There is a possibility that I might be able to get a _______!!!

[Chanda]

??Trailer?? next month!!!

I am so excited! My hubby said that we can look into it so I thought I would start by quizing you guys since you are such a knowledgeable bunch.

We own a Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie. It has the heavy duty towing package on it already.

What I would really ‘like’ to have is a two horse slant gooseneck. I would love new but that is unrealistic. It has to be very large WB size. I don’t really care much about a tack room but if it had one that would be great.

The problem is that I have a feeling it will be way to expensive. What are the average price differences between bumper pull and gooseneck? Also how much would it be to have the gooseneck hitch put in? Are slant loads much more expensive than straight loads?

The most important things to me are how easy it is to pull, how safe and comfortable it is for my horse. Do you guys have any brands you would recomend? Any good places to look for used trailers? Any other advice??

[M_O_Connor]

We were totally sure we could not afford to spring for the works, but in the end, we were able to, thanks to some creative thinking… We got an equity loan that bought the truck and paid off my car…the payment is the same as what the car payment was; (the only thing is that both car and truck will have to last forever, so we are obsessive about maintaining both…) we then put 50%down on a 4horse slant gooseneck w/tackroom…the payment for that is quite low–and so far I’ve been able to make it easily by doing some local trailering…the most amazing thing is, I don’t know what we ever did before we had the truck–I thought we’d just park it apart from when it was pulling the trailer–but every other day, there is a job it is just perfect for–from hauling hay to gardening to picking up the carpets at the cleaners; it definitely makes life far far easier. Not to mention, we are now independent, and can go where and when we want with the ponies…

[Tosca]

What about a stock trailer? They’re cheaper, lighter to pull and have good ventilation PH did an article a while ago about them that was very appraising.

[Cactuskate]

And welcome to the world of trailer shopping. May I refer you to a couple of my favorite virtual shopping places. Horsetrader.com online version of CA Horsetrader and Dreamworks.com

www.polocenter.com/tranport/trailers.htm

This link has a great listing of many different manufacturers. Also go to the Horse Care forum and check for the thread called Exiss trailers (I think) Fairly recently. Great info from lots of posters. JB is now the reknowned authority on many makes and models!!!

I would urge you to consider the straight load 2Horse with open manger style for your Warmblood vs. slant load. They seem to offer the best end to end of the horse space. And free head room for the tall, long guys. Also go to trailet.com. I am hoping this is going to be my purchase SOON.

You should be able to find many used trailers to look at since you are near civilization. Unlike me, I have to do the virtual tour.

Have fun and I know you will find just the right thing.

PS They have some great financing rates and terms on trailers these days…since you are young you could finance it forever you know 1000 monthly payments of $57.75

“The older I get, the better I used to be.”

[AAJumper]

I bought a used Circle J trailer over 8 years ago that was in great shape for $4000. It was a 1989, aluminum skin, had been covered, looked good. It wasnt’ WB sized, but that should give you an idea of what you can get. It is a bumper pull, has a small tack room under the manger area, and has served me well all these years. I have insurance for it at less than $100/year, and registration is about $100, but I have personalized plates on it (JMPR LMO) so that adds about $40. I bought it from a private party who put up an add in a local tack store in Moorpark.

[Chanda]

OK, it sounds like a straight load bumper pull is what I should be looking for. I can’t spend very much at all (only a couple thousand) and it has to be cash (still have the horse loan to pay off). Luckily we have the truck already.

I am not actually near much civilization so anymore online adds would be much appreciated.
Thanks guys!

[Merry]

Well, since I just bought a brand new, warmblood-sized trailer…

The the silver Trail-et was my dream trailer because it totally breaks down inside, has the walk-thru feeder things, etc. (Kind of hard to explain). If we still were breeding and hauling mares w/foals, that would’ve been the way to go. They ran about $12,000-ish for a 2-horse bumper pull. And they were huge, warmblood sizes.

I bought a Circle J Le Grande, 2 horse bumper pull. That’s their warmblood-sized trailer. It’s the second Circle J we’ve had. The last one was used and abused for 15 years and held up well. The new one was $7,400 + tax, license, etc.

There’s a huge trailer sales yard in Bakersfield. Sorry, but I can’t recall the name! Or you can come south and go to Shields trailer sales near Temecula. That’s where most of us in our area buy our trailers. They have several brands, from Circle J to Trail-et. Then there’s a Sundowner sales yard in Salinas, “Coastal Trailer Sales”. Finally, there’s Golden West Trailer Sales in Acton. They sell primarily Circle J’s.

See, you can pick a direction and find trailers anyplace! Just decide what you want first, so you don’t get sold something you don’t need, but have to pay for.

“Charter Member of the Baby Greenie Support Group of North America”

[Merry]

Oh, just saw you posted your price range. Well, a girl can dream!

Before I bought a new one, I shopped out here, Horse Country USA, where everyone who has a horse seems to have a trailer. It seemed that a warmblood sized, used trailer in acceptable condition was $3,500-$4,000. When I traded in ours, we got $1,000 for it. I know they’ll gussy it up and sell it on the lot for probably $2,500 or $3,000. So they’re out there. The Calif. Horsetrader classifieds is a good place to look. Just make certain that with your horse, you get a warmblood-sized trailer! Take your tape measure along to be sure. That means 7’4" tall (inside measurement).

“Charter Member of the Baby Greenie Support Group of North America”

[Chanda]

Thanks Merry. I already feel guilty that he bought me a really expensive horse and now that he said OK to a trailer with out paying off the horse loan yet, I feel REALLY guilty.

There is a trailer dealership in Buellton that I will stop by but I think it might be cheaper buying a used trailer direct from the owner. I wish you didn’t sell yours already, it sounds just like what I need. Also, what width and length is good for a WB??

I am still having trouble finding online adds for trailers so if you know of any more please post.

[Chanda]

??Trailer?? next month!!!

I am so excited! My hubby said that we can look into it so I thought I would start by quizing you guys since you are such a knowledgeable bunch.

We own a Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie. It has the heavy duty towing package on it already.

What I would really ‘like’ to have is a two horse slant gooseneck. I would love new but that is unrealistic. It has to be very large WB size. I don’t really care much about a tack room but if it had one that would be great.

The problem is that I have a feeling it will be way to expensive. What are the average price differences between bumper pull and gooseneck? Also how much would it be to have the gooseneck hitch put in? Are slant loads much more expensive than straight loads?

The most important things to me are how easy it is to pull, how safe and comfortable it is for my horse. Do you guys have any brands you would recomend? Any good places to look for used trailers? Any other advice??

[AAJumper]

I agree with Merry…the Horsetrader is probably your best bet. I checked it out a lot when I was shopping. It was a fluke that I found the ad at the tack store…the guy had just posted it that day. We went over, checked it out, then went straight to the bank for the cash!

Hmmmm…I just had an idea. There is a trailer at my barn that the lady has not used in forever. It needs some minor repair work on the back gate (I know of a very reasonable trailer repairman) and new tires, but I believe it is warmblood size. She NEVER uses it, and may be interested in parting with it. Email me if you are interested, and I’ll find out if she’d like to sell it. It’s not fancy, but it would do the job, and I am betting that it would definitely be in your price range if she is interested in selling. The bonus is that it is only an hour away from you!

[MeanderCreek]

It’s a three horse gooseneck with a good size dressing room and rear tack. The great thing about aluminum trailers like this is that they REALLY hold their value well.

On to you - most all newer goosnecks have a tack room - its just standard.

Having a hitch put in the truck is three to five hundred here in Ohio - in CA its probably twice that

The biggest thing is that I would NEVER EVER EVER pull a gooseneck with a half ton - heavy duty or not!!! The ABSOLUTE MINIMUM for me is a heavy duty three quarter ton. That’s even a little iffy when I have a full load - which is why I’m trading up to one of those gorgeous Super Duty Fords ASAP!!!

[Chanda]

I can never get the email thing to work with my computer, email me if you can and I will email you back.

I would love it if you would ask for me!!! I need all the help I can get. Just remember that I will not have the money till sometime next month (more wine sales still coming in). I really don’t care about looks at all, just safety and size.

Thank you!!!

[Lord_Helpus]

To get your dream trailer will cost about $12,000 - $14,000, new.

I do not know how the used market is in California. But there is a web site for selling used horse trailers. I am sure someone here has the URL. That way you could see what the market is in your area.