Posted 2018-03-30 8:52 AM (#171471) Subject: Horse trailers with a slide in the living quarters
Member
Posts: 17
Location: new england
I'm looking for a short gooseneck trailer for extended camping trips with my one horse, and may have one built for the purpose, ideally with a pair of slides opposite each other in the salon. It's been brought to my attention that slides (especially opposing slide outs) may compromise the integrity of the horse trailer.
Posted 2018-03-31 3:40 PM (#171478 - in reply to #171471) Subject: RE: Horse trailers with a slide in the living quarters
Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina
A simplified explanation: Think of the trailer as a box with solid walls. A slide-out is a hole in the wall. The solid wall is stronger than a wall with a hole. A trailer must have enough strength to support itself and the cargo so reinforcing structure is added around the hole. Opposing slide-out lose the rigidity a solid wall opposite would provide... So more structure is required than staggered slide-outs. Horse trailers are especially strong compared to camping trailers. The horse trailer must support several 1000 pound animals vs a bit of furniture in a camping trailer.
The compromise is weight. More holes or larger holes require more structure surrounding the hole to make up for the missing wall.
Only you can decide if the added weight and expense is worth it.... and your tow vehicle can handle it.