nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429 
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Post by nhg on Nov 8, 2015 6:19:55 GMT
Does anybody know of a consumer guide kind of list about horse trailer companies? I've looked on line and can't find anything. Just forums like this one where people ask about it and other members just give their opinions. There must be some list somewhere that someone has done that tells what companies build the best trailers. And what to watch out for and things like that. Our trailer is an American and they don't make them anymore. I think Sundowner, Exiss, Hart, trailers like that are good but maybe I'm wrong.
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 8, 2015 10:13:31 GMT
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Post by horselady on Nov 8, 2015 12:20:37 GMT
I have always found Kinston trailers are some of the best. I have a hartman now and it is ok. does the job. is an older one so hubby did so much to fix it up but now works like a new one..
If you are going to buy a trailer. a word of advice. work the handles and butt straps like you are holding a horse. if the straps and gizmos are difficult to operate than look for something else.
if it is used. have it looked at before you buy. or i am sure heather can look at it for you making sure lights wiring and brakes are ok.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Nov 8, 2015 13:43:13 GMT
Mr Truck is a good for info. Horse trailer world has a forum. I get a lot of info there if I have an issue. I have had 2 Exiss trailers One was a 96 Maximus and the 03 Event that I have now. I haven't had any structural issues with mine in the time I have had it and I knew the previous owners and they didn't have any issues with it.
It's all in what you want in a trailer. Some people love the Exiss and I read of one person that bought a 2015 Exiss with an LQ and they have nothing but issues with it. All brands aren't perfect. When looking check welds and rivets, See what kind of warranty they offer. There is no real rating on them. If you get an aluminum one get all aluminum. Aluminum over a steel frame can have issues with the steel and aluminum touching.
I know people that have had good luck with Hart, Bison, Elite, and Lakotas. Any trailer can have an issue. Just like a vehicle you can get one that will have issues. Sundowners are high dollar trailers but aren't built as tough as they use to be.
www.horsetrailerworld.com |
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 9, 2015 7:02:25 GMT
Thanks you guys! I knew I'd get help on here. Min, I had a beautiful Exiss gooseneck that I really liked about 7 years ago but had some financial issues and had to give it up. I like them. HL, thanks, I've never heard of Kinston. There are quite a few brands you guys have that we don't get here in Canada. HL4L, thank you. I don't know why I'm so bad at searching for things. I can never seem to find the stuff other people can.
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 9, 2015 11:33:27 GMT
Welcome. 
HL's auto-correct got her again....the trailer brand is Kingston.
I also love them and would own one here except they don't make my configuration of standing.
I truly dislike slants, I will not own one, period.
And a 4 horse head-to-head is a whopping big trailer to cart around and have sit around in my yard for the trail riding we are doing. Not sure it would fit at some trail head locations getting in or out...
Kingston, if made the way they use to be were quality!!
Depending upon climate I would probably go with aluminum too.
Kingston was the innovator and original manufacturer of Aluminum trailers and they now have a better material than that for a trailer skin. I do not know what the frame is.....
No first hand experience with the new stuff either, just have read about it.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Nov 9, 2015 13:12:39 GMT
My 16ft stock bumper pull is a 4 horse head to head and it is the best towing trailer. Even though it's all steel it has held up well. It's 19 yrs old. Looks rough but is still safe and sturdy. Not hard to park it either. If going with a GN. You won't see to many head to head. Most are slants now. If your not going to be camping or needing the GN. There are some nice 2h bp with tack rooms in them. I have seen a few 2h GN with LQ in them. Lakota makes a nice 3 horse BP with a small LQ in it. It's called a Lakota Hut. Trailers aren't made as well as they use to be. There is a horse trailer group on FB. You could join that and ask questions and see what people say. It's all in your personal preference of what you want and what your going to use it for.
I have had several people wanting to buy my stock trailer. But it is to versatile to get rid of. It can be used for many things and not just hauling horses.
www.facebook.com/groups/411458142328908/ link for the group on FB |
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 10, 2015 4:30:59 GMT
Thanks HL4L. We don't have Kingstons here, either.
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 10, 2015 11:10:46 GMT
This is probably going to be my next trailer....
4Star brand, 2 + 1 is the configuration. Look under gooseneck trailer then the 2 + 1 configuration.
coasttocoasttrailer.com/horse-trailers-for-sale.asp?tid=3&o=1&q=0&h=1
I've seen them, not had the chance to actually touch and examine one but like what I've seen from a distance.
I've also seen some where the dressing room is larger and sure looks to be LQ....
Now to be able to afford it is another thing! 
Do you have this brand by you nhg? 
I see hundreds a week on the roads here....all look really nice.
Climate though I would be checking about materials used as we have sea salt spray where you have road salt {??}. Not sure how they would hold up to that...
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 11, 2015 1:40:36 GMT
I'm not sure if I've seen that brand or not. Interesting layout. Heather is thinking about upgrading the trailer she has now. We've always been big slant load fans but we're seriously reconsidering that. The stalls are so small in slants and Prince always ends up with his sides pressed against the partitions. He's wide but shows ribs a bit so he just has well sprung ribs and losing weight won't help. This past weekend Heather was doing a clinic and we hung a hay bag at the front of the stall for the ride. Then we realized that she's in there so tightly she can't get her head down to eat it anyway. So we were looking at some new two horse trailers that have the straight load stalls like the ones you're talking about HL4L and have a walk through at the front of the stall and mangers. Each stall is both wider and longer than a slant load stall by half a foot. Plus I was reading that a horse can balance itself a lot better in a straight haul as they're using the same muscles they use to stop and go instead of using the muscles on one side only. And you can walk the horse in and walk right out into the tack room so they're safer, too. The old two horse trailers with the tiny windows and tiny stalls are a far cry from these ones. This is the link to the one we like. www.sundownertrailer.com/tlr-Performer.html |
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 11, 2015 3:03:26 GMT
That trailer is very nice......
If I could do a 2-horse something along those lines I would be searching for myself.
Now that it is 3+ horses it changes what I must have and of course what I want.
The layout in the one I like gives me some options if I ever need them.
I never plan on a baby or mare and foal but who knows what the future could have me transporting.
I also like the "walk-through" although I firmly believe a horse should load and unload the same way, no cheating.
That means backing-up and out, not necessarily walking out forwards.
A ramp....well, that can go both ways. I like step-ups but ramps are good too, flexible that way.
So, we want to see photos when you find and buy what you dream of. 
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Nov 11, 2015 3:07:43 GMT
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Nov 11, 2015 5:03:26 GMT
Thanks Min! Those are nice. We need a bumper pull, though. Our truck that pulled the gooseneck is long gone. Looks like trailer prices are about the same there as here.
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