Posted 2014-12-17 1:30 PM (#162080 - in reply to #162078) Subject: RE: Escape door?
Veteran
Posts: 133 Location: NC
I have never used an escape door to escape a trailer or for a horse to escape. I have always used the escape door as an entrance to my first stall that has a stud divider and use the area as a mud room before I go into my LQ. I can kick my boots off. Also I think it makes it easier to clean the floors when I pull the mats out. I can open the escape door and pull the hose in it and spray to the rear of the trailer, instead of pulling the hose in the back and all the way to the front.
Posted 2014-12-17 1:32 PM (#162081 - in reply to #162078) Subject: RE: Escape door?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560 Location: Mena, AR
I do not think escape doors are important for the horses. It is a convenience for the rider. I chose three managers over an escape door. If your special ordering and want both, they can put managers on the horse side and a escape door on the butt side. If I ever order a new trailer, I plan to do that.
Posted 2014-12-17 2:13 PM (#162083 - in reply to #162078) Subject: RE: Escape door?
Veteran
Posts: 133 Location: NC
Its not a mandatory thing so the choice comes down to your own personal preference. Its an extra door to lock, or remember to secure before towing. But then again its an easy access door for you if you need it. Not necessary for the horses.
Posted 2014-12-17 2:33 PM (#162084 - in reply to #162078) Subject: RE: Escape door?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
I like them, that being said I would only escape through it in an emergency. It is really nice to be able to see the legs of every horse in a trailer at a quick glance. I also like side ramps and other "extras." If you have seasoned haulers (horses and drivers) and escape door isn't needed. That being said you never know ahead of time if you'll have an emergency, no one can plan for every scenario either. I've been called out by my equine vet to the scene of a trailer accident to bring horses back to his clinic and even with the trailer on it's side in the bar ditch, the escape doors were useless. Best advice is never have more trailer than you can safely tow!
Posted 2014-12-17 2:37 PM (#162085 - in reply to #162078) Subject: RE: Escape door?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
I like them, that being said I would only escape through it in an emergency. It is really nice to be able to see the legs of every horse in a trailer at a quick glance. I also like side ramps and other "extras." If you have seasoned haulers (horses and drivers) an escape door isn't needed. That being said you never know ahead of time if you'll have an emergency, no one can plan for every scenario either. I've been called out by my equine vet to the scene of a trailer accident to bring horses back to his clinic and even with the trailer on it's side in the bar ditch, the escape doors were useless. Best advice is never have more trailer than you can safely tow!
Posted 2014-12-17 3:26 PM (#162086 - in reply to #162078) Subject: RE: Escape door?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 656 Location: Rayne, LA
I do not think escape doors are important for the horses. It is a convenience for the rider. I chose three managers over an escape door. If your special ordering and want both, they can put managers on the horse side and a escape door on the butt side. If I ever order a new trailer, I plan to do that.I had a friend order a trailer with an escape door at the rump and to do that on his four horse they moved the axles back which added quite a bit of tongue weight.. Just FYI
Posted 2014-12-21 8:48 AM (#162111 - in reply to #162078) Subject: RE: Escape door?
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by Bigreddun on 2014-12-17 1:00 PM
Do you all think escape doors are important? What are the pros and cons? I'm new to trailering horses.ThanksKathy
It is a personal preference in my opinion..... I use my front stall for hauling our shooting equipment, extra items while camping, even hay if it is raining so the escape door is a must for me! Plus is makes it a little easier to wash out the trailer. I have NEVER use nor will I ever use the escape door for a horse. Plus, a slant load trailer with a escape door the only horse that you would be able to get out of the escape door (if you had too) would be the front horse!......
Posted 2014-12-21 9:05 AM (#162113 - in reply to #162078) Subject: RE: Escape door?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
As others have indicated, our first stall is primarily used for storage, and only rarely, a space in which to carry horses. The escape door is advantageous to use when access to the area is needed, especially when horses are located in the second and third stalls. As was previously commented upon, using it as an actual escape door, is not possible for all of the trailer's occupants. It is a very handy accessory, and to us, very worth while.
Posted 2015-01-01 4:51 AM (#162203 - in reply to #162078) Subject: RE: Escape door?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
I have used mine twice for the horses (crippled horse, non-backer)and many, many times for my own convenience. I'm kind of looking at new trailers and sure hate to give up another access route.
Posted 2015-01-01 6:23 AM (#162204 - in reply to #162078) Subject: RE: Escape door?
New User
Posts: 3
Thanks for all of your replies. I ended up buying a CM 2 horse slant without the escape door. The only ones in our area that have the access door are Calico. Looked at them and didn't think they were built as well. Since my options were limited, I chose the C&M. It's also 14' instead of 12' long. I would have liked the door, but didn't seem necessary at this point. Kathy
Posted 2015-01-02 12:41 PM (#162216 - in reply to #162204) Subject: RE: Escape door?
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by Bigreddun on 2015-01-01 6:23 AM
Thanks for all of your replies. I ended up buying a CM 2 horse slant without the escape door. The only ones in our area that have the access door are Calico. Looked at them and didn't think they were built as well. Since my options were limited, I chose the C&M. It's also 14' instead of 12' long. I would have liked the door, but didn't seem necessary at this point. Kathy
Escape door?
