2 horse slantload - can you put horse in rear stall?

[LoveToJump]

I have a 2 horse slantload trailer and only 1 horse. I have always put my gelding in the first stall. But, I am wondering if it would be o.k. to put him in the rear stall if I want to use the front stall for storage. I am talking about a few bales of hay, generator, etc. So, maybe 200 lbs? This would be for a 2.5 hour trailer ride.

I have a stud wall, so, nothing should migrate into the second stall.

Is it bad to have all of the weight in the second stall? Does it make the trailer less stable?

thank you

[cutemudhorse]

I heard of folks doing this in larger slants. Let's see what we learn from those who know about two horse slants. . .

[mjrtango93]

Well 2 questions for you......is it a bumper pull or gooseneck........and if putting the horse in the back would he be over the tires or completely behind them? Those would be the 2 factors that I would consider just for handling reasons.

[LoveToJump]

mjrtango93...thank you.

It is a gooseneck.

He would be directly over the tires with his front. And mostly behind the tires with his rear.

In the 1st stall he is ever so slightly ahead of the tires. Well, maybe he is on 1/3 of the front tire with his front. And directly on the tires with his rear.

Does that make sense?

[findeight]

Makes sense just fine. IMO the issue would be weight and balance if the stuff in front is lighter then the horse, it could cause it to ride lower behind then in front and be less comfortable.

Why not simulate the weight you anticipate carrying up front, put him in the back then hitch up and see on a short haul? Can't hurt to try it.

[mjrtango93]

Makes perfect sense, and you should be fine! You lose stability doing that in a bumper pull because generally speaking with a small dressing room the horse would be behind the tires. It is always best to keep as much weight over the axels as possible. With loading the front stall and most of horsie still being over tires it should haul just fine.

[LoveToJump]

That would be great if that worked. Good idea about a short haul.

It is a 4 Star trailer and I did send the question to 4 Star. As soon as I get their response, I will let you know.

I am still interested in hearing from people that might have done it, or who are against it and why.

Thanks

[LoveToJump]

Gotta love 4 Star. They got back to me already and said it is perfectly fine to use the first stall for storage. He said a lot of people do that.

Anyone on this board that tried it and wasn't happy with results? Just want to cover all of my bases.

[asb_own_me]

I have a three horse slant, bumper pull, and I have hauled (a short distance) a horse in the middle and rear slants, with nothing in the front. Reason being that neither young, green, scared horse would go to the front by the wall. Even on a short haul at a slower speed, the trailer handled very differently than usual. I suspect the difference would not be as noticeable with a gooseneck.

[LoveToJump]

I hauled my boy in the back spot of the 2 horse and left the front empty. The trailer pulled great and my horse seemed to like the extra room in the back stall.

Now, I have all sorts of storage space in the first stall. Yippee!