Posted 2005-05-23 10:21 AM (#25481) Subject: To Screen Or Not To Screen
Member
Posts: 41
Location: n/a
Looking for some opinions and reasons along with pros & cons to have screens on drop down windows.
I think it would make sense to have them to stop any flying debri, but I am curious to how often flying debri is a problem and how do you mount the screens onto the trailer? Are screens an important part to the drop down window?
Posted 2005-05-23 10:54 AM (#25484 - in reply to #25481) Subject: RE: To Screen Or Not To Screen
Member
Posts: 15
Location: Charleston, SC
Hey Keliy!
Flying debris will only be a problem when you stop and find your horses eye watering like crazy because something flew in and it prob only happens as often as it happens when riding a motorcycle w/o protection but it sure hurts when it does right. Screens are very easy to place over the face guards or you can get the kind that snap directly to the trailer without face guards. Some people prefer to simply put fly masks on their horses instead though. Cost of any of the three methods is minimal. $15-$45 a piece. As for cleaning them, pull 'em off and hit 'em with the water hose once in a while. They also help deflect heat but the screens on the windows will in turn restrict the amount of wind allowed thru the trailer so it is a small trade off for window screens. Hope that helps and remember to smile at someone today, they'll smile back 'cause it's contagious! : )
Posted 2005-05-23 11:09 AM (#25487 - in reply to #25481) Subject: RE: To Screen Or Not To Screen
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Posts: 8
Location: Birmingham, AL
I've tried with and without, and especially here in the South, I won't go without screens. No only does it keep debris out, but there is a big difference in the temp when the sun is not directly coming in the window. And, during rain storms, it helps to keep the rain out. I have a Sundowner, and I don't know if anyone else has has the same experience, but I don't get much air through the windows without screens, and on my trailer, the wind factor is no different with or without the screens, but definitely in the summer time, they make a difference in the temperature in my trailer. I used the ones with the zipper, but now they make them to slip over bars in Sundowner trailers so that works great. Jackiejo
Posted 2005-05-23 12:29 PM (#25497 - in reply to #25481) Subject: RE: To Screen Or Not To Screen
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Posts: 41
Location: n/a
Thank you. That was some great advice. I never really thought about the sun factor, but that is a good one. If driving for a few hours with the sun on the horses face on a warm day could really suck. Kinda like tinting windows in a car. Thanks again for all the good educational opinions...
Posted 2005-05-23 12:46 PM (#25499 - in reply to #25497) Subject: RE: To Screen Or Not To Screen
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Posts: 8
Location: Birmingham, AL
Your welcome. I went back and looked where I got mine. Go to www.trailerhitchboss.com and they are nice quality screens that are custom made to fit your window opening
Posted 2005-05-23 1:15 PM (#25505 - in reply to #25481) Subject: RE: To Screen Or Not To Screen
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Posts: 10
Location: Texas
I have screens on my trailer. My trailer is an older model with drop down windows with no bars to keep their heads from hanging out. The screens help keep their heads inside the trailer.I love them. Mine don't have zippers but you can get with or without.http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=eb05e4ac-3d5e-45cb-a6a6-8f2cc5cc2f68Dianne
Posted 2005-05-23 1:57 PM (#25511 - in reply to #25481) Subject: RE: To Screen Or Not To Screen
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Posts: 8
Location: Birmingham, AL
I ordered one from the magazines and they are only one size and didn't begin to fit my window. I ordered mine from the place that custom makes them to fit the windows, and they are very nice and have lasted for a long time.
Posted 2005-05-25 10:39 PM (#25688 - in reply to #25481) Subject: RE: To Screen Or Not To Screen
Veteran
Posts: 202
Location: North Texas
I bought these "slipover" screens last year and really like them: They have been very durable and they stay on! They attach over the bars of our Sundowner, sort of like a pillowcase. Very cool. They may fit other brands if the bars/windows are the same size.
Posted 2005-05-25 11:14 PM (#25694 - in reply to #25481) Subject: RE: To Screen Or Not To Screen
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: south of Cowtown, TEXAS
I use screens because I do not have bars on the drops. Flying debris? The chances of them getting debris in their eye is very, very slim unless they have their fool head hanging out in traffic. For the past 30 years of hauling horses in a stock trailer - no debris. My daily driver (work car) is a convertible - no debris.
Screens or bars. One or the other is a MUST! Screens usually run $16 - $20 and come with the mounting hardware.
Posted 2005-05-27 3:19 PM (#25761 - in reply to #25481) Subject: RE: To Screen Or Not To Screen
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Location: CA
I always use fly masks on my horses in the trailer, not just for flying debris coming from outside, but also for flying hay and shavings from within the trailer. I've never had a problem trailering so far, but yesterday my husband's 31yo appy somehow got his eye scratched in pasture (no foxtail, thank goodness!)and with meds, call fee, etc. it cost $170. Makes those screens and fly masks sound cheap, doesn't it?
Posted 2005-05-29 7:52 AM (#25799 - in reply to #25481) Subject: RE: To Screen Or Not To Screen
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Posts: 247
Location: NW
Depending on the size of your windows, http://www.smithbrothers.com/ has some window screens at a VERY reasonable price - especially low priced in their current sale catalog. OR, if you have the drop down bars on your windows already, you can attach your own screens: buy screen material at your local hardware & cut to fit + a couple inches extra all around. Attach to your bars w/"lock ties". That's what we did 3 yrs ago & they are still in great shape & doing a fine job!