How about a front hitch and carrier? Something like this https://www.curtmfg.com/trailer-hitches/front-mount/learn-more
I can see issues with blocking airflow to radiator and weight distribution. But dang, it would be relatively easy to lash a bale or two on it!
I guess it is to late for OP to join the military as you sure do learn how to pack a lot stuff in small spaces so rather than muck basket use one of these gardening baskets that was posted on the thread about raising stuff in the front yard…the 20 or 25 gallon ones would work as a muck basket, fold flat or even become disposable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013JFHNNE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1
if things really are tight, remove the car’s passenger seat… that would give you a lot more interior room (and reduce weight)
Not sure about where you live but I’ve never camped at a place that didn’t have water, muck forks and muck tubs/wheelbarrows. That saves a lot of room if you can use theirs.
I’ve been trying to post a link about a front cargo hitch, but my posts are not approved. Google “curt front hitch” and look at images. I think you could fit a bale or two on a front-mounted rack, easy to load, don’t know about air flow to radiator being blocked or weight distribution concerns.
I’d get the roof rack for the Jeep, and put the shavings up there. It isn’t as critical if those get damp with water. And, that would be the best way to keep the weight distribution decent, while not upsetting your current packing scheme too much.
Consider getting a high quality cargo net, so you don’t have to deal with stringing ratchet straps every time.
I was going to suggest compressed Standlee bales, too. Also, ditch the mounting block. There are always mounting blocks around events that you can use. If you need something to stand on for braiding, flip your muck bucket upside down.
Get a folding mounting block, mine fits nicely in the tiny tack compartment of my Boeckmann trailer.
I’ve known folks who (securely!) attached folding mounting block/steps, and muck fork to the outside of a Brenderup.
I went through a whole shopping around process to find a flat water tank to attach outside above the wheel arches. Then I realized (again) I’d never taken my horse anywhere, including camping, that didn’t have water, muck forks, things to mount off, and wheelbarrows/muck tubs. And if you plan in advance, you can unhitch and go buy a bale of hay at a local feed store at your destination too.
Thanks so much for all the suggestions and ideas! I knew CoTH would rock this.
A couple of Brenderup ‘n’ hay updates:
I checked and my local feed store does have compressed bales, but unfortunately they don’t have them in timothy. My barn grows a timothy + clover mix, so it’s a bummer I can’t get compressed timothy bales locally. They’re twice as much at Chewy.com, but hey (hay?), at least they’re still an option.
I did get a folding mounting block that I tested out and that might help a bit. Unfortunately, the two-step mounting block I have was already taking up a pretty unused space (it hung over the front of the bench in the tack room) so not a whole lot of savings there. The folding one is nice and light, though, so it’s still a help — getting my two-step out of the small tack room has sometimes been a PITA, especially with a saddle on the rack.
A front-mount hitch is a cool idea and definitely adds capacity, w00t. Alas, at $300 for the hitch plus additional for the rack, imma gonna look at cheaper options first that might leave my radiator happier. Still, I’ve bookmarked the link for the future 'cause it would solve probs.
Getting a roof rack + shavings on top is interesting — saves space and shavings are much lighter to maneuver than hay. Most places I go to don’t need shavings (horse normally has a dry run and prefers it), but at some I do. I more often need hay, tho. Dang it.
The fabric gardening baskets look very handy for saving space vs. a muck bucket. Might be a bit more awkward to dump out, I suppose, especially if dumping into a manure spreader rather than low on the ground, but still, nice.
Or maybe I could secure the plastic muck bucket on top of the pop-up tack room, in the nose of the B’up? Horse is only 15.2, he doesn’t need that space. It doesn’t fully solve the hay issue, but it does make a little more space in the Jeep for a half-bale, or a full compressed bale. The Grand Cherokee is low enough to the ground that I can’t see back through the B’up front window while driving anyway.
Those of you with easy access to water/wheelbarrows/muck buckets at all your events, thank your lucky stars, heh heh! I live in Colorado. It be dry here. Spring Gulch has no water and no stabling, Abbe Ranch asks folks to bring water to lighten the burden, etc. I’ve bummed stuff off trailer neighbors in an emergency, but it’s nicer all around to be self-sufficient whenever possible and it usually saves time (which, knowing me, is often in short supply :D).
Anyway, some really cool ideas in this thread — thank you!
In the same vein, when I had a B’up I contemplated putting a hitch on the back of the trailer to hold one of the cargo carrier shelf thingies. I also had some thoughts about rigging a shelf or something over the fenders to hold a couple bags of shavings.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
