Got my new trailer--and some ??'s

[michickenwrangler]

Finally got a new trailer!

2010 Corn-Pro 4 horse stock model. Steel. 16 feet long.

Back area will be for the horse, DH and I will convert the front into a tack/sleeping area.

We are looking to hang plywood over the slats. I know it can be done, I have seen other trailers with it. What kind of hardware should we use? Will half-inch plywood be adequate?

Any advice?

Thanks

Here's a pic of it, but mine is the 2010 model

http://wbtrailer.com/new_trailers3.php?id=187

 

[ksalvagno]

Do you have to use plywood? We have plexiglass that covers our slats. I'm not sure how they installed it but it can come out if we want it to (with some effort).

 

[michickenwrangler]

I was thinking plywood simply because I could mount a bridle rack on it. But again, the reason I posted was to get advice!

 

[ducks4you]

I am SOOOO HAAPPPYYY for you!!!
"The best days (for horse-people who trailer) are the days the new trailers come."
**VERY loose GWTW quote**
I've had a chance to see how some people have taken a blank slate (for living quarters) and made it their own. Since it's already August, I think if I were you, I'd spend the rest of the year looking at other people's work, taking the ideas that you like and starting on the innards post-show season.
The BEST plan I've seen is where this woman sealed and panelled the interior of a goose-neck overhang, put lights above the bed, installed cabinets, above and below with a counter, and they made a storage box on the floor with a door on each side.
I also know that you're going to want a separate battery to run ALL electric inside of your living quarters. The LAST thing you'll want is for your truck battery to drain!!

I think if you look on RV sites, you can get some good ideas. They are EXPERT at putting lots of things and lots of storage into tiny places.

We're FINALLY starting our hen's coop, and there is a lot of treated wood available. Guess you'll have to do a lot of measuring.

First, WHATEVER you build, make sure that you can dissemble it when it's time to sell the trailer.
Could you build a loft-type bed with a ladder, and with storage underneath?
Keep your weight limit to about 2,300 pounds, or what 2 horses might weigh. But, build it strong.
I would go through the escape door with a measuring tape and imagine where you want to put things.

You gotta post some pictures with you and your horse inside!!

I have a 4-horse slant-load gooseneck, and we use the overhang for a bed. We bought a full-sized mattress (sleeps 2 adults) and left the plastic on it, so that humidity wouldn't ruin it--going to it's 2nd year now and still dry. I don't like to sleep there when it's hot, but it's not bad with extra blankets when it's cold.

I'm looking forward to re-painting mine.
**ducks4you kicks the can down the road**

 

[michickenwrangler]

I've got some plexiglass cut for slats on one side (mismeasured and I have to get some more!). Now, what is the best adhesive to use on plexiglass? Silicone or superglue? I've heard silicone isn't the best to use on plastic.

This is NOT to adhere plexiglass to metal, but plexiglass to plexiglass.

Thanks

 

[Bossroo]

Ethelenedichloride is a solvent and is the active ingediant in glue meant for pastic. I made musieum specimen boxes useing it.

 

[goodhors]

We went with the plywood for winter hauling. We checked out the plexiglass, but no one seems to remove it for summer and the heat inside is INTENSE. The plywood pieces just bolt on. We used 1/4 inch thick pieces, very easy to add or remove. Plywood is inside the trailer slats so it can lay flat in the window spaces. You can paint the wood for longer life, nicer look. Bolts are round headed inside by the horses, nuts on the outside, with long bolt ends cut short so they are not sharp.

We do use the trailer in winter with plywood over the slats. You have to be careful not to "overdress" your horse to haul. A fabric sheet or Irish knit against the skin for an air layer, with about the lightest nylon quilted or canvas blanket over. Nylon against winter hair makes them sweat fast. Canvas with flannel lining will work OK. Horses working to stand while riding create a lot of heat, already wearing winter hair, so any really thick or heavy blankets will make them sweat badly under it. And this is with NO hoods at all. Not nice to unload a totally soaking wet horse into cold air.

We actually had roof vents that open, put on the trailer roof, for more air flow at the faces. We also added a couple ceiling lights, makes it nicer for hauling or loading in the dark. Those new LED strips are BRIGHT. You probably should add the red/white reflective stripes on the sides and red reflectors on the rear tailgate. Makes you MUCH more visible, safer if your lights should fail for some reason. Light failure happens to the best maintained trailers, wire gets jerked loose or horse chews something.

I love the stock trailer for summer, lots of moving air, no overheating of any animals. Kind of just shady, they travel very well in heat or cool of summer temps.

Something to check, is if there is a prevention for rubber mats working their way out under the back door? A friend lost hers bumping down the road empty after purchase of new mats. They just wiggled out that slot between door bottom and floor. Lost them on the way home. They were thick and heavy, not light weight mats either. Someone got some good finds that day! Our trailer has a drop ramp husband added, so my mats can't travel on bad roads.

Congrats on a new toy!

 

[()relics]

Yeah whatever you use, I would make sure it can be removed easily...Never know when you when you might need to open the trailer up for some ventilation...I put the horses out on a night line and hang hammocks inside the trailer...I easily embarrass my kids.

 

[michickenwrangler]

We went with the plywood for winter hauling. We checked out the plexiglass, but no one seems to remove it for summer and the heat inside is INTENSE. The plywood pieces just bolt on. We used 1/4 inch thick pieces, very easy to add or remove. Plywood is inside the trailer slats so it can lay flat in the window spaces. You can paint the wood for longer life, nicer look. Bolts are round headed inside by the horses, nuts on the outside, with long bolt ends cut short so they are not sharp.

We do use the trailer in winter with plywood over the slats. You have to be careful not to "overdress" your horse to haul. A fabric sheet or Irish knit against the skin for an air layer, with about the lightest nylon quilted or canvas blanket over. Nylon against winter hair makes them sweat fast. Canvas with flannel lining will work OK. Horses working to stand while riding create a lot of heat, already wearing winter hair, so any really thick or heavy blankets will make them sweat badly under it. And this is with NO hoods at all. Not nice to unload a totally soaking wet horse into cold air.

We actually had roof vents that open, put on the trailer roof, for more air flow at the faces. We also added a couple ceiling lights, makes it nicer for hauling or loading in the dark. Those new LED strips are BRIGHT. You probably should add the red/white reflective stripes on the sides and red reflectors on the rear tailgate. Makes you MUCH more visible, safer if your lights should fail for some reason. Light failure happens to the best maintained trailers, wire gets jerked loose or horse chews something.

I love the stock trailer for summer, lots of moving air, no overheating of any animals. Kind of just shady, they travel very well in heat or cool of summer temps.

Something to check, is if there is a prevention for rubber mats working their way out under the back door? A friend lost hers bumping down the road empty after purchase of new mats. They just wiggled out that slot between door bottom and floor. Lost them on the way home. They were thick and heavy, not light weight mats either. Someone got some good finds that day! Our trailer has a drop ramp husband added, so my mats can't travel on bad roads.

Congrats on a new toy!

Now what are you bolting the plywood to? What kind of bolts are you using?

Now I know why the mats were bolted down in my last trailer!

 

[ducks4you]

Don't bolt your mats to the floor! You gotta move them to clean it. I think you're gonna have to drill into the metal, sorry!