New Trailer from Hell

[Nevada10]

I need to vent, and I need ideas. Sorry this is so long.

Months ago, my mom, husband, and I got this crazy idea that we’d take all 3 of our horses to a big show (way out of our league) and I would compete a few days per week and then we could all go trail riding for the rest of the week. So I found a barn with an apartment to rent nearby, and started looking for a new trailer that would accommodate my giraffe cross, my husband’s elephant cross, and my mom’s horse sized horse. I’ve been drooling over 2+1 trailers for 10+ years and was finally able to get one – dream come true. I custom ordered an 8’ tall Shadow Trailer with a few other options that I wanted. I stressed to the dealership’s owner that this was for our big horses and that I needed the trailer here specifically for this trip.

The trailer arrived 2 weeks ago and I picked it up, so excited to bring it home and try it out. I loaded everyone on without issue, noting that the rear ramp was steep, so I thought I’d unload everyone out the side ramp. No problem for the short horse, no problem for the big quiet horse, but my horse was eyeball level with the top lip of the side entrance, so I opted to back her down the rear ramp instead. Her back feet slid down and she fell on her knees (it’s that steep). She is shod on all 4.

So I called the dealership and he suggested adjusting the gooseneck, so I did that. No improvement. So I called him back and said this isn’t going to work. So he said he’d talk to the company on Monday. Tuesday I hear back from him – Shadow isn’t willing to do anything about my trailer because they “build it as I specified.” So much for their 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. No one told me that in getting an extra tall trailer, I would not get an extra tall entrance (I thought this was common sense?). Why would I want a 6’3" opening on an 8’ tall trailer?! So on Wednesday, the dealership offers to have a new trailer built for me and I’ll only have to pay the difference of the cost of the extra long ramps and taller opening. DEAL! Except, they need my current trailer back in like new condition, meaning I can’t use it for this trip. So now I’m back to where I was months ago, without a usable 3 horse trailer, and minus $$$$$, and I have less than a week to figure out how to get all 3 horses to the show that is 8+ hours away. I still have my 2 horse trailer, so I could trailer two and have someone ship one, but that will also cost $$$$, and I haven’t found anyone who could do it yet. I also considered leaving one home, but then I’d have to find someplace to board one, and then I wouldn’t be able to ride with my mom and husband. I thought maybe I could find another trailer for sale and trade this one in, but I’d lose $8,000 that way.

I’m stumped, frustrated, drained and furious. Does anyone else have ideas or suggestions? Am I the only one who didn’t realize that an extra tall trailer wouldn’t have an extra tall entrance way? Is it true that a 4’ ramp is “industry standard” on a big trailer? Has anyone else experienced these issues with Shadow or other brands?

[Arelle]

I don’t know what to tell you - that stinks!

However, it sounds like they’re at least willing to work with you - that’s awesome!

Is the side door constructed like the one in this picture from their website? http://www.shadowtrailer.com/uploads/5/3/6/8/53680773/4032469_orig.jpg (From the ‘About Us’ page)

Is there any way you can work out a way to get the issue corrected and still take the trailer for your show? Perhaps put down a rubber mat on the rear ramp so your mare doesn’t slip when backing out or loading?

I’m not a ton of help - but will be wishing you luck!

[Ladylexie]

The rubber mat sounds like a good idea.

[js]

One would expect the trailer to have doors to match the extra height but it’s really something that should have been discussed when ordering the trailer. An assumption isn’t much legally to support you. As far as the ramp, how high is the trailer off the ground that makes the ramp so steep or is it a very short ramp? Is the back door tall enough, just not the side door? If the ramp is too short, hence steep, make sure the rebuilt trailer has a longer ramp.

[mjhco]

Can you put blocks under the end of the ramp? So it is off the ground a foot or so? Ramp would not be as steep. Then there would be a 12 inch step down.

I had to do this for a horse that couldn’t deal with much slope at all.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I’ve noticed big/heavier trailers are high–I imagine it is the bigger tires and axles? I don’t know if that is a Shadow thing? Meaning that might still be an issue. I’m sure you will order an extra long ramp on the new trailer. FWIW, my trainer’s trailer was the same. Of course it was a 7 horse (head-to-head with a box in the middle/ or three box stalls) so we were backing into stalls and walking off the trailer. She attached a coco mat down to her steep/short side ramp. I didn’t like the ramp–had to watch the nervous horses or they might try to just jump off. I don’t remember why she didn’t use rubber, but that seems like a good idea too.

I’m sorry for your struggle. I’m dreaming of a new trailer and that would be disappointing. I do think the dealership sounds pretty nice for being willing to work with you on this. If the problem with Shadow’s door size didn’t occur to you it might not have occurred to the salesperson either. I wouldn’t have thought of it.

Can you put a bumper on your horse and try to lead her off? I would think she would lower her head? IDK. Maybe I am not picturing her hugeness adequately! Just throwing out ideas.

(edited to add–rubber blocks would be a brilliant idea) mjhco-what did you use so it wasn’t slippery/shifting under the ramp?

[mjhco]

I have several short pieces of 6x6 lumber My ramp has rubber donuts on the spots where it touches the ground. I put the blocks under each of those. Shifted them around (on uneven ground) so that the ramp was stable.

[enjoytheride]

Which Shadow dealer did you use? Was it in Ohio?

[mjhco]

Oh yes. Since I had to have a ramp rebuilt, you CAN have a new ramp made either by the original manufacturer or a good trailer mechanic. Ask me how I know…

[allons-y]

I am the proud owner of a still nearly new 1997 4 star 2+1. And an idiot 17+HH OTTB. He alway, ALWAYS, stops and stands as talllllll as he can to look around before disembarking the side ramp. Only sometimes does he wait to clear the doorway with his head first. <sigh> But I digress. That ramp is short, and steep. But he still manages it, frequently by leaping out halfway down. He has never slipped tho, the back ramp is hard on me to raise, so I choose the front for exits. I’d like to back him in from the front too, but that’s so far too hard for him to comprehend. (Backing while turning is too many things at once, poor guy) A cocoa mat would help if yours is slick.

[csaper58]

A 4 ft ramp is standard for horse size, as mentioned in the other trailer thread when you build for bigger horses, the ramp, butt bars and chest bar can end up out of proportion. The ramp should be taller, the chest and butt bars should be adjustable.

The suggestion to raise the end of the ramp sound like the easiest fix.

[LookmaNohands]

I had a huge 3 horse slant load Sundowner with living quarters that had a very steep ramp that I hated! I carried a 4 x 4 with me and slid that under the edge of the ramp to make it less steep.

I loved having the LQ but hated the rest of the trailer. I eventually sold it. I have a 4 star 2 horse GN now. Love it!

[alibi_18]

[QUOTE=Nevada10;8640497]
I’m stumped, frustrated, drained and furious. Does anyone else have ideas or suggestions? Am I the only one who didn’t realize that an extra tall trailer wouldn’t have an extra tall entrance way? Is it true that a 4’ ramp is “industry standard” on a big trailer? Has anyone else experienced these issues with Shadow or other brands? [/QUOTE]

The size of the ramp and the entrance aren’t related. You wouldn’t want an 8’ ramp because it would be way too big and heavy!!!

My trailer has two 5’ ramps (back and side) so I don’t know if 4’ is normal or not but I still carefully check where I load/unload to make sure not the ramp to be in a hole/downhill spot.

Gates and ramps can be changed. Ask about only changing the ramp maybe?

[kelsey97]

I feel like I’m missing something, but can’t they just change the ramp? Seems crazy to get a whole new trailer?

[Nevada10]

Follow up!

Literally minutes after posting this, I got a call from the dealership saying they had just gotten off the phone with Shadow (I had called Shadow earlier in the day and totally lost it – not screaming mad, just desperate and tears of frustration and lost hope) and they said that if I can get the trailer back to their plant in Ocala, they will make the modifications to my trailer, which is fantastic news and the best thing I could have hoped for. So now I can make do with this trailer for this trip and get it fixed for future excursions. I’m so grateful that they finally offered me a reasonable solution (one that I had asked for when this whole discussion started nearly a week ago).

I’ll use a 4x4 under the ramp in the meantime and unload our small horse first and then turn my horse around in the box to unload face first off the rear ramp. Thanks for letting me vent. Lesson learned: make sure you know exactly what you’re getting when you order a custom trailer!

[arlosmine]

I, for one, think that it IS reasonable for you to expect an extra tall trailer to have door openings that go to the extra tall ceiling. The whole reason you want the extra height is to accommodate tall horses, and a trailer manufacturer’s JOB is to know the client’s needs and to know what sort of safety considerations go into different options. They are supposed to know know more than you, it’s their business!

[SLW]

I’m impressed with Shadow making this work for you. Congrats on the good outcome.

[Nevada10]

[QUOTE=Arelle;8640522]
I don’t know what to tell you - that stinks!

However, it sounds like they’re at least willing to work with you - that’s awesome!

Is the side door constructed like the one in this picture from their website? http://www.shadowtrailer.com/uploads/5/3/6/8/53680773/4032469_orig.jpg (From the ‘About Us’ page)

Is there any way you can work out a way to get the issue corrected and still take the trailer for your show? Perhaps put down a rubber mat on the rear ramp so your mare doesn’t slip when backing out or loading?

I’m not a ton of help - but will be wishing you luck![/QUOTE]

Yes, but my trailer is 6" taller, so there is a foot of metal between my side ramp and the roof.

The ramp has a textured rubber mat on it already.

[invinoveritas]

Go buy a Hawk trailer.

[js]

As another poster mentioned, there is a coconut fiber mat you can put on ramps to help with slipping issues, I don’t know how well they work but worth a look.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/coco-mat/p/X1-27345/

Since you didn’t specifically ask about / request / order taller doors the factory assumed you were fine with standard. They aren’t 100% to blame. You can’t assume they would know to put taller doors if you didn’t specifically ask for them. It’s something you should have realized when designing the trailer.

Yes, I would have been just as PO’d as you are now but I would have realized that I carry the biggest share of the blame. Something to be aware of when ordering custom, you are the one designing it so you need to think of everything. Yes, it would have been nice had the dealership and/or the factory thought of the issue too and asked you what you wanted, it didn’t happen but the dealership is willing to make you a happy customer and build you a new trailer.