When it comes time to get transportation for your equine friends, it's important to know what your needs are to narrow the search. There is no shortage of new horse trailers for sale. Not only are there many manufacturers, there are many design features to complicate things for people planning to buy. It's also necessary to understand what makes horses safe and comfortable during loading and hauling.
Horses need a trailer that allows them enough room to keep their balance and shift their weight to equalize the strain on legs and muscles. They also need adequate head room so they can move their heads freely and turn enough to get a glimpse of what's happening around them as they travel. Light is important, since most animals don't like dark, confined spaces, and air should circulate freely to prevent over-heating during the excitement of traveling.
The most important thing is safety. It's important to choose a manufacturer with a good track record in building sturdy trailers. Materials are usually steel and/or aluminum, used for strength, weight reduction, and weather resistance. Ramps can be both in the rear of the trailer, at the front, or on the side. You'll find information about all these things, as well as a lot of opinion. It's your responsibility to sift fact from assumption and misconception.
Never proceed on assumptions. You may have heard that step-up trailers are safer than ones with ramps. However, although many horses load into step-ups readily, unloading can be hazardous. For this reason, some designs have no rear ramp but a front unloading ramp. An unloading ramp is nice, anyway, since it means the horse does not need to back out of the trailer.
Another assumption many people have is that aluminum is better than steel because it doesn't rust. However, manufacturers are now using galvanized steel and coated parts, which reduce the rust problem. Aluminum does not rust, but it does corrode. Even 'all-aluminum' units will have some steel components, since aluminum is not strong enough for all structural supports. 'Hybrids' use both steel and aluminum to get maximum strength and a lighter over-all weight.
These horse transports come in two styles, tag-alongs which attach to the rear bumper or frame of a vehicle and goosenecks, which attach to a 'fifth-wheel' specially installed in a pick-up truck. Problems with tag-alongs usually occur when they are improperly hitched or when they begin to sway from side to side. Special bars called stabilizers prevent swaying and reinforce the hitch.
Finally, the trailer should fit the horses being hauled. Quarterhorses are often shorter in length and height and lighter in weight than warmbloods, for instance, and can travel comfortably in trailers that would be actually unsafe for larger and heavier animals. You need to know your minimum requirements and then proceed from there.
Of course, initial cost will be a factor, but don't forget to compare warranties and safety records. There are many review sites online to help you make a choice. Remember that a warranty is only good while a manufacturer is in business, so make sure you buy from a solid company if the warranty is important to you. Customer reports of satisfaction when encountering problems under warranty are also helpful.
Horses need a trailer that allows them enough room to keep their balance and shift their weight to equalize the strain on legs and muscles. They also need adequate head room so they can move their heads freely and turn enough to get a glimpse of what's happening around them as they travel. Light is important, since most animals don't like dark, confined spaces, and air should circulate freely to prevent over-heating during the excitement of traveling.
The most important thing is safety. It's important to choose a manufacturer with a good track record in building sturdy trailers. Materials are usually steel and/or aluminum, used for strength, weight reduction, and weather resistance. Ramps can be both in the rear of the trailer, at the front, or on the side. You'll find information about all these things, as well as a lot of opinion. It's your responsibility to sift fact from assumption and misconception.
Never proceed on assumptions. You may have heard that step-up trailers are safer than ones with ramps. However, although many horses load into step-ups readily, unloading can be hazardous. For this reason, some designs have no rear ramp but a front unloading ramp. An unloading ramp is nice, anyway, since it means the horse does not need to back out of the trailer.
Another assumption many people have is that aluminum is better than steel because it doesn't rust. However, manufacturers are now using galvanized steel and coated parts, which reduce the rust problem. Aluminum does not rust, but it does corrode. Even 'all-aluminum' units will have some steel components, since aluminum is not strong enough for all structural supports. 'Hybrids' use both steel and aluminum to get maximum strength and a lighter over-all weight.
These horse transports come in two styles, tag-alongs which attach to the rear bumper or frame of a vehicle and goosenecks, which attach to a 'fifth-wheel' specially installed in a pick-up truck. Problems with tag-alongs usually occur when they are improperly hitched or when they begin to sway from side to side. Special bars called stabilizers prevent swaying and reinforce the hitch.
Finally, the trailer should fit the horses being hauled. Quarterhorses are often shorter in length and height and lighter in weight than warmbloods, for instance, and can travel comfortably in trailers that would be actually unsafe for larger and heavier animals. You need to know your minimum requirements and then proceed from there.
Of course, initial cost will be a factor, but don't forget to compare warranties and safety records. There are many review sites online to help you make a choice. Remember that a warranty is only good while a manufacturer is in business, so make sure you buy from a solid company if the warranty is important to you. Customer reports of satisfaction when encountering problems under warranty are also helpful.
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You can visit www.lewistrailerranch.com for more helpful information about Evaluating New Horse Trailers For Sale.
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