Trailer Organization?

[Corky]

I’m posting this here because I think that many hunters use our trailers differently then other ppl, so I hope you all don’t mind.

I have a steel two horse that I really like, but my one complaint is that it does not have a separate tack storage area. Currently the horses travel tacked or tack in the back seat of my crew-cab truck, but its cosy with ppl and a dog in there too so I’m considering alternative options. I’m not looking to change the trailer or truck any time soon, but adding a tonneau or a cap to the truck are possibilities and so is adding a few mods to the trailer. My trailer has a huge nose where the spare tire is currently mounted. It needs to go in soon to have new fenders installed so I’m thinking of ways I can more effectively utilize space so they can do any work on it when the fenders are done. Some options I’m considering and would love to hear feedback on:

A hanging bridle bag like this firmly mounted on the inside of the nose so it can’t flap around
http://www.pleasantridge.ca/index.php/stable-supplies/saddle-tack-totes/carry-bag-w-tack-rack.html

a box designed to fit on the tongue of the trailer:
http://www.truckcustomizers.com/products/dee-zee-poly-triangle-trailer-box.html

Or adding a few small tie points inside the nose of the trailer and finding a decent sized bin of some type for the front inside of the nose that can be secured so it doesn’t move and the horses can’t hurt themselves on it (pawing) and can’t hurt it. I do have one dumb-ass horse who does things like paw, grab whatever she can get and throw it out the trailer door if she is bored during breakfast so things need to be secured and ideally out of reach of the horses.

My big desire is to have some space for permanent safety supplies like spare halter, ropes, bridle, girth, leathers, first aid kit, cooler etc, and space for two or more saddles (when I event, two horses have four saddles) a bunch of bridles and breastplates etc to hang neatly so they don’t get tangled, and some type of a bin for brushes, crops, flyspray, and all that stuff you want at your fingertips right before you mount. Currently I have a good waterproof heavy duty tote in the bed with all the ‘permanent’ supplies which works ok but I’d like more daily access storage areas too.

This is my dream. Its a simple dream, but oh so hard to make it come true! Any suggestions? Tips or tricks that worked for you or didn’t work? Pictures of how you organize or what modifications you’ve done would be great to see.

Thanks!

[ISR]

I feel your pain! I have a “baby” trailer (aka a Brenderup), and though I love it for so many reasons, I do look on with tack room envy at the larger trailers! I’m not in a position to buy a new european trailer (which start around 16K!), so looking for more creative space-saving solutions is always on my mind!

I just installed two of the flexi-hooks at the nose of the trailer (nice thing about the Brenderups is that they have quite a lot of room forward of the chest bars):
http://www.smartpakequine.com/flexhook-hangers--4116p?cm_mmc=Google--googlepla--TES-_-2109679647&source=pla&gclid=CP2R7JX8-7sCFQ7xOgod6WcAqw

I always travel tacked up, mostly because my young horse gets quite excited when we arrive, so tacking up at home saves me the embarrassment of dancing with her around the trailer with a saddle in one arm and girth in the other! But I hate putting my smelly/dirty tack in my truck after the hunt!

Brenderup makes a similar tack box:
http://www.horseclicks.com/img/adphotos/365/350365_2008_brenderup_baron_tc_photo_1_img.jpg

But since they no longer import to the US, I’m grateful for your link, and eager to go home and take measurements!

Considering that your trailer is a bit larger than mine, could you have someone create a tack box/bench in the front of your trailer? I’ve seen a few people make this modification to their trailers.
This one comes to mind:
http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/a-little-trailer-enhancement-project-491621.html

[fatappy]

There is a facebook group called horse trailer conversion.

I know that’s not exactly what you were looking for, but there are tons of good storage ideas on there. Chuckboxes, etc.

You may get some good info there.

To answer your question…
Can you bolt a small tack trunk to the floor? This one is very narrow. http://www.smartpakequine.com/burlingham-pony-sport-trunk-2112p

[Equibrit]

[URL=“http://horsetraileraccessorystore.com/”]http://horsetraileraccessorystore.com/

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_auto-suv-truck-accessories+truck-boxes+trailer-tongue-boxes

[SLW]

I don’t know if it would work in the space you have but years ago I copied someone else and put a outdoor/deck box in my horse trailer. It is this style (rectangle) but I’d have to double check what brand I bought. I’ve had in the trailer for 10 years and it has held up perfectly.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermaid-Rattan-93-Gallon-Resin-Storage-Bench-Deck-Box-1875233/204069321#

[otterhound]

We’ve just been discussing this on a horsey fb group today, and I have a built-in storage cupboard in the nose of my float which works really well. Fits 2 saddles, 4 hooks for bridles etc, and also fits in several horse covers, buckets, grooming gear etc. Was an after-market addition, and I imagine it would have been quite easy to do (for someone who knows what they’re doing with a welder). Not sure how to share photos here?

[judybigredpony]

With out reading all you replays…my take is you can get a Tonneau soft bed cover that folds back in 3 rads very practical…also Hawke has a tack trunk they make that fits in the nose and an over head storage shelf…all I used before I upgraded to trailer with dressing room…also your spare tire can be mounted on a bracket above the fender and covered…clears up a lot of room…I would also update to hay bag feeders they type that
Are big squares hung in front of horse by 4 snap points again they came in my Hawke…there for no messy hay flying all over.

[BarnField]

Truck cap!
When we had a trailer with no tack room/dressing room, we scored a truck cap off Craigslist for a deal, had it painted to match the truck, and it was better than sliced bread with peanut butter.
I could put everything under the cap: feed, hay, tack, pitchfork, broom, muck tub, etc, and it kept the cab area of the truck clean(er) and nothing dangerous flying around in the horse area of the trailer.
Had a tonneau cover ages ago, but IME found it to be more of a hassle, since not everything would fit under it, etc.

[gottagrey]

well I’m one who likes to have a water tank on the trailer - so what about something like this?

http://www.valleyvet.com/zoomimage.html?img=group_images/24579_A.jpg