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Raising trailer height

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Last activity 2008-03-08 6:50 PM
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Painted Horse
Reg. May 2005
Posted 2008-03-08 8:01 AM (#78989)
Subject: Raising trailer height



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Location: Northern Utah

I know I should have never bought this big a trailer for what I do. But since I have it, what options do I have.

I've damaged or tore off the sewer connections on my trailer 3 times in the year that I've owned. I just don't seem to have enough clearance. I admit, I take my trailer down a lot of dirt roads. I don't hang out at fair grounds, I ride in the mountains.

I am just wondering if I added another 2" of clearance  if I would only tear it off once a year instead of three times a year.

What's involved in raising a trailers clearance?

What's the downside ( beside the higher step height for the horses)

What is an acceptable step hight for a horse backing out?  My horses don't seem too concerned about the current height.  They back right out over it with out a second thought. My trailer doesn't allow them to turn around, they have to back out.

On my trailer, I think actually lifting the axles 2" would level the trailer. These newer 4x4 trucks all sit higher. I had to adjust the goosenck up to the next hole when I first bought the trailer, in order to clear my bed rails.

It seems that a lift would save me some aggrevation of the sewer and fewer dragged bumpers going through dips.

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hosspuller
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2008-03-08 8:26 AM (#78992 - in reply to #78989)
Subject: RE: Raising trailer height


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Some trailers will allow you to simply place a block between the axle and the trailer. (I did this to mine)

If you have spring axles sometimes the axle can be remounted below the spring.  (Not likely as many horse trailers have the torsion axles for a smooth ride)

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classygirl98
Reg. Jan 2005
Posted 2008-03-08 9:02 AM (#78995 - in reply to #78989)
Subject: RE: Raising trailer height


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When we were trailer shopping hubby was going to have our new trailer raised. The dealer was going to raise and charge us about five hundred dollars. But the trailer we purchased was already raised. We have a ramp so we don't really notice the high step.
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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2008-03-08 10:56 AM (#79002 - in reply to #78989)
Subject: RE: Raising trailer height


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PM crowleysridgegirl, she's been there and done that. She can speak from hands on experience, which is the best advice.

Gard

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crowleysridgegirl
Reg. Apr 2005
Posted 2008-03-08 11:06 AM (#79004 - in reply to #78989)
Subject: RE: Raising trailer height


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Well,we did it because we were dragging our camper step,and got it jammed.And it was just a matter of time before something else went off.

Well,we raised ours a bookoo! I think we went 4".It looks like the back of a semi trailer,to me.Our horses are pretty good,but it is a long step off for a short legged horse.I plan on putting on shipping boots just in case,my husband says "Ahhhhw" to that,you know,but it looks like it's a long way down.Our stock trailer is pretty high in the back,though,and they step up fine in that.

It was fairly expensive,our dealer did it and I think it was around $500-$600.But tanks/plumbing are pretty pricey to replace,also.

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Painted Horse
Reg. May 2005
Posted 2008-03-08 4:50 PM (#79024 - in reply to #78989)
Subject: RE: Raising trailer height



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Location: Northern Utah

I stopped by the Horse Expo today and Logan had a display. I guess if I was ordering a new trailer, it's an option to have a 3" lift. The sales rep said it's not a big deal at manufacture time. Just  a 3" spacer applied while the frame is in the jig. But he did recommend a ramp.  Since I already own the trailer, I'll have to find a weld shop to do the work. And at the same time weld on a much stiffer skid plate under the dump valves.

I'll have to go hook my trailer up and park on something level and see just how high it currently is and what 2-3" would do to the height. Most of my horses are 16hh. So no short legs there.

 



Edited by Painted Horse 2008-03-08 4:52 PM
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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2008-03-08 5:53 PM (#79031 - in reply to #78989)
Subject: RE: Raising trailer height


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Location: western PA

If you can train a horse to jump into a moving truck, your trailer should be no problem. I imagine the trails you've encountered and to which your horses are accustomed, are much more difficult than the rear step into your trailer. If you have a rear rubber bumper, the horses shouldn't be hurt while learning.

When we had a stock trailer combo, the step up was much higher than my present trailers. One practise loading cured those problems. The change from the high step to the lower was more difficult; the horses continued to hop into the trailer during the first few weeks.

Gard

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Painted Horse
Reg. May 2005
Posted 2008-03-08 6:50 PM (#79036 - in reply to #78989)
Subject: RE: Raising trailer height



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Location: Northern Utah

I have no problem getting horses to walk up over or down off ledges/steps.  It's the backing off a trailer that can be the challenge. Where they can't see where they are going or how far they need to reach.

You can see in this photo the rider trying to lead her horse off a big step. The rider is holding onto a rein, yet the horse is above her shoulders in the very short distance between the two of them. A lot of the people in our group that day, got off and walked this stretch rather than risk going over the edge with a mistep by the horse.

Same thing here. It was a 36-42" step up. Folks baled of their horses and led them up and over. The horses just sat back and launched themselves up and over.

One of the advantages of riding a 16h colt. With his long legs, he just stepped up or down off these bigger obsticles. And I stayed in the saddle.



Edited by Painted Horse 2008-03-08 6:51 PM
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