Horse Trailer Cost

Typical costs:

• The most common horse trailer on the market is a slant load, in which the horses are loaded at an angle. A slant-load trailer can be either bumper pull or gooseneck, hold 2-8 or more horses, and cost $5,000-$30,000 or more, depending on the number of horses and the trailer's size, weight and materials (fiberglass, steel, aluminum).
• A horse trailer with living quarters can cost $35,000-$100,000, depending on size and level of luxury. For example, the two-horse, slant-load, 13'9", bumper-pull Thuro-Bilt Spirit[1] sells for about $5,200-$5,300; the three-horse, slant-load, 25' Sundowner Sportman Gooseneck costs $19,000-$22,000; and the gooseneck slant-load Exiss ES 307 LQ[2] with living quarters and room for three horses costs $37,000-$41,000.
• A basic two-horse straight-loading trailer can cost $5,000-$17,000, depending on size, weight and materials. and type of hitch. These trailers are wide enough for two horses loaded straight plus a "manger" area for feed and storage. For example, a bumper-pull, two-horse, 14' Homesteader Stallion horse trailer with rear ramp, aluminum exterior and rubber floor system sells for $8,000-$9,000.
• Horses can be transported in a basic livestock trailer, with no inside partitions; instead of windows there are open "slats" near the top. A livestock trailer can cost $4,000-$50,000 or more, depending on size, weight, materials and type of hitch. For example, a 16', bumper-pull, all-aluminum Exciss STC 16 B[3] sells for $12,000-$14,000.
• Used horse trailers start about $1,000, according to horseandtravel.com[4] .

• Materials vary. Aluminum does not rust, requires less maintenance, has a longer lifespan and often has a higher resale value, but usually costs the most initially. Fiberglass is the least expensive and the most lightweight, but also the most brittle and easiest damaged. Steel is less expensive and less brittle than aluminum, but is heaviest and requires maintenance to avoid rust.
• In most states, trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating of 1,500 or more must have brakes on all wheels. These can be surge brakes (illegal in some states), which are activated after the tow vehicle's brakes have slowed the trailer, or electric brakes that are connected to the tow vehicle's brakes. The American Boating Association charts towing laws by state[5] .
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists safety tips[6] for driving with a trailer.
• Gooseneck trailers make sharper turns than bumper pull trailers. Offroaders.com provides an overview [7] .

• Extended side view mirrors may be required. These cost $4-$50 for models that clamp onto the existing side mirrors, or $150-$450 for permanently installed towing mirrors.
• Installing a standard ball trailer hitch on a tow vehicle can cost $200-$500 or more; a gooseneck hitch can cost $400-$800 or more; and a fifth-wheel hitch costs $400-$1,500. A spare tire typically costs $20-$200 or more, depending on size and type, a bolt-on spare tire carrier adds $15-$100 or more.
• Factor ongoing maintenance and repairs into the total cost. The National Ag Safety Database explains basic maintenance[8] .
• An electronic trailer brake controller typically costs $40-$200 from auto parts stores, trailer dealers or online retailers like Amazon[9] . If the tow vehicle is prewired, the controller can be plugged in and used immediately. If not, installation/wiring can add $100-$200 or more.
• A breakaway system to stop a towed trailer or vehicle if it gets loose typically costs $10-$40 and includes a battery, switch and wiring. They're available from trailer or boat dealers, or from online retailers like Amazon[10] .
• Towing a loaded horse trailer can reduce the tow vehicle's fuel efficiency by a few miles per gallon or up to half or more.

• The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association has tips[11] for choosing a safe horse trailer.
• EquiSpirit.com lists buying guidelines[12] .
• A few major manufacturers include CM[13] , Elite, Exiss[14] , Featherlite[15] , Homesteader[16] , Sundowner and Thuro-Bilt[17] . New and used horse trailers for sale are listed online at HorseTrailerWorld.com[18] , TrailerShopper.com[19] and similar sites.

1.  www.thurobilt.com/spirit.html
2.  www.exiss.com/living-quarters_horse-trailer/modeles207lq/
3.  www.exiss.com/bumper-pull_livestock-trailer/modelstc13b/
4.  www.horseandtravel.com/states/horse_trailers.html
5.  www.americanboating.org/towing.asp
6.  www.nhtsa.org/
7.  www.offroaders.com/tech/Gooseneck-Trailer-Hitches.htm
8.  nasdonline.org/document/1047/d000842/horse-trailer-maintenance-and-trailering-safe...
9.  www.amazon.com/gp/search/rh=n:15737671,k:electronic+trailer+brake+controller&keywo...
10.  www.amazon.com/s/url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=trailer+breakaway+kit&x=0&y=0
11.  www.twhya.com/voice/HowTo/SafeTrailer.htm
12.  www.equispirit.com/info/used_horse_trailers.htm
13.  www.cmtrailers.com/horse_gn_bp.html
14.  www.exiss.com/horse-trailer/
15.  www.fthr.com/horse-trailers/
16.  www.homesteadertrailer.com/
17.  www.thurobilt.com/index.php
18.  www.horsetrailerworld.com/home/newhome.asp
19.  www.trailershopper.com/browse-13-0.html

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