Posted 2007-07-18 3:58 PM (#64078) Subject: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
New User
Posts: 2
Location: NY
Hi, I'm new in this horse and trailer business, My wife and I decided to buy a horse trailer and take care of my father's horses which he left behind after giving his last breath several weeks ago. I really don't know anything about trailers and I would like to buy one. Money is not an issue, I just want to buy a good quality trailer, which I'll be able to sell without a problem if I have to, so it must be something that people are generally looking for. I only heard of Sundowner and Featherlite, I don't know which is better or if there is another brand better and that it is what people are looking for. Also I don't know what options should the trailer have, but I do want the best that money can buy. You people should know a lot about this things so I hope I don't look foolish asking this.
Posted 2007-07-18 7:12 PM (#64086 - in reply to #64078) Subject: RE: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
It all depends on how your going to use the trailer. Is it going to be just for vet trips or for shows, competitions or trailrides where you may need living quarters for a few nights.
Posted 2007-07-18 10:56 PM (#64093 - in reply to #64078) Subject: RE: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Bruzli on 2007-07-18 4:58 PM
Hi, I'm new in this horse and trailer business, My wife and I decided to buy a horse trailer and take care of my father's horses which he left behind after giving his last breath several weeks ago. I really don't know anything about trailers and I would like to buy one. Money is not an issue, I just want to buy a good quality trailer, which I'll be able to sell without a problem if I have to, so it must be something that people are generally looking for. I only heard of Sundowner and Featherlite, I don't know which is better or if there is another brand better and that it is what people are looking for. Also I don't know what options should the trailer have, but I do want the best that money can buy. You people should know a lot about this things so I hope I don't look foolish asking this.
Thank you, Bruzli
If all you need is a trailer to get the horse to the vet...i.e. take care of the horses...then a simple bumper pull will meet your needs, because hopefully you will only be taking one at a time to the vet due to an emergency...
Now if you are going to show them as well...well then you need to answer how many at a time will be going...more than two and you are getting into the gooseneck variety of trailer...
Posted 2007-07-19 6:56 AM (#64101 - in reply to #64078) Subject: RE: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Bruzli on 2007-07-18 2:58 PM
Hi, I'm new in this horse and trailer business, My wife and I decided to buy a horse trailer and take care of my father's horses which he left behind after giving his last breath several weeks ago. I really don't know anything about trailers and I would like to buy one. Money is not an issue, I just want to buy a good quality trailer, which I'll be able to sell without a problem if I have to, so it must be something that people are generally looking for. I only heard of Sundowner and Featherlite, I don't know which is better or if there is another brand better and that it is what people are looking for. Also I don't know what options should the trailer have, but I do want the best that money can buy. You people should know a lot about this things so I hope I don't look foolish asking this.
Thank you, Bruzli
Bruzli... Welcome to the forum ... My condolences on the passing of your father.
While you say money is no object, let me be the first to warn you that horses are expensive. It's not the "sport of Kings" for nothing. One needs the resources of a small country to support a "money is no object" endeavor with horses.
As others have said in their posting, the first step in purchasing a horse trailer is deciding your use. From that flows the tow vehicle's requirement, and so on ...
I'll be interested in learning your decisions. (So I can vicariously spent your money) LOL With the advice of this forum at least you'll minimize the wasted money. Collectively, We've wasted millions of $$ on poor purchases.
Posted 2007-07-19 8:11 AM (#64103 - in reply to #64078) Subject: RE: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
Expert
Posts: 1871 Location: NY
welcome you have come to the right place I have learned a lot here good and bad but this site makes you think about things. I like aluminum trailers they are more money but they last longing have fun
Posted 2007-07-19 9:30 AM (#64107 - in reply to #64078) Subject: RE: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
New User
Posts: 2
Location: NY
Thank you for your posts and interest in helping me find a good trailer.
I really don't know if the trailer should be aluminum or steel, because I don't know which is better ... which do people usually search for? I want to be able to use my trailer for taking the horses to the vet and for possible competitions. Which do you recommend slant load, straight load, gooseneck, bumper pull?
Thanks for your help,
Bruzli
Posted 2007-07-19 11:06 AM (#64111 - in reply to #64078) Subject: RE: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
Member
Posts: 29 Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Bruzil if you are only going to take 1 or 2 horses I would say get a strait load gooseneck trailer. A gooseneck trailer will pull far better than a bumper pull due to the weight being over the axle of the truck. If you ever think that you may put more than two horses at a time in a trailer then definaly go with a 3-4 horse slant load and get a stud wall put in the first stall so you can use it for storage when not being used for a horse. When shopping for a dealer I would recommend that you make sure to deal with a place that has a good service department cause you will more than likely need them from time to time...
Posted 2007-07-19 11:27 AM (#64117 - in reply to #64078) Subject: RE: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
Veteran
Posts: 142 Location: KY
You want to make sure you get the trailer that is going to fit your needs you don't won't to spend more money on a trailer that is way more trailer than you'll ever need, but at the same time you don't want to try to save money and end up with something that is too small. So sit down with a GOOD dealer who wants to make sure you get the trailer that you need and not just push you on something that they want to sell. As far as Aluminum or steel aluminum lasts longer, its lighter, and if you get out of horses and decide to sell it it will have a higher resale value. Personally I see that your from NY I would go aluminum because of all the road salt in the winter that will just eat at steel.
Posted 2007-07-19 2:53 PM (#64133 - in reply to #64107) Subject: RE: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
Expert
Posts: 1391 Location: North of Detroit, MI
Originally written by Bruzli on 2007-07-19 10:30 AM
Thank you for your posts and interest in helping me find a good trailer. I really don't know if the trailer should be aluminum or steel, because I don't know which is better ... which do people usually search for? I want to be able to use my trailer for taking the horses to the vet and for possible competitions. Which do you recommend slant load, straight load, gooseneck, bumper pull? Thanks for your help, Bruzli
I strongly recommend that you purchase the book "Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer" written by Neva and Tom Scheve. It contains tons of information to get you started from some VERY knowledgeable horse people who also have been instrumental in designing trailers that have many safety features that have been adopted by other manufacturers.
Once you read that book, please come back and ask lots of questions.
My sympathies to you and your family on the passing of your father.
Posted 2007-07-20 5:32 PM (#64183 - in reply to #64078) Subject: RE: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
Location: Texas
Since you want the best money can buy, and cost is not an issue, I have a very lightly used Elite I might be willing to sell. It has only been used occasionally to haul a horse or two to local playdays and trail rides. It is a top quality trailer with all the extras. If you are interested, send a deposit by Western Union and I'll arrange to have it shipped to NY.
Posted 2007-07-22 10:50 PM (#64250 - in reply to #64078) Subject: RE: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316 Location: Illinois
There are too many answers to that questions. But I'll tell you it's often like jobs. Often the best trailer you ever had was the last one and the next one you are planning to buy. As for personal preferences, if I was looking for a new trailer, I kinda like the Trailets and Hawk trailers. I like Merhows, but they tend to be kinda pricey. However you will find others that swear by Sundowners, Featherlites etc. It's really going to decide upon your needs. I currenty have a surface rusted 7' tall 16' stock bumper pull, with the typical surface rust. Is it the best trailer? very likely not, but does it suit my current needs? Very much. Best of luck finding your best trailer.
Posted 2007-07-26 11:02 PM (#64466 - in reply to #64131) Subject: RE: Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
Veteran
Posts: 190 Location: Texas
Dunoir,
Ditto that comment on the Blue Moon! After towing for 22,000 miles over the last few months I have an even greater appreciation for those masterworks of wheeled engineering.
By the way, did anyone ever ask this fellow how big his horses are before they started making recommendations???? Maybe they did and I missed it.
I hope he gets the factory installed DVD with flat panels if money is no object . . . keeps the ponies happy on those long trips and you can play DVDs of parched sandy desert to trick them into drinking along the way. Oh, what will the Blue Moon people think of next???
Which is the best and most wanted horse trailer ?
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As for personal preferences, if I was looking for a new trailer, I kinda like the Trailets and Hawk trailers. I like Merhows, but they tend to be kinda pricey. However you will find others that swear by Sundowners, Featherlites etc. It's really going to decide upon your needs. I currenty have a surface rusted 7' tall 16' stock bumper pull, with the typical surface rust. Is it the best trailer? very likely not, but does it suit my current needs? Very much. Best of luck finding your best trailer. 