Horse Trailer Shopping Guide
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Quarter Horse Congress Dealers Offer Tips to Buyers
by Delores Kuhlwein
If you’re a horse lover, you understand the excitement of standing in a huge lot of brand new horse trailers, gleaming in all their splendor, beckoning for you to explore. You can picture your horse inside, with you proudly at the wheel of your truck, a reflection of comfort and class.
When it comes time to purchase a trailer, the game suddenly changes, because it can be just as complicated as buying a new car or house.
Never fear! Several representatives from trailer dealers and manufacturers here at the Congress have offered their expertise with some simple guidelines for what to keep in mind not only as you browse, but also when you’re ready to sign the deal.
The Basics to Keep in Mind
When it comes to matching a trailer to your needs, Rodney Harrison, President of Harrison Ford, Featherlite’s #1 dealer and Featherlite’s dealer partner at the Quarter Horse Congress, advises to consider factors like size, quality, weight, resale value, cost of ownership over time, and trailer warranty. “Also, trailer owners should consider the reputation of the trailer manufacturer, including how long they’ve been in business and what type of service you’ll receive while you own the trailer,” he explains.
Randy Stamper, Director of Sales and Marketing for Hart Trailers, says the needs of a Quarter Horse owner will be different than those who own Warmbloods, for example, and that will influence your choice. Crucial elements like safety should top your list once you think you’ve found “the one.”
“One thing that’s important to everyone is safety,” explains Stamper. “Structure is extremely significant, and a sound, well-built trailer doesn’t have to be heavy, but well-made. Design should also be evaluated. Check for no sharp edges or 90 degree corners; everything in a Hart Trailer has a radius corner. Fit and finish inside a trailer is equally important. Welds can sometimes result in a spur, and if the manufacturer doesn’t have good quality control, you will find them. A trailer with good fit and finish will pull well, and the horses will be happier inside.”
Quality control is also highly emphasized by Rob King, a 4-Star Trailers representative and trailer sales guru. King helps educate his customers by pointing out safety features like the structure and integrity of the nose and floors, plus pads on dividers, wall rubber, floor rubber, and those dreaded sharp edges. “You should be able to take your hand and rub it on a weld or divider, including where the horse’s head is at, and find no sharp edges,” he says. “In addition, some of the living quarters are so tall, it’s a no-brainer to put on a ramp as a safety device. Many years ago, I sat on a golf cart at a major show and watched people unload horses. You can tell whether a horse is comfortable stepping on and off. If you try to relate to the situation of stepping down a 20-inch step backwards, it gives you a new perspective.”
Harrison agrees that safety features are crucial. “Featherlite’s motto is Safe-Secure-Smart. Safety of your horses is integral and starts with the structure of the trailer from the frame to the floor to the roof. We recommend stall dividers that latch easily to prevent potential injuries to you or your horse. Door latches should be able to be secured in an open position to prevent spooking a horse when loading. Torsion axles allow the wheels to move independently over bumps and potholes in the road, and tire quality is also important to prevent blowouts or other safety concerns when traveling long distances. Featherlite trailers feature ¾” rubber floor mats. The thicker the mat, the more cushion there will be for your horse’s legs. Also, look for any tripping hazards for you and your horse, especially near the side and rear doors. We also feel that aluminum trailers will provide you with a better long term investment for hauling your horses with minimal maintenance and easier tow,” he adds.
Choosing Your Logistics
Gooseneck or bumper pull? The logistical questions burning in your mind are another area of personal preference, says King. “I get asked that question daily, and every choice has its pros and cons. Ideally, a gooseneck is probably best because it does pull better and distributes the weight throughout the truck.”
Harrison echoes that the tow vehicle is the pivotal factor, but adds that the number of horses being hauled should be considered. He says, “Goosenecks are suited for a larger number of horses. Often, people who are planning shorter, local trips will often opt for a bumper pull trailer. Also, what’s your comfort level with hooking up a gooseneck trailer, and do you have the right vehicle for a gooseneck?”
What about a slant or straight load? Stamper explains while there’s still not scientific proof he’s seen to disprove either option, the horse should be a concern. “People are very passionate about this decision one way or the other, and I can’t disagree with anyone. However, people get used to what they’re comfortable with, and I have to assume horses are like people. If your horse has been hauled in a slant load his whole life, the change to a straight load might be difficult,” he says.
The decision of whether to pick slant or straight load should depend on the size of horse you plan to haul as well, says Harrison. “Many straight load trailers have a standard height of 7’6” tall, typically for Warmbloods or horses of 17 hands and taller. The stall height and length can be taller and longer than your standard-width, slant load trailer. A comparable straight load trailer usually is a larger investment than a slant load trailer. Slant loads can be increased in height and width to accommodate for larger horses. Beyond a two-horse trailer, straight loads would be longer in length than a slant load trailer. A four-horse straight load gooseneck would provide a larger stall area than a four-horse slant.”
Tackling the Living Quarters Purchase
Ordering a living quarters trailer can be much like building a house, says Stamper, and he recommends staying realistic in your expectations during the process. “While there’s certainly no negatives in buying a full-out custom, it’s a huge expense to order. Start out small and see what features you usually use, and again, consider your needs. If you’re just driving across town, it may be more trailer than you need. If you’re on the road all the time, it’s a very smart choice.”
King agrees that thinking about your needs and wants beforehand helps eliminate pitfalls due to the myriad of choices available. He says, “If you’re running your trailer hard up and down the road, your better quality cabinets and interiors are smarter. The conversion companies offer an unbelievable amount of choices for cabinets, colors, leathers, countertops, and backsplashes. It’s like designing your own house. We use Trail Boss conversions, and they bring most of their elements with them to the Congress. Also, they will fly the customer to their facility or pay one night’s motel so they can work closely with them. It’s another way for a customer to get exactly what they want.”
As you contemplate the big investment of a living quarters trailer, Harrison offers some useful questions to consider: “How often will you be using the trailer? What length of trailer will you be comfortable hauling? Is the interior adequate for the frequency and the number of people and horses you’re hauling? Will you be staying in the trailer overnight, on weekends, or weeks at a time?”
The Latest Features
Even though many traditional trailer characteristics haven’t changed, innovations and improvements have enhanced the way we haul horses.
“The size of drop-down windows and butt windows in many trailers has been increased. This allows more daylight and airflow for your horses. Horses are not as claustrophobic and have better ventilation. Latches are easier to reach in some drop-down windows. LED lighting is brighter, lasts longer, and is more efficient. Rubber composites are lighter weight and reduce rust on bumper pull hitches and slant load divider latches. Horse doors, escape doors, and windows have individual locks for greater security,” explains Harrison.
King says that throughout all the updates, 4-Star Trailers has maintained the same structural integrity standards. “Today, they bond the skin to the post, and it’s stronger than the weld. Hitches that used to bolt are now riveted in, and lights have changed to LED, just to name a few,” he says.
Manufacturers are constantly striving to provide more user-friendly features as well, and Hart Trailer designed a new tack room called Smart Tack, which will be on display at the Congress, reveals Stamper. “It’s fully accessible from the side of the trailer – it has been probably the biggest selling feature we’ve created. It’s not new in regards to actual features, but in the way the features are presented. I have two grandsons that are calf ropers, and they like to do everything on their own. I watched them work and sweat and struggle to handle their saddles. A little guy only five feet tall can’t reach that top saddle rack, and a lot of women struggle to reach that high. We came up with this design, and I’ve sold close to 100 of them already. There’s been some fine tuning, and I encourage everyone to come see it.”
Best Advice
If you think you’re armed with knowledge and ready to shop, our experts say to take these final thoughts with you to the trailer lot:
“There’s a lot of product that’s shiny and pretty,” King says. “Don’t always look at the pretty picture, but look inside – how the inside of a trailer is put together is a whole different matter.”
“Sometimes the best price isn’t the best decision. Talk to a qualified sales representative that listens to your concerns and can assist you with the best trailer that will fit you and your horse’s wants and needs,” recommends Harrison. “Getting the trailer you want and is the best for your usage will help you get the most enjoyment out of your trailer, safeguard your horses, and help you save money in the long run.”
