| Purchasing a horse trailer is an expensive investment, | | | | independently, so that if one wheel hits a bump the |
| and before you buy you should ensure that you know | | | | motion is not transferred to the others. This system is |
| exactly what you need. As with any large purchase, | | | | the most expensive of the two but results in a much |
| it's extremely important to do some research before | | | | smoother and quieter ride.Leaf spring suspension uses |
| you spend your money.The information below is | | | | several layers of metal springs bracketed together into |
| designed to help you choose the right horse trailer for | | | | a single unit. While usually cheaper, leaf spring |
| your needs. Regardless of what you're looking for, | | | | suspensions don't last as long as rubber, and the |
| these tips will help you find it more quickly and feel | | | | inner-connectedness can cause wear and tear as well |
| more confident that you're making a smart | | | | as noise from the metal-on-metal connections.3. |
| purchase.New or Used?Assuming that you can find | | | | FrameThe frame of a horse trailer is generally made |
| exactly what you need in the used horse trailer | | | | from tubular steel or aluminum. Check to see that the |
| market, there's really no reason to buy a new one. If | | | | supports are placed the correct distance apart |
| you do decide to purchase a used trailer, make sure | | | | (generally 16 or 24 inches) and that the entire frame is |
| it's been well-maintained and that all necessary repairs | | | | strong enough to support what you're hauling. The |
| are taken care of (or knocked off the purchase | | | | heavier your load is, the thicker the beams used in the |
| price).The main reason a person might consider buying | | | | frame should be in order to hold together properly.4. |
| a new trailer is out of fear of an unseen problem with | | | | Walls and floorTry to choose a trailer with a plywood |
| a used unit. Avoid this by educating yourself as much | | | | floor, because wood breathes more easily than |
| as possible about horse trailers before you begin to | | | | aluminum and will provide a more comfortable ride. The |
| shop.Types of Horse TrailersHorse trailers come in | | | | trailer's interior walls should have insulation that is at |
| three main types:Stock horse trailersare open as | | | | least one inch thick. Check for wall studs and make |
| opposed to enclosed, and usually have slatted sides. | | | | sure they're also at least one inch thick. The thicker the |
| Some horses prefer stock trailers because they don't | | | | studs, the better flexibility the trailer will have. Make |
| feel closed up and they have a little more freedom of | | | | sure all floor and wall pieces are fastened properly, |
| movement and position. A major benefit of a stock | | | | ideally with non-corroding aluminum fasteners and |
| trailer is the fact that it can be used to haul other things | | | | bolts.Your Horse's ComfortDon't forget to consider the |
| aside from horses. It is a basic all-purpose trailer- | | | | size of your horse or horses when looking for a trailer. |
| although during rain or snow the lack of cover can be | | | | Make sure that the horse has enough room to spread |
| a problem.Slant-load horse trailersallow the horses | | | | all four legs in all directions to help brace himself if he |
| inside to ride at an angle, which can often make them | | | | needs to. He should also be able to raise his head and |
| more comfortable, particularly during sharp stops or | | | | extend his neck fully without hitting the ceiling of the |
| accelerations. Slant load trailers, however, can be | | | | trailer. Have measurements of your horse available |
| uncomfortable for larger horses; the typical slant-load | | | | when shopping for a trailer.The horse trailer you |
| stall only has about eight feet of useable space. Also, | | | | purchase should also have adequate ventilation for |
| because the horses will be using opposite sides of | | | | any length of trip. Most enclosed trailers have slats or |
| their bodies to brace themselves depending on | | | | windows on the sides as well as vents in the roof. This |
| whether the trailer is speeding up or slowing down, a | | | | is extremely important, as the inside of a horse trailer is |
| slant-load trailer can be very tiring for them and could | | | | extremely susceptible to mold and dust.Make sure |
| possibly even result in unevenness of gait.Straight-load | | | | your trailer provides enough light for the horse to feel |
| horse trailersare the most commonly used. | | | | comfortable inside. A dark trailer will cause the horse |
| Straight-load trailers allow the horses to hold their | | | | to balk at entering, and may cause him to act out of |
| weight evenly on all four legs and the spine; they can, | | | | fear during a long trip.Finally, check for any other details |
| however, cause problems when it comes to loading | | | | that might cause your horse injury. Windows should be |
| and unloading. Some horses are reluctant to walk into | | | | recessed into the trailer's walls to prevent sharp or |
| straight-load trailers, and getting them to back out can | | | | protruding corners, and the walls and stalls should |
| be a problem as well.The debate over what type of | | | | ideally be covered with rubber to keep the horse |
| horse trailer is better is a hot issue among trailer | | | | comfortable if he bumps or leans against it.Horse |
| owners. In order to decide which one works best for | | | | Trailer Manufacturers When purchasing a horse trailer, |
| you, you'll have to carefully consider your personal | | | | it's wise to look for a brand name that has been |
| preferences and the needs of your horses. There is | | | | around for several years and proved its worth on the |
| no one "right answer" in the debate between stock, | | | | market. Spending a little extra for a horse trailer from a |
| slant or straight load trailers.Horse Trailer | | | | known manufacturer can be worth the extra |
| ConstructionThe construction of a horse trailer is | | | | performance you'll get out of the unit over the years. |
| extremely important when it comes to how well it will | | | | The following are a few well-known horse trailer |
| perform and how long it will last. Consider the factors | | | | manufacturers.Horton has been producing |
| below before making a purchase.1. MaterialSteel horse | | | | general-purpose haulers and vans for the last 30 |
| trailers have been around for the longest time, and are | | | | years. They specialize in steel-framed, aluminum skin |
| extremely common. They can, however, can be | | | | horse trailers with rubber torsion suspension |
| somewhat heavy, and they do require some | | | | systems.Exiss is the third-largest manufacturer of |
| maintenance in the form of washing and waxing to | | | | horse trailers in the world, and produces quality trailers |
| prevent corrosion, especially if you live in a salty | | | | with extra details such as theft-deterring latches and |
| climate. Because of the tendency of the steel to break | | | | hinges, extra-wide loading doors, and super-thick |
| down if not maintained properly, steel horse trailers are | | | | insulation and wall studs. Their trailers are made from |
| not always the best option. With proper care, of | | | | all aluminum.Sooner Trailers are known for producing |
| course, they can last for years.Steel-framed horse | | | | standard as well as custom-built horse trailers. They |
| trailers are a good choice if corrosion is a problem in | | | | specialize in all-aluminum trailers with patented folding |
| your climate, or if you're not happy about the idea of | | | | troughs and tapered noses for efficient towing.Kiefer |
| maintaining the exterior of the trailer. Steel-framed | | | | Trailers make aluminum horse trailers in straight load, |
| trailers are usually made with an aluminum skin, which | | | | slant load or box stall varieties. They build extra-large |
| resists corrosion. Only the skeleton of the unit is made | | | | standard and custom trailers with patented leak-proof |
| from steel. Make sure the trailer you're considering is | | | | roofs.Hart Horse Trailers have been in business since |
| properly designed with some type of barrier between | | | | 1968 and specialize in customized details such as |
| the steel and aluminum, as these two metals can | | | | insulated roofs, interlocking floors and double-framed |
| cause electric shocks if they are | | | | doors. Their trailers operate with TORFLEX rubber |
| touching.Aluminumhorse trailers are usually the most | | | | ride torsion suspension systems.The Bottom Line |
| expensive, as they are lightweight yet extremely | | | | |
| durable. Aluminum is resistant to corrosion, although the | | | | Choosing a horse trailer doesn't have to be |
| exterior may eventually oxidize over time if exposed | | | | intimidating. The key is to do plenty of research and to |
| to the elements. Aluminum trailers are typically about | | | | know exactly what you need when you start |
| 15% lighter than comparable steel ones; they also cost | | | | shopping. The more you can educate yourself on the |
| about 15% more. Aluminum is generally considered the | | | | various factors of horse trailers, the better equipped |
| best choice.2. SuspensionGood suspension is essential | | | | you'll be to deal with a decision when it comes time to |
| in a horse trailer. It provides a smooth ride for the | | | | buy.For a great place to start looking for a horse trailer, |
| horses and prevents unnecessary wear and tear on | | | | try the classifieds at This website offers high quality |
| the trailer caused by excessive jolting and bouncing. | | | | used trailers at bargain prices, and it's a great place to |
| There are two main types of suspension | | | | find the perfect horse trailer for your specific needs. |
| systems:Rubber torsion suspensions work | | | | |