I purchased a 1994 Adam 2H step up/straight load GN steel trailer with a divider a couple of months ago. The person who owned it before me was a do-it-yourselfer and added insulation and paneling in the dressing/sleeping quarters, lighting/electrical outlet, and lined the walls of the trailer with a pretty thick particle board. He also built hay mangers, put pads on most of the spots that would need pads, and put mats in the floor. Seemed like he took good care of the trailer.
This is my first horse trailer and probably I should have taken my horse to load on it or at least measured him because it is a tight fit. Last trip he nearly rubbed his tail and butt off on the back. I'm going to try a tail wrap, but what I wanted to ask is should I take that thick particle board down and put some other kind of wall liner in there? And, if so, what do y'all recommend?
I think the floor mats are okay, but I've been reading about werm and something you can buy in Wal*Mart, so I'd like to hear about that too.
My horse doesn't seem to be troubled by the trailer. He loads well...even loaded himself last go round...but I think he does lean back when he's being hauled. I was just thinking that something slickier might be easier on his butt and might create just the tiniest bit of space back there for the horses to ride in. I'm afraid if I just add a pad back there on top of that particle board, he won't have any room to move!
I'd appreciate your suggestions and no, I can't trade it in and buy another trailer right now.
Posted 2008-06-05 1:07 PM (#85265 - in reply to #85262) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
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Posts: 7
No padded butt bar. When I asked about that, they told me you didn't typically need a butt bar, but my horses butt says otherwise. Thanks for the link. I'll check into that.
Just so you know I've only hauled him twice...the first time we just went a short distance and his butt was intact. It was the last trip where we went a little further and loaded and unloaded several times where he practically wore his butt off. Didn't want you to think I was abusing my buddy.
Posted 2008-06-05 1:58 PM (#85266 - in reply to #85260) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Don't know where you are located, but I would contact these folks... http://www.adamtrailers.com/ And ask about how and where the butt bar should be installed. i would want a butt bar just to hold the horse in place until I could get the door open. Never been fond of an animal leaning or pushing on a door.
Posted 2008-06-05 8:44 PM (#85278 - in reply to #85260) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714
Location: Minnesota
I have to strongly agree with Retento. I have seen to many cases of 2H trailers with no butt bar and when you get where you are going, can't get the door open as the weight of the horse put to much pressure on the hinges. Also saw one case of the door popping open while moving. Thank god it was at the show grounds and we got driver stopped immediatly. Hate to see that on the highway.
Posted 2008-06-06 9:49 AM (#85301 - in reply to #85260) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
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Posts: 7
Retento,
I saw the pads, but I didn't see anything to line the walls of the stalls. I'd like to take that plywood out and replace it with something else. What do you have in your trailer??? I saw the one photo of the butt bar, but can you send me a shot of the inside of your stalls/trailer?
Posted 2008-06-06 5:33 PM (#85313 - in reply to #85301) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
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Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico
I wouldn't remove the plywood. In college my best friends horse was stung by a bee and kicked through the sheet metal of her trailer door. He had some nasty cuts but fortunately didn't do any permant damage to his leg. I was driving behind her and was horrified to see his foot/leg pop through the door. When she took the trailer to get repaired the dealer said there should have been wood on the inside for the horse to kick and he showed us where someone had removed it. If it had been there he would have dented it but his foot wouldn't have gone through the metal.
Posted 2008-06-10 11:13 AM (#85465 - in reply to #85260) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
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Posts: 7
Okay, so I'm going to definitely get the butt bars, but then reconsider removing the plywood. I'm going to see if there is a trailer store in my area that can take a look at it and maybe make a suggestion about a pad for back there. I'm just afraid there isn't room for a pad. It's a tight fit.
Maybe I can shrink my horse...hmmm...just kidding.
At least I know what to look for when I go to buy another trailer in a few years.
Posted 2008-06-10 11:37 AM (#85467 - in reply to #85465) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
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Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico
The older trailers had a butt chain instead of the bar. If there isn't room for a big bar you could go with that. It's just a chain covered in a stiff plastic sleeve to keep it from pinching your horse and hooks to a loop with an S hook.
Posted 2008-06-10 2:47 PM (#85477 - in reply to #85469) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
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Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico
My mothers old trailer had the plastic covers (like what is on swing set chains) and when those dry rotted she replaced them with a thick pvc pipe. All that mattered was that it didn't pinch the horses.
Posted 2008-06-10 2:53 PM (#85479 - in reply to #85260) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
Veteran
Posts: 192
Location: Hutto, TX
My old trailer had the chains and they were covered with an insulation foam and then a vinyl cover. Could go with just the foam and it would be easy to replace.
Posted 2008-06-10 3:12 PM (#85482 - in reply to #85260) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
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Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Definitely keep the OSB. It will greatly protect the sheet metal from damage. Almost any sheeting under 3/4" thick can be damaged. If you do decide to replace the sheeting, 1/2" Baltic Birch plywood is quite strong and long wearing. If you're worried about aesthetics, you can always place mats over the wood.
Semi rigid foam water pipe insulation is a quick fix to cover chains. It is easily cut to length and slips on the chain without removal. It would not be as long lasting as PVC pipe, but works well until a more permanent installation is chosen.
Posted 2008-06-10 4:06 PM (#85484 - in reply to #85260) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
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Posts: 7
These are all really good ideas! I'm so glad I found this forum. I'll go with the chains and cover it with one of the things you suggested. Since its too hot to ride around here at the moment (I live in NC). I think I'll work on this instead.
Posted 2008-06-10 6:31 PM (#85488 - in reply to #85477) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
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Posts: 2954
Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Terri on 2008-06-10 1:47 PM
My mothers old trailer had the plastic covers (like what is on swing set chains) and when those dry rotted she replaced them with a thick pvc pipe. All that mattered was that it didn't pinch the horses.
I would NOT use any rigid PVC pipe. If the horse leans on the chains, the pipe will break or shatter. Black poly pipe or foam ... or anything flexible is a better choice.
Posted 2008-06-11 12:28 PM (#85532 - in reply to #85488) Subject: RE: "New" trailer owner
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Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico
The pipe was on that chain for 10yrs, until we sold the trailer. The chain didn't sag, it was just long enough to stretch across and the pvc pipe was almost the same lenght. It acted as a but bar. If the horse sat back the chain didn't "bend", it wasn't long enough so there was no center stress point.