Tack Trunks

[manhattanrider]

Hi! I searched to see if someone had posted this but cannot find anything! I am starting to ride again and I need a tack trunk, it is just too difficult to have things in one car and Im not able to store it all in the tack room… anyway I HATE my barns colors and I cannot justify paying 1500 for a phoenix west trunk in colors i despise… well I am on a neighborhood app and it looks as if my neighbor is selling a 3 year old large vinyl phoenix west trunk… in BETTER colors lol…

My question is should i buy it or cave in and buy the new one in my barns colors… let me know… also what is a fair price to pay for a 3 year old trunk?

THANKS ALL!

[OnDeck]

If you’re ok with not matching everyone else, have you thought about getting a wood trunk? I bought one new for around $800 and I love it. Completely different colors can be a little bit of an eyesore in a very coordinated set up but no one will mind a beautiful wood trunk in the mix.

[fordtraktor]

You can also buy new panels if the neighborhood one is “wrong” for your barn.

[Calvincrowe]

How about buying a cover in your barn’s predominant color (like if they are navy as the body color and pink and green as the design- do a navy cover). I did that with a barn I was in so I fit in at shows and such. The barn I’m in now has solid dark wood trunks and everyone has a brown cover so anyone with an unmatched trunk just buys a cover.

New panels are $$$$ by the way, I looked into that a while back.

[manhattanrider]

Thanks everyone- I saw that you can repanel them but that’s expensive and not really necessary. This one only has one letter on the front.

I like the cover idea!!! Because literally everyone stores them with covers on because they are all outside so you never really see the trunk unless it’s going to the shows, which I don’t plan on doing anytime soon haha.

Maybe the plan is I buy it for a good enough price and pay for the cover In the barn colors! Nobody even sees the vinyl part!

[paintedpony]

I would purchase the used trunk in a heartbeat. Visit your local sign shop, and they can cut vinyl to recover the panel at low cost. That said, I have a custom wooden trunk that has not been used in forever. It is now a storage chest for cherished ribbons and blankets. The cheap old Stanley 50 gallon tool chest on wheels is the go to. Light, easy to move and washable. Once the canvas cover in barn colors is on, it looks the part.

[manhattanrider]

Thanks what do you think I should pay for it?

[Renn_aissance]

@vxf111 Do I remember correctly that you had a local shop redo some tack trunks with vinyl wrap?

OP, get a cover. If it’s a standard size and your barn has a typical color (navy, hunter, etc.) the stock one from Dover or SmartPak might suit, at less than $150. Otherwise you’re looking in the $200-250 range for a custom one, more if you go all out with Sunbrella fabric, fancy piping, monogram, and so on.

[vxf111]

I did have some done and years later they’re going strong and look brand new

[Pokerface]

My trunk isn’t in the colors of my current barn, but I like the colors. To be fair, it DID match the barn I was at when I got it. It sits in the aisle and does not go to shows, so even if everyone at my barn did have matching trunks (they don’t) I wouldn’t be too bothered. Before this one, I had a wooden trunk that looked great when standing with the other, more matchy trunks. If you are going places, I would opt for wood. If it’s mostly going to be covered and stay home, get the one from your neighbor.

Either way, don’t spend money on an expensive trunk in a color you dislike.

[touchstone]

This company made a custom trunk cover for me, very affordably: https://www.rideeverystride.com/

(I bought a plastic Stanley trunk, but then covered it to match the rest of the barn.)

[mmeqcenter]

Sorry OP, no idea how much a used Phoenix should run. I don’t see any used ones for sale online either, for comparison. Looks like they retail around $1000, so, something less than that?

I’ll have to agree with the idea of getting a good Husky, Stanley, or Dewalt rolling tool box trunk and put a barn-matching cover on it. Sounds like an affordable win to me!

[HJdaydream]

Personally, I’ve been burned too many times when it comes to buying overpriced matchy-matcy barn stuff only to have things fall apart and then move barns (think $300+ customs scrims and blankets etc). My current barn (which I adore, and never plan on leaving, but I’ve thought that before too) has the matching Phoenix West trunks too. I opted to get a nice wooden one made to the same size specs and ordered a cheap nylon cover in my barn colors. A nice wooden trunk always looks good in a show set-up!

I sourced mine from a local hobbyist carpenter, and paid significantly less. If you’re on a budget I’d ask around your local craftsman. I believe I paid $350 for mine and it’s gorgeous. The custom cover I got from Smartpak for $132 (upon checking my order history). I just checked their site though and I don’t see it offered anymore, unfortunately. You could try Etsy though!

[greysfordays]

My barn is super into the matchy, but they were ok with my buying a Stanley and putting a cover on it. I’m the one moving my trunk when I trailer my horses, so I wanted something movable. Equitex makes covers specifically for Stanley’s. Those trunks are the best.

[IPEsq]

The Clothes Horse makes the best trunk covers.

[anon510129]

Best advice I have for this-

Buy the trunk with the panels you love & buy a new cover in your barns ugly colors. Leave the cover on at the shows.

[Moneypitt]

Stanley type with the appropriate color cover is the way to roll. Or two…

[touchstone]

For those of you considering the Stanley/custom cover combo (I realize this may not be the OP), one design suggestion: My cover has a slot for the retractable handle, so I can wheel the trunk around without taking the cover off. Mine is covered with a velcro flap, but a zipper might work too.

[Jo]

@manhattanrider

Thanks what do you think I should pay for it?

I have to brag. I found a Warner’s in great colors WITH MY OWN MONOGRAM and paid $80 for it. I refinished the wood pieces and I’m obsessed with it!

[PonyPenny]

I have a Warner’s too. I have had it for at least 25 years. I have had the panels redone twice. I wanted a vinyl top instead of stainless, so I had a sign shop make me a magnetic solid color vinyl piece. It totally makes the look. My colors today are my personal colors as the last colors reminded me of a bad barn experience.