Is it possible to find a big straight load living quarters trailer? Or can you convert a slant to straight?

[ivegotanalter]

I want a living quarters trailer but it needs to be BIG and I can’t seem to find one anywhere. LQ needs to sleep 3 and doesn’t need to be enormous or fancy, as long as it has fridge and microwave and a toilet I’m good. But I also need a horse area that will ideally haul at least 3 horses plus need a tack room and the kicker…needs room for a golf cart. And ideally I like to take my own hay and shavings to cover 3-4 days showing. I’m finding this search virtually impossible but don’t want to give up!

I don’t like slants for a variety of reasons but was willing to look at something like a 6 horse slant and then try to remove partitions and somehow make it into a straight but even then it’s not looking like I’d have enough room for horses and golf cart and most slants only have a rear ramp or step up. Just can’t seem to figure if I could make one work.

Anyone ever converted a slant to straight? And does anyone know what it costs to add a side ramp to a trailer that doesn’t have one?

P.S. I cannot afford new, needs to be used! Suggestions?

[soloudinhere]

You can find 2+1 with living quarters, but it’s an exceedingly rare trailer. It will also be extremely long relative to a slant. I would expect this to be a very expensive trailer even used. Traveled Lane Trailers in MD has one and looking at it, I’m not 1000% sure a golf cart would fit and it’s a max 3h. And $45k used. http://www.traveledlanetrailers.com/usedpages/2004JamcoPics.html

If you want 4h with room for a cart, you’re looking for a lq H2H trailer and it’s going to be just massive - and probably impossibly rare.

As for modifying a trailer that already exists - coverting a slant to a straight is theoretically possible except for the slant wall. You will end up with dead space to make that straight. The fabrication costs will not be cheap - I just had a box stall divider made and it was almost $2000.

As for adding a side ramp, there is bracing, etc that needs to be added, so I would expect that to not come cheap either.

Anything can be done with engineering and money.

[mvp]

@soloudinhere

And $45k used. http://www.traveledlanetrailers.com/usedpages/2004JamcoPics.html

Anything can be done with engineering and money.

Want it. Don’t have $45K. Want to engineer. Still don’t have money. Want.

[AKB]

A friend just bought a 2+1 Sundowner with nice living quarters. It was probably pricey.

[Jim_in_PA]

I will add on the topic of conversion from slant to straight/box stalls…you have to be concerned with balance. If the trailer was designed as a slant with the horses in a particular area, moving that equine weight around can affect the whole design. Many trailer companies will build to order. Your requirements may, well…require that. What you describe may also need a much beefier tow vehicle, too, just due to shear size. That could put you in a whole different “class” of transport.

One other idea for you…check out a “toy hauler” motor home pulling a more modest horse trailer. Still big bucks, but it’s an alternative.

[Brigitte]

What about a large stock trailer? That would give you a “blank canvas” to do whatever you want. If you don’t like the open sides, you could put in drop down windows.

If you have a good trailer repair, they could probably add the side ramp, that might be one of your biggest expenses.

You could work on it as you have money, but still have a trailer to use.

Search horsetrailerworld.com for some ideas.

[Brigitte]

Ok, I know this is over budget, and “over the top”, but check out the side ramp!

https://horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=1261771

[wsmoak]

A 2+1 will have a side ramp, you can put the golf cart in that space up front.

So… you want a 2 + 1 + 1 with a big side ramp and an extra divider. Plus LQ. (That is going to be rather enormous.)

It’s all doable. I just ordered an Exiss stock trailer and had them put the 2-horse divider and breast/butt bars in it.

ETA: Here’s an example of a stock trailer with the 2+1 setup and a big space up front: http://www.haylettrv.com/console/photos/inventory/large/27781f47e278804.jpg

That front area could be divided with a full width swing gate to separate the golf cart and horse areas.

[soloudinhere]

I’m guessing getting a trailer that big is going to be well north of $80k new. That’s a lot of coin. If there’s one out there used, it’s going to be well north of $40k. Just not that common and you won’t get a deal building something that big custom.

[js]

I think it would be very difficult, especially with an aluminum trailer to undo all the welds from where the dividers are attached as a slant, then reconfigure them and add something to attach them to for center divides, you are talking about things that will effect the flooring, ceiling braces, side walls etc. and you still may not get a big enough trailer. Not to mention you will likely effect the structural integrity of the trailer. How big of a trailer do you need for your horses?

[TMares]

Wait, who’s shopping? @mvp or @ivegotanalter ?

[clanter]

I think get two trailers and two trucks, most likely less expensive and be more versatile

[ladyj79]

Or a big stephex style lorry and a trailer. I mean, in a world where money is no object :lol:

[Christa_P]

@clanter

I think get two trailers and two trucks, most likely less expensive and be more versatile

Or a truck and stock trailer and an RV. The drawback is needing two drivers. If you want to spend the $$$$ you can get a smallish semi tractor with living quarters and pull a stock trailer. Look up “Racing Junk” for a website that lists some used.

[soloudinhere]

@ladyj79

Or a big stephex style lorry and a trailer. I mean, in a world where money is no object :lol:

Once you get past two horses, almost all those lorries are angle haul or reverse angle haul.

[ladyj79]

Egh, most are more straight sideways, rather than slant.

[soloudinhere]

@ladyj79

Egh, most are more straight sideways, rather than slant.

Either way, not straight load like the poster was looking for (front-back)

[ladyj79]

@soloudinhere

Either way, not straight load like the poster was looking for (front-back)

I suppose it’s as on topic as most of the suggestions though wouldn’t you say @soloudinhere?

[ivegotanalter]

@Christa P

Or a truck and stock trailer and an RV. The drawback is needing two drivers. If you want to spend the $$$$ you can get a smallish semi tractor with living quarters and pull a stock trailer. Look up “Racing Junk” for a website that lists some used.

That’s what I already have! Large semi tractor with bunks and a big head to head trailer that holds the golf cart also. But getting sick of living in the tractor with 2-3 people. It gets tiresome over several days at a horse show and especially with no bathroom.

I’m not afraid of the length of weight of trailer as I can pull it with my tractor or a one ton dually. I’ve got my full CDL with air brakes so no concerns there. Just wondering if such a beast is out there or it’s pointless to even search.

I’ve just found a 3 horse slant with a huge mid tack that would hold the golf cart and has a nice LQ. I’m just really iffy on the slant aspect. I had one before and hated it. Have large warmbloods and don’t feel they were ever comfortable in the slant and I hate the whole idea of not being able to unload the front horses without unloading everything behind them, whether in an emergency or just dropping at different locations.

[Christa_P]

@ivegotanalter

That’s what I already have! Large semi tractor with bunks and a big head to head trailer that holds the golf cart also. But getting sick of living in the tractor with 2-3 people. It gets tiresome over several days at a horse show and especially with no bathroom.

I’m not afraid of the length of weight of trailer as I can pull it with my tractor or a one ton dually. I’ve got my full CDL with air brakes so no concerns there. Just wondering if such a beast is out there or it’s pointless to even search.

I’ve just found a 3 horse slant with a huge mid tack that would hold the golf cart and has a nice LQ. I’m just really iffy on the slant aspect. I had one before and hated it. Have large warmbloods and don’t feel they were ever comfortable in the slant and I hate the whole idea of not being able to unload the front horses without unloading everything behind them, whether in an emergency or just dropping at different locations.

How much bathroom do you need. A composting toilet and portable sink could easily be set up in the tackroom or horse compartment. Add a couple of folding bunk beds and you could use your current trailer.

Another option since you have the semi and CD-L is get a semi-horse van and modify the front section into living quarters. They are designed for 12 horses so it should be plenty of room.