I’m a Californian and am in the market for a lightweight living quarters, 2H trailer. Due to recent changes in DMV regs, a non-commercial Class A license is required to haul anything over 9995 GVWR, which I plan to avoid. So my selection is limited to aluminum trailers, likely with a 6ft or less short wall. I regularly haul and camp with a 16HH mare who is blind on one side, so I am looking for something roomy and bright in the horse area, without the narrow loading chute created by some rear tack rooms. If possible under the weight rating, an 8 ft wide and/or warmblood height would be great. I’d like some headroom in the sleeping area, a second couch sleeping area, a sink, cooktop, microwave, shower and toilet. If you could order/purchase any brand, what would you buy?
Hart, Elite, Platinum, EBY, Twister, 4 Star would all be on my wish list, as they are all very well made, but they are not light.
I actually have an Elite LQ and a Featherlite LQ, and both are heavy. The Elite is the smaller of the two trailers, a three horse slant with a 6’ LQ, and it still weighs about 7,500 lbs. with nothing in it. It is 8’ wide and 7’ tall.
You might be able to control weight somewhat by what you have in the living quarters, but the better built trailers are just made heavier.
I love the Hart trailers and 4 Star…but last time I checked 4 Star did not have WB height but that may have changed.
CA requirements “over 9995” GVWR? Almost every 2 horse trailer out there will have, at least, 5200 axles which usually means the GVWR is going to be 10400. If it’s actual weight, not rating, figure about 250 lbs/ft for 7 wide and 286 for 8 wide. A typical 2H slant with a 6’ dressing room is going to be around 17’ so it’s 4250 or 4862 lbs dead weight. On that basis you’ll stay under the 9995 actual weight, but not rating. If you do much in the way of conversion, that’ll add approx 250 lbs/ft.
Ask you MFG if using #5200 or #6K to “rate” your trailer at 9900
(happens all the time)
Risa
Thanks all. I would prefer one of the heavier duty brands, but sadly not possible with the CA requirements. I have heard of at least one CA dealer who will affix a 9995 GVWR plate to trailers they sell that are slightly over. Good idea to ask the dealer/manufacturer directly. I think it’s going to come down to Sundowner and Featherlite.
Do you have any friends or a relative that live outside of CA? Register it there.
Their laws are getting ridiculous. As pretty as the state is, with its awesome weather, what a crap show when it comes to over regulation.
In my state, LQs fall under the camper regs. Can you not have a camper (with no horse part) that heavy either?
The non-commercial Class A license is a PITA but not impossible. I got mine ages ago and, iirc, the requirement is based on length + weight which is why most 2-horse trailers are excluded.
Many “rear tack rooms” are removable, so don’t rule out a trailer you like that has one listed in the description. I have a Logan (which I love) and I simply had the rear tack removed.
Look at the Trails West, they do WB height & LQ. They are aluminum skin on steel frames. I have one and love it.
Did you read the thread? OP has to stay under a certain weight #. I’d imagine steel anything (other than axles and coupler) is out of the question.
In CA trailers are regulated separately. I think you can drive any length camper or RV without a Class A (we just sold a 25’ camper that had no special license requirement). If you have a camper plus a bumper pull horse trailer, your combined weight has a limit as well, but I believe it’s higher, something like 16,000 lbs.
So far the Trails West I have come across (2 horse) are too heavy. I do like them and am planning to call the manufacturer to see if they have any models that would work.
Where do you put your tack?
In the dressing room.
