I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on a new Trails West LQ.  I'm looking at the 3H 13 X 18 with the slide and bunkbeds. 

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to get for horse extra's?  I'm new to horses and this will be my first horse trailer.  I've had RV trailers before so I pretty much know what I want for the LQ part I'm just not sure about the horse stuff. 

Also.  Is Trails West a good trailer?  I stopped into a TW dealership yesterday and he had great things to say about the trailer.  He was also an Exsiss dealer and said he thought the TW was a MUCH better trailer.  Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Chad

YOu are looking at a 13' STEEL with slide-out LQ for your shortbed 2500...is this a joke?

Does this sound REALLY wrong to anyone but me?

I'm thinking more in the 8' no slide-out range for your truck.

I see guys all the time show up at dog trials with 10' or bigger LQ's and no less than 3 horses and sometimes 4-5 horses along with 20+ dogs and all the gear.  Most of these guys are driving 3500's or less.  Very rarely do I see a dually or 4500+.  I wouldn't even want to think of how much their trailers weigh. 

The TW I'm looking at is 10,600 LBS empty.  I figure I'll carry a max of 2 horses and a ton of gear.  I figure the trailer should end up at no more than about 14,500 or so.  That is still below what the truck is rated for. 

I've got buddies that pull and stop trailers that are a ton heavier than this all the time. 

Why would you consider this to be SO CRAZY? 

Staying within the trucks limits seems pretty safe to me.  Not to mention I'm going to put springs, chip, exhaust on the truck too.

Later,

Chad

Now here is the funny thing.  The dealer that I talked to had Exiss (all aluminum) trialers on his lot too.  I asked him what the wieght difference was between the TW and Exiss.  He said that the difference was 60# if they were both 2H models.  I like the thought of steel over Aluminum when it comes to strength. 

If I could find the weights of other aluminum trailers I would post their weights but for some reason it is very difficult to find spec's on horse trailers.

Later,

Chad 

There really isn't a difference in weight between an all steel trailer and all alumy. There has always been that myth that all alumy weighs less than an all steel trailer.

I've seen the DMax's pull these size trailers before. Just be sure your brakes are prepared and make sure your truck tires are rated for this weight. A great website for the DMax's is www.thedieselplace.com .

Good luck with your TW and your field trials. What kind of dogs are you hunting with?

I plan on converting my 3/4 to a 1 ton before I pull the trailer.

I've seen something about hydrolic brakes on trailers too.  I don't know anything about it but I'm a good fan of stopping in time. 

I know my tires can handle it.  I've got the highest weight rating of any tire in the 265's.  I believe it is 3300 per tire.  That is over 13K just in truck tires.  I'm sure my axels are rated for less than my tires.

Later,

Chad 

You might be able to move the weight but that does not make it safe.

I know steel isn't much heavier than Aluminum, but spending that kind of money on a trailer that will always have rust issues does not seem a wise choice.

I have a small steel bumperpull, but the trailer he is asking about is in a whole different league.

I see lots of folks in car accidents everyday, that does not mean I want to join them.

Chad -- I am also in Az, I bought a used Trails West, (thanks to this site)it is a '96 model 3H with LQ, and has ZERO rust, and the trailer came from california. I am more than pleased with everything about this trailer. I live in a remote area, and pull my trailer over 16 miles of dirt road (the only road in the state that is graded with a post hole digger - haha)and have had no stress cracks whatsoever. I am convinced these trailers will last a lifetime. Just my 2 cents...... Good luck with your purchase

                                                                      Travis