Since we couldn't immediately afford the interior appointments, we opted
for the FRP. We had our 2H for 4 years and it truly required no
maintenance, was a dream to pull (very well-balanced) and withstood
bashing into low tree branches as we drove through those typically
generous approaches to ride sites <smile>.
So we reordered a Collin-Arndt (manufactured in Dillsburg, PA--near
Gettysburg). We ordered a fairly large living area, 6' on the short wall
& 10' on the long. The 2H slant portion has a feed bin with outside
access to a long, not too narrow storage area that will hold buckets,
fencing, wet blankets, etc. The tack area is the rear corner variety
with slide out saddle racks, oodles of hooks and two bins on the door.
The tack area is not removable - at the suggestion of Linda Collins.
Apparently the trailer's movement causes the removable walls to warp.
Linda said it was one of the most common repairs they are called to
make. It is also a step-up.
Quite a few things are new to us--the GN for one and the step-up (we've
been ramp folks for years) and the slant. I'm told that the slant load
is a better way for the horses to travel (opinions?). And I'll be a
little nervous about the GN at first. The rig is still down at
Dillsburg--getting a hitch put on the truck--so I haven't driven it yet.
We were encouraged to go with FRP, particularly in our area which is
subject to heavy acid rain. Aluminum will corrode under these
conditions. And I have seen aluminum trailers after accidents--they look
like a big can opener had been used on them. FRP will crack on impact
but is not known to shatter the way straight fiberglass would. FRP's
weight is a consideration--we're at 10,000GVW with this 2H. We got a
Ford 1-ton dually with the big-a__ 7L-diesel to haul it. My 3/4 ton was
losing its transmission after only three years of hauling and we only had
the 350 engine. Enough for the old trailer but no match for the new
one. We estimated that we were carrying 8000+lbs of horses & gear, way
over the limit for the old Chevy.
One word of advice--you can never have too big of a truck. The diesel
gets 20mph hauling and hums at 65mph.
Hope this helps...
Diane