So I made this thing up in my head, but I’m hunting for a trailer. Has anyone seen or heard of a BP trailer with a slide out ramp? That way I have the option of using it or not? My horse prefers step up but having a ramp would be handy at times.
What I’m picturing is the ramp used to get horses onto those old horse vans (but the width of the trailer, not long and narrow).
The best option I’ve found so far was a step up with a side ramp.
I doubt there’s enough clearance underneath the back of a trailer for a slide-out ramp. The axles would be in the way.
Slide out ramps work on horse vans because they are parallel to the axles, and they are much higher off the ground so more clearance.
There was a trailer manufactured many years ago that had a slide out ramp…can’t recall the name…Dream Coach maybe?
Maybe a short…2-3’ fold up ramp would work. The old “slide under” van ramps sucked!!! HEAVY and a stinker to slide sometimes!!
In the '80s (I think), there was a trailer brand called Campbell Coach that had a slide-out ramp.
One of the European trailer makers (Boeckmann maybe?) makes a convertible door/ramp. I wonder if any trailer service place could come up with a way to put one on an existing trailer?
Equispirit makes a BP with a side unload ramp.
http://www.equispirit.com/products/2hdress_sr.htm
They also just started making one like it with a tack closet instead of a full dressing room, which lets it be a bit shorter in overall length. It doesn’t seem to be on the web site, but the floor plan is on their Facebook page.
I’m sure somebody could make one, but it would be some combination of heavy, hard to use, and expensive (pick at least 2) as well as adding 4 inches to the floor height (making the step up harder).
A side/front ramp sounds like a better compromise if you really don’t want both ramp and step.
sounds doable but non-standard - ie custom and likely either pricey, not fully thought out; prototype like vs. entirely finished product.
Draw it on a “napkin” and talk to trailer manufacturers to get their input. I found Hawk manufacturer to be good about it.
I think I can “see” exactly how to do what you want, and quite easily, new or “used” trailer. How that transfers to real life, that is another story.
The advantage with the slide, is that you don’t need springs to get the thing picked up. That is a cost and maintenance saving.
Interesting idea, let us know what you come up with.
You are probably not 
[IMG]http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad152/Gretaundlucky/IMG_1409_zps64ab510f.jpg)
There are a couple different non-Euro brands that offer a removable short rear ramp, which folds up over the double doors.
It’s not going to be as simple as just pulling it out or not, but gives you the option to pop the ramp on if you have a horse who needs it, or keep it in the garage if you have a horse that hates it.
[QUOTE=NoSuchPerson;8763527]
Equispirit makes a BP with a side unload ramp.
http://www.equispirit.com/products/2hdress_sr.htm
They also just started making one like it with a tack closet instead of a full dressing room, which lets it be a bit shorter in overall length. It doesn’t seem to be on the web site, but the floor plan is on their Facebook page.
LOL, just realized you said “slide ramp” and not “side” ramp, so, in the immortal words of Emily Litella, neeeever mind.
Have you ever used a sliding ramp, like on a horse van? I don’t know anyone who doesn’t curse them each time it gets used. Ramps will hang up instead of sliding neatly into place, while you are STILL holding up all that weight. The least bit of “not perfectly clean or even” will affect how the ramp comes out or slides back into place. Sliding ramps are WORK, each and every use. Being good at cursing helps, sometimes they just won’t go back in place without some extremely creative cursing! Not obscenities, but descriptive cursing. Seen that work for the ramp person a few times, to get ramp loaded, slid into it’s space!!
I would get a trailer with a ramp, teach horse to enter and exit better with the ramp. I have used both step ups and ramps, would take the ramp over step up any day. Various models of ramps are easier and harder to put up, but STILL worth the momentary effort over hard work of a sliding ramp.
Cleats on the ramp help a silly or scared horse, giving hooves an anchor point instead of sliding on the matting. He gets confident hoof will stay put on the cleat when getting in or out, so they load better and better. Even with pouring rain, the cleat helps the horse on wet mat to keep his feet where he puts them to get in or out of the trailer.
The other point in favor of ramps, is horse CAN NOT slip his legs under the back lip of trailer to hurt himself. Sometimes footing under trailer rear is bad, muddy, rough, too low, so horse has a bad time getting his footing to enter or exit safely. I have seen hind legs get cut, wrenched, when hoof goes under that lip.
You buy a trailer for long term use. You probably will have it for years, with more than a single horse using it. I wouldn’t buy a special trailer for one horse, unless he was like Trigger, paid for it himself! Ha Ha. With some calm training, lots of practice, your horse should learn that good things wait inside the trailer. He will be calm, easy loading with the ramp, so you can load up and be off to enjoy things. Save the “special option” money for sliding ramp to buy other fun horse things, like a camera to watch him back there, some fans, a blanket with his name on it. You will still come out ahead of cost of the special ramp being made. AND you won’t have to deal with the various ramp issues of a slider.
I was about to say - my boss had a sliding ramp trailer and I HATED that thing. The smallest lick of shavings, or a little residue of poo – and that SOB refused to go back in. It’s heavy and it’s dirty work. Pass!
Had a Campbell Coach and hated the slide out ramp! It was always filthy and in the winter after driving on icy, salty roads? You can probably guess that it was extremely unpleasant. The frame work around it was always getting rusty from the salt and the ramp weighed a ton! I would not go that route again. :no::no:
[QUOTE=NoSuchPerson;8763527]
Oh no. I am not ignoring your post. I am thankful for it. I really like that floor plan for a trailer. Wish I could afford a new trailer, that is what I would be getting.
[QUOTE=trubandloki;8764623]
Oh no. I am not ignoring your post. I am thankful for it. I really like that floor plan for a trailer. Wish I could afford a new trailer, that is what I would be getting.[/QUOTE]
I was shopping for a new trailer a few months ago, and as soon as I saw that floor plan, I said, “Done shopping.” Seriously, that is exactly what I would have been looking for if I had known something like that existed.
I’ve got one on order right now. I’ll post a review once I get it and have used it a few times.
Thanks!
Ok, so it sounds like a slide out ramp isn’t really feasible. Yes I have used the ramps on the horse vans. Maybe it was just me but I didn’t really mind it.
The issue I have with my horse, is that she WILL step up on a ramp. She’s a PITA. She will resist all assistance, and walks to the side of a ramp to step up then load. Same thing backing down, hits the ramp, goes sideways, steps down. In a step up, shes straight in and straight out. I’m happy to have a step up and comfortable with them, but want the option of a ramp in case of injury or a horse that is less of a pain.
I think I am going to look into a step up with a side door ramp just for cost saving and versatility.
The behavior you describe may very well be training related. You could try to retrain your horse for the ramp by blocking the ability to go sideways and step up/down. Some patience…and a large bag of carrots from Costco…might do the trick. And it’s a lot cheaper than buying a new trailer. 
Ideally, you want any horse to be willing to mount and dismount any trailer, especially in an emergency.
[QUOTE=SimpleSimon;8763396]
In the '80s (I think), there was a trailer brand called Campbell Coach that had a slide-out ramp.[/QUOTE]
That’s the one I was thinking of…thanks!
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