I am working on an '88 Cotner, two-horse, bumper-pull. Currently, it has chains instead of butt bars. But my 17h TB could easily break them or hurt himself trying I believe if he got spooked or whatnot during loading/unloading. I would like to buy new butt bars and install them but I can’t find any for sale ANYWHERE. I see the pads you can put over the bars, but no actual bars.
Where can I buy these??
Thanks!
Try Cotner … They’re still in business.
I second hosspuller’s idea.
or http://www.hawktrailers.com/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?Search=Yes&sppp=10
I have draft horses and had the same question a couple of years ago when I was considering buying a Titan trailer that had no butt bars. Previously I had a Merhow that had solid but bars which connected to the walls and center piece by chains.
What I ended up getting was a Hawk trailer, and I am totally in love with their butt bar system. I have a panicky loader who will go in then panics as soon as you start trying to lock him in. That butt bar holds him secure, and it’s quick and easy and safer for me to attach than my old Merhow. I tried to find an online image that shows you a closeup, but couldn’t find one. Too lazy to run out and get a pic unless you ask for it.
But basically there’s a slot welded to the wall into which the but bar’s “tab” fits. So when it’s time to put the bar up, I slide the bar into that slot and the horse could throw all his weight into it and it’ll hold. I come back to put in a pin to keep it latched, but this assembly is FAR safer than having my fingers involved in clipping a chain.
It would require welding to install, but man is it worth it!
The link Scarlet Gilia gave got me to teh Hawk website and then I went to “fabricated parts,” and it seems like you should be able to buy everything you need.
Good luck!
If the above doesn’t work out, you might try looking at https://www.horsetraileraccessorystore.com/.
Can a local welding shop make butt bars for you?
Find a butt bar design you like, take photos, measurements, get the local welding shop to make them up for you. We have heavy pipe, 3inches wide, with a drop pin on one end, link to wall plate on the divider. Our large horses can sit on the bar, doesn’t bend or give. Not draft sized, but one horse is up over 1500#. I like this particular design, but you might like another design better. Husband can weld, so he fabricated these up from his scrap metal pile, installed them in the trailer. A good local welding shop can make up whatever you want, probably not terribly expensive either.
I hate the chains, never heavy enough, easy to get pinched in, swing too freely during loading and unloading to suit me, while this single link on our butt bar works well and is restricted while hanging down free. Pipe is wide, no creases in their rumps, metal is smooth too. I don’t use padding, no one gets any rub marks with such a big diameter pipe behind them.
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