Posted 2005-05-09 7:33 AM (#24870) Subject: trailer ventilation
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Syracuse
I recently moved from a stock trailer to an enclosed 3 horse hart gooseneck with drop doors and rear sliding windows. I am trying to determine the best combination of windows and roof vents to ventilate the horse compartment. I have sliders in the drop doors and will not drive with the doors open. Any help would be appreciated.
Posted 2005-05-09 7:51 AM (#24871 - in reply to #24870) Subject: RE: trailer ventilation
Veteran
Posts: 103
hello
with out rear drops you need to open the front drops but you need screens even if you have bars also i have found out if you open the rear roof vent to the back it will help pull air out
also it is best to not have solid dividers i hope this helps
Posted 2005-05-09 8:55 AM (#24878 - in reply to #24870) Subject: RE: trailer ventilation
Veteran
Posts: 103
well they do stop bugs and stuff and the other things they stop is the sun and ran i have installed a bunch of them and they help stop the heat from direct sunlight helps a bunch when you are in traffic all this is not because i make them but what i have learned from useing them
Posted 2005-05-09 9:35 AM (#24881 - in reply to #24870) Subject: RE: trailer ventilation
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by dman on 2005-05-09 7:33 AM
I recently moved from a stock trailer to an enclosed 3 horse hart gooseneck with drop doors and rear sliding windows. I am trying to determine the best combination of windows and roof vents to ventilate the horse compartment. I have sliders in the drop doors and will not drive with the doors open. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi and Welcome to the Forum.
As a sweeping generalization... "it depends".
Roof vents are VERY GOOD extractors above about 20 MPH, the other low pressure area is at any windows you may have in rear doors. GENERALLY horse trailers have enough air leaks that you don't need to deliberately ram any air IN, you can depend on roof vents and rear windows to suck air OUT. I havn't yet found it necessary to open any roof vents in their forward (scoop) position, I'm an "avoid draughts to their heads" sort of person (-:
Posted 2005-05-09 9:39 AM (#24882 - in reply to #24878) Subject: RE: trailer ventilation
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1011 Location: Oregon
I haul with flymasks on all my horses when the drops are down. I know it doesn't help with stuff flying in, but at least it protects their eyes. I don't have shavings or do I feed in my trailer (personal preference...not getting into that), so even a cigarette poses little risk. If I did have shavings/hay, I would put the screens up.
Posted 2005-05-09 11:55 AM (#24893 - in reply to #24870) Subject: RE: trailer ventilation
Member
Posts: 8
Location: Birmingham, AL
Its just a matter of opinion, but I'm in the South, and we were hauling for a few hours with the sun hitting the trailer windows directly. The horses were soaking wet when we got to where we were going, and I decided to see if screens behind or over bars made any difference the next time. Actually, when at home, I waited until the heat of the day and stood in my trailer for about 10 minutes when the sun was coming directly in the windows, and then put the screens up and experienced the difference myself. It just seemed like a logical thing to do when you can buy such an inexpensive item and have added protection from the elements (rain also) and added comfort. I'll never be without them behind the bars. I personally think it makes a difference, but my horse and I ain't talking right now, so I don't know what he thinks.
Posted 2005-05-09 2:45 PM (#24904 - in reply to #24885) Subject: RE: trailer ventilation
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by gus on 2005-05-09 10:02 AM
reg my trailer is tight no leaks the person with mask do you have bars ?
Hi Gus,
I'm not looking for a fight here, but a trailer doesn't have to leak rain water in to admit air. If pee gets out through the floor then air gets in.
Other poster re screens; Yes, it makes sense. Shade cloth on green houses works very well at reducing solar gain, even though it is black.
Posted 2005-05-09 3:10 PM (#24908 - in reply to #24870) Subject: RE: trailer ventilation
Veteran
Posts: 103
hello reg
from watching post in the past i think you love to stir the stick in the bucket just to smell it my trailer floor is lined and has two drains one on each side in the rear corners and if air is comming back in them going down the road anyway sorry dont want to get in a pissen contest with the person that knows everything
Posted 2005-05-09 10:20 PM (#24927 - in reply to #24870) Subject: RE: trailer ventilation
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
Windows down, bars up, fly mask to prevent craop in eyes. With my trailer down for repairs I borrowed a 1997 CM 3 horse bumper pull. It had no vents, no windows, unsealed plexiglass that could not be removed, and escape door that had a 1"inch gap at the bottom. We hauled 1.5-2 hours, at 10 in the morning Sunday and my Appy was covered in sweat, as was my wifes Sorrel. I wouldn't take the trailer further than the dealer to trade if they gave it to me. So I agree, airtight or not, it's still hot without good ventilation.
Posted 2005-05-10 11:14 AM (#24934 - in reply to #24870) Subject: RE: trailer ventilation
Expert
Posts: 1391 Location: North of Detroit, MI
If you have bars on your drop down head windows, then haul with the windows down and fly masks on the horse(s). If you do NOT have bars on the head windows, open them but leave them UP.
During the hot months, open your roof vents towards the front of the trailer to "scoop" air in. During the winter, open the roof vents towards the rear to release fumes (ventilate).
Either season, trailer with rear windows open. Air enters through front and roof, exits at the back. Depending on how cold / hot it is, open them a little or a lot.
If you have windows in your rear door(s), open them as well. You are better off with a horse on the cool side than overheated.
Posted 2005-05-11 9:30 AM (#24973 - in reply to #24885) Subject: RE: trailer ventilation
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1011 Location: Oregon
Originally written by gus on 2005-05-09 7:02 AM
reg my trailer is tight no leaks the person with mask do you have bars ?
Yes, I have bars that are ALWAYS up when I am traveling. I get so mad when I see people driving down the road with their windows down and the horses heads are sticking out! It's plain stupid!
Posted 2005-05-14 10:00 AM (#25105 - in reply to #24870) Subject: RE: trailer ventilation
Expert
Posts: 2615
dman-Our new trailer had windows w/out separate dropdown bars,either the whole window was up or down,slider glass in them.I've ordered screens from Hitchboss that zip in the center,allowing you access to your horse from outside,they are really nice people with great products.I think it's www.hitchboss.com? Maybe you can take a look at them for screens too.
trailer ventilation
