Last Updated on March 10, 2023
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Finding the perfect horse trailer can be a challenging task, but we’ve done the hard work for you! Below are the 7 best horse trailer brands for you to browse and compare, but first of all, we’ve got some great suggestions to help you pick the perfect horse trailer for you and your equine buddy.
If you’re on the search for the perfect horse trailer for your precious ponies, you’ll find that there are a huge number of different brands to choose from! It can be a nightmare wading through horse trailer brand reviews, comparisons, and different trailer specs. But don’t panic, we’re here to help!
Top Tips When Choosing The Best Horse Trailer Brands
The key to getting the right horse trailer is to decide at the beginning exactly what you need. This will include features such as:
- How many horses does the trailer need to carry?
- What is the maximum weight your vehicle can tow?
- Do you need living quarters?
- Do you want a front, side, or rear unload trailer or one which has two or more ramps?
Something many owners fail to consider is which direction the horse will travel in. Traditionally, horse trailers were designed so the horse-faced forwards when traveling, although herringbone or side-facing trailers are also becoming popular. Research has shown that horses seem to find being transported less physically stressful when they were facing backward in the trailer.
Horse Trailer Terminology
The horse trailer industry, like any other industry, has some very confusing terminology when it comes to types of trailers! We’re here to iron out any confusion:
- Gooseneck trailers are designed to be towed by pickup trucks: These trailers have a long, arched neck that extends up and over the back of the tailgate and slides over a ball hitch in the bed of the truck.
- Bumper pull trailers hitch onto a ball hitch at the back of an SUV or truck.
- Slide-out is a cut-out portion of the trailer that extends and retracts to increase the space available.
- Drop-down feed doors or windows can be opened when the trailer is stationary, allowing the horse to access feed or hay attached to the outside of the trailer.
Things to Avoid When Buying a Horse Trailer
Before getting too overwhelmed by shiny, snazzy trailers, let’s think about what to avoid when buying a trailer! First of all, make sure that your trailer is the right size to meet your needs – there is no point in buying a huge heavy trailer that you cannot tow.
You also need to look at the construction of the trailer – it should be strong, sturdy, and able to withstand anything your horse throws at it. In a worst-case scenario, if you had an accident you’d want a trailer that protects your horse! A quick browse of user reviews should help you to identify any low-quality horse trailer brands to avoid.
Look at the internal layout – is it appealing to your horse? Things like tack lockers may be very handy, but if they make the trailer feel cramped then traveling may be an unpleasant experience for your horse. Make sure the traveling bays are wide enough for the horse to stand comfortably, as they tend to spread their legs wider to help maintain balance.
Also, take a look at the partition dividers – are they full-height or half-partitions? Most horses travel better with a half partition, as they feel less restricted and enclosed. Removable partitions mean you can easily reconfigure your trailer according to the number of horses traveling, or they can be quickly removed in the case of an accident or emergency.
Horse Trailers – Which Optional Extras Do You Need?
One of the first things you will notice when searching for a new horse trailer is that the price quickly escalates when you start adding on optional extras. A basic classic horse trailer can be very affordable, but a top-of-the-range model with all the fancy gadgets can come with an eye-watering price tag!
So, if you’re shopping around for a new horse trailer, it pays to really think about what extras you need. Here are some of the most popular additions that people choose when buying a horse trailer:
Trailer fan
Whether you need a trailer fan or not depends on your local climate and the distance you plan on traveling with your horse. For shorter journeys in cooler weather, having the ventilation slats open should provide sufficient ventilation to keep your horse cool. But if you’re traveling long distances in warm weather, your horse will definitely appreciate a trailer fan, especially if you get stuck in traffic!
Trailer camera
Many trailer companies will offer to fit a trailer camera for you as an optional extra, to help you monitor the safety and comfort of your horse while you are traveling. Before you commit to purchasing one from your trailer manufacturer, it pays to shop around to see if you can get one cheaper elsewhere.
Tack organizer
A bespoke tack cabinet at the front of your trailer can be a great way to keep your horse’s gear safe and tidy while traveling. While you might be tempted to opt for the biggest trailer organizer you can find, remember that this takes up valuable space that you may need for hay, feed, and water containers. Keeping your equipment in a tack trunk in the back of your truck may be a better and more cost-effective option.
Water tank
While you can make do with portable water containers, having a fitted water tank on your trailer takes all the hassle out of transporting water. It can be filled up using a hose at home or at events, and this means you can fill water buckets with a quick turn of a tap rather than carrying heavy water containers around. If you have space, a water tank is an optional extra that will turn out to be a worthwhile investment.
7 Best Horse Trailer Brand Reviews: Comparison
There is no such thing as the perfect trailer for everyone, but here are our top picks of the best horse trailer brands. Hopefully, there will be something here that meets your requirements!
We’ve done the hard work for you, and identified the 7 best horse trailer brands on the market right now. For each of these, we’ve listed the key points, so you can choose which brands of horse trailers are the right ones for you.
Horse Trailer Manufacturers List:
1. Featherlite trailers
Featherlite is one of the most respected trailer manufacturers in the US. They make both bumper pull and gooseneck trailers, which can be customized to include living quarters and other features.
This brand of horse trailer is designed to be both comfortable and functional. The key features include cushioned rubber mats, slam latch dividers, and ventilated drop-down feed doors.
Constructed from durable aluminum, these are trailers that are built to last. They are aerodynamic and give a smooth, fuel-efficient ride.
Professional S Choice Trailer Window Screen
How much does a Featherlite horse trailer weigh?
As the name suggests, Featherlite horse trailers are lightweight due to their all-aluminum body. This makes them a great choice if you have a less powerful towing vehicle and need to transport smaller horses and ponies.
The lightest Featherlite trailers are the two-horse bumper pull models, which weigh around 2,700 pounds.
2. Sundowner trailers
Sundowner produces a range of gooseneck and bumper pull trailers, all of which are top quality and designed with the comfort of your horse in mind. If you have specific requirements they offer custom designs to meet your needs.
If you are looking for the best horse trailer with living quarters, you won’t go far wrong with a Sundowner. Your horse will also travel in comfort, with padded floor mats and dividers, and well-designed airflow. Sundowner is the official horse trailer of the American Quarter Horse Association, which is a pretty big endorsem*nt!
3. 4-Star trailers
All of the 4-Star Trailers’ gooseneck and bumper pull trailers are custom designed to each customer’s specifications. They have over 100 different floor plans to choose from, including trailers with living quarters.
4-Star Trailers have a unique flooring sealant that is long-lasting, durable, and easy to clean. This flooring will last much longer than a wooden or aluminum floor.
4. Adam trailers
With over 40 years of experience in designing trailers, Adam Trailers really do know their trailers inside out. With both bumper pull and gooseneck designs, these all-aluminum trailers are high quality and built to last.
The range includes a side-loading bumper pull trailer and a gooseneck trailer with a ramp for easy loading. Adam Trailers can be fitted with custom features to meet your specific needs.
5. Titan trailers
Titan is a popular choice among many horse owners, with a wide variety of designs to meet your needs. With a reputation for building durable and long-lasting trailers, Titan offers an array of custom features, including air conditioning, stud gates, and rear-tack lockers.
6. Exiss trailers
Very much the new kids on the block in the world of horse trailers, Exiss has taken the market by storm in recent years. This is thanks to their ability to produce aluminum trailers at up to 30% cheaper than their closest competitors, without compromising on quality.
Exiss manufacture both bumper-pull and gooseneck trailers, with slant-load or strait-load options. Larger trailers also feature living quarters, enabling you to take your home comforts along for the ride.
7. Cimarron trailers
If you see someone with a Cimarron trailer, you know they’ve gone for quality over price! These custom-made trailers are certainly not the cheapest on the market, but the careful craftsmanship and attention to detail in every area really pays off.
So, if you want a trailer that is perfect for you and your equine crew in every way, Cimarron is the way to go!
Who Makes Classic Horse Trailers?
You will come across horse trailers made by various trailer manufacturers that are called ‘Classic’ trailers. This name is often used to refer to a product that is the most original, basic form of a trailer, often superseded by newer or better quality horse trailers.
Examples of horse trailer manufacturers that produce a ‘Classic’ model are Trails West Trailers, Kingston Trailers, and Adams Trailers.
Who Makes Bison Horse Trailers?
Bison horse trailers are highly sought after in the equine world, as they combine a comfortable ride for your horse with living quarters for you and your traveling companions. They are the ideal solution for horse owners who must travel long distances and stay out overnight to attend equestrian events.
The Bison horse trailer company is owned by Thor Industries, who have revolutionized the way these trailers are manufactured. Every step of the process takes place on-site, from building the external frame right through to installing the custom-made internal fittings. This means that their overheads are lower than rival trailer manufacturers, enabling them to produce luxury trailers at a great price.
Who Makes Dream Coach Horse Trailers?
Dream Coach trailers are made by a company of the same name, Dream Coach Trailer Co. They are a highly rated trailer manufacturer, renowned for their high-quality builds at a great price.
For this reason, a new or secondhand Dream Coach trailer is normally a great investment. They last a lot longer than many cheaper trailers and will keep you and your horse traveling in comfort for many years.
What is The Best Vehicle to Tow a Horse Trailer?
When towing a horse trailer, you need a vehicle that is suitable for this task. The type of vehicle will depend on several factors, such as the weight of the trailer and horses and the type of trailer.
Generally, most people opt for a four-wheel-drive vehicle to tow a horse trailer. Diesel engines tend to have more power and torque, giving them better pulling power. SUVs and pickup trucks normally make good vehicles for towing horse trailers.
How Long Does a Horse Trailer Last?
A good quality horse trailer is a long-term investment that should last between 15 and 25 years. To keep your trailer on the road for this long, make sure it is regularly serviced and well-maintained.
Certain things will shorten the life of your trailer, such as a climate that is wetter than normal driving on rough tracks. Keep your trailer clean and dry after each use and remove any soiled bedding to prevent the floor from rotting.
How Long is a Two-Horse Trailer?
The length of a two-horse trailer will depend on whether it is a straight or slant load. In a straight-load trailer, the horses stand with their heads facing forwards in the direction of travel, while in a slant load, they stand on a diagonal line.
The smallest two-horse trailers have a total length of under 15 feet. This includes a 10-foot-long stall for the horse. Added extras such as storage will normally result in a longer trailer.
Summary
Finding the horse trailer for you and your horse can take a lot of time and effort, and buying the wrong trailer can be an expensive mistake. Do any of the campers in our horse trailer brand reviews and comparisons tick the boxes for you?
It is worth spending time researching the best horse trailer brands before you decide which horse trailer to buy. Take a look at your friends’ trailers and ask what they’d recommend – there is nothing better than real-life feedback!
Do you have any questions about buying horse trailers? Perhaps you’ve got some feedback to share about the best horse trailer brands or ones to avoid? Add a comment below this post and we’ll get back to you!
Find more informationTop 6 Most Expensive Horse Trailers
Are aluminum horse trailers safe?
In general, all aluminium horse trailers are safe but if it comes to an accident steel trailers are a bit safer than aluminium or fibreglass trailers. In a crash, a steel construction can better absorb the energy of an impact and distribute it over a broader area. Aluminium horse trailers are more likely to get damaged in a collision.
And how does an aluminum horse trailer compare to a fiberglass horse trailer? Aluminum trailers are more expensive than fiberglass trailers but they also offer more safety and protection. Fiberglass trailers are lighter and cheaper but the quality of the material is lower. Fiberglass trailers can be easily damaged in an accident and if they do get damaged the cost to repair them is often too high.
Can a Ford Ranger pull a horse trailer?
When properly equipped, the 2020 Ford Ranger tows up to 7,500 pounds. This capacity makes the Ranger capable of towing most boats, RV’s, and horse trailers with ease.
What makes the 2020 Ford Ranger suitable for pulling horse trailers? The Ranger has a long wheelbase, a high ground clearance, and a low center of gravity. These three features make the Ranger well suited to pulling horse trailers. The longer wheelbase and higher ground clearance give the Ranger better stability.And the low center of gravity helps to keep the Ranger stable during towing.
What is the most expensive horse trailer?
Cimarron’s Norstar 4HLQ trailer is one of the biggest, most luxurious, and most expensive horse trailers on the market. What makes the Cimarron Norstar 4HLQ trailer so special? The Cimarron Norstar 4HLQ trailer offers the best features that can be found in any horse trailer.
This trailer is known as a “reverse reverse” horse trailer. It’s designed to hold horses with their heads to the rear of the trailer. The loading door is placed on the driver side of the trailer which gives room for a bigger door opening. It also has a unique triple-axle system using 8,000 pounds torsion suspension axles and shock absorbers. It allows for a lower trailer height for loading, and ride comfort when raised. This trailer has a large living area that can fit several people easily. It’s equipped with all of the latest conveniences, including satellite TV antenna.
The price is of course appropriate for what the trailer offers. If you want to buy a trailer like this, it will cost you about $222,935 which is approximately the same as a new Lamborghini.
How do I choose a horse trailer?
First of all, you should look at the height, weight, and breed of your horse before deciding on the size of the trailer. Look for a trailer where your horse will fit comfortably and safely. However, the trailer size shouldn’t be too large. If the horse is able to turn around during the travel, this may decrease the safety on the road.
If you are transporting horses in the summer months, look for a trailer with a top cover or roof so that your horse can keep cool. If you are moving a horse to a warmer climate, you may want to look for a trailer that is equipped with an air conditioner.
The best trailers are those that are sturdy enough to carry heavy loads but light enough to maneuver easily.You may need to invest a little more money on a trailer if it will be used frequently.
Kate Chalmers
Kate Chalmers is a qualified veterinary nurse who has specialized in horse care for the vast majority of her career. She has been around horses since she was a child, starting out riding ponies and helping out at the local stables before going on to college to study Horse Care & Management. She has backed and trained many horses during her lifetime and competed in various equestrian sports at different levels.
After Kate qualified as a veterinary nurse, she provided nursing care to the patients of a large equine veterinary hospital for many years. She then went on to teach horse care and veterinary nursing at one of the top colleges in the country. This has led to an in-depth knowledge of the care needs of horses and their various medical ailments, as well as a life-long passion for educating horse owners on how to provide the best possible care for their four-legged friends.
Kate Chalmers BSc (Hons) CVN, Dip AVN (Equine) Dip HE CVN EVN VN A1 PGCE
