With so many available horse trailer brands and models to choose from, selecting the best trailer can be rather challenging. Here are some suggestions to help steer you to the product that will best fit your needs.
Steel or Aluminum
Suspension and Wheels
Construction
Brand Reputation
Stability and Financial Strength
1. Steel or aluminum. When it comes to horse and livestock trailers aluminum is the preferred material for several reasons detailed below. Some trailers are described as aluminum but may have a combination of steel and aluminum in the structure. So when comparing trailers be certain to find out if the trailer is really all-aluminum or if it has steel in the structure. Not all aluminum trailers are built the same so look carefully at the construction details of each brand you consider to help make sure your investment will be a lasting one.
Strength: Both steel and aluminum can provide the strength you need if the proper construction methods are used. It takes approximately 50 percent more aluminum structure to equal the strength of steel, but high-quality aluminum is pound for pound stronger than steel. Every Exiss trailer has true all-aluminum construction. With thirty years experience building with aluminum we know how to build aluminum trailers that are extremely durable and that should provide longer service life.
Weight: Aluminum is lighter than steel, yet stronger pound for pound. So with an aluminum trailer, you may be able to use a smaller tow vehicle or purchase a larger trailer to carry more cargo. Because it's lighter, aluminum can be more fuel efficient to tow.
Longevity: Aluminum corrodes slower and less noticeably than steel due to weather conditions. This means an aluminum trailer will usually last much longer, particularly in a salty environment. When it comes to horses and livestock, aluminum is the preferred choice due to the accelerated corrosion of steel brought about by ammonia release. What's more, aluminum retains its initial new appearance longer than steel.
2. Suspension and wheels. The smoother the suspension, the better it protects your trailer, your horses and the tow vehicle from excessive shock. A smooth suspension also gives a more comfortable towing experience. It is advisable to buy a trailer with a higher-performance suspension for your valued animals.
Rubber torsion suspensions provide a better ride than leaf springs. Torsion suspensions cushion bumps and rough spots better and with less bouncing than leaf springs. Also, rubber torsion suspensions work independently for each wheel so road impacts on one side of the trailer are not transferred to the other. This provides a significantly smoother ride for the horse, trailer, tow vehicle and driver.
Larger wheels provide a smoother ride than smaller ones as they ride better over holes and rough surfaces. All Exiss trailers are equipped with large 16” wheels for a better ride. Radial tires are also an advantage for traction especially in wet, slippery conditions.
3. Construction. How a trailer is built goes far in determining how long it will last and whether it's appropriate for your needs. Here are some features to look for on the trailer itself, in the literature or by asking the sales person:
Frame/Floor. The frame supports your entire trailer and is usually built from I-beam, tubular, C-channel or L-shaped aluminum or steel. Generally, the more metal in the frame, the stronger it will be. So a tube will be stronger than a C-channel, which will be stronger than an L-beam. I-beams can be as strong or stronger than the other frame choices depending on their make up. Exiss uses a smart design that creates an integrated floor and frame structure for one of the strongest platforms in the industry. It starts with 4” deep I-beam cross members every 13”, welded securely to a perimeter channel. On top of this is an extruded aluminum interlocking ribbed floor. The interlocking nature of the floor sections helps to add structural integrity to the entire frame/floor system.
Note that Sport trailers have 4” I-beam cross members on 16” centers.
Walls. Check if the walls are insulated and how thick is the insulation — an important factor for your horses’ comfort. All Exiss trailers have insulation from floor to ceiling in the walls and the insulation is 1-5/8” thick, providing better insulating properties than the 1” insulation in some trailers.
How large and close are the studs? First, make sure the studs inside the walls are aluminum. Some manufacturers have aluminum sheet inside and out but use steel studs that can rust without your knowledge. The larger the studs the less they will flex and the better the structure’s integrity. Event trailers have 1-5/8” x 3” studs spaced at 16" intervals for excellent strength compared to some trailers that have 1” studs.
How thick is the sidewall material? The thickness of the metal will determine how smooth and resistant it is to dings and dents. Event trailers have .063 side sheets compression-riveted to the aluminum studs. Some trailers still use .040 or .050 sheet thickness that is more prone to be wavy and sound tinny when you close doors.
Fasteners. The main frame of your trailer will either be welded or bolted together. Exiss uses a special type of bolt that’s been proven reliable in the semi-trailer industry for decades. These “huck” bolts are mechanically applied and are designed so that they cannot loosen or come undone like ordinary bolts with nuts. Huck bolts are also superior to welded main frames because welds immediately begin to fatigue, reducing the structural property of the base metal.
Compression rivets are used in the semi-trailer industry and by Exiss to hold the sidewall sheets securely to wall studs. They hold the side metal more securely than the pop rivets some manufacturers use. Also, pop rivets can compromise the structural integrity of the trailer.
Take a look at the welds. Aluminum can be welded in two ways: M.I.G. or T.I.G. The more difficult and time-consuming form of welding is T.I.G., but it has a much cleaner more attractive appearance. To make sure your trailer has an excellent appearance, Exiss uses T.I.G. welding for all of its exterior welds.
Also check what fasteners are used for door hardware such as hinges. Exiss uses only tamper resistant fasteners that are much more difficult for would-be thieves to remove. These fasteners are used extensively in the truck and auto industries.
Safety/comfort features. Check what features the trailer has to keep your horses safe and secure. Start in the horse area to see how friendly they will be for your horse. Look for features like these:
- Recessed windows and walls free from protruding objects to keep horses
safe.
- Thick rubber floor mats that protect horses and make travel more comfortable.
Lifetime mats will last longer and unlike those that deteriorate won’t
loose their cushioning properties over time.
- Air spaces underneath the floor mat to allow urine to drain and air
out for a more pleasant interior atmosphere.
- Slam latches that have no pins that can be awkward to insert and remove
and can snag your horse.
- Wide opening rear doors make horse more comfortable as they enter and
exit the trailer. Event trailers have 60/40 doors providing a wider opening
for easier access.
- Rubber lining on the stall walls that protect horses from bumps in
transit.
- Airflow is a key concern in hot and humid weather. Large, opening windows on both sides are helpful. Drop down windows with bars that stay in place are ideal for maximum ventilation, but be certain horses cannot poke their heads out the window while traveling.
Another important safety consideration is the gooseneck coupler construction. In the event of an accident you want a coupler that will help to distribute the energy of the impact to help lessen the shock to your horses. You also don’t want the front of your trailer to end up in the back of the truck cab. Exiss’ upper coupler construction is exclusive in the industry and once again mimics the semi-trailer industry. The sturdy, steel 2-5/6” coupler tube is welded to a top steel plate and then runs through another thick steel plate. This is far superior to simply butt-welding the tube to a single steel plate. The Exiss coupler tube is then buttressed in the back by a triangular steel plate.
4. Brand reputation. The largest trailer brands sell more trailers for a reason: brand reputation. Is the brand you're considering known for quality and customer satisfaction? Does the company honor its warranty claims? Are the dealers reputable?
These are key reasons you might wish to consider a trailer from Exiss. Exiss is the third largest horse trailer manufacturer and has an excellent reputation for quality construction and value for your money. Exiss is also part of the Universal Trailer family of brands. Universal is the largest manufacturer of specialty trailers in North America and is the number one producer of horse trailers.
5. Stability and financial strength. With so many brands of trailers to choose from, it's preferable to buy a trailer from a company you know will be around to support you for the long term. Because Exiss is part of Universal Trailer Corporation we can provide you peace-of-mind that we will there for you, providing support, including warranty work. Universal is the largest manufacturer of specialized trailers and has the financial stability to meet your trailer needs over the long haul.
The Universal symbol on your trailer stands for excellence in an industry fragmented by hundreds of manufacturers and thousands of choices. It's your assurance of confidence and peace of mind every mile you travel with your Exiss trailer in tow.