I'm thinking of getting a 2h BP trailer as a day-use, short-trip trailer alternative to my 3h LQ trailer. The price differences between used straight load and used slant load trailers is several thousand dollars. Other than the bar in the middle if I wanted to haul anything else in the trailer, is there any good reason to spend more on a slant load trailer?
Posted 2009-01-19 8:45 PM (#97811 - in reply to #97800) Subject: RE: straight load vs slant load
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
Are you ever going to be hauling a mare and foal? Or a horse that is use to stock type trailer? I prefer slant for hauling young horses that are just learning to trailer load.
Posted 2009-01-19 8:58 PM (#97812 - in reply to #97800) Subject: RE: straight load vs slant load
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
I figure if I ever need a big open space like for a mare and foal or a horse that otherwise needs a box stall, I could use my 3 horse slant load living quarters trailer.
This smaller trailer would be used primarily for hauling to the vet, day trail rides, and day shows where the parking situation makes it a pain to try to park and maneuver the bigger trailer.
I can probably pick up an older (1980's - 1990's) straight load for $1500-2500 in this area, but I haven't seen anything slant load for under $5000. The slant loads are newer and I'll have to watch closely for rust in the older straight loads since they are steel, and other than the bar in the middle if I ever use it for something other than hauling horses, I'm just looking for a plain jane small trailer. Load configuration shouldn't matter. Honestly, I am beginning to wonder if the higher prices for slant load is just the "cool factor". Older straight load trailers aren't "cool". Not a reason to pay more IMHO.
Posted 2009-01-20 12:36 AM (#97818 - in reply to #97800) Subject: RE: straight load vs slant load
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I have a 2 horse straight load (steel frame/alum skin), and I'm looking to move up to an all aluminum 2 or 3 horse slant load. I like the bigger tack room available in the slant loads and the rear tack as well. Plus the slant loads can be used for hauling anything from hay to atv's to furniture. Currently I just use it for trips to the vet or weekend rides, but have hauled a horse home from KY and another from La. with it.. I plan on doing more camping trail rides and hope to try some places that may are quite a bit further than my current range. My current trailer has an under-manger tack area with swing out saddle racks.. I manage to haul quite a bit of stuff in there, having honed packing down to a fine science, but I crave more room and would like the option of putting a cot in my DR if I, say got to my destination late or it was raining, or for some reason didn't feel like setting up the tent
Posted 2009-01-20 4:52 PM (#97874 - in reply to #97800) Subject: RE: straight load vs slant load
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Florida
We liked the straight load so much from our BP's it was a requirement for our LQ. And now always will be in the future.
After 8 hours to the Adirondack Mountains the boys come off like they slept the whole way. And too boot she is 8 wide so the stalls are very spacious. Our horses load like they are walking into a stall in the barn.
Posted 2009-01-21 8:10 AM (#97918 - in reply to #97800) Subject: RE: straight load vs slant load
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
Headhunter,
We purchased a 2 horse straight load for the same reasons you mentioned. Look for a trailer without mangers and often you can remove all of the dividers and have an open box to use however you want. Ours is a new trailer and all of the dividers come out. I know some of the older trailers were made the same way. We have used the crap out of this small trailer and it is soooo much easier at the trail heads. Especially tight ones that are full.
Posted 2009-01-21 8:24 AM (#97920 - in reply to #97800) Subject: RE: straight load vs slant load
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
We keep our straight load 2h bp for a variety of reasons. the partition and center back bar remove so you can load furniture, 4 wheeler, lawn mower, whatever. It is a step up with full back doors and large sliding windows. We can close it up and haul a bunch of feed on rainy days if needed. I can also use it as a box stall with the divider out of it. We use it for day trips or run to the vet etc, also for search and rescue, as often you have to park or turn around in a very limited area. Everything here "sends" into the trailer easily, altho it does have long escape doors on each side. It is a 97, we bought it used, put a set of tires on it, had the bearings packed, and a new plug and it had done marvelously, we will keep it!
We do have a 20 box GN stock trailer and and a 3h slant LQ, they are great too, but some areas we have to run into require a small trailer. Get one, you will use it!
Posted 2009-01-21 11:13 AM (#97934 - in reply to #97800) Subject: RE: straight load vs slant load
Veteran
Posts: 241
I prefer straight load because I don't have to get up in the trailer with the horse while loading or unloading. I think they are safer for the handler.
Posted 2009-01-21 11:23 AM (#97936 - in reply to #97800) Subject: RE: straight load vs slant load
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
This is simular to the one we use. 5000# axles, 6 lug wheels. 6' wide, 7' tall. Single rear door, with slide gate, curb side escape door, center swinging gate so you can haul some hay, tack or stuff up front or a small horse/pony, hauls two horses easy behind that center gate, open that "center gate" and you can slant haul three if need be. Hauls 50+ bales of hay real easy.... Pull the trailer underneath the shelter and use the hay off the trailer as needed!!! About the handiest trailer we own!! And it was CHEAP!!
Posted 2009-01-22 11:57 AM (#97994 - in reply to #97933) Subject: RE: straight load vs slant load
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
I have a Shadow....now, that wouldn't be as old but I know others out there were made similarly it just depends on the style. Mine has a full ramp but some come with full double doors the divider inside will most likely swing and not actually have a bar at the back. Mine sits on a spring pole in the front of the trailer. When the chest and butt bars are down, this allows the whole thing to be removed quicky and easily. You could probably have this sort of thing fabricated if you found a cheap enough trailer that didn't already have removable dividers.
Posted 2009-01-23 3:15 PM (#98065 - in reply to #97800) Subject: RE: straight load vs slant load
Expert
Posts: 1391 Location: North of Detroit, MI
To get a full width rear opening, you'll have to shop carefully. Most 2H straights - older - will have the center post that the doors close to, and that supports the center divider.
A ramp load would MOST likely not have the center, rear post. Newer model trails will sometimes have posts that are removeable. Equi-spirit is one ... and I think the Clinton Anderson model (I don't know the brand) is another.
Posted 2009-01-23 11:41 PM (#98099 - in reply to #98065) Subject: RE: straight load vs slant load
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by gabz on 2009-01-23 4:15 PM
To get a full width rear opening, you'll have to shop carefully. Most 2H straights - older - will have the center post that the doors close to, and that supports the center divider.
A ramp load would MOST likely not have the center, rear post. Newer model trails will sometimes have posts that are removeable. Equi-spirit is one ... and I think the Clinton Anderson model (I don't know the brand) is another.
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straight load vs slant load
