I've had several trailers over my lifetime so learned some good, bad, awful and fantastic things to search for or could be deal breakers if missing....
Now living in the south with hot, hot temperatures and high humidity my list has changed...
If I were in the market for a different trailer....
A insulated roof no matter what the trailer material it is made from...deal-breaker for me if it isn't from the factory or can't be installed.
Ample window and cross ventilation far more than many trailers provide, for this reason my semi-stock is great. If fully open driver side, then a slide in clear barrier for inclement weather to keep the horses dry when hauling...drivers side horses get wet from road spray.
A must and non-negotiable for me is full size emergency exit door at the trailer front.
I would want a bar that drops down if the horse is standing right their when you open the side/emergency door so they not walk out...
That emergency door is wide enough to walk a horse out, yes they would need to jump down but...if the back is jammed or damaged say in a accident you can get your horses out of the trailer in emergent situations.
I don't like slants, period. For many reasons, my opinion but no thanks, won't even consider let alone look at them for my ownership.
I've loaded many a horse on those slants and so many horses hesitate going past that rear tack room and the dark cavern it creates and claustrophobic feeling many animals get for the split second..
I would like to see on any trailer a butt bar or full cross-member placed so when you open any trailer rear door you not get run over and seriously injured....
To many not think butt bars are needed or you can just remove, not use and that is a huge wrong. A top national rider in H/J got her femur{thigh bone} shattered when a ramp slammed down on her and trapped her underneath that ramp weight and 1300 more pounds of horse exploding backward off a trailer...
Please, please... if your trailer have butt bars use them for your safety....
Butt bars are also designed into the stability and frame rigidness of your trailer... part of the frame design. Whether had bar or chain, it is designed to be used and part of the trailer integrity and strength.
All trailers should come with a spare tire mounted and where it is mounted not have the bolts of the tire carrier inside the horse area where torn shoulder, barrel, hip and flank can happen in close confines scooting past.
Today with LED lighting, a well lit interior so safer loading in dim lighting conditions.
Reverse lights on a trailer able to be turned on to give rear lighting areas for the approach to load whether ramp or step-up trailer.
A designed strong point where a stalled or kept horse can have a hanging bucket of water offered....
Depending upon trailer layout this could be several locations, 1 for each animal but when not in use it fold down and flat out of the way.
For those of us who travel distances and must leave our rigs to use bathrooms and get food to eat...
Doors that can be locked shut without much hassle....
We carry vinyl covered cable and padlocks and use them at rest stops so no one can get in the trailer to disturb the horses... If traveling alone I am also very selective in where I park and what is around in the parking lots...but you can bet my trailer is secured before I take care of my needs, my animals are taken care of and safe first!
Those would be some things based on design would be must have or really like to see for me...
There are many more, but....practicality and cost must be part of the cost afforded too.
🐴...
Now living in the south with hot, hot temperatures and high humidity my list has changed...
If I were in the market for a different trailer....
A insulated roof no matter what the trailer material it is made from...deal-breaker for me if it isn't from the factory or can't be installed.
Ample window and cross ventilation far more than many trailers provide, for this reason my semi-stock is great. If fully open driver side, then a slide in clear barrier for inclement weather to keep the horses dry when hauling...drivers side horses get wet from road spray.
A must and non-negotiable for me is full size emergency exit door at the trailer front.
I would want a bar that drops down if the horse is standing right their when you open the side/emergency door so they not walk out...
That emergency door is wide enough to walk a horse out, yes they would need to jump down but...if the back is jammed or damaged say in a accident you can get your horses out of the trailer in emergent situations.
I don't like slants, period. For many reasons, my opinion but no thanks, won't even consider let alone look at them for my ownership.
I've loaded many a horse on those slants and so many horses hesitate going past that rear tack room and the dark cavern it creates and claustrophobic feeling many animals get for the split second..
I would like to see on any trailer a butt bar or full cross-member placed so when you open any trailer rear door you not get run over and seriously injured....
To many not think butt bars are needed or you can just remove, not use and that is a huge wrong. A top national rider in H/J got her femur{thigh bone} shattered when a ramp slammed down on her and trapped her underneath that ramp weight and 1300 more pounds of horse exploding backward off a trailer...
Please, please... if your trailer have butt bars use them for your safety....
Butt bars are also designed into the stability and frame rigidness of your trailer... part of the frame design. Whether had bar or chain, it is designed to be used and part of the trailer integrity and strength.
All trailers should come with a spare tire mounted and where it is mounted not have the bolts of the tire carrier inside the horse area where torn shoulder, barrel, hip and flank can happen in close confines scooting past.
Today with LED lighting, a well lit interior so safer loading in dim lighting conditions.
Reverse lights on a trailer able to be turned on to give rear lighting areas for the approach to load whether ramp or step-up trailer.
A designed strong point where a stalled or kept horse can have a hanging bucket of water offered....
Depending upon trailer layout this could be several locations, 1 for each animal but when not in use it fold down and flat out of the way.
For those of us who travel distances and must leave our rigs to use bathrooms and get food to eat...
Doors that can be locked shut without much hassle....
We carry vinyl covered cable and padlocks and use them at rest stops so no one can get in the trailer to disturb the horses... If traveling alone I am also very selective in where I park and what is around in the parking lots...but you can bet my trailer is secured before I take care of my needs, my animals are taken care of and safe first!
Those would be some things based on design would be must have or really like to see for me...
There are many more, but....practicality and cost must be part of the cost afforded too.
🐴...
