Altering Tack Trunks

[Wonders12]

You’ve already had great advice on buying.

I want to recommend against building. My SO built my trunk and I LOVE it, but I wanted something for the barn only that had some extras (like door panels on the front, etc.). My barn also isn’t high end (most people just use Rubbermaid containers) so it could look a little homemade.

The end result was a big headache for SO, nearly 6 months of waiting when his job got in the way, and a box with some “character” that you get from something homemade. It also cost a lot. After wood, hardware, stain/paint, etc. we were probably in it for about what the used trunk will cost.

Again, I LOVE mine, and I would do it again, but not if I was at a barn where I wanted to blend it with real trunks.

[furlong47]

If building an entire wooden trunk and then getting a cover with the new logo is an option, why not just buy the new cover and put it over your existing trunk?

[TheBrownHorse]

[QUOTE=furlong47;8409818]
If building an entire wooden trunk and then getting a cover with the new logo is an option, why not just buy the new cover and put it over your existing trunk?[/QUOTE]

I forgot to add, that this was one of my options!

I will have to see from Ms. Trainer where I can/if she can get me the logo.

[horsepoor]

[QUOTE=vxf111;8409548]
These are trunks done with car wraps…

http://s5.photobucket.com/user/vxf111/media/Bling/photo16.jpg.html

http://s5.photobucket.com/user/vxf111/media/Bling/photo2-1.jpg.html

http://s5.photobucket.com/user/vxf111/media/Bling/photo3.jpg.html[/QUOTE]

Those look great! Can’t believe they are over the 3D type panels, they look so smooth. Any chance they took the panels off then wrapped the trunks? How does the vinyl (? I’m assuming) wrap fair when banged into or scraped? I wasn’t sure how durable that would be, but if it is, that’s a really cool way to reclaim old trunks.

[vxf111]

[QUOTE=horsepoor;8409877]
Those look great! Can’t believe they are over the 3D type panels, they look so smooth. Any chance they took the panels off then wrapped the trunks? How does the vinyl (? I’m assuming) wrap fair when banged into or scraped? I wasn’t sure how durable that would be, but if it is, that’s a really cool way to reclaim old trunks.[/QUOTE]

They did not take the panels off. The original panels are still on the trunks. The base color of these trunks was already black. So the wraps are only over the square part of the trunks where the logos were. So I am 100% sure the original vinyl is on. They applied the wraps on top. I don’t know whether they put some other layer in between but I don’t think so, I think the car wrap itself was thick enough to cover the uneveneness of the surface below. Think about the fact that car surfaces aren’t perfectly flat/even with dings/dents and they put wraps right on top. The wrap itself is much thicker and stiffer than a sticker. It seems to mask right over the bas relief. It’s possible there are 2 layers of wraps on there but I don’t think so.

The trunks have gone to horse shows, had stuff spilled on them, and been scraped from time to time. All the usual wear and tear. The wraps weather all of that as good or maybe slightly better than the vinyl itself. They certainly wipe clean as easy. None of the wraps have any visible damage. None of the wraps have peeled or lifted up. Remember these things are designed to be out 24-7 driving around in all weather on the outside of cars. They’re pretty durable.

I’ve seen other ones done where the entirety of the vinyl was covered with a wrap. They looks just as good. This one had the right base color so only the logo area needed to be covered. But the same company will wrap the whole trunk if you need that.

I was a big naysayer when this was getting done but now that I see how they have held up (we’ve had them for over a year now) I’m a believer. These wraps are AWESOME and it’s the perfect way to take an old tack trunk and make it match for much much less than the alternatives.

[oldhorsegal]

Buy the used one. Unless your trunk matches the new barn colors. Then you can change out the front panel. Kind of a pain. Sell your to someone in last barn and buy the used on. IMHO

[EmJ628]

Vxf111 did you use a local car wrap place? Had they done trunks before? I have a trunk that just needs a new monogram and this would be perfect!!!

[vxf111]

A girl who works at the car wrap place is a rider and it was her brilliant idea. So she was familiar with tack trunks and directed them on how they should look.

[Lucassb]

[QUOTE=vxf111;8409938]
They did not take the panels off. The original panels are still on the trunks. The base color of these trunks was already black. So the wraps are only over the square part of the trunks where the logos were. So I am 100% sure the original vinyl is on. They applied the wraps on top. I don’t know whether they put some other layer in between but I don’t think so, I think the car wrap itself was thick enough to cover the uneveneness of the surface below. Think about the fact that car surfaces aren’t perfectly flat/even with dings/dents and they put wraps right on top. The wrap itself is much thicker and stiffer than a sticker. It seems to mask right over the bas relief. It’s possible there are 2 layers of wraps on there but I don’t think so.

The trunks have gone to horse shows, had stuff spilled on them, and been scraped from time to time. All the usual wear and tear. The wraps weather all of that as good or maybe slightly better than the vinyl itself. They certainly wipe clean as easy. None of the wraps have any visible damage. None of the wraps have peeled or lifted up. Remember these things are designed to be out 24-7 driving around in all weather on the outside of cars. They’re pretty durable.

I’ve seen other ones done where the entirety of the vinyl was covered with a wrap. They looks just as good. This one had the right base color so only the logo area needed to be covered. But the same company will wrap the whole trunk if you need that.

I was a big naysayer when this was getting done but now that I see how they have held up (we’ve had them for over a year now) I’m a believer. These wraps are AWESOME and it’s the perfect way to take an old tack trunk and make it match for much much less than the alternatives.[/QUOTE]

Those are absolutely amazing. What a great idea!

[findeight]

[QUOTE=TheBrownHorse;8409139]
The logo for my (old) trainer is… embedded? I guess, in the panel. I want a trunk to match the rest of my barn, as I don’t ever plan on leaving, though I do like the idea of having my initials on it, and not opposed to the idea, I would like a trunk that matches my barn.

I have, at least in this area, never seen tack trunks set up at a show with personal initials on them, rather, they have barn/logos on them.

My trunk, while wooden, has panels on it (that have been suggested I change out to current barn’s logo/colors etc.).[/QUOTE]

Just sayin here… I never planned on leaving either and if anything ever forced me to, figured I would just sell my McGuinn trunk to another client. It was trainers colors but with my name on it so only one panel would need to be changed. Foolproof, right?

After 17 years in that barn…trainer died at relatively young age. Another took over the business with late trainers family still senior partners in the operation, barn name changed but colors changed dramatically so now all 5 panels would need to be changed, not just the one with my name on it.

Don’t plan on selling it anyway but…NEVER say never when expensive purchases are involved. The only thing that is sure is you NEVER know.

[Jo]

[QUOTE=findeight;8410801]
Just sayin here… I never planned on leaving either and if anything ever forced me to, figured I would just sell my McGuinn trunk to another client. It was trainers colors but with my name on it so only one panel would need to be changed. Foolproof, right?

After 17 years in that barn…trainer died at relatively young age. Another took over the business with late trainers family still senior partners in the operation, barn name changed but colors changed dramatically so now all 5 panels would need to be changed, not just the one with my name on it.

Don’t plan on selling it anyway but…NEVER say never when expensive purchases are involved. The only thing that is sure is you NEVER know.[/QUOTE]

How long do these trunks last? That’s incredible if they are still in great shape after 17 years! I’d say you got your money’s worth.

[Lucassb]

[QUOTE=Jo;8411234]
How long do these trunks last? That’s incredible if they are still in great shape after 17 years! I’d say you got your money’s worth. ;)[/QUOTE]

My favorite McGuinn trunk turns 20 this year and is still in perfect condition. Properly cared for, I think they might actually last forever.

[LetItBe]

My McGuinn is 21 years old and except for the wood trim getting dried out is in great shape. The initil cost is high but they do last a very long time.

LetItBe

[horsepoor]

Not a McGuinn, but my little show trunk was purchased used for $100 nearly 25 years ago, and was at least 20 years old at that time. So it is close to as old as I am, and looks and functions a heck of a lot better! :lol: It would be hard to completely destroy a tack trunk to the point of no repair - maybe if it fell off the truck, and got hit by another truck, or something crazy like that.

[lbellabliss]

SmartPak has the Phoenix West replaceable panels!

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/phoenix-west-trunk-replacement-panels-12239

[ShowJumpingSports]

I had a similar situation and I contacted Lyn at Exquisite Equestrian. She was great as I had 1,001 questions, gave me all the pricing, plus figured out which way was the cheapest for me.

You can have new panels made for your current trunk - and you can have your dad put them on - which will save shipping. The base price for new panels for a Phoenix West trunk is under $300.00. Third color, logos, a new lid (if needed) will add to the price. There are some other factors to consider but if you have the opportunity to sell the current trunk to someone at the old barn and buy the used one at the new barn you should do it - that is the best way to spend the least amount of money. Building a trunk and having a cover made would probably cost a lot more than having new panels.

[mvp]

vxf111, thanks so much for taking the time to educate us about car wraps. Those look mighty good. And if they can overcome the bas relief nature of vinyl panels, I think they are a wonderful solution.

Thanks to you, I have a new obscure research project… in which I bug the crap out of car wrap people with my specialty needs. My skin is thick and I want what I want, and I can figure that out, and I’ll happily pay for it to be done right… but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for other people outside of HunterWorld.

[vxf111]

I am not sure I’d trust just any car wrap place to do it. We’re lucky because we have the cross-connection who rides with us and works there.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=vxf111;8412071]
I am not sure I’d trust just any car wrap place to do it. We’re lucky because we have the cross-connection who rides with us and works there.[/QUOTE]

So… clearly I should bug your car wrap place with cross-over employee, even though I’m on the West Coast, eh?

Oh, and I have a Warners tack trunk that’s more than 25 years old. And for the bonus: Which current trunk manufacturer used to be Warners? And I didn’t always live on the West Coast.

[vxf111]

No I think you just need to really explain what you want and bring them a barnmate’s to match so there’s no confusion