Posted 2015-03-23 1:50 PM (#162951) Subject: First living quarter trailer
Member
Posts: 40 Location: Selah, WA
Hi everyone,
I am looking into purchasing my first living quarters trailer. I am looking for advice on brands and size. I have a 2011 Chevrolet 2500HD with the large gas engine. It is a an extended cab short bed. This leaves me looking for a lightweight 2 horse LQ. I would love to have a bigger truck but since it has only 30,000 miles and is paid off, that is not an option right now. I currently have a 1999 4 star 3 horse gooseneck that I love with a 2 foot shortwall. I love this trailer, insulated it and added air, but am needing more space and utility for camping. I have loaded this trailer up with horses and gear out my ears and my truck does fine with it, but LQ is a whole new thing.
I am looking for a trailer that I can do weekend camping at trailheads and also use as a daily hauler to the trails and arena. It will mostly need to accommodate myself, possibly my husband and occasionally my dog. I typically only travel with one horse, but might bring along a second at times. I want a shower, sink, refr, cabinet space, couch and or dinette with table. I would prefer a side tack for more room but trails west is the only one I have seen with them. I will travel on dirt and gravel roads and probably no hook ups where I ride. I don't want the trailer to be too big, so I can get turned around. I think I want an awning, probably need a generator and maybe a hayrack?
I have been eyeing Keifer built, bison stratus, trails west aluminum, or contemplating buying older 4 star, elite etc. my budget is 35,000 and under. What do you guys that camp recommend and what can I safely tow with my truck? We have a lot of hills and mountains here in Washington/Oregon/Idaho and Montana where I ride. The brands around here are Logan, trails west, bison, exists, feather lite, and sundowner. The upper level brands are out of my price range, unless I go for a much older trailer.
I love my old 4 star and it has held up with years of abuse on dirt roads. Of course I maintain it, but I hate to make a big mistake. Thoughts?
Posted 2015-03-23 3:15 PM (#162954 - in reply to #162951) Subject: RE: First living quarter trailer
Member
Posts: 40 Location: Selah, WA
Do you think a LQ trailer is out of the question then for a 3/4 ton gas? I'm needing the basics, but don't need anything big. I was hoping for 2 horse 4-6 foot LQ. Enough to sleep, shower, and have enough room for a few pots and pans and supplies. I'm tired of having to pack everything in boxes and stuff in my gooseneck, and ten unpack and set up. I do endurance riding, so don't spend a huge amount of time in the trailer, but want somewhere comfortable to sleep and get a hot shower, and convenience.
I've thought about putting a cowboy shower in mine, a sink, a few cabinets etc, but 2 feet doesn't give me much. I have power, insulation and air now. I may end up doing this. Hmm.
Posted 2015-03-23 4:00 PM (#162957 - in reply to #162951) Subject: RE: First living quarter trailer
Regular
Posts: 76 Location: Michigan
I had a 2001 truck with the same specks you mentioned. I pulled my moms 3 horse slant trailet with a 6 foot short wall and weekend living quarters (no water) without a problem, not sure of the weight). I have a Merhow all aluminum 2 horse with a 7 foot living quarter (with everything) and it only weighs under 10,000lbs with two horses fully loaded.
Posted 2015-03-23 5:57 PM (#162962 - in reply to #162951) Subject: RE: First living quarter trailer
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Make sure that you don't have a truck/trailer mismatch if that will cause a problem with highway patrol. In Kansas, for example, if your truck can pull 10,000 lbs and you have an empty (EMPTY) trailer with two 6,000 lbs axles you are over their weight limits. In theory you could put more than the truck could haul on the trailer. It caused my local arena panel builder several problems when folks haul in from out of state and cut through Kansas, only to be turned around and threatened to be impounded. Heads-up!
Posted 2015-03-23 8:07 PM (#162964 - in reply to #162951) Subject: RE: First living quarter trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
We have an Exiss Event 3H SL GN with a 4' full factory weekender LQ. It weighs 5800 lbs empty. We use one stall for storage, and two for carrying. A 3/4 ton truck would have no problem pulling/carrying it.
Posted 2015-03-23 9:24 PM (#162967 - in reply to #162951) Subject: RE: First living quarter trailer
Member
Posts: 40 Location: Selah, WA
So it looks like my truck could handle a small LQ. I see several mention exiss. How well are they built? Also, what aluminum trailer will hold up for back country, dirt, gravel roads? What things do you find you wish you would have sprung for and what basics are essential? Anyone know anything about the keifers? Trailswest aluminum? Thoughts? Shower toilet combo icky?
Posted 2015-03-24 5:49 AM (#162970 - in reply to #162951) Subject: RE: First living quarter trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: MS
I pull a 2001 2 horse Exiss XT200 B&B with a 4 foot SW LQ. So far have pulled it with a Dodge 1500 extended cab, Dodge 2500 diesel extended cab and presently a 2500 Ford v10 gas. No problems with it in any terrain. I have had it since it was new and the only problem I have had is the LQ door and drop down windows rotted on the inside but I was able to rebuild them myself.
Posted 2015-03-24 9:40 PM (#162979 - in reply to #162951) Subject: RE: First living quarter trailer
Member
Posts: 5
Location: pacific NW
I have a Verylite Merhow 2 horse trailer 6ft shortwall LQ, all aluminum with a mid-tack that works great as a mudroom to take off wet or dirty boots,coats, etc, before going into the LQ. Can't recommend that enough! I looked at TrailsWest, but I don't think their mid-tacks allowed a door into the LQ. I wired for a generator but never have had to use one. Don't need AC in Western WA, Fantastic Fan is cool enough.
Posted 2015-03-25 6:49 AM (#162981 - in reply to #162951) Subject: RE: First living quarter trailer
Regular
Posts: 91 Location: Waverly,Oh
Just what we need, horse trailers made in China. They need to fix the problems with the junk tires they send over here before they put junk trailers on the road.
Posted 2015-03-25 10:33 AM (#162984 - in reply to #162981) Subject: RE: First living quarter trailer
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by Remington77 on 2015-03-25 6:49 AM
Just what we need, horse trailers made in China. They need to fix the problems with the junk tires they send over here before they put junk trailers on the road.
They are not going to fix those crap tires as long as the US keeps buying them.....
First living quarter trailer
