I’ve pulled a 2 horse gooseneck for many years and it’s pretty handy. I wouldn’t go with a large rig without a significant reason like many, many overnight horse events. And even then I’d prefer a hotel and someone else cooking to being domestic on top of my horse chores.
I usually drive in urban/suburban areas and it’s scary enough when all the idiots pull in front of me without trying to stop a gigantic rig.
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I agree with perhaps not going too big. If you only have one or two horses then a 2 horse GN with a small LQ up front. As other’s have said, with a big rig you have to be careful where you pull in such as gas stations, a big rig will not fit everywhere. When we moved we were careful to use truck stop style gas stations that were easy to get in and out of.
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Two of my best riding friends drove 3/4-ton duallies and hauled big goosenecks. One hauled a 6H (she was our BM and trainer) the other owned one horse but her husband bought her a 3H. Both step-up slant-loads.
I had another friend who had a half-ton with a small bumper-pull straight-load 2H for her big Hanoverian and a friend’s Trakener-cross. She was equally afraid to haul on the interstate as over the hills on the state road, adn when she tried hauling the two horses she could barely make it out of the barn driveway.
The two women with the big trucks and GNs not only could go anywhere, they could help out others when needed.
Win-win.
You’ve got a keeper in that DH of yours. Go for the big keepers with your rig and enjoy! 
You have an “embarrassment of riches” problem. It’s a very nice problem to have!!!
What are your future plans? If you’re going the show route an LQ is nice. Ditto for trail rides, even if you’re not going to camp. Having a “home away from home” with you is really nice!!!
If your banker is willing to go for the high end then ride that pony!!! Learning to properly drive a bigger rig can be done. If you hang out on some of the RV sites you’ll find there are driving schools that will teach you the basics, correctly, so you can confidently operate your own rig.
But maybe you can shave a bit off he high end, here, you can add a small, two horse. Having to haul a taj-ma-trailer every time you have to move a horse is a real PIA. But if you are going someplace where it would be nice to have a comfortable place to sit and not have to eat “show food.”
Good luck!!!
G.
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Ahem…
it’s a Taj Ma Haul
and
Taj Ma Not
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If you only have the one horse and are only planning on leaving the property once a month then go for the 2 horse gooseneck. You don’t need all the extra stuff. It will be over kill just sitting in the parking lot wasting away. Spend the money on the truck. Also trailing yourself will lose it appeal after awhile. I’m a do it yourselfer and there are times I wish I could just leave when I’m done showing. Nope got to pack up the horse and stuff and trailer back. I have a 4-star bumper pull and its more then enough. Its a nice trailer. I miss having a bigger tack room, but I don’t know what I would do with a gooseneck. I have no problem backing up and I trailer it all over and have never felt like it was unstable.
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To all men, size matters. I grew up with firearms/sportsmen, and then worked with cops for decades. Caliber of one’s gun was sign of masculinity. Then when I switched from sports cars to Cherokees and then the f350 7.3 litre crew cab, men would approach me in parking lots to say that their trucks were “just as big.” I caught that right away as I grew up with guys and spent grad school and work with men
so let your so get the biggest truck and biggest trailer and let him be happy. Size does matter. I’m upset my f350 now is “only” 6.7 litre,lol.
my gun is still a .45.
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Well thank you all for the kind encouragement.
He and I looked over floorplans last night…the smallest in this “family” of trailers is a 3 horse slant with 11’ LQ.
Incredibly, the manufacturer never lists the total
length on their website. (I swear these manufacturers need to hire horsepeople for their marketing material). There is also a paucity of images of the cargo area compared to the LQ area.
@Guilherme i almost spit out my box wine at the “ride that pony” comment. I think the SO would agree.
I wont be doing too many overnight shows/trail rides, but yeah, having a fridge, micro, and place to lay down does sound mighty nice.
My driving will be in rural areas plus the highways to get to the nearby shows/trails. And there are several truck stop style gas stations near the barn. Don’t suppose I’d be traveling much further than a tank of gas will take me…although the SO has said “you’ll be so good we’ll take your horse to that big show in Palm
Beach!” HA!
I had to explain that on my draft cross, doing Intro Dressage and jumping cross rails…we won’t be going to Wellington.
Again, it’s not lost on me how fortunate I am to be conflicted by this problem. Having the opportunity to have a horse again was enough.
Thanks again for the kind words of advice. I’m going to start spec’ing the smallest unit they offer…after all, spring is around the corner.
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My BO has a 4 horse GN with tackroom but no LQ. She has enough truck (diesel dually) to pull it and is a good driver. But the size can be an issue. Not always easy to get into farms or to park. The way it cuts the corners makes some turns very difficult. She has had to hold up traffic while she went back and forth to make a tight corner. I think a 2 horse GN would be ideal.
This is a great problem to have, for sure. If you are going to be doing a lot of long distance hauling or camping then the bigger trailer may be warranted. If not, think about ease of hookup, parking, and turning around. I only do short hauls, so I love the ease of my 2H BP. I trail ride a lot, and I have had two different friends who started out with bigger trailers end up getting a 2H version without LQ because the big trailers were just more to handle and definitely harder to get in and out of tight spaces.
I know myself well enough to know that if I had to deal with an enormous LQ trailer for every ride that I would probably not be as willing to go as often. It’s just more trouble and more to deal with. So, would the big trailer discourage you from going somewhere? Would it intimidate you? It may just be me, but I like things to be easy. That is why I have a BP trailer - I can easily hook up and go by myself. Goosenecks are harder to deal with. If I were to need to take more long trips I would consider adding a gooseneck trailer, but would keep my BP trailer for quick and easy trips.
As far as the truck goes - let your husband knock himself out. I would love a big new truck. Truck size doesn’t worry me at all.
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I have a 3h with 10’ lq. I will measure it for you today. I don’t find it to a bear to haul.
https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207990530909764&id=1492791407&set=a.4050505389661&source=43
I would take it if I also had a smaller trailer on the side. I’ve been to several barns where trailer traffic was not well planned, such as private barns that open up for haul ins. My first trailer is a tiny bumper pull and I did have quite a few nerves even towing that. Now I’m glad it’s small when I can wedge it in between two other trailers or turn around where someone else wouldn’t be able to. Sure, it might be a 75 point turn but I can get in and out.
I get parked into all sorts of weird places when I show up with my little trailer and the organizers realize I can fit.
I have friends with a LQ trailer and they only get it out a few times a year. The rest of the time they use their bumper pull because the LQ doesn’t fit into a lot of places.
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usually when you have a large rig most have a smaller run around trailer. Not sure why it is so hard to be honest with your SO. Not sure of your finances but if money is no object get both and he can drive when going with LQ.
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I have to agree with this. We have a 4 horse GN with a weekender package; I’d really love a 2 horse bumper pull for times we need to take the horse to the vet and want to hook up quick and go.
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So i missed the six month re-rider bit. So, what if you got the truck, since you need a truck. Then, slow down. Go to some events, walk around among the trailers, get a feel for what YOU are cool with. A 2h GN with a modest dressing room/tack is more than enough. You can always go bigger, later.
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Get the big trailer and dually. Then watch craigslist and Facebook for an older, cheaper 2 horse tag along. Most people I know who have big LQ trailers also have a little one for local trips.
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What is the trailer manufacturer?
Most will do custom sizes/configurations, you just have to pay for it. :lol:
I prefer a small trailer. I don’t need anything bigger than a 2 horse with a tack room. You can’t make a U turn easily with a big trailer.
My little trailer suits me perfectly. I camp in my trailer, open up the tack room wall and divider and I can utilize the entire space.
Pay attention to trailer width. I don’t want a trailer wider than 6 ft (interior). The roads in this area are often extremely narrow. If I don’t want to be over the line, I need a narrow trailer. I’ve gone down roads so narrow my tires are on both lines, and some roads that are like going down a one way street with traffic going both ways.
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It depends on what you want to trailer for. A large truck and trailer will not fit in the parking area of most trailheads around here. I learned that the hard way. If you’re traveling on the interstate and going to shows, however, the large LQ trailer might be a good fit.
Hmmm…never thought of it like that but it certainly works!!!
G.
