Choosing the Right Horse Trailer

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 knowmotion 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 beforesmoother and quieter ride.Leaf spring suspension uses
you spend your money.The information below isseveral layers of metal springs bracketed together into
designed to help you choose the right horse trailer fora 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 feelinner-connectedness can cause wear and tear as well
more confident that you're making a smartas noise from the metal-on-metal connections.3.
purchase.New or Used?Assuming that you can findFrameThe frame of a horse trailer is generally made
exactly what you need in the used horse trailerfrom tubular steel or aluminum. Check to see that the
market, there's really no reason to buy a new one. Ifsupports 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 repairsstrong enough to support what you're hauling. The
are taken care of (or knocked off the purchaseheavier your load is, the thicker the beams used in the
price).The main reason a person might consider buyingframe should be in order to hold together properly.4.
a new trailer is out of fear of an unseen problem withWalls and floorTry to choose a trailer with a plywood
a used unit. Avoid this by educating yourself as muchfloor, because wood breathes more easily than
as possible about horse trailers before you begin toaluminum and will provide a more comfortable ride. The
shop.Types of Horse TrailersHorse trailers come intrailer's interior walls should have insulation that is at
three main types:Stock horse trailersare open asleast 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'tstuds, the better flexibility the trailer will have. Make
feel closed up and they have a little more freedom ofsure all floor and wall pieces are fastened properly,
movement and position. A major benefit of a stockideally with non-corroding aluminum fasteners and
trailer is the fact that it can be used to haul other thingsbolts.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 beMake sure that the horse has enough room to spread
a problem.Slant-load horse trailersallow the horsesall four legs in all directions to help brace himself if he
inside to ride at an angle, which can often make themneeds to. He should also be able to raise his head and
more comfortable, particularly during sharp stops orextend his neck fully without hitting the ceiling of the
accelerations. Slant load trailers, however, can betrailer. Have measurements of your horse available
uncomfortable for larger horses; the typical slant-loadwhen 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 ofany length of trip. Most enclosed trailers have slats or
their bodies to brace themselves depending onwindows on the sides as well as vents in the roof. This
whether the trailer is speeding up or slowing down, ais extremely important, as the inside of a horse trailer is
slant-load trailer can be very tiring for them and couldextremely susceptible to mold and dust.Make sure
possibly even result in unevenness of gait.Straight-loadyour 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 theirto 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 loadingthat might cause your horse injury. Windows should be
and unloading. Some horses are reluctant to walk intorecessed into the trailer's walls to prevent sharp or
straight-load trailers, and getting them to back out canprotruding corners, and the walls and stalls should
be a problem as well.The debate over what type ofideally be covered with rubber to keep the horse
horse trailer is better is a hot issue among trailercomfortable if he bumps or leans against it.Horse
owners. In order to decide which one works best forTrailer Manufacturers When purchasing a horse trailer,
you, you'll have to carefully consider your personalit's wise to look for a brand name that has been
preferences and the needs of your horses. There isaround 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 Trailerknown manufacturer can be worth the extra
ConstructionThe construction of a horse trailer isperformance you'll get out of the unit over the years.
extremely important when it comes to how well it willThe following are a few well-known horse trailer
perform and how long it will last. Consider the factorsmanufacturers.Horton has been producing
below before making a purchase.1. MaterialSteel horsegeneral-purpose haulers and vans for the last 30
trailers have been around for the longest time, and areyears. They specialize in steel-framed, aluminum skin
extremely common. They can, however, can behorse trailers with rubber torsion suspension
somewhat heavy, and they do require somesystems.Exiss is the third-largest manufacturer of
maintenance in the form of washing and waxing tohorse trailers in the world, and produces quality trailers
prevent corrosion, especially if you live in a saltywith extra details such as theft-deterring latches and
climate. Because of the tendency of the steel to breakhinges, extra-wide loading doors, and super-thick
down if not maintained properly, steel horse trailers areinsulation and wall studs. Their trailers are made from
not always the best option. With proper care, ofall aluminum.Sooner Trailers are known for producing
course, they can last for years.Steel-framed horsestandard as well as custom-built horse trailers. They
trailers are a good choice if corrosion is a problem inspecialize in all-aluminum trailers with patented folding
your climate, or if you're not happy about the idea oftroughs and tapered noses for efficient towing.Kiefer
maintaining the exterior of the trailer. Steel-framedTrailers make aluminum horse trailers in straight load,
trailers are usually made with an aluminum skin, whichslant load or box stall varieties. They build extra-large
resists corrosion. Only the skeleton of the unit is madestandard and custom trailers with patented leak-proof
from steel. Make sure the trailer you're considering isroofs.Hart Horse Trailers have been in business since
properly designed with some type of barrier between1968 and specialize in customized details such as
the steel and aluminum, as these two metals caninsulated roofs, interlocking floors and double-framed
cause electric shocks if they aredoors. Their trailers operate with TORFLEX rubber
touching.Aluminumhorse trailers are usually the mostride torsion suspension systems.The Bottom Line
expensive, as they are lightweight yet extremely
durable. Aluminum is resistant to corrosion, although theChoosing a horse trailer doesn't have to be
exterior may eventually oxidize over time if exposedintimidating. The key is to do plenty of research and to
to the elements. Aluminum trailers are typically aboutknow exactly what you need when you start
15% lighter than comparable steel ones; they also costshopping. The more you can educate yourself on the
about 15% more. Aluminum is generally considered thevarious factors of horse trailers, the better equipped
best choice.2. SuspensionGood suspension is essentialyou'll be to deal with a decision when it comes time to
in a horse trailer. It provides a smooth ride for thebuy.For a great place to start looking for a horse trailer,
horses and prevents unnecessary wear and tear ontry 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 suspensionfind the perfect horse trailer for your specific needs.
systems:Rubber torsion suspensions work