Posted 2005-05-03 11:18 AM (#24642 - in reply to #24605) Subject: RE: Trailer Heights
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
None of my horses are that tall, I like the short ones. See if you can measure your horses height from ear tips to ground when he has his head all the way up and add a bit to that.
Posted 2005-05-03 12:32 PM (#24647 - in reply to #24605) Subject: RE: Trailer Heights
Expert
Posts: 1391 Location: North of Detroit, MI
I would say yes, 7' is the absolute minimum... 7'4" would be a better height as that height trailer should also give you a LONGER stall ...
Look for straight loads with at least 80 inches on the floor area (butt to chest bar or chest wall if it has built-in mangers). 82+" on the floor would be better or slants with dividers longer than 100"
Posted 2005-05-04 7:38 AM (#24693 - in reply to #24641) Subject: RE: Trailer Heights
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by Green Acres on 2005-05-03 11:03 AM
No one has an opinion? I did a search for trailer heights but didn't find alot.
I have opinions, but I don't feel obligated to an under 15 hour response time to the questions asked here (-:
My opinion is:
If you have a 16.2 now it is possible/likely that you will have a 17.x within the useful life of any trailer you're considering purchasing in the near/mid future. I have 7' 6" in both trailers and think any extra air above a horse's head is a good thing.
The downsides appear to be;
1) they push a bit more air, so headwinds are noticeable, there is probably an adverse effect on fuel consumption, bug splats are numerous and dense.
2) They pick up more side wind, more noticeable on bumper pulls.
3) Clearing snow from the roof during winter months is a hassle.
4) Clearance under trees can be a problem, especially when backing. It seems that most driveway and around the barn trees are trimmed for PEOPLE to walk under (plus a bit). A trailer with 7' 6" interior roof is likely to need 9 1/2 ft clearance under trees, barn overhangs, etc.
I still think its worth having the extra air and space above their heads.
Posted 2005-05-04 8:27 AM (#24698 - in reply to #24605) Subject: RE: Trailer Heights
Member
Posts: 8
Location: Loganville, Georgia
Thank you for the responses. Reg, I do agree with you the possibility of getting a larger horse in the future so a taller trailer would be good to have now. I had to laugh about the bug thing and well if we get snow in Georgia, usually it's not much so that I don't have to worry about!
What I'm seeing in the trailer search is that there aren't many inexpensive trailers that are 7' tall much less 7'6". I do want a gooseneck which will eliminate the problem you mentioned with bumper pulls. I also realize in wanting a slant load that means I also have to find a wide trailer to allow enough room as well.
Posted 2005-05-04 12:20 PM (#24717 - in reply to #24605) Subject: RE: Trailer Heights
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
Ok, just from a strictly I have one view. If you look at my avitar that's me on a 16 hand appy and my daughter on her 16.1 appendix. Both fit in my 7' ft. tall trailer fine and did fit in my 7'6" straight load just great as well. The thing is, when they stand up straight, with their heads up they are over 7 feet tall to begin with, and unless you go with an 8' ft tall inside height trailer your not going to really get "airspace" above their heads in my opinion and observation. For the most part you see "airspace" because they don't normally stand fully erect, they tend to stand somewhat at rest with their heads lowered or level if you will. We were shoeing the appendix in the barn, with a nine foot ceiling/slash mound floor last year when a bee landed on his nose and he lifted his head and front full erect and leaned back, not reared, and his head darn near hit that ceiling, so do what you will, and I agree with Reg to get the taller if possible. And you are right in your observation, tall trailers aren't cheap.
Posted 2005-05-05 1:31 AM (#24739 - in reply to #24605) Subject: RE: Trailer Heights
Regular
Posts: 50 Location: Portland, OR
Hello,
I would also recommend the taller trailer. Better to have extra head space than not enough although even with the extra tall, your 16.2 hand horse will not have a all that much extra space.
Also, when/if you sell the trailer, the extra height will be a positive selling point.
Posted 2005-05-05 2:12 AM (#24741 - in reply to #24605) Subject: RE: Trailer Heights
Member
Posts: 26 Location: galveston,in
I definatly would get the tallest you are willing to pay for.
My trail horse is a 17.2 h standard bred and my trailer is 6'6"tall and he just ducks his head and goes in and hauls wonderfully but,I am in the process of makn my trailer longer and i am raising the roof in the horse area to 7'6" that way he is more comfortable.I would like to haul farther away and until the trailer gets taller i am not gonna make him suffer a long trip in a short trailer.
Trailer Heights
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