Posted 2013-01-01 7:45 PM (#149078) Subject: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
Member
Posts: 9
I've got a 1t dodge and my husband is currently shopping to replace his 3/4t chev with a new 1/2t. I am going to purchase a new trailer in the spring. My husband pulls our full stock trailer a lot with the dodge so I am thinking it might be wise for me to look at getting a neat little BP that I can pull with the 1/2t in the case that the 1t is hooked to the stock trailer and I need to haul a horse to the vet or something... I just want some versatility, you know? Anyway. I've been browsing around a bit and it seems like the Logan Coach and the Trails West (new 2013 select) are the two brands that look to be set up most like I would like a trailer to be. I would love to strike up a conversation on (a) bumper pull compared to gooseneck and (b) Loganvs Trails West. and. (c) anything in between.I do not want a LQ and my horses comfort / convenience of setup is my priority. I have a budget to afford a high end aluminum GN trailer but I'm not convinced that is going to be the best for ME. What I DO want is a trailer that is going to last me many many MANY years.I just really need some people to bounce this stuff off of.Thanks!
Posted 2013-01-01 9:39 PM (#149082 - in reply to #149078) Subject: RE: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
If you are looking for something the 1/2 ton can pull in a pinch, I'd go GN over bumper pull. And, it seems they have some better deals on GN for the number of horses vs the better bumper pulls. I have two Trails West that I got both used. One is a 2001 bought last year, the other a 2007, bought 2 years ago. I am a fan of the Trails West trailers, and found the customer service dept. nice to work with when I called with a couple odd questions.
Posted 2013-01-01 9:39 PM (#149083 - in reply to #149078) Subject: RE: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
Expert
Posts: 1882 Location: NY
Well if you do a search you will find that this has been on many conversations so here is my 2 cents, I love gooseneck trailer, they are easier to drive and turn even the two horse ones, for long lasting aluminum trailer will last longer them steel . So what I would look for is a two horse gooseneck trailer that is all aluminum made good luck with your search
Posted 2013-01-01 11:28 PM (#149089 - in reply to #149078) Subject: RE: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I'll DITTO Loveduffy's "So what I would look for is a two horse gooseneck trailer that is all aluminum made".
For the same box length, a GN trailer offers a more generous amount of storage area in the bunk area, that a BP can't. As far as a GN trailer offering a more stable ride, the only substantial difference I can relate, is the lack of buffeting when an oncoming truck passes. Our BP was very steady without any hitch aids. Our GNs are also very stable, and tow exceptionally well.
After owning steel trailers and now Aluminum, there is no comparison to which is better in my state's environment. The all aluminum trailer is the best choice by far.
Posted 2013-01-02 9:37 AM (#149090 - in reply to #149078) Subject: RE: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
I've had places that the shorter wheelbase of a small BP made getting in and out easier than a GN. For short running around, I prefer a BP. Also if I'm swapping tow vehicles often, cheaper to get a BP rigged up on a new truck.
On the brands you've mentioned, they are generally thought of as regional to the western US. If you are there, sure. I'm in the SE, so they are pricy here because of freight.
And if I want it to last many, many years- buy a Elite or a Hart.
Posted 2013-01-02 9:48 AM (#149091 - in reply to #149078) Subject: RE: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Like the above, I'd be hard pressed to go back to a bumper pull. I love how GN handle. The new 1/2 truck can easily pull a small GN. The Ford F150 Eccoboost is easily rated for a 2H GN.
As far as the trailers. Both are made near me. Logan is about 60 miles away and Trails West is 80 miles away. So I see a lot of both trailers at local trail heads, fair grounds etc. I personally own a 2006 Logan 4H and it has held up very well. The Logan have a steel frame but Aluminum skin. And I just have not had any problems with it.
My trailer gets used 12 months of the year. That includes the winter months with snow and salt on the roads. My 2011 F350 truck tracks the trailer mileage in the command center and I can see that my horse trailer has accumulated almost 20,000 miles being towed just by this truck in the last two years. I'm not a fanatic about keeping it clean. We haul down many a Forest service or BLM dirt road and it gets dirty, I bring it into a car wash 3-4 times a year. Even with this kind of use I see no rust showing on a trailer that is going on it's 7th year. In fact the only rust I've found on this trailer was some surface rust on the Hitch Coupler and the Axles. Both of which are steel and will be on ANY make of trailer.
I have had to replace a few minor things on the trailer. Logan dresses the trailers up pretty good when they sell them. But the feed bags, hoses from the water tanks etc are often Made in china and didn't last. But as far as the metal work and fabrication of the trailer. Mine has proven very road worthy.
Posted 2013-01-02 10:11 AM (#149094 - in reply to #149078) Subject: RE: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Something yet to bring up is that on a 1/2 ton, it might be difficult to find a long box or possibly, even a "long" short box ie. 6.5' or so. A lot are going to less than 6' boxes. My F150 is the 5.5' box and I would not even consider putting a GN on it as not enough room in the box IMO.
Just make sure that 1/2 ton can have a long enough box to make you comfortable with a GN.
Posted 2013-01-02 4:16 PM (#149099 - in reply to #149078) Subject: RE: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Switch to Whiskey on 2013-01-01 7:45 PM
I've got a 1t dodge and my husband is currently shopping to replace his 3/4t chev with a new 1/2t. I am going to purchase a new trailer in the spring. My husband pulls our full stock trailer a lot with the dodge so I am thinking it might be wise for me to look at getting a neat little BP that I can pull with the 1/2t in the case that the 1t is hooked to the stock trailer and I need to haul a horse to the vet or something... I just want some versatility, you know? Anyway. I've been browsing around a bit and it seems like the Logan Coach and the Trails West (new 2013 select) are the two brands that look to be set up most like I would like a trailer to be. I would love to strike up a conversation on (a) bumper pull compared to gooseneck and (b) Loganvs Trails West. and. (c) anything in between.I do not want a LQ and my horses comfort / convenience of setup is my priority. I have a budget to afford a high end aluminum GN trailer but I'm not convinced that is going to be the best for ME. What I DO want is a trailer that is going to last me many many MANY years.I just really need some people to bounce this stuff off of.Thanks!
Since you didn't identify your area...if you are on the east coast...a 2 horse BUMPER PULL is easier to sell at a later date than a 2 horse GN...just something to consider...
Posted 2013-01-03 8:00 PM (#149118 - in reply to #149078) Subject: RE: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
Veteran
Posts: 151 Location: Manitoba, Canada
Something that might be worth considering is weight. An empty 2 horse aluminum trailer going down the road weighs so little that you could have a lot of bump and bounce. A good wind broadside and you'll want to stay home. I've owned aluminum and steel goosenecks, and a steel bumper pull. They've all been good trailers, just not all for the same reasons. I too can see the benefit of having something small for the quick runs down the road, and wish I had the option of taking the two horse over the 4 horse LQ sometimes.
Posted 2013-01-03 9:07 PM (#149119 - in reply to #149078) Subject: RE: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Vancouver, WA
I have owned both Trails West and Logan, and frankly, Trails West is by far the better trailer. As another post stated, Logan dolls up its trailers (we have a 4H LQ), but at least our 2010 unit has nothing but problems. Trails West has far fewer options, but what it does have, works. As for GN or BP, I would only consider GN.
Posted 2013-01-04 9:07 AM (#149121 - in reply to #149078) Subject: RE: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
OK, as one poster has mentioned, you may have a problem with a 1/2 ton getting a long bed. I have a 4 horse Trails West, and a 2 horse Classic Westerner, all aluminum bumper pull. I love the idea if we are only going to the local arena for a day ride of taking the two horse, and even take it on some overnite trips, when it is just us guys and am willing to rough it. The 4 horse Trails West is quite comfortable, with a potty, shower, heater, genset...ETC. But....getting ANY trailer down some of the roads in our forests is a battle, and the length of the 4 horse is just about impossible to take over the sand and and washes of the desert. I can put the 2 horse into just about any spot, and usually even leave it hooked to the truck for a quick emergency. You will LOVE the ease of maintenance on an aluminum trailer, but the Trails West is a fine brand, and I recommend it highly.
Posted 2013-02-16 4:54 PM (#149953 - in reply to #149078) Subject: RE: I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
Regular
Posts: 82 Location: Massachusetts
My best advise is go to a trade show like a equine affaire or the congress show and take a note book so you can compaire all of the trailers.I kept a book of what I liked and disliked of all the trailer brands I looked at.I found that the Merhow was the way to go.They make a reallly great trailer now.The support beams and the welds are done very well., the welds are coined nice no burrs and strong.I have a 2 horse goosneck and it hauls like a dream.Even a friend of mine that grew up in a family that makes trailers even said to me wow Merhow does make a nice trailer.So that has to tell you something coming from someone that grew up in the horse trailer making buisness. Good luck
I'm trailer shopping and I would sure like some input.
