Evaluating New Horse Trailers For Sale

By Arline Bradley





You may feel overwhelmed when it comes time to buy a trailer for your very own. There are many new horse trailers for sale that offer different designs and options, and there's a bewildering number of strongly-held opinions in the horse world. Since you have to start somewhere, begin by evaluating your needs and understanding what will keep your animals safe and comfortable while hauling.



One thing you need in a horse trailer is enough space for your horse or horses to stand and shift weight for balance and for comfort. There should be adequate head room to allow free movement of the neck and to prevent bumping the head when standing normally. There should be lots of light in the interior; horses don't like dark confinement. Air should circulate freely to keep the animals from becoming too warm during transit.



Safety is, of course, the main concern. For this reason, you'll need to choose the type of exterior and interior design and the sort of ramps used for loading and unloading. Materials used in trailer construction are another factor in making a final decision. There are many sources of information, but you are responsible for weeding out fact from myth or sales promotions.



Some people like to dispense with ramps altogether and let the horse step up into the trailer and step down when backing off. Others feel that a rear ramp is better, especially for unloading. Designers have introduced front unloading ramps, which means that animals never have to back out. Front exits also help reach animals in case of emergencies.



The fact that aluminum doesn't rust and is lightweight makes some think it superior to steel. However, it's strength is not sufficient for all structural parts. Modern manufacturers have developed ways to make steel more durable; they use galvanized steel and also coat structural parts to make them rust-proof. Many trailers now incorporate both metallic alloys, providing the benefits of both.



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.



You don't want to buy more trailer than you need. Smaller, shorter horses can travel comfortably with less width and height, while large animals like warmbloods might need the maximum legal width and a lot of headroom. Floors must be strong enough for the largest animal that will be transported. However, not everyone needs battleship-type construction.



Cost, warranties, and safety records should be considered. Remember that a higher cost does not necessarily mean a better choice, and a lower one does not always mean a bargain. A warranty is only as good as the company that makes it. Check customer reviews to find out if the manufacturer really stands behind its products. Also, a company that is in danger of going out of business may no longer be around when you have a problem.









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