What type of horse trailer

[jef]

We currently have 3 horses, and a two horse trailer. We want to upgrade to be able to take all three horses obviously. We have looked at bumper and gooseneck trailers. I think a gooseneck would be the way to go if I was using the trailer all the time. Unfortunetaly it will probably sit 25 days a month so having the money tied up in a lawn ornament doesn't sound like a wise investment.

My questions

Is a 3 horse bumper trailer that bad to pull?

Are W-W trailers worth buying?

Anyone ever regretted buying a trailer that is 12 hours away instead of from local dealer?


Thanks

Jeff

[jef]

Any horse people out there? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

[Believer45]

Saturday afternoon is not too high traffic a time for the site - folks will get a look and reply probably later tonight or tomorrow.

As for my experience, I have a two horse bumper pull that is all steel and works great. I have pulled much longer bumper pull trailers as well, loaded heavy but not with livestock. For three horses I would suggest a slant load, it is a generally easier to turn a horse and walk out forward from the front positions than to back from the front through the back then out. Also, from what I have read, slant loads are easier on the horses while traveling. I have never used one so I cannot speak from experience but that seems to be the general feeling from the sites I frequent.

Dave / Believer45

[Pappy19]

If you can find a bumper pull that has 4 square wheels and a turn axle on the front, they are the best ever. I can't remember the brand name but there is no weight on the tongue. It turns and handles like a dream. A buddy of mine had one years ago and we pulled it everywhere hunting in the mountains. The cool part of it was we could load the back of his truck to the hilt as the horse trailer had no effect on the weight on the bumper.

[LMJD]

I bought my 3 horse gooseneck 8 hours away because my local "friend" who owned a tlr. dealership wanted $1000 more. He wasn't pleased but I couldn't care less. I have a few friends who have bumper pull 3 horse trailers and they are satisfied, but there are so many reasons why a gooseneck is so much better, even if you don't use it as much as most people, I think you'd be glad in the long run. First of all, you don't even know they're back there as far as pulling with stability and safety, you can purposely swerve back and forth and can't make them fishtail even if you try. Plus for hauling more than two horses I personally wouldn't want a bumper pull, also when necessary, I can always cram a 4th horse in a 3 horse gooseneck loading head to tail when needing to, but I wouldn't want to with a bumper pull because not as much of the overload is shared with the tow pickup. Resale value stays higher, you have the gooseneck area to store all kinds of crap, they're easier to hook up (unless you have a toolbox in the bed like me), and the list goes on. You can get the stock trailer type which is perfectly good for horses unless you insist on using dividers, and I think they are lower in price. In this part of the country Titan is a huge seller of stock trailers that most everyone uses for horses. I own a Charmac 3 horse slant load, but I am really impressed with the Titans. They must be priced reasonably because they have the market sewed up in Wy. Mt. & Nv. You might give them a try if they have dealers that far east. I'm no help on the W-W's, I see them around and never heard anything bad about them.

[karmikacres]

We went from a diesel Excursion two horse bumber pull combo to a F350 dually 3 horse gooseneck setup. (pic in my sig) I liked the Excursion setup, but I love the gooseneck. I think you would be much happier with a gooseneck trailer. The bumber pull setup would probably need wd bars and possibly a heavier hitch.

[dwelch250]

I am in several horse riding clubs with my daughter (NBHA, High School Rodeo, All American Youth Shows, GHPA, AQHA). We currently use a three horse aluminum gooseneck (# 9444). Sooner & Featherlite seem to be favorites. I personaly think a 3 horse gooseneck is easier to park/back than a 3 horse tag along. Also, once you get to three horses the amount of tack requires more space, which the gooseneck is perfect for. Just my $.02. We travel about 600 miles a weekend for events & sleep in the gooseneck (8.5' x 6.5')often.

[Copper]

I've had a couple different ones over the years, from a 2 horse BP, a regular old 16' stock/combo BP, a couple different gooseneck stock/combos, to my current one, a steel 3 horse gooseneck with a rear tack and a dressing room. I bought it for pretty cheap and fixed it up, so it's a little fancier than I really need, but it's nice for long trips. (dropdowns, feedbags, dividers, etc.) It's a Brawley Stockman, I don't even think they're still in business.

Really, there's quite a few good things about bumper pulls. I always liked the fact that I could use the bed when I had one, with a gooseneck even if you have room for something under there it'll probably get sucked out. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]. But they really don't pull as nice, and the resale isn't there.

As far as WW's, they're cheaper. For horses, they're strong enough, I think - had one once, my boss still has a 4 horse bp. Mine didn't stand up good to livestock, though, I had a Gelbvieh bull remodel it once. I personally would rather get a little better quality used one, but again, they aren't that bad of a trailer. Good Luck!

[Down South]

I've owned both, a 4-hourse bumber pull and a 4-horse Goose Neck. I love the goose neck. It pulls easier and is easier to manuver. It's safer too.

The W-W trailers are alright. I see a lot of them around. It's going to boil down on just how much you are willing to pay for a trailer. The aluminum trailers would be the top of the line and preferred.

I'd shop around for a fairly new used trailer. That will be your best buy.

[jef]

Thanks guys, just found out need a new well, so instead of a trailer I am digging a 10 grand hole in the ground.


Jeff

[Riggodeaux]

For what its worth, when your well is dug and paid for - what LMJD says. I've pulled bumper pulls, but a gooseneck is the way to go, both from stability [for the horses and you] and maneuverability angles. If you've ever backed or turned a long bumper pull, then a goose, there is simply no comparison. We made the mistake? of buying a 2 horse goose [and a good one - a CM Winstar aluminum, which is a combo 'stock' model] only to trade it in for the four horse version two years later [this spring]. The two horse was great - but figure this - it only takes two horses! To be able to take friends, add'l horses, etc., we jumped from a two to a four horse version of the same trailer. Threes are very popular [not sure why ...], but I found that a four horse aluminum goose combo/stock, loaded with quarterhorses/gaited horses of normal size range, could still fall under the 20k GCVW limit of my SRW F250. We also drove from Atlanta to Murfreesboro, TN [4+ hours] to get the best deal on our trade. Well worth it; check out horsetrailers.com to shop for price ...

[dmtolman]

We have both a 4 horse gooseneck and 4 horse bumper pull. The gooseneck is definetly nicer pulling but with a 24 foot deck it isn't very convenient for going everywhere which is where the bumper pull is better due to the hitch being farther back it is able to go tighter places we wouldn't have enough room to swing the bigger trailer. Whenever we can we definetly take the goose because it is so much nicer pulling, but don't be afraid of the bumper pull trailers they are fine if thats what you want.

[sharmon53]

Jef-We've had 2 WW trailers,a 4H GN stock type,and a 2H "thoroughbred" (tall) BP.they are good trailers.My husband does most of the driving.He says he likes pulling a GN better.We currently have a Platinum 3H LQ and a S&H bp 2H w/dressing room,which I love for running around.I think if I wanted a 3H BP I'd want a WD hitch of some kind,though,for extra stability.

[ARIZHNT]

I have to side with the gooseneck. I just bought a 14' Gooseneck brand stock trailer in Texas last year and now have my 4 horse bumper pull up for sale. The gooseneck pulls so much better-empty or loaded. I have 2 2 horse bumper pulls that I can tow with the 1/2 tons for short trips.
As for driving out of town to get a trailer, I drove over 1000 miles one way to purchase mine from the manufacturer. I also saved over $1500 by buying it direct, and got a mini vacation during the trip.

[larry_minn]

For long trips a GN is way to go. I have pulled a bumper 16' stock trailer. It had 7 cattle that averaged 1150lbs each. (tandem axles 6000lbs each) It pulled it like nothing there. Now horses are taller and likely not as tightly packed. (I did same thing with 4 cattle and as they moved around I could feel it) Tightly secured is better (on animals as well)
Also check on rental of trailer. As well as used trailers. My cousin is hot to buy a trailer. I have already got him hooked on 5200 lb MIN axles for 16' There are used ones in this area for half a new one. Still with orig tires on them/stored in shed. Spend a day checking over bearings/brakes/wires and put new tires (if rotten) and hit the road.