The only con I can imagine with a 2+1 is a longer footprint than some other 2- or 3- horse trailer designs (depending on dressing rooms.)
I had a Trailers USA 2+1 goose neck that had been built for a carriage so didn’t have “horse proof” box stall doors, sold it and got a Balanced Ride (Hawk) 2+1 GN, sold it and borrowed a friends Sundowner 2+1 bumper pull, while waiting for my Balanced Ride 2-horse BP to come in.
Very versatile trailers for all sorts of loaders. I would often travel solo and never had to deal with being both at the front & back of the horse st any given time by loading through back doors (though obviously the option exists)- I always just the side ramp. Extra storage space or staging area during hot or rainy days were the icing on top.
My reason for downsizing away from a +1 was only because I had downsized both the quantity and size of my horses. I now have a dressing room for storage (on a slant wall- I still have a side ramp that can use exclusively) & can convert it into a box stall when needed.
I bought my first 2+1 in the 90s and loved it. It was actually built on the 4 horse head to head frame and modified so it was LONG. I downsized and ordered a Hawk 2+1 from Risa at Happy Trails. A wonderful trailer to use when I showed in the hunters. I then started combined driving and my carriage wouldn’t fit on the side ramp, so I sold it. I had found a Shadow bumper pull with side ramp and 8’ wide that was custom built for carriage drivers. Easy to haul. However, last week I was offered a great deal on a GN Balanced Ride with side ramp and 8’ LQ, so I bought it. Not as easy as my huge BP but very manageable. Like the others - I can’t think of the bad except for fuel station navigation! Cons - if you hate driving it, you can EASILY sell it and probably make money in this economy.
Adams makes (or you can order) a 2+2 with removable dividers to turn it into two box stalls. This is totally what I want, with a small tack area in the front. I don’t camp; my idea of camping is the Double Tree. But I hate having less trailer than I have horses, and right now I have four plus the burritos and just the Trail-et NYer. Granted the four and burritos is more than I ever thought I’d get and honestly the idea of ever needing to haul more than two at a time (I mean I only have so much tack and one butt) is ridiculous, but you just never know. I love this trailer:
https://coasttocoasttrailer.com/horse-trailers-for-sale-details.asp?id=1964
Never seen a trailer with an insulted roof, must be a very special one. 
- 2 + 2
- Side ramps
- Rear ramps
- Full Tack room
- Saddle racks
- Bridle hooks
- Turns into 2 large boxes
- Insulted roof
- Fans
- Extra tall
- Stainless Nose
- Escape door with drop window
- Full panels for box stalls
Great floor plan!!!
I can say what not to do. Don’t think you really want a 2+1 but then decide the trailer would be too long and just get extra room in front of the breast bars.
I am in the process of trading in that trailer and downsizing to a little 2-horse slant, at which point I will reconsider the 2+1 or (what I’m leaning towards) a 3-horse slant with side tack.
I want a minimal dressing room to camp in and I do not want to live with sweaty saddle pads, nor do I want a rear tack. And I don’t have giant horses. But I do really really want that front ramp to walk out of. So… escape door + ramp over the door and a double-swing first divider and I do believe my problems will be solved. We shall see.
For me (I just have 2, both 16.2 and 17h respectively) I didn’t need more room than this. I don’t love the 2+2 layout as it’s longer than I would need it to be if I just needed 2 box stalls and that’s extra hardware for them to hang themselves up on since I only would ever ship two.
Yeah but like I said, I have 4 plus the two mini donkeys. Granted I should never need to haul all, but this is a handy plan if needs change (two box stalls? So useful!)
I actually ordered my Adam 2+1 with a lined & insulated roof and had the dressing room lined & insulated also. I added 3 outlets and an RV outlet to the order too.
Can’t help but think it would keep things cooler? Or warmer? Not saying I’d get the 2+2 because it is awfully long, but a 2+1 with removable dividers can accomplish the same boxstall x 2 set up, just a little smaller in the front. I love my current Trailet NYer that is a straight load with removable everything; it has been borrowed to haul MCs and I’ve used it to move plus helped others move.
Not sure “insulting” a roof will make it cooler.
Maybe we ought to try that, who knows, a new idea that. 
Omg Bluey I missed that BOTH times
I have a 2017 Four Star 2+1 that is 22’ on the floor. I had a Merhow Very Lite custom 3 horse slant with longer wider stalls but it still did not work for my big draft crosses so traded that in the on the 2+1. I do have an insulated roof and yes I do think it keeps things cooler for the horses and I live in GA where it gets very humid on top of very hot. It has lots of windows which can really enhance the airflow. I’ve never had a horse become overly sweaty on it no matter the temp. I don’t have fans. I did get Quiet Ride and it’s awesome as I detest a noisy trailer and can only imagine the horses do too. I also got WERM flooring which is fabulous. I do not miss having to pull mats and clean beneath them. I also added extra bridle hooks and saddle racks plus a garment bar. The side ramp is a little steep but I haven’t had any problems other than the occasional small leap off the ramp towards the bottom. I have an older barn so I keep all of my tack on the trailer in the tack room and never have to worry about if I have something with me or not. It’s a very versatile trailer. I have the divider gates so that easily they butterfly back out of the way against the walls if I need to haul something like the UTV we picked up a state away and hauled home in it.
Con: I love everything about it except getting it in and out of some gas stations. You do have to be careful and picky which can be a pain.
For me and a gal pal to go to the beach or the mountains to ride, it’s perfect. The horses have lovely straight stalls with good visibility and head room. I can put all the feed and hay in the+1 area plus mounting block, small wheel barrow, muck buckets, etc. and not have to worry about anything getting wet. When I was showing, I even stowed my scooter in there.
The +1 would also easily set up with with some mosquito netting drapes, a cot and a portable potty for reasonably comfortable camping if I were inclined. Or you could probably string a camping hammock pretty easily. I’ve got the netting and a hammock but haven’t tried it.
I’ve also hauled youngsters, minis and even a llama in the +1 area too, as a small box stall.
Yes, sometimes it seems a bit big but then all my stuff is on it and it’s very comfortable for the horses. I’ve even tacked up in the +1 when I was taking lessons and showing and it started raining. I could probably sell it for what I paid for it 5 years ago, but I won’t.
Fat cat, go back and read that roof description veeeery carefully
I’m sorry but I’m tired and evidently slow on the uptake. 
Can you draw me a picture? 
Lol, took me a few tries reading it, the roof was inSULTed. 
Ha! Totally flew by me obviously. Heh! 
