I have been looking for a GN stock or stock/combo trailer large enough to haul two big Thoroughbreds plus the occasional third horse. The idea of a 4-horse that can be divided into two "box stalls" is appealing but I'm not set on it.
There are pros and cons to both aluminum and steel, so I could go either way there. I intend to get the trailer that suits me and upgrade the tow vehicle, if necessary. Well, within reason - no semi for a 4H trailer, thank you - but I'm thinking 1-ton dually. I don't want to get way more trailer than I need, but OTOH I don't want to be looking for another trailer next year because I decided "I only need a 2-horse". (We're getting rid of a 2-horse BP slant that just didn't work out that well for us.)
I would like the thing to be safe and well-built. It doesn't need to be fancy but I don't have a lot of patience for the sort of breakage that affects a trailer's ability to haul, and haul safely ... and if superficial stuff keeps falling off of it without undue provocation, one does have to wonder how well the rest of it is going to hold up.
I live in a moderate climate and don't ever plan to haul in icy or snowy conditions. Might have to haul in heat, though, if I do any bigger trips in the summer.
I absolutely require a tack room. ;) I absolutely do not require living quarters.
Given these details, what are the best trailer manufacturers (product quality and customer service) if I were to buy brand new? And if I were to buy used, what brands would I look for?
Maybe I should ask in two categories: the "money no object" category, and the "next best thing" category (without sacrificing safety and reliability). Any thoughts/suggestions?
Posted 2007-07-25 9:19 PM (#64412 - in reply to #64405) Subject: RE: "Best" Trailer Manufacturer?
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Posts: 1871 Location: NY
If the sky is the limit on the money the I would have a costume trailer by Jamco make other wise look at Jamco and featherlike and ebys. These are the ones I like the best for price and look
Posted 2007-07-27 2:07 AM (#64469 - in reply to #64405) Subject: RE: "Best" Trailer Manufacturer?
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Posts: 134
Hi For what its worth, where I live the Featherlite stock/combo trailers out sell everyone else at least two to one. I live in really rugged mountainous country, and the ones I see seem to hold up really well. Some of them have very nice tack rooms on the front and are used for everything from hauling bulls to horses. Hope that helps Good luck
Posted 2007-07-27 4:56 PM (#64499 - in reply to #64405) Subject: RE: "Best" Trailer Manufacturer?
Expert
Posts: 1391 Location: North of Detroit, MI
If you live in an area that gets a moderate amount of snow and rain, I recommend an enclosed trailer unless it will be a barn/garage. Too many trailers rot from having the weather come in the slats, along the walls, where it sits on the steel frame. It's not difficult or overly expensive to add fans in the horse area if needed.
(Edited to add "DUH"... your signature shows Monterey Bay, CA... I only looked in the left column for location. Sorry...)
Next, look for a manufacturer that builds 7'6" INSIDE height trailers - regularly. Otherwise, it will be a special order, special design, yada yada yada. Also - when considering the width... PLEASE be cautious about the extra wide trailers that have wheel wells on the butt wall. (grrr.) I'm not sure if this happens in NON-slant trailers.
For tall, long horses, I don't recommend slant loads... unless it's specifically built for them - the angles being set correctly.
If it were me, I would consider a 4H straight load, with a center door/ramp - is that what you meant about 2 box stalls?. If you haul 2 horses a short distance, they can be loaded in the back, in a side-by-side configuration, giving them a little more support and leaving the front half of the trailer for hay, water, camp chairs. And a separate tack area in the front. Or, if you will not ever use the GN area for sleeping, that can also be hay storage when hauling 3 or more horses.
Depending on where you live (closeness to various dealers to see and touch trailers)... Jamco, Logan, Trail-et, Hawk, Equi-Spirit, Merhow are a few that come to mind for the taller horses in a standard model. (There's another brand that I just can't seem to recall... )
Posted 2007-07-30 6:31 PM (#64692 - in reply to #64405) Subject: RE: "Best" Trailer Manufacturer?
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Posts: 92
Thank you all so much for your helpful advice! I am continuing my search.... Seems every time I find something promising it sells before I can even enquire about it, or it turns out not to be quite suitable after all. There's a Platinum on a lot near me that is very close to what I want but is only 7' tall. The mares are 16.2 and 16.3 ... so probably not tall enough, eh? Sigh.
Posted 2007-07-31 12:10 PM (#64752 - in reply to #64405) Subject: RE: "Best" Trailer Manufacturer?
Expert
Posts: 1391 Location: North of Detroit, MI
While having sufficient height inside is ideal, you have to be REALLY careful about how tall the door opening is.
I have seen trailers with overhead panel/reinforcement at the back, that takes up 4" or more. This becomes VERY critical when loading and unloading - more so with a ramp.
While the horse will put it's head down, generally, when stepping into and out of the trailer, a ramp doesn't make them do this for balance. But... I'm sure most of us will agree that most horse head injuries occur when loading and unloading.
Posted 2007-07-31 1:46 PM (#64759 - in reply to #64405) Subject: RE: "Best" Trailer Manufacturer?
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Posts: 150 Location: Farmville, VA
After reading the advice that others presented, I would recommend that you consider a used trailer, but buy the top of the line. Several names that are mentioned from others are cheaper trailers and will not hold their value as well as, let’s say, Sundowner, 4 Star, etc. Be very careful about the flooring system as well. Aluminum will pit, so you want the aluminum plank style floor, not the 4 x 8 sheet style floor. I have pulled our used Sundowner for 13 years now, it was 2 years old when I bought it and I'm getting ready to sell it to someone for the exact same thing I paid for it. The only thing I have done is standard upkeep, brakes, tires, bearings, etc. Good luck and shop wisely, good trailers are just like good tack, a little pricy to start with, but it will last a lot longer.
Posted 2007-07-31 2:56 PM (#64763 - in reply to #64759) Subject: RE: "Best" Trailer Manufacturer?
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Posts: 92
Originally written by barntoys4mom on 2007-07-31 11:46 AM
After reading the advice that others presented, I would recommend that you consider a used trailer, but buy the top of the line. Several names that are mentioned from others are cheaper trailers and will not hold their value as well as, let’s say, Sundowner, 4 Star, etc. Be very careful about the flooring system as well.
Agreed! And that is my first choice plan. But said trailers are hard to find in California for some reason, and when they appear on the lot or online they disappear as quickly. There was a nice-looking Jamco listed for a good price but it was gone by the time I saw it and enquired about it. What would be your "short list" of top of the line used trailers? I have a short list from a friend:
Jamco
Bloomer
4 Star
Hart
Exiss
She said Sundowner quality isn't as good now as it once was; I'm not sure how old a Sundowner I'd need to look for to meet her standards. I'm guessing yours is of a decent vintage if you bought it used and you've had it for 13 years. ;)
Any manufacturers you'd add to, or subtract from, that list? They're so hard to find used that I think I'm going to go for the best one I can afford and not worry about whether it's steel or aluminum. Whatever I get, I plan to match the tow vehicle and maintenance upkeep appropriately to the trailer's construction.
Posted 2007-08-03 1:16 AM (#64980 - in reply to #64978) Subject: RE: "Best" Trailer Manufacturer?
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Posts: 2614
Oh,brother.You WOULD have to bring that name up again,after all the threads and posts about Exiss.
She mentioned looking at Platinum .We had a Platinum 2003 and sold it in 2006 to a dealer for 2G less than we paid for it new.He was glad to get it at that price,too,it was an excellent trailer and in excellent shape.Platinum makes a good trailer. I think that Sundowner is overpriced to begin with.
Posted 2007-08-03 1:27 AM (#64983 - in reply to #64759) Subject: RE: "Best" Trailer Manufacturer?
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Posts: 2614
Originally written by barntoys4mom on 2007-07-31 1:46 PM
After reading the advice that others presented, I would recommend that you consider a used trailer, but buy the top of the line. Several names that are mentioned from others are cheaper trailers and will not hold their value as well as, let’s say, Sundowner, 4 Star, etc.
I don't think Merhow is considered a cheaper trailer that won't hold it's value.I've never heard or read anything bad about Merhow.
"Best" Trailer Manufacturer?
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