I am considering switching from my regular gooseneck 2 horse straight load to one with a side ramp. I have only been able to see the 2+1 version in person but I don’t know if I need all that space. Online I have found ones that angle the wall between the horse area and the dressing room to allow for a side ramp, but I haven’t been able to see one in person. My concern is that my very large 17 hand warmblood would not be able to get from the driver’s side stall around the center post and down the side ramp. Does anyone have this type of trailer? Do you find there is enough room to comfortably use the side ramp? Or am I better off just getting a 2+1 if I really want a side ramp? Thanks!
Have no advice - but thot that this one looked pretty nice when I was looking…
Not sure if you can see this it is an old ad, but I saved it because I want one.
http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=309527
I have seen them IRL and there is lots of room for the horse on the other side to get the ramp. The head devider moves out of the way and they have about 4 or so feet. The same width as the ramp. There are different trailer companys that have the ramp on the driver side of the trailer.
Here is one with more room in front.
http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=372775
I have a 2011 Hawk 2H BP with side ramp and dressing room, set-up like this model: http://www.happytrailstrailers.com/product.php?pid=2
My 16hh appendix fits on it fine/is able to maneuver out the side ramp easily…he’s not as tall as your guy, but he’s got super wide shoulders and hips and wears an 84" blanket, so he’s not very small either!!
TBH, other than for nervous loaders or babies, I don’t use the side ramp. I suppose it’s nice to have just in case, but I wish I had more room in the dressing room. That being said, it’s still a SUPER nice trailer and it’s a dream to haul.
Here is a great deal.
http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=372763
There is a video with this one. it shows the area.
http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=371411
[QUOTE=Frost;6166395]
My concern is that my very large 17 hand warmblood would not be able to get from the driver’s side stall around the center post and down the side ramp. … Or am I better off just getting a 2+1 if I really want a side ramp? Thanks![/QUOTE]
I would suspect that the 2+1 design is to allow enough room for this scenario. If you already have a large horse, I would go with the 2+1 design so you don’t end up cramping your horse for space on the exit, and finding out that you really did need that space!
my trainer has one - does not like it
My trainer uses a 4-horse with a side ramp and I asked her if she likes it and she said no. The 2 horses in front stalls face the rear, the back two face forward. There is a ramp on both sides, that you are supposed to lead the horses in front out of.
The problem is this:
TO load the front horses, you have to walk them up the ramp, then into the back stall and then back them into the rear facing front stall. She says it’s awkward and some horses just don’t seem to understand what they are supposed to do. You have such a tight area to work in that if the horse gets nervous you don’t have much room to work. Also, you can’t have the back door open while backing the front horse into their spot because they see the opening and think they can go forward and out.
It is a very tight turn to unload off the side ramp plus you have to walk the horse past the head of all the other horses and they can bite each other or get aggitated. She hauls horses every week and says it’s just easier to not use the side ramp. This trailer belongs to one of her clients and she says she would never buy one with this set-up. She has hauled horses all over the country and I value her opinion.
I used to think I wanted the 2+1 until I heard her view on it and then got in the trailer and looked at it. I could see how it would be too tight an angle and very awkward.
I have a friend with a Hawk 2H side ramp model … straight load and NOT a 2+1. She also owns two 17 handers. They manage the side unload very easily. The side ramp / door arrangement is more than large enough to allow them to make the turn to unload.
Star
2 Likes
Just buy the 2+1…
I L O V E mine. I have a great big draft cross. I load him from the back and unload him from the side. I don’t need anyone to help. The horses also have more “head room” with this kind of trailer. I haven’t met a horse that won’t load on one yet.
You do have to have enough truck to haul one though.
You can actually haul three horses in these if you need to. Even my horse fits in the front “box” stall.
I have a 4 Star, and it’s very well made with all the windows you can imagine. Insulated roof, heavy hardware. I have the hydrallic lift on the jack (love it).
I got mine from L.A. Trailer sales in NC. Great service, good price, fair on trade in and they delivered it right to my door.
[QUOTE=enterata;6167178]
My trainer uses a 4-horse with a side ramp and I asked her if she likes it and she said no. The 2 horses in front stalls face the rear, the back two face forward. There is a ramp on both sides, that you are supposed to lead the horses in front out of.
The problem is this:
TO load the front horses, you have to walk them up the ramp, then into the back stall and then back them into the rear facing front stall. She says it’s awkward and some horses just don’t seem to understand what they are supposed to do. You have such a tight area to work in that if the horse gets nervous you don’t have much room to work. Also, you can’t have the back door open while backing the front horse into their spot because they see the opening and think they can go forward and out.
It is a very tight turn to unload off the side ramp plus you have to walk the horse past the head of all the other horses and they can bite each other or get aggitated. She hauls horses every week and says it’s just easier to not use the side ramp. This trailer belongs to one of her clients and she says she would never buy one with this set-up. She has hauled horses all over the country and I value her opinion.
I used to think I wanted the 2+1 until I heard her view on it and then got in the trailer and looked at it. I could see how it would be too tight an angle and very awkward.[/QUOTE]
What you’re describing is a 4 horse “head to head.”
While the ramps are indeed on the sides, I think what the OP was talking about was the 2+1 with a side ramp idea.
It’s not situated with the load up and back in idea. More over its like a box stall in the 1 area accessed by the side ramp and a regular straight load 2 stalls behind that have a rear ramp.
Emily
What I wonder about on the side ramp models, when you say the head divider swings out of the way, doesn’t it swing into the head of the passenger side horse? So do you have to unload the passenger side horse first so you can swing the head divider over to unload the driver side horse?
The Böckmann Portax AK that I’m considering has a front/side ramp. When I looked at it physically, it seemed to have plenty of room to maneuver. But it’s a BP, not a GN. That said, being able to unload toward the front/side does have appeal to me.
[QUOTE=ShotenStar;6167270]
I have a friend with a Hawk 2H side ramp model … straight load and NOT a 2+1. She also owns two 17 handers. They manage the side unload very easily. The side ramp / door arrangement is more than large enough to allow them to make the turn to unload.
Star[/QUOTE]
This is very reassuring.
Thanks for all the helpful replies and pictures. I think I will make more of an effort to see one in person and figure out pricing. My guy loads and unloads very well, but I have always wanted a side ramp as a second exit for my own safety paranoia reasons. It wasn’t available as an option with my trailer when I bought it several years ago.
Thanks again.
I have a Kiefer Built 2+1 gooseneck and I love it. It is hands down the best and easiest horse trailer I have ever worked out of. Multiple ways to configure the interior, a friend of mine called it a mobile barn because you can cross tie the horse in the box stall, and there is a walk through from the tackroom so I can completely tack up inside. It makes my life so so easy. One of my horses is a 17.3 hand giant and he fits just fine in and out on which ever ramp. I can not say enough good things about my trailer!
[QUOTE=enterata;6167178]
My trainer uses a 4-horse with a side ramp and I asked her if she likes it and she said no. The 2 horses in front stalls face the rear, the back two face forward. There is a ramp on both sides, that you are supposed to lead the horses in front out of.
The problem is this:
TO load the front horses, you have to walk them up the ramp, then into the back stall and then back them into the rear facing front stall. She says it’s awkward and some horses just don’t seem to understand what they are supposed to do. You have such a tight area to work in that if the horse gets nervous you don’t have much room to work. Also, you can’t have the back door open while backing the front horse into their spot because they see the opening and think they can go forward and out.
It is a very tight turn to unload off the side ramp plus you have to walk the horse past the head of all the other horses and they can bite each other or get aggitated. She hauls horses every week and says it’s just easier to not use the side ramp. This trailer belongs to one of her clients and she says she would never buy one with this set-up. She has hauled horses all over the country and I value her opinion.
I used to think I wanted the 2+1 until I heard her view on it and then got in the trailer and looked at it. I could see how it would be too tight an angle and very awkward.[/QUOTE]
What you are talking about is a 4 horse head to head. I had one and just loved it. I hated to sell it, but I just could not take it to most places here on the island.
I never had any problems with loading horses in it and they learn fast how to back up in to there stalls. I found it great to teach horses how to travel in a horse trailer because I could set it up in so many different ways.
I have 2 horses over 17 HH and never had a problem with the side ramp. But my ramp was curb side and they rode on driverside of trailer.
The Böckmann Portax AK that I’m considering has a front/side ramp. When I looked at it physically, it seemed to have plenty of room to maneuver. But it’s a BP, not a GN. That said, being able to unload toward the front/side does have appeal to me.
I have been looking for the BP as we just don’t have the room out here on the roads for the GN. Some of the driveways that you need to trun in too for shows and such are just to small.
What I wonder about on the side ramp models, when you say the head divider swings out of the way, doesn’t it swing into the head of the passenger side horse? So do you have to unload the passenger side horse first so you can swing the head divider over to unload the driver side horse?
Yes the idea is to unload the curbside/passenger horse first.
I have a Hawk 2+1 and LOVE it. We actually never use the rear ramp anymore. We load/ unload always from the side ramp. We walk the horses in, turn around in the +1 area and back them into the straight stalls. Never had a problem and I do it alone with two horses every week.
It is great to be able to tack up in the +1 area on bad weather, plus we can put bales of hay in there if going on a long weekend show/ camp trip. My trailer has a full dressing room too with door to the +1 area…super convenient. Also, when we get to horse shows we can leave the horses in the trailer and open the side ramp, windows and doors so in the summer it doesn’t get hot in there.
I am actually probably going to sell my 2+1 to get a new one with “cowboy” LQ (insulated tack area, few cabinets, bed in gooseneck and cowboy shower in +1 area)…so I don’t have to get hotel rooms at long horse shows or when camping. I’m pricing it now:( Hopefully it is in the budget!!
I would love a 4Star but sadly they are out of my price range.
I haul with a diesel F250 and never had a problem.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the 2+1!!
[QUOTE=bluehof;6168473]
I have a Hawk 2+1 and LOVE it. We actually never use the rear ramp anymore. We load/ unload always from the side ramp. We walk the horses in, turn around in the +1 area and back them into the straight stalls. Never had a problem and I do it alone with two horses every week.
It is great to be able to tack up in the +1 area on bad weather, plus we can put bales of hay in there if going on a long weekend show/ camp trip. My trailer has a full dressing room too with door to the +1 area…super convenient. Also, when we get to horse shows we can leave the horses in the trailer and open the side ramp, windows and doors so in the summer it doesn’t get hot in there.
I am actually probably going to sell my 2+1 to get a new one with “cowboy” LQ (insulated tack area, few cabinets, bed in gooseneck and cowboy shower in +1 area)…so I don’t have to get hotel rooms at long horse shows or when camping. I’m pricing it now:( Hopefully it is in the budget!!
I would love a 4Star but sadly they are out of my price range.
I haul with a diesel F250 and never had a problem.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the 2+1!![/QUOTE]
If you decide on a price, please pm me!!!
[QUOTE=Carolinadreamin’;6168476]
If you decide on a price, please pm me!!![/QUOTE]
Will do! I am pricing a new one now. If I can swing it $-wise I’ll see what the projected tme line is for getting it to me…I can’t be without a trailer.
Turnbow
I have a 2 horse straight load that is oversized with a side ramp…probably not as big as a 2+1 but has plenty of room in front for a tack trunk and hay storage and I have tie downs to secure the items. Mid tack and weekender LQ.
I was downsizing from a 4h head to head that I LOVED. So I wanted a side ramp. my horses (16.3 and 17 hand warmbloods) have no problem walking off the trailer even with a tack trunk (situated on the passenger side) and hay (situated on the drivers side).
The driver side horse comes off first and then the head divider swings over to that side so the passenger side horse can walk off second. Or they can back off the trailer as well.
This is my first Turnbow and it will certainly NOT be my last. Love the trailer, love the design, love my hydraulic jack and brakes.
m
I have a friend with a Gore 2-horse bumper pull with the dressing room and side ramp. Her horse is an 18 hand Dutch Warmblood who is a reluctant loader. He loves this trailer and has plenty of room while hauling and plenty of room to walk out the side ramp. He has become a much better loader since she bought this trailer.
