We just recently bought a 1996 Merhow Turfman 2horse slant load BP. Amazingly had not been used since 1997, still had the registration in the dressing room. Outside of the clear coat on the paint pealing in some spots, it is in amazing condition. Unfortunately it is missing the second divider piece in the horse area. The first stall divider is present but the back one that would give you the small "tack" area in the back left corner is missing. The hinges are there but not the divider. It is not crucial to have except it will make it safer to load the second horse and not worry about it backing out as you put up the ramp. So the million dollar question is, does anyone know where I might be able to get that piece. Merhow has been no help as they have been sold a couple times since 1996 and don't have parts for that trailer. I don't know of a horse trailer grave yard you can get parts from. Does anyone know where I might be able to get that piece?
Posted 2014-02-09 3:41 PM (#157399 - in reply to #157397) Subject: RE: Merhow missing piece
Veteran
Posts: 218 Location: Ohio
Dave,
Sent you a return private message but it does not seem to be sending. Can you send me another one with an e-mail address I can respond to you with?
Thanks...
Posted 2014-02-10 9:46 AM (#157408 - in reply to #157397) Subject: RE: Merhow missing piece
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Many interior panels can be inexpensively fabricated using plywood. Baltic Birch has the most amount of strength, because of its numerous solid hardwood plies. You will find the material quite durable, I rebuilt a ramp using this. Once painted, it well mimics a FRP panel and can be colour matched to your trailer's interior.
Having the original hinges makes the construction effort very manageable for a DIYer.
Posted 2014-02-10 4:32 PM (#157416 - in reply to #157397) Subject: RE: Merhow missing piece
Veteran
Posts: 218 Location: Ohio
Gard, that sounds like a much better option than having an aluminum one fabricated. I will have to look into that.
The trailer picture is attached. I have put new breaks on it and tires just because it sat for so long. Had a new plug put on as well as safety chains and of course replaced the break away battery. The dressing room just needed to be wiped down and looks like it was never used. Wished at least one coat of wax had been put on it and the clear coat may have survived. Someday we may get a new paint job on it but not this year.
In a previously owned goose neck we put the play room interlocking tiles underneath the regular mats for extra cushion. I did that again here. This trailer will not be used for long hauls though. We have our LQ trailer for that. This is just so we can get to local riding easier and for my wife to get the horses to the vet. Our big trailer is 38ft long and won't fit in the vets parking lot well and when we leave we have to back out onto the road.
Posted 2014-02-10 10:24 PM (#157425 - in reply to #157397) Subject: RE: Merhow missing piece
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Having a smaller "run around" trailer, makes the short trips more enjoyable and easier to accomplish. Day tripping with a short trailer, and eliminating all the living clutter of a LQ, makes sense for the non camping travels. Going back to basics can be very welcoming.