Single Wall vs Double Wall

[luvbug]

Hi,

Can anyone give me some reasons why a double wall is better than a single walled trailer? I’m looking for at stock combo trailers for very short (15 minutes to 1 hour) hauls and I’m wondering if a single wall with kick mats would be adequate.

Thanks!

[goodhors]

We put plywood inside our stock trailer walls with thin rubber matting over that. It greatly reduced the metal noise echos during travel. Two or more walls will reduce the chance of a hoof going thru the metal, injury to the horse. Looking at some older stock trailers, hooves actually did come thru the metal.

[luvbug]

Thanks, Goodhors. I was thinking that kick mats might reduce the noise so it’s good to know that the plywood and rubber worked for you.

The trailers I’m looking at are new, with solid walls several feet up and the slat openings are only at the top.

The company makes both single-walled trailers and double-walled ones. The single walls have the support beams on the outside, where the double walled trailers have smooth skins. They say the single walls w/the outer support beams are more difficult to drive, because of wind resistance, but I don’t know if the difference is really that noticeable.

[Texarkana]

My understanding is it depends on the construction material. Horses can potentially kick through single wall aluminum or fiberglass; not so much single wall steel.

The insulation in double wall construction also should keep the trailer quieter and cooler, although if you have open slats, that seems like a moot point.

[csaper58]

@luvbug

Thanks, Goodhors. I was thinking that kick mats might reduce the noise so it’s good to know that the plywood and rubber worked for you.

The trailers I’m looking at are new, with solid walls several feet up and the slat openings are only at the top.

The company makes both single-walled trailers and double-walled ones. The single walls have the support beams on the outside, where the double walled trailers have smooth skins. They say the single walls w/the outer support beams are more difficult to drive, because of wind resistance, but I don’t know if the difference is really that noticeable.

Yup, turbulence and drag is considerable the faster you go, so if you are right at your tow vehicle’s limit that is bad.

If you are pulling the single wall at low speed with a good size vehicle and you can minimize the noise (or horses don’t care) it should be fine.

Can you test pull them?

[luvbug]

Thanks for responding, everyone. I’ll be towing with an F350 (diesel), and I’ll be at ~1/2 of my towing capacity, Trailer will be a GN, if that makes any difference, and is steel. I will be traveling on the highway with it.

I wish I could test pull them, but there aren’t any in my state.

I should add that we are getting the extra height (7’6" and width 7’6"). So that will mean even more turbulence and drag.
The extra cost for the double wall is $1,000. Trying to decide if I need to spend it.

Thanks!

[csaper58]

Which trailer would have better longevity, and resale value?

[goodhors]

I think I would pay for the double wall, and expect it to be a benefit to me in reducing sharp edges, less inside noise, better gas mileage and eventually, better resale value. I would still do the rubber kick matting, as another horse protective precaution.

[Texarkana]

If they do a double wall, is it double steel or steel with an aluminum skin?

I would think double steel could potentially add a significant amount of weight, but I don’t know.