if can't get the rear door open.
You can get a manager in the escape door to get the best of both worlds. But I was concerned with the added weight on the door hinges so passed on that feature.
Posted 2013-02-28 9:00 AM (#150246 - in reply to #150231) Subject: RE: Mangers vs. Escape Door???
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
You can add my vote for the escape door. It makes access to the front stall much easier. We don't usually haul a horse in our front stalls, instead using the spaces for storage. Loading hay and grain directly into this area is made much easier with the door option.
Posted 2013-02-28 10:00 AM (#150248 - in reply to #150231) Subject: RE: Mangers vs. Escape Door???
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
In a 2H LQ, having an escape door will push the axles back and add tongue weight. Having 2 mangers allows the axles to shift forward for a typical weight balance.
Depending on what brand of trailer you choose, a lot of them do not allow for a stud divider on the last divider because it must be collapsible. So the escape door/stud stall feature may or may not apply to you.
Posted 2013-02-28 12:11 PM (#150252 - in reply to #150231) Subject: RE: Mangers vs. Escape Door???
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
Definitely an escape door. Not only for accessibility for storage, it just seems way easier to park the trailer on a bit of a slant and open that front door to hose it out after use. I hauled a horse that reportedly went nuts when backed out of the trailer and she offloaded forward very quietly. It was for a friend, so no need to go into the training issues here. It was very helpful for my vet when he needed to give shots and for front access to assess an injury before getting the horse off the trailer. Besides, I just prefer them; isn't that reason enough?
Mangers vs. Escape Door???
