how much camping do you do now?  Expect to do once you get this trailer? 

What features do these trailers have?  I've been horse camping since '95 and also did some as a youth, but it was real basic.  I have found that I like the luxurious of a LQ and while I don't have an ultra LQ, I have the necessities - propane fridge, hot water heater, & cooktop, shower, dinnette, storage cabinets, generator, AC, awning, screen door, etc. 

Get one that has all of the above or a couch instead of the dinnette.  But be sure to get one that has propane or you will be ungrading later.  GEt a trailer that is well made (4-Star is excellent).  I'm not familiar with Cimmeron and does Logan make all aluminum? 

Get a trailer that is the right size - some people want a huge LQ, but that will take a bigger truck, more gas/diesel, harder to manuver, etc.  I'm on my 3rd trailer and feel that I will have this one for a long time - good luck in your search.

Originally written by Gone on 2007-07-10 10:13 AM

I used to own a 31 foot motorhome. I'm not going back to another one. I've been camping for about a decade. It's so frustrating.......

What do you mean by not going back to a 31 foot motorhome? 

4 star is a good brand. Have you considered having a trailer built for what you want?  If so, consider what it is you want out of the trailer.  I can suggest a dealer that several of my friends have used and are VERY pleased with the conversions.

For me, camping means eating food that was prepared over a camp fire - or perhaps a camp stove. so having a "full kitchen" in a LQ would not be necessary. Neither do I want TV, Radio, or Microwave - but other folks want that kind of thing. Just be sure to have strong batteries.

Since camping usually means no electric hookup nor water, keep that in mind also - you'll want to be sure to have adequate propane and adequate water storage.

Keep in mind too, that many equestrian camp grounds do not allow generators to run after a certain time of night. If you decide to get one, research them thoroughly. There are some SUPER quiet ones and I recently was at South Branch (along the shore-to-shore) and was amazed at how quiet one of the generators was (I didn't see what brand).

The bigger the trailer, the bigger the wheels. That means the rig will be higher off the ground. You also have to watch the clearance, underneath, of any tanks or hoses - because getting to many campgrounds means driving over uneven ground, or 2 track roads which are higher in the center - and could catch on anything underneath. If the trailer gets too high (17" wheels or more), then it's too high for a horse to step in and back out of and you'll want a ramp - which adds weight and adds to the amount of room you'll need behind your rig when parking.

I also don't want a trailer so tall that I have to worry about every branch and tree backing into a camp spot. Personally, I don't want a trailer that has wheel wells inside the horse area. I think it's very stupid to have a horse trying to stand up with a huge lump at their hind feet.

Logan has been around many years. so has 4star. you might also take a look at Adam trailers - SW Michigan area. I have an unfinished Titan GN w/4' short wall - it is galvanized steel - it was what I could afford.

Amen to watching overhead with a taller trailer,altho we traded for a taller trailer because we couldn't sit up in the GN bed of our other LQ.

My husband couldn't see on that side,and I wasn't watching too good either.He scratched the skylight in the shower under a pine tree limb this weekend.

Have you considered SilverLite? Spacious overhead room in the LQ with the unique raised roof, you won't be cluastrophobic in one of these! They build w/high quality constuction as do Cimmarron & 4Star, plus they back it up w/ a ten year warranty. Everyone has given you great things to think about, it's a huge decision! One more important ingredient is the manufacturer and how they stand behind you and their product. I personally know that SilverLite is outstanding! People have written about that here too. We also represent Merhow who is known for a very low % of warranty issue and has been producing trailers for over 50 years. I wish you luck in your search and of course if there are any questions we can help you with we'll be glad too! info@mwtrailersales.com is our email. You made a great first move by asking for input here on the forum, lots of informed folks drop in!

Sharon

Midwest Trailer Sales

Any opinions on this trailer would be greatly appreciated. I'd be pulling it with a non dually one ton Duramax.

http://www.horsetrailersgalore.com/detail.asp?id=3659

Don't know about the pulling,but,for the money,it is a beauty!

WIsh we'd seen it first!

Gone

You will not like pulling that trailer with single rear wheels on a one ton.  The duals provide stability that you need with a trailer that size.  Just my op.

Don't know if a pickup (DRW or SRW) will be rated for the weight your looking at here. Probably have to step up to a Freightliner or something simular.

Sure looks nice, and not a bad price either.

Your 1st post mentioned you were considering a Cimmaron. I have a 04 Norstar. LOVE it. 

WOW... 37' of trailer?  That IS a beautiful rig!!. 2 tack areas? one at the back accessible from the driver-side and another on the passenger side? that's pretty nice. If you're only hauling 2 or 3 horses, the other tack room will be great for camp chairs and hay, etc.

I also like how the jack wall is set up to hide the "utilities & hardware"... but what does that do for clearance between the coupler and your dropped tailgate? (Hence, the benefit of a flatbed / Freightliner tow vehicle).

I agree with the others about the amount of weight with a 1 ton-SRW. This looks like way too much trailer for a 1 ton - but sometimes looks are deceiving. I'm also concerned because the description says, "2-7k torsion axles"....  I think I read a thread on here awhile back about someone having trouble with a trailer that, when loaded with the horses and food, etc., exceeded the specs of the axles and/or wheels.  I may be misinterpeting something - but what I'm reading is 14,000 pound MAX on the axles...  that might be pretty close to loaded weight. 

The description claims there are full-length running boards, but I don't see them on this trailer. When you get this big, you need to be super tall or haul a 3 step mounting block to reach the "Ez Reach" releases for head / butt windows.  Or... at least have running boards to reach everything.

And, what's the clearance under the rig? I think I see pipes/drains along the driver-side.  How tall is the 'step-up' for the horses? Is it too high for a horse to back out of the trailer?

Boy - it sure is pretty though.  This total length is pretty close to your 31' motor home with 18' trailer, ???right?

Oh My gosh ...  Gone, there's one more thing I just remembered and it may not apply to you at all - especially if you've driven the 31' with 18' trailer...

THere was a couple in Virginia I think it was, that bought their dream trailer and truck. They lived on a dirt/gravel road off a main road.  Well... to make the long story short, their rig was TOO long to get in and out of their driveway because of ditches/ culverts, etc.

I'm almost in a similar situation as the road I live on is cut into the hill, so there's no shoulder or ditch... luckily though, my driveway is level with my front yard and I can take "cuts" across that - watching of course for the 8' diameter oak tree. My trailer is only 18' on the floor - with the extended cab & 6.5' box.

We had to extend our culvert and driveway at the tune of about $1200 for pipe and chat.We found that we couldn't go out the shortest way because of the way the highway banks,when we came out of our gravel road,it went uphill,then we had to swing way out and down,then when the truck was coming back up on the highway bank,the back of the tailgate was hit by the GN and dented the corner.Also,too dangerous being in a curve on a hill.So when we would try to come back in,the jackstands would hit the gravel when we would turn off.So now we have to go all the way out a different way and sometimes double back on the highway,and we can barely get the darn thing out of the driveway going THAT direction for the shorter end of culvert and the mailbox!!!

It never ends.

Wow, nice trailer.  Now, I may be wrong, as I have been know to be wrong before, but it says the length is 37 ft....Are they including the nose?  I ask because looking at the trailer, it does not look like 37ft on the floor which would really make it about a 30 foot trailer. This could be pulled by a 1-ton but I agree about the axles.  When you add all of that nice LQ you add weight.  Have the dealer weigh the trailer before you decide to buy it. Then you will know if it can handle your horses and gear.

FWIW- Tammy