Im deciding between a 2+1 and a 3 horse slant. It would be mostly two horses, but I like the option to put a smaller horse up front and use it as an open box in emergency evacuation. I especially like the 4 star 2 horse with the extra space in front, but also the fact that the overall length is the same in the two configurations. I also would love to make it two box stalls or 1/2 stalls.
Is anyone disappointed that they got the 2+1?
TIA
I love my 2+1. I would skip the dressing room to reduce size if I was doing it again, but the ability to safely haul my mini in the box stall has been a great bonus. It’s also really handy to haul extra show supplies fully isolated from the horses.
My length is my only complaint. I got snookered into an XL box up front, and I wanted an extra 2 feet in the dressing room because I camp somewhat frequently. If the box wasn’t XL, I would like it even better.
we have a three horse slant bumper pull. it actually is easier to pull than our two horse, we have only put two horses in using the rear two stalls…that third front stall is very handy to have
front stall is a stud stall with full divider this stall also has a front escape door for that horse if needed but we normally use this front stall for hay/bedding storage as the full size escape door provides easy access. Also has rear tack that is collapsible which is handy
Front tack is roomy for lots of tack and has the spare tire
Once loaded nothing needs to be moved around to get to anything as everything is easily accessible
I have a custom 2+1 BP, 23’ long, but no tack room, because for me, the +1 IS the tack room.
Best trailer design I have ever had. Full stop.
The +1 can be used for a horse in of case of emergency, I figure I could put an 8’ wide gate across the nose to keep all the wall, shelf and cabinet safe from an equine and vice versa. But normally it’s a carriage storage area when shipping and when it’s not a driving event, it’s the best possible configuration to stage out of at a clinic or show. I am at the point where I don’t remove my tack and grooming equipment from the trailer at a dressage show, just walk my horse to the trailer if at all possible.
The opposite. I’m obsessed with my 2+1. It’s the greatest trailer ever imo. Tonnes of room and when it’s super hot or raining I can tack up in the trailer. The horses love it. I love it. So much room everywhere. It’s so convenient for working out of a trailer at shows.
I’ve never been a slant fan, I don’t think horses enjoy them. One of my girls is too long for slants and always had bad rubs anytime she travelled in one.
Like DMK, I use the front as a tack stall. The gooseneck also has a gate you can put up to use as a tack room if you need the third box.
Highly recommend. Pups recommend too.
Love the photos and k9 approval!
Two thumbs up on my 2+ one. It additionally has a mid tack which is fantastic, and a front weekender. The plus one is actually probably too small for a giant full-size horse unless in an emergency situation. But plenty big for a Pony, and of course additional storage is fabulous. Mines a Turnbow. Each trailer is custom-made, could not recommend more.
I love my 2+1! It’s so versatile. Mine has no dressing room so total length on the floor is 17’. I have occasionally hauled a pony in the front box. I love it as a place to tack up or just for the horse to hang out when waiting around at events. It’s also a nice shady spot to put a couple of chairs on a hot day (see pic with horse happily hanging out while we sat in chairs in the stall area to eat lunch on a hot day). It was great to have that space when hauling two horses, all their hay and shavings, and a bunch of equipment to Pony Club championships for a week. I most recently used the area to pick up a used riding mower, and I almost never load my horses from the rear of the trailer anymore. I feel like you don’t get the usefulness of the extra space on a slant load like you can on a 2+1.
Ohh I want to more about this gate? I don’t think I’ve seen this. Do you have an inside pic?
-signed, desiring a 2+1
I’m guessing it’s like a more solid stud gate? Maybe a single instead of two?
Mine has stud gates, and I don’t think I’d get a 2+1 without them. To be honest, I can’t call a trailer without them a “2+1” since you can’t actually haul the +1 without them! But people can and do try to pass them off as such when selling trailers, so used trailer buyers beware (it happened to a friend of mine and - ouch - I vouched for the seller).
On mine, the near side gate has probably never been closed, and the off side has never been opened once I put my stuff in it. I have not yet used the +1 to unload, but that’s because I have a breaker box and a 30 amp hook up and I camp in that part at shows. I’d like to keep that part super clean. Also, the carriage isn’t the first thing off the trailer, so it’s kind of in the way. 
I am about ready to order my 2+1. For those who have them without a tack room, can you share a picture of how the front stall and gooseneck area are connected? Is there a door to get into that area? Can you stand in there?
I think we are talking about BPs, so not a lot of necks involved, just noses!
But here’s a pic from the stall area looking to the nose. I had the shelf built with the trailer, but since then I’ve added a storage cabinet on the right, a rolling saddle/harness/grooming equip rack goes in the middle and I think I’m going to build out a mini fridge nook with some addl storage cubbies on the left side and move the harness racks up higher (and possible carpet the rest of the nose wall with outdoor carpet squares)
See the picture of my horse above. The gooseneck area has a gate that lifts up (like it is in the picture) and goes down on pneumatic things like the hatch on the back of an SUV. Otherwise, the front stall goes right up to the front wall of the trailer. Mine is a Hawk.
@TheJenners I have a stud gate similar to the one in the picture. It folds in half onto itself, then flat up against the wall, so you can have it out of the way the 95% of the time you’re not hauling a third horse.
Thanks for all the feedback. Im going with the 2+1. Anyone want to weigh in on brands? I see others mention no tack room, but Ive not seen that option. What I would love is truly customizable - like my stock trailer. I pull out the partition and the saddle racks and have a huge space. Ive read LOTS of the posts here so have it narrowed down to a new 4 star (on sale) and a few years old Hawk. The Hawk is about 40% less than the 4 star, has a sm dent and is about 4 feel longer at 19+ feet (It looks like the new Hawks are same length as the 4star). Im worried that the 4 extra feet will be a pain. We are really remote and very small roads and not great parking at home. Ive read a bunch on the different materials used and really Ive only pulled old steel trailers so don’t rally have a preference, but I would like this to be my last trailer. Thanks again, Ive really gotten a lot from all of your comments.
What brand is this? I have not found any without a separate tack room here in CA.
If it helps, I have a 20 year old Hawk 2 horse bumper pull that looks like it’s only been used a couple of years. I have done maintenance on it and replaced padding and some latches and things. What I like about this brand is that it seems to stay cool inside for the horses because of the fiberglass roof and because it is well insulated. I looked at 4Star and Cimmaron and felt they were overpriced for what they are–nice trailers though. But I am going with a Balanced Ride, made by Hawk (this one is rear facing). You might also take a look at those.
I’d go with the Hawk if it weren’t for that extra length.
I’d get that puppy as short as possible, so the 4 Star would be my vote.
It’s a Trailers USA, a boutique, mostly custom designed trailer, but really high quality (mine is also 8’0 wide). Unfortunately he closed up shop a few years ago due to illness in the family…
But if you do want these types of features, Adam, 4 star and I’m sure cimarron will build them. This is built off the 3 horse slant bp design. The inside is all different, but the frame itself was standard for their production, and that’s the part you don’t want to mess around with!
Things that I had done (some of this was for driving, but it is all useful):
Insulated
Shelf with a generous lip above the windows in the nose (plus d rings so a strap can secure larger items)
Plug in power, even if you don’t get a 30 amp, just getting a standard plug in+outlet is INCREDIBLY useful
Divider is built on a track so center divider slides all the way over, I also had an option for 50/50 and 65/35 settings with 2 sets of butt/chest bars. I typically only haul 1 lg pony, so he gets a big stall and the ebike gets the small slot. Even if you don’t do the optional bars, being able to slide the divider over is a game changer in trailer life.
Stud gates that are removable and swing BOTH ways
Things I wish I had done: a hose hookup somewhere in the back for a cowboy shower and/or camper sink.
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