Trailer hunting

[NurseHorsey]

So the time has come for the second big purchase… the trailer! The DB and I are trekking down to Cox Trailers in MD this weekend to look over the inventory and see if there’s anything that fits our needs. We’ve narrowed our choices down to looking for a 2 horse, bumper pull with a dressing room. No worries with the truck part, DB is prepared as he owns an F250 crew cab.

My boy is a 17hh OTTB and wears a size 84 in blankets. So he’s a bit of beast. A lot of the trailers we have looked at online have been warmblood models because the beast is too big to fit into the standard sized trailers. The DB would love to buy an EquiSpirit or Eby but they’re a bit out of the budget at this point.

Realistically, in terms of quality, DB likes Cimarron the best and prefers a trailer with an aluminum frame. I’ve been doing a lot of digging and just can’t seem to wade through all the options. I’d love some advice on purchasing a trailer and why you bought the trailer you did. DB is financing this purchase but I don’t want us to invest in something and then end up regretting the one that we chose.

[Trakehner]

I’d shop around and buy a gently used Eby…quality always keeps it value and they are great trailers.

[NurseHorsey]

I’m all for buying a used trailer but DB has said that it’s harder to get good financing when you buy used. I also haven’t been able to find a good source, dealer or otherwise, for used trailers which I suppose is a good thing in terms of knowing how good trailers keep their quality but is very frustrating as well! Any good starting points on the East Coast or, even better, tri-state area?

[Jim_in_PA]

You might also go visit Traveled Lane Trailers in MD if you’re headed down that way, although it’s on the peninsula side of the state.

Also talk to Cotner in SE PA. (Revere, near Bucks County Horse Park)

And then there is DeBella in Reading.

[chicamuxen1]

Strongly recommend that you stay far, far away from Cox. turn around and run away.

How about http://www.roselltrailers.com? A BIG part of buying a new trailer is the service you get when ordering and afterwards. HONESTY is a desirable trait too. Buying close to home is helpful also.

chicamuxen

[cnvh]

If you haven’t read it, get your hands on the book, “The Complete Guide to Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing A Horse Trailer,” by Nena Scheve. It’s available for instant download on Amazon for Kindles, or you can just order a hard copy…

I found that book to be absolutely invaluable when I was in the “pick what I want in a trailer” phase of pre-shopping. Just because a trailer is brand-spanking-new doesn’t mean it’s made in a design that’s horse-friendly; the book really gave me great ideas re: what features to look for, and what to run away from.

[NurseHorsey]

Now I wish I had brought my Kindle to work with me so I could download that book and read it now, cnvh! I agree that just because a trailer is new doesn’t mean that it’s perfect for our needs.

chicamuxen1, can I ask why you say to run away from Cox? They were the biggest trailer dealer we could find within a reasonable driving distance of us (until Jim_in_PA suggested the other 2), which is why we’re driving down there. We’re completely new to the trailer world and dealers in general, especially in PA/MD, so any anecdotes or opinions on various dealers are completely welcome.

[cnvh]

I’m not sure where in PA you are, but Shetron is in Shippensburg… They manufacture their own trailers, plus they deal in used ones. They absorbed the Collin-Arndt line of trailers when C-A took a header when the economy tanked a few years ago; C-A made great trailers (mine is going strong at 30 years old!) and I believe Shetron still has some C-A people around.

[cnvh]

I saw some Adam trailers at the Farm Show a couple of weeks ago, and I liked their design. They’re also quite reasonably priced, and they’re based out of VA but have PA dealers. (Jorama Ranch Trailer Sales was the dealer at Farm Show; they have a website and also deal in used too, I believe.)

[cnvh]

I saw some Adam trailers at the Farm Show a couple of weeks ago, and I liked their design. They’re also quite reasonably priced, and they’re based out of VA but have PA dealers. (Jorama Ranch Trailer Sales was the dealer at Farm Show; they have a website and also deal in used too, I believe.)

[Jim_in_PA]

Adams is covered by a dealer near Dover Delaware which means they could be visited on the same trip down as one to Traveled Lane.

[SonnysMom]

It is actually DiBella and he is in Pottstown
http://www.frankdibella.com/trailers

His inventory on the website I know is not compete. He tends to have a lot more than that in both new and used.

I love my Trailet New Yorker. I have had some pretty big horses in it and it is the 7’ not the 7’6". I have had an 18H full belgian, a 17.3H Fresian Sport Horse and a 17.1H warmblood. All with plenty of room. The Hawks are very similar.

Call Jay at DiBella’s and he can let you know what they have currently. When I bought mine the 2H with DR would fly off the lot. I asked Jay to call me when one came in that was in my price range. About a month later he told me a nice one came in, used 10 times, here is the price. I told him I would be down on Sat to buy it. Since I trusted his description and knew the Trailet brand I was willing to commit sight unseen.

I am sure if they don’t currently have what you want he would call you when something came in. No commitment necessary.

Mine was used but only 1 year old. We got financing through DH’s credit union with no problem.

I personally don’t care for Adams. The couple of have seen just struck me as cheap.

How about Cotner in Revere, PA? Last I checked their prices for a new trailer are pretty good. They will customize. I had a 1974 Cotner until 2001. It was a great tank of a thing, all steel. Hauled great and the horses loaded and traveled well in it.

[Angelico]

Cimarrons are phenomenal trailers and a fantastic company to work with. I had a custom five horse with an extra large tack room and it pulled better than the regular three horse Featherlite I have now.

[NurseHorsey]

I definitely appreciate the endorsement of DiBella’s, SonnysMom! If Cox does not pan out, I am pushing to go look at DiBella’s stock the next weekend.

The Cimmaron at this point is, I think, at the top of our list. I have looked at some of the other brands online and while I do like them, the Cimmaron does stand out. I like the Cotner trailers I looked at and I did take a peek at Shetron trailers as well. They aren’t far from us at all so that’s definitely a do-able drive. I just wish dealers were open either later during the week or would be open on Sundays - it’s hard to trailer shop when the both of us work full time.

[Jim_in_PA]

If you want to look at the Cotner, give Pete a call and see if you can arrange for an alternative “private” appointment at a time when you can actually get there. The current stuff is very nice…if I hadn’t found a used Trailers USA that was perfect for my needs, I was going to buy from him. He does service my trailer, too. Nice folks.

SonnysMom, thanks for clarifying DiBella’s location after I misspoke. Latté hadn’t kicked in yet… LOL

[NurseHorsey]

Cotner is on my backup list if we end up not liking the Cimmaron. I’m excited to go look and kick some tires tomorrow - looking at pictures online is one thing but I need to be able to actually see how latches work, how sturdy butt/breast bars, ect. to really decide what I think of the trailer.

I’ll have to post the results after we get home from the road trip tomorrow! We might come back with a trailer or we might come back ready to keep looking!

[mountainhorse]

I have a boarder who have a 2h bumper pull Cimmaron and loves it. Nice trailer, holds up well, well built.
I am glad you mentioned EquiSpirit too-we have one and I adore it. It was expensive, but worth every penny. Seriously.

IMO, with a horse trailer, buy the best you can afford-it can be a lifetime investment you won’t have to replace or sell as long as you buy right the first time.

[NurseHorsey]

Just got back from Cox this afternoon and we are basically 100% committed to the Cimmaron. The quality in person compared to the other trailers on the lot and the others that I’ve seen was definitely completely above the others. The stalls are the perfect size for my beast of a TB and there is an extra foot of head room, which is wonderful for him and me, so that when I lead him in, there’s room for me to move. The rear doors open independently of each other and the latch system for them, as well as the ramp, is very secure. I felt comfortable in my ability to use the trailer by myself as well .

I didn’t like the Sundowner and surprisingly, did not like the Hawk either. That was the only other one I thought would be a good comparison at that dealer but it did not strike me as a good trailer for my guy. The Eclipse that we looked at, just for kicks to see quality comparison, is not even worth mentioning… I don’t think I’d even haul my cat in that.

I’m so excited to get the trailer! Now starts the phase of gathering everything we need to keep in it!

[cnvh]

Congratulations!

Here’s my list (off the top of my head) for things to keep in the trailer…

–Luggable Loo (don’t laugh-- once you need it, you’ll appreciate it!)
–Spare halters and leadropes
–Pitchfork and broom
–Extra fly spray
–Trailer Aid tire jack
–Lug wrench which will fit your lugs
–Longe whip or driving whip (to encourage “hesitant” loaders, lol)
–Muck bucket
–Folding chair/stool
–Extra brushes
–Small bucket with sponge
–Basic medical supplies (vetwrap, gauze pads, etc.)
–Tools to pull a shoe (if horse is shod)
–Hoof boot(s) in case horse pulls a shoe
–Flashlight
–Multitool
–Heavy duty knife to cut rope (in case horse gets hung up somehow)
–Baling twine
–Duct tape
–Water bucket(s)
–Containers to haul water (NEVER leave home without water!)
–Bucket hooks/straps
–Haynet(s)
–Extra snaps, clips, carabiners, etc.

[Angelico]

Sounds great!!! Pictures are of course a must and for the record, I second the Luggable Loo.