Tack trunk choices?

[TatteredDaydreamer]

So a while back I posted about possibly building a tack trunk. Looking more and more like buying is the better option. I have two picked out that I like:

Unfinished Bandage Lid Tack Trunk

Or

https://www.smartpakequine.com/smartpak-deluxe-wood-trunk-6297p

I really like the idea of supporting a smaller business like Saw Horse but am a bit worried that their trunks are on the smaller side. Does anyone have either of these? Are there other options I’m missing that are under $800? If you have a trunk with a bandage lid, do you use it? Is it a waste of money? Thanks in advance, this is a large purchase for me and I’d like to get it right the first time! I’d love any suggestions for other companies as well!

[AmmyByNature]

I must say that those saw horse ones look pretty nice! I’ve never had store bought trunks, but looking at that website makes me want to but a few new ones. The mini trunks are adorable, too, and the shipping price actually seems super reasonable. As much as i love Smartpak, I’d try the other ones. I think they look beautiful!

[TatteredDaydreamer]

Ammy, do you think the trunks from saw horse seem a bit small? The medium trunk from smart pak is larger. I love how they look but worry I would run out of room.

[AmmyByNature]

I suppose it depends on how you use your trunks. If it’s going to travel to horse shows, you don’t want it too big or it becomes impossible to move. Show trunks shouldn’t be giant…

I like to limit what’s in my barn trunk to seasonally appropriate and commonly used stuff. Everything else is in one of the great cheap Stanley trunks home in the garage.

Sometimes i think if the trunk is too big, it gets hard to organize and turns into a big mess.

But of course, plenty of people have giant coffin-sized trunks and love them.

So depending on what you want to do with it, it might be the perfect size!

[TatteredDaydreamer]

I really don’t think I need a huge coffin sized one, but I’d hate to get this and be disappointed. I’ll probably use it for saddle pads, cooler, quarter sheet, some shampoos/ointments/etc. Not sure what else yet, I’ve never had a trunk!

[trubandloki]

Will you be taking your trunk to horse shows? If yes then remember the trunk has to fit thru the tack room door of a trailer. That is why the smaller size might be better.

[SugarCubes]

[QUOTE=trubandloki;7725423]
Will you be taking your trunk to horse shows? If yes then remember the trunk has to fit thru the tack room door of a trailer. That is why the smaller size might be better.[/QUOTE]

Excellent point. I had a large one made and didn’t think of that until it was too late. I ended up having a second, smaller trunk built just for shows because the bigger one wouldn’t fit through the door on my trailer.

OP, keep in mind, the bandage lids can be a pain as everything in the tray has to be small enough to allow the lid to close. Personally, I hang spray bottles on the side of my tray (saves room and they are all easy to see) so I didn’t do a bandage lid, just a deep lid so I could have bigger items in my tray and the lid would still be able to close. Just a suggestion!

[Nickelodian]

The Sawhorse tack trunk is very small.

Most typical tack trunk sizes are as follows:

Choose from Small (32"L x 18"D x 18"H, 60 lbs), Medium (34"L x 20.75"D x 19.5"H, 70 lbs), or Large (38.5"L x 23.75"D x 22.25"H, 78 lbs).

I have a medium Phoenix West, and a large mcguinn (which is coffin sized). Both fit through tack room doors. Honestly, I would order a Phoenix West or Oakcroft. The vinyl ones last forever. My Phoenix West is actually 20 years old, have replaced the hardware once, it looks amazing. Granted it is a vinyl version, but a little extra money to pay for quality is well worth it in my opinion.

[lynne]

I have the one you linked to at Smartpak, though I didn’t get it through them. I’m pretty sure it’s the same, tho, made by Braly. Beval sells them too. It’s awesome, well made, really nice. I have the medium size, and can easily keep my saddle, pad, chaps, boots, helmet, and a cooler in there at the same time (I took the brush box out, but left the tray in).

I don’t have the bandage lid, which means an extra 3" of usable space. I would recommend you not get the bandage lid - you can use small screw eyes and short bungee cords to hold bandages in the lid, without permanently taking away the space in the lid and making the lid so heavy.

eta: Obviously this only works if the non-bandage lid option comes with the deep lid still. My lid is as deep as the bandage lid pictured, but without the bandage holding inserts. I assume the non-bandage lid version from Smartpak would be the same.

[IPEsq]

I have a lovely large bandage lid trunk and I hated taking it to horse shows. It was nice to have at home, though for coolers, pads, and of course bandages. I preferred to take 2 small Warner trunks rather than the big bandage lid trunk.

[trubandloki]

I personally love my bandage lid. I never imagined there were people who do not like them.
OP, do you have the option to see some trunks at the barns near you? Maybe that will help you decide the answers to some of your questions.

[janedoe726]

I have a bandage lid, but I find it makes the lid of the trunk very heavy. I have had to replace the hinges a couple times. Also, (I didn’t look too closely at the ones you posted), I highly recommend getting one with wheels!!

[Jo]

I’m certainly not trendy and rarely show, but I just picked up one of these for a song and couldn’t be happier.

https://www.smartpakequine.com/burlingham-saddle-trunk-2119p

I love the saddle storage and the many ways to organize are perfect for my little OCD barn habits.

FWIW, I can roll it by myself fully loaded. I added a custom vinyl monogram to spice it up a bit.

[TatteredDaydreamer]

Thanks everyone! I have heard good things Phoenix West from other folks as well, however I really do like the look of wood rather then vinyl. Do they come as just wood? I won’t be showing with anytime in the near future if at all.

I was afraid that the Saw Horse trunks were on the small side, shucks. They seem lovely.

I have decided against a bandage lid, thanks for the suggestions! I have a lesson tomorrow morning and will take a look at the trunks there for sure. I don’t need a coffin but I absolutely want something with plenty of space.

Lynne, thanks for the review of the one through smark pak. Unless Phoenix West does indeed make wooden trunks I’m leaning towards that.

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=TatteredDaydreamer;7726064]

I was afraid that the Saw Horse trunks were on the small side, shucks. They seem lovely. [/QUOTE]
Have you asked about a larger option? They might be willing to make a larger trunk.

[Nickelodian]

PW makes two version of wood tack trunks, a “regular”

http://www.tacktrunks.net/html/wood_tack_trunks.html

and a “premier”

http://www.tacktrunks.net/html/premier_tack_trunks.html

The premier has the pretty trim. I’ve found that site, though disorganized looking, to be the best prices around. Call them directly.

[Soaponarope]

As far as the bandage lid goes, we really like ours. It’s great for boots and for bandages and wraps. Also great place to stick your number at a horse show. I do understand about the point about being able to hang bottles of the inside tray though. That sounds like a good idea. I would add that finding a square bucket to go in a corner of your tack trunk works really well for keeping shampoo and other liquids from falling over in transit and spilling onto the bottom of the trunk. Hope you find a pretty one and happy shopping!

[Brutus614]

I got to this a little late, but I hope you didn’t order from Sawhorse! I have a smaller trunk from them [the A Circuit] and it’s WAY too small; you can’t even stand a fly spray bottle in it. I knew I was signing up for a small trunk, but I really wish I could at least put fly spray in it.

Also, the build and ship time was in excess of three months… which I thought was a tad excessive.

[norcalammie]

I have an old Warner’s vinyl fronted with metal top that is going strong and over 25 years old. Have a wood Phoenix West that I took to shows for years and now sits in my garage with extra stuff - want to keep the wood looking nice. I do find that with the wood if you go to shows where it rains you should refinish or add a sealer every year to keep the wood looking nice. My Phoenix is about 10 years old now. I did have to replace the hinge on the Warner’s about 3 years ago but other than that both have held up well.