Anyone REGRET getting a 2+1?

[DSLH]

Long story short, I’ve had a great, albeit slightly ugly trailer for years - typical oversize 2h straight load step up with a dressing room that’s adequate. But it’s steel and I’m tired of the surface rust. Additionally, some horses just really don’t want to load on this thing, which gets tiresome. So, Hubby and I have been talking about maybe upgrading for awhile (from both maintenance and ease of use perspectives), and I keep going back and forth between the idea of a slant and a 2+1.

I like the idea of having the flexibility of a 2+1 - and at least I know my horses will fit, whereas finding a slant to accommodate really big horses seems like quite a challenge. However, I’m not sure that I like the idea of jumping all the way up to a 21-22’ box. It just seems…big. In combing through the forums I feel like I’ve seen a hundred posts with folks singing praises of their 2+1’s…but has anyone upgraded to a 2+1 and regretted it? If so, what’d you get and why did you regret it?

[woodstock]

This is so timely- I’m considering the same thing. Will be watching for folks’ responses

[melula]

I wouldn’t get a slant. I considered a used, local 2+1 but the heads of the 2 hang into the area of the 1 so it was essentially a 2 horse straight load with a bunch of room up front.

[DSLH]

Glad I’m not the only one thinking about this! It just so happens that there is a used, all aluminum 2+1 not far from here that I’m contemplating looking at this weekend…at least to lay eyes on it in person. Of course, that can be dangerous LOL. But it does have the solid doors/gates between the straight load and box stall areas so no worries there.

I have wondered, though, if a 2 horse with a side ramp like that - even if not truly a 2+1 in terms of space, could be a better option than the 2horse I have in terms of loading by myself, etc? Although at that point whats a couple extra feet? I can truly talk myself into or out of this all day…

[firefoot]

I have never enjoyed slant loads and known many horses who felt the same way.

I have a few friends who have 2+1’s and they are awesome. They have the solid dividers between the 2 and 1 so no heads hang over. The dividers are super easy to move, so you can just open them and walk the horse out the side door instead of backing down the ramp. It does make hauling alone very easy even if your horses aren’t pros. And even if you don’t use the 1 very often (we never really did), it’s nice to have the space. One of the trailers, you could move the dividers in the 2 spot to then have two stalls. Very nice for long hauls.

One friend has a 2+1 that kind of sucks and is basically a super long 2 horse. It has no side door and no solid partitions, so you walk the horses on, then turn and back into the slots, put up the bar, and a third horse can tie in the back half. Everyone can touch, and the two in the back are stuck until the third horse moves. I wouldn’t recommend that kind.

[Wind_Horse]

No regrets.
Four years ago, I switched from a Warmblood-sized 3 horse slant to a 2+1 with a rear and side ramp.

Hands downs a much better configuration for the horses. Even the large slant was tight in terms of head to tail room. I never liked backing horses out of a trailer plus I was also concerned about having to unload one or two horses if I needed to get to the first loaded one in a hurry/emergency.

I love the rear and side ramps which means walking straight on and straight off. The only drawback is that it’s really big. Mine is 8’1" tall interior height ( taller than that if measuring from the ground to the roof) and 33’ long. So trying to find a parking space and turn around room at a trail head is not happening.

[PeteyPie]

I know close to nothing about horse trailers. Can someone explain what a 2+1 is?

[evilc123]

@PeteyPie

I know close to nothing about horse trailers. Can someone explain what a 2+1 is?

The 2+1 orientations I’ve seen are a typical ramp in the back with 2-horse straight load, and the “+1” means a ramp on the side (usually on the righthand side) with a box stall the width of the trailer for another horse, or a golf cart or hay/shavings, etc.

[PeteyPie]

Thanks. Sounds like a really nice setup.

[DSLH]

@Wind Horse - 33’ total or box length? if just box length i must just be a weeny for worrying about upgrading to a 22’ box! :lol:

[DSLH]

@PeteyPie - folks realllllyyyyy seem to love them! and admittedly it does seem like it would offer more flexibility than just about any other arrangement, hence my temptation LOL

[TullyMars]

No regrets at all. I have large horses and they constantly came of the trailer with rub and aluminum marks. 2+1 is adaptable to different scenarios and I can get up to 4 in mine in an emergency. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Easy lift ramps, good ground clearance and all the options made this a no brainer!

[Hilary]

My trailer is a 2+1 without a dressing room, and it’s more like 18’. It’s quite a manageable size. It has the side ramp which I use a lot - I put my carriage in it, and usually just stuff. I’ve never hauled a 3rd horse.

[DMK]

@evilc123

The 2+1 orientations I’ve seen are a typical ramp in the back with 2-horse straight load, and the “+1” means a ramp on the side (usually on the righthand side) with a box stall the width of the trailer for another horse, or a golf cart or hay/shavings, etc.

Also, it truly IS a “+1” which typically means stud doors (or room for stud doors). Otherwise it is just a 2 horse with a side ramp and some extra room.

I only say this because a friend purchased a trailer sight unseen that was advertised as a 2+1 with… misleading (albeit probably not intentionally) pics. She wanted a 2+1 because she needed to haul 3 horses occasionally. She ended up with a 2H with extra room and a side ramp, NOT a 2+1. It was an expensive lesson…

[NoSuchPerson]

@DSLH

I have wondered, though, if a 2 horse with a side ramp like that - .

I have a 2 horse bumper pull straight-load with a front unload ramp. I love it. Make that, I LOVE IT!!! (surrounded by heart emojis) :lol:

Mine is an Equispirit. I went with a tack closet rather than full dressing room because I don’t really need the dressing room and it allowed me to get a bit shorter trailer. But, they come with full dressing rooms if you want one.

[Mango20]

I’ve had my 2+1 for almost two years with no regrets. Like Hilary, mine also has no dressing room and is 17’ long. It does have a full divider between the straight stalls and the box stall, and it can be folded to the side if not needed or to unload with the front ramp. I’ve used that extra space for a 3rd horse (pony) and a multitude of other uses. I usually load my horse with the side ramp, pivot in the +1 space and back into a stall. It’s a lot easier than using the rear ramp and upper doors.

[Wind_Horse]

@DSLH

@Wind Horse - 33’ total or box length? if just box length i must just be a weeny for worrying about upgrading to a 22’ box! :lol:

Snout to tail total length is 33’.
The 2 straight load stall dimensions are each 7’4" long by just under 4’ wide.

[mroades]

It is the only kind I would consider if I were to ever get another trailer

[fourfillies]

My 2+1 GN is 28’ tail to snout. I loved it when I was showing a lot and moving babies. Great set up to teach them to load/unload and easy to work out of alone with the side ramp. Now that I’m showing less and the babies are all grown up it’s a lot of trailer for me, lengthwise. I’m thinking about going back to a BP for the little bit of trailering I do these days just move maneuverable. Having horses at home I don’t want to be trailerless.

[WNT]

I loved being able to work out of the +1 at events when it was pouring rain as we could tack up in the trailer and only had to get wet once we were ready to get on.