Posted 2014-02-03 7:12 AM (#157316) Subject: Trailering drafts
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Hi everyone, I have a 17.2 hand Belgian mare that weights about 2,000 pounds I am looking into buying a trailer and everything I am reading is saying straight loads fit drafts better I really like the 2 Horse EquiSpirit Bumper Pull XL Trailer with Dressing Room but if I am only hauling her is that going to be ok to have that much weight on one side and nothing on the other? Any suggestions or sharing of experiences would be greatly appreciated. Been doing a lot of research and was getting ready to buy when my trainer pointed that out. Thank you Tiffany
Posted 2014-02-03 8:45 AM (#157319 - in reply to #157316) Subject: RE: Trailering drafts
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
We used a 3H BP SL trailer to haul our Belgian. By loading her in the center stall, we were able to balance the trailer's loading and greatly reduce the hitch weight. The weight side to side was also more uniform with the slant stalls. If we had bought the trailer after we acquired this horse, we would have purchased the optional eight foot height. We much prefer slant load trailers over the straight loads we've owned.
Posted 2014-02-04 3:18 PM (#157341 - in reply to #157316) Subject: RE: Trailering drafts
Veteran
Posts: 147 Location: santa clara, ca
we have Shire (a little taller than 17.2 but prob 2,000 as well), and he is in slant load. The stalls are however 50 inches wide and the height of the trailer is 7'8" (can't remember the length of the stalls). our trailer is basically a 4H in length, made to be a 3H. Before this trailer he was still in a slant, but basically in two normal ones with the divider removed.You might want to look maybe into a stock combo or so, where it's easier to perhaps move the take out and re-weld the dividers to make a bigger stall. Maybe start with a 3H stock combo(with an escape dooor) and make the first stall smaller (storage) and make the middle one bigger.Also be mindful of where the stalls are located compared to the axles as that much horse weight will mess up your balance (our GN already rides a bit high in the front and so we can't load the Shire in the last stall, despite being the biggest, as we noticed that the ride is a lot rougher this way)
Posted 2014-02-04 10:47 PM (#157344 - in reply to #157316) Subject: RE: Trailering drafts
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
I've haul a pair of 17.3 hand Black Percherons in a Kingston straight load bumper pull...just make sure that you get the extra tall model...and NEVER forget to latch the butt bars... If you haul singles definitely load to the driver's side...
Posted 2014-02-05 12:46 AM (#157348 - in reply to #157316) Subject: RE: Trailering drafts
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Thanks guys. . . Does anyone know of any trailer manufactures who actually make draft size not warmblood but actually draft size trailers? At least 7'8" tall and extra wide with heavy duty floors and axles. Any suggestions? Thanks
Posted 2014-02-05 5:59 AM (#157349 - in reply to #157316) Subject: RE: Trailering drafts
Veteran
Posts: 197 Location: AZ
Most trailer makers have extra tall/wide models...you just need to go to their websites and see what they have. My friend just bought a '07 Bison LQ 2 horse straightload 7'6" tall and extra wide to fit her Percheron cross...he is 17hh/1800#.
Posted 2014-02-05 7:53 AM (#157350 - in reply to #157316) Subject: RE: Trailering drafts
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534 Location: Zionsville, Indiana
Just about all manufacturers will build a trailer that is taller, wider, with heavier frame and suspension than norsml. Finding such a trailer in the used trailer market is most unlikely.
Posted 2014-02-15 12:09 PM (#157500 - in reply to #157316) Subject: RE: Trailering drafts
Regular
Posts: 70
We have a 17.2+ hand Belgian Draft, too. Featherlite makes a "Big Horse" model that is techinically XXT and XXW. That is what we have. Interior ceiling height is 7'6" tall, and WIDTH of the trailer is 7'6" WIDE. It's a slant load, and each stall is wide, but the extra width of the entire trailer gives the horse more body length.
You need body-length in a slant stall. I'd just remove a divider if you can, then you can get a regular Warmblood size.
Straight Loads give big horses the most LENGTH for long head, neck, body.....but if you go slant, make sure you have enough length.
Trailering drafts
If you haul singles definitely load to the driver's side...
