Goose Neck Stock Trailer
what should I look for when buying a horse trailer?
I want to get a 3 horse perhaps a 4 horse goose neck to replace a 4 horse stock trailer I have now. I am thinking I want a dressing room with the area in the goose to take a nap. I don’t want the living quarter type as I think the cost is to much. There are so many featueres and brands I don’t know what is best. Also any opinions on buying a used trailer would be nice
I am looking for opinions of the best options also, There are things like, ramps, escape doors, studded walls ect.
http://www.equispirit.com/info/articles/buying-horse-trailer.htm
http://www.equispirit.com/info/faq.htm
http://www.sundownertrailer.com/dealers
http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/newhome.asp
Good info on horse trailer purchases….I’ve got a Trails West which is a steel trailer…it’s a great towing trailer but the paint finish leaves much to be desired. I’ve already had one trailer of theirs replaced because of crappy paint. They just swapped it out. Would I own another of theirs…..NO.
I’ll go for either a Silverlite or a Sundowner..both aluminum.
Two things to consider: do you want a bumper pull or a gooseneck?
If you can purchase a really quality trailer, a basic gooseneck, with some miles on it, one that has been taken care of and the present owner has paperwork on everything that has been done to it in terms of maintenance, go for it. Check the floors, doors, electrical, brakes, and basic lighting and wiring. Check to make sure that the gates or butt bars are in good shape and have not been bent or look really worn. Ask when the last time the wheel bearings were repacked…most people don’t ask this and find themselves in a world of hurt going down the freeway as you’ll burn your wheel bearings…..NOT a good thing.
Check for the amount of rust damage…most steel trailers will have some especially if you live in an area of high humidity. We’re on the high desert, low humidity, so rust is not a concern for us but we still keep an eye out for it.
Check the hitch assemby and make sure that everything is in order….nothing bent and lubed if it needed it.
Make sure the frame is straight and it doesn’t appear to have been wrecked…easy to tell if you stand at the rear of the trailer and look up the side of it…you’ll see distortions and differences in paint, and the metal sides, i.e., bubbles, paint that looks “fogged”, etc. If in doubt, have a knowledgable person check under the trailer for you. Good luck, take your time…lots of them out there. Make sure you get everything you want on that trailer, don’t compromise.
The most beautiful trailer I’ve ever seen with every possible amenity was a Chisholm trailer that was at the Snaffle Bit, Reno, a year ago. It had a price tag to match of $180,000; living quarters that cannot be matched, all the goodies, shower and toilet, an area to change from dirty clothes(mudroom), the kitchen area was perfect, quality wood used, a sound system to die for, tv cameras in the horse area to keep an eye on them, quality everywhere. The horse area was wonderful, a full escape door, (diagonal trailer)heavy duty everything, mats, a rear tack room, a mid line tack room..all the finish work was perfect. Every divider was heavy, heavy duty, slam latches with pins…. A total WOW factor for anyone who saw it. And, the tow vehicle was a brand new Ford F650…..whew!
gatormade gooseneck trailer 1