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