Your horse’s safety should be your number one priority as you shop around for a used horse trailer. You need to be especially careful when buying a horse trailer that’s already been used, because there could be wear and tear on the trailer that may not be easily seen by the naked eye. This means that it is in your best interest to inspect every used trailer you look with a fine-tooth comb to make sure that you don’t miss anything that could be potentially dangerous to your horses. Make sure that you ask the owner of the dealership a lot of questions about the trailer, especially about how many years of use the trailer went through prior to its arrival at the dealership.

Image credit: trtrailer
Checking with the dealership about how old the trailer is and how much use it has seen will help you save a lot of money in repairs. There is nothing worse than paying a small amount for a used trailer only to have to pour thousands of dollars into it to fix it when problems start popping up.

One of the things you will want to check for is to make sure the trailer doesn’t have any holes on the inside. This means you should keep an eye peeled for even the smallest hole, as this hole will gradually get larger over time. This can cause serious injury to your horses and even cause you to lose a few if not taken care of promptly. Also check for splinters and other debris on the inside of the trailer that may cause the horse to stumble or fall. These can cause injury to your horses as well, because they may cause your horses to panic.

Always give the doors a good looking over and make sure they shut and latch properly. If there is anything that could cause the door to not close correctly, you run the risk of the door flying open on the road, and this can be extremely dangerous. You may lose your load on the road, which could kill your horses and cause a major accident.

Another tip for those searching for a good deal on used horse trailers is to make sure you check around at different dealers. Don’t forget that we live in the age of the Internet. Use the Internet to do some research and to help widen your options for purchasing a used horse trailer. There are a ton of sites that not only can connect you with the information you need, but can also connect you with individuals who are willing to work out a deal with you and sell their horse trailers.

Finding the right type of used horse trailer can be quite a challenge. Please make sure to do your research before deciding on a trailer, and also remember to make your horse’s safety your number one goal. This should ultimately be what determines your decision about which trailer will work best for you.

One of the first things you will never want to do is to go over the weight capacity listed on the outside of the horse trailer. This number indicates the maximum weight load that this particular horse trailer can hold before problems occur. It is extremely dangerous for you to go over this weight limit for several reasons. One reason it is dangerous is that going over the weight limit can cause severe damage to the horse trailer itself. You may cause the back tires of the trailer to rise up off the road while traveling, which can severely injure your horses. By going over the weight requirement, you may also cause the front wheels of the towing vehicle to come off the road, which could cause an accident.

Image credit: Jasonstimpel
Also, if the vehicle you are using to pull the horse trailer with isn’t big enough or heavy enough to pull the weight of the trailer, you may damage your suspension. This is definitely not good, as it can really put a strain on your wallet. This is why it is important to make sure that you are not going over the required weight capacity of the horse trailer you are using.

One of the most important parts of weight capacity is making sure you have the proper hitch equipment to haul the trailer and its weight. It is highly recommended that if you use a trailer that is 2,000 pounds, you should use a Class 1 hitch. You need to increase the class of the hitch according the increase of the weight of your horse trailer. For instance, if you have a trailer that is 10,000 pounds, you will need a Class 5 hitch, which pulls 10,000 pounds.

If you should improperly load your horse trailer according to the weight capacity, you run the risk of causing serious injury to your horses. It is important to make sure that you make the safety of your horses a top priority. Horses have individual needs that differ from horse to horse. Making sure they are safe and comfortable should be the main goal of getting a horse trailer.

That being said, you should also keep in mind a few other details about how to make your horse more comfortable in his trailer. Make sure that you don’t put more horses in the trailer than the trailer can actually hold. These cramped conditions may cause a horse to panic and end up getting injured. The horses won’t have room to move and brace themselves either, which can be very dangerous.

Lighting is an essential aspect of a good horse trailer as well. Horses tend to be naturally afraid of the dark. Your trailer should be well-lit, preferably with natural light, but if you have to install a few lights inside the trailer, do so. This will help ease the horse’s fear and make it even easier for you to load them into a trailer.

Please remember to check the weight capacity on the outside of the trailer and to make sure that horses fit into that capacity before purchasing the trailer.

One of the first aspects you should think about when buying used horse trailers is the horse itself. Many horses are not fond of the dark and can be extremely claustrophobic. If you purchase a trailer that doesn’t have adequate lighting or enough space for the horse to move its legs around, you are increasing the risk of the animal getting injured. Horses need enough space in the trailer to move their legs, as this helps them to keep their balance during your travels. If the trailer doesn’t have adequate space and the lighting is bad, it will stress out the horses and make them scramble. This is what causes a lot of horse injuries during transit, so take into consideration the size of your horse, and make sure the trailer has sufficient space, lighting, and ventilation.

Image credit: Hans van de Vorst
You will also want to give the used horse trailers you’re looking at a close examination to make sure that they aren’t damaged. Check the doors of the trailer to make sure that they close and latch properly and that there aren’t any objects obstructing the door or inside the trailer that could injure your horse. Make sure that the weight capacity of the trailer is clearly marked and displayed on the outside of the trailer as well. It is extremely dangerous to exceed the weight limit on your horse trailer, as it could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Make sure you know whether the trailer is slant load or straight load. The slant load used horse trailers allow you to put more horses in the trailer itself due to its sloped design. You can only fit one horse into a straight load trailer, which sits on a straight platform rather than a sloped surface.

Also make sure before you purchase any used horse trailers that you take a look at the entrance of the trailer. The entrance to the trailer is basically a ramp the horse uses to enter into the trailer. It’s important to be thinking about this because each horse has a different type of preference and may not go up a certain style of ramp. The only way you can know for sure what type of ramp will work best with your horse is to take your animal and test out different ramps to find the one they like to use the best.

There are also several different types of material that horse trailers are made from. One type of used horse trailers is made from aluminum and the other is made from steel. There are perks and downsides to both of these types, so it’s best to find out what your budget is before making a final decision, as well as what type of need your horse has.

Doing your research is the key to finding the right used horse trailers for your animals. Keep in mind what the horse requires, shop around, and you’re sure to come across a safe and affordable horse trailer.

It’s important that you understand the purpose of a horse trailer before you purchase one, as this can aid you in choosing the correct trailer for your needs. These trailers are made with the idea in mind to help you travel around with your horses to horse shows, farms, and a variety of other places. They make it easier to transport your animals, along with helping to keep them safe and healthy along the way.

One thing that’s important to note when you go shopping for horse trailers for sale in Louisiana is that you need the trailer to suit the needs of the horse, not your personal needs. You will need a trailer that is spacious, well lit, and has good air flow in order to help avoid injuries and accidents. Horses need room to move so they don’t lose their balance, and they need light because many of them are afraid of the dark. Make sure the horse trailer can support the weight of your animals as well, and the weight limit should be clearly displayed on the outside of the trailer. If your horse’s ears hit the ceiling, the trailer is too short.

Image credit: Eggman
Another tip for shopping for horse trailers for sale in Louisiana is to decide between a step-up model and a ramp model entrance way. Each horse has their own preference as far as entrances are concerned. Some prefer to use ramps, others prefer step ups. As you can probably guess, especially for a first time buyer, this can get a bit tricky. If you have any friends that have a trailer, you may want to try and get an idea of what your horse prefers before you go out and buy one. Testing out a friend’s trailer may end up saving you a ton of money.

One thing most people forget to take into consideration is the type of vehicle they will be using to pull the horse trailer they purchase. Before you run out and spend all kinds of money on horse trailers for sale in Louisiana, make sure that you have a vehicle that can handle the weight. You can do some serious damage to your vehicle if it can’t handle the weight, so make sure it’s safe and can handle the weight before you hook up a trailer.

You will also want to think about whether or not you want straight load or slant load. Slant load is pretty self-explanatory. Slant load has stalls that are slanted, diagonally from left to right. These are great for traveling with more than one or two horses. A straight load is suited usually for just one horse and as the name suggests, it’s straight and flat. This primarily comes down to personal preference.

There are, of course, a million other features to consider when looking purchasing horse trailers for sale in Louisiana. The most important aspect of buying a horse trailer is making sure the horses are safe, secure, and have what they need to keep them healthy during your trip. Now that you have an idea of what you are looking for, it won’t take long to find the right trailer.

As stated earlier, each horse is made differently. They all have different shapes and sizes, which will affect the choices you have in used horse trailers for sale. You will not want to purchase any type of horse trailer that is way too narrow or doesn’t support the weight of your horse. Horses need breathing room to move their legs and keep their balance. This is a great help in keeping your horses from injuring themselves during travel. Many horses are afraid of the dark, so ample lighting will be needed. If the trailer you’ve purchased doesn’t have good lighting, you can always install battery operated lights yourself later. Plenty of room, good lighting, and plenty of fresh air flow will keep your horse healthy and happy during your trip.

Image credit: BullyRook
Make sure that you check over the condition of any used horse trailers for sale that you are looking at purchasing. If the trailer has any sort of damages done to it, it may be unsafe to use for transporting your horses around. You’ll want to check for holes, splinters, and other objects that may cause the horse injury while they are in the trailer. Make sure there is no damage to the ramp that may cause injury to the horse as he enters or leaves the trailer. Check latches, doors, and bars for maximum comfort of your horse.

Another option you should think about when searching for a used horse trailer for sale is the type of interior the trailer has. If a horse trailer has dark interior and feels like a cave, your horse may be reluctant to enter and this can cause a lot of problems as horses are easily spooked by the dark. Lighter colored interiors help the internal lighting and make it less frightening for the horse. This encourages him that he is safe and will help you get him inside the trailer.

Horse trailers are also made from different types of materials as well. One type of horse trailer is made from aluminum. The other type is made from steel. This will affect the price you pay for used horse trailers for sale, as well as the comfort of your animal. Be sure that whatever material you choose is suitable for the needs of the horse.

There are also a number of different ways you can find used horse trailers for sale. You may want to check with a dealership that sells trailers, or possibly even online at various websites that may be able to help you find what you are looking for. Make sure to do your research and find what best works for your horse.

Another important tip to help you in your search for the perfect horse trailer is to make sure to create a budget for the trailer. Take a certain percentage of money out of what you earn a week and save up for a little while before looking, so that your options are a bit more open. By following these tips, you will be able to find a trailer that will work for your horse’s needs.

One of the most important pieces of information you’re going to need before looking at any horse trailers for sale is the horse itself. Horses are by nature claustrophobic, which means they tend to get really stressed out when put in small, tight fitting places. You want to make sure any trailer you look at purchasing has plenty of room, lighting, and especially good ventilation. This helps the horse to have a more comfortable ride during your travels as well as helping them to not stress out during the ride. Trailers that have more room are also able to sustain more weight and can help reduce injury to your animal.

You also need to take into consideration the size of your horse. Horses need to have enough room in the trailer to be able to move their legs around comfortably. Having room to move their legs around helps the horses to keep their balance, which is also great for helping to reduce the risk of your animal getting injured. If you are looking to purchase horse trailers for sale that are narrow, you should reconsider, as these increase the risk of your horse scrambling during transit and becoming injured.

Image credit: Sheila in Millstone
After you’ve taken into consideration the type of trailer that will accommodate the size of your horse, you’ll now have to decide between a new and a used horse trailer. There are a lot of perks and benefits to purchasing horse trailers for sale brand new. One of those perks is the fact that there is less chance of the trailer being faulty from a previous use. This generally may be safer, but buying a trailer brand new has some drawbacks as well. You will pay a lot more money for a brand new horse trailer than you will a used one. One of the biggest deciding factors in this option is your budget. If you have the extra money, you should look into purchasing a brand new trailer, but if not, there are still plenty of used ones that are safe for you to use as well.

You’ll want to look into either the gooseneck or the bumper pull. This is a very important option and can really make a difference in how much money you shell out for these types of horse trailers. The main difference between these two types is that the gooseneck is larger and has a lot more space than the bumper pull. It all comes down to the needs of your horses, so choose carefully.

At first it may seem overwhelming when trying to find horse trailers for sale that meet the needs of your horses and that fit into your budget, but do not be discouraged. There are plenty of new and used trailers for sale that meet all the needs of your horses as well as not taking too heavy a toll on your bank account. Be sure to gather all the information about your horse, taking into consideration its size and its likes. If you do your research and shop smart, you’ll easily find a trailer that works for you and your horses.

Borrow your horse trailer
Your first option is the cheapest option but possibly also the least likely way out and surely one of the more complicated ways to go about it. As you probably already know a verity of people interested in horses you might already know someone who already owns a horse trailer that you can borrow and use when it can fit into their plans.

One of the problems with borrowing a horse trailer is that you need to find someone that has a spare. Horse trailers are normally not something you have an excess of and you might therefore have to work a little harder at it. If you’re friends with people at some or the larger ranches or schools for riding, you might be lucky to find one. The second thing is that when you borrow something you are normally doing it within a timeframe which will come to an end at some point by when you will be stranded again.

Rent a horse trailer
A way to avoid having to buy a horse trailer is to go rent it. Renting will give you a lot of advantages but also some disadvantages. If you are serious about running a business that includes horses then renting is not for you. From a financial and a practical perspective renting has never been the best decision but renting is a fast and easy way to go about things and that is why it is so popular.

Purchase a new horse trailer
You have probably already been searching for horse trailers in offline magazines and maybe even online and have come to the conclusion that brand new horse trailers are rather costly. Unless money isn’t an issue for you then you are left with two options. Either downgrade the standard of the horse trailer or go for a used one.

You can find many places online where you can purchase horse trailers and get decent advice on what to look for. A great tip that I normally use is to go to the merchant and ask a lot of questions and then afterwards go back and surf the internet for a better price. If I’m able to find it I would call the merchant to arrange a discount to match (or get close to) the online price. This is often accepted by the merchant and you have made yourself a nice little savings.

If you need help finding financing options please visit the section about horse trailer financing as well as the section about horse trailer insurance.

Get a used horse trailer
Finding a used horse trailer is not as easy task but in order to help you find the places to look we have made a list of some of the best dealers when it comes to service, selection and usability on their website.

What you will often find is that most trailer dealers will both have new and used horse trailers up for sale. When someone comes to buy a new trailer they will often take the old one in return. This way they are able to make a profit on both the new and the old trailer.

This is your change to get a good used horse trailer at a fair price. My suggestion is that you take my list below and follow it one step at a time. In the end I am convinced that you will have found your trailer.

Step 1 – Decide what type of trailer you want
Remember to consider all the elements like size, color, brand, age etc. You will however give yourself a harder time for each “requirement” you setup. So only write down the things that are important to you.

Step 2 – Start calling the dealers on this list below and ask them what they can offer you
It is always best to call more than one and I suggest that you call at least 10 dealers before deciding. You will be able to cut hundreds of dollars of the price by doing the proper homework.

If you are so lucky to find dealers offering the same trailer you can challenge them against each other and have them lower the price significantly.

The dealers you can call

Uncle Bob’s Trailers
Phone:
800-944-1410 / 701-252-1410 (North Dakota) or
866-987-4827 / 605-787-4828 (South Dakota)
Fax:
701-252-5814 (North Dakota) or
605-787-4830 (South Dakota)
Email:
sales@sundowner-trailers.com (North Dakota) or
unclebobstrailers@rapidnet.com (South Dakota)
Website:
Sundowner Trailers