Let's talk about ventilation. Ventilation is a vital component of any hauler, RV, trailer, or other towable/recreational vehicle. Many concerns crop up when you talk about the ventilation of your vehicles and trailers. From an enclosed environment with stagnant and humid air that could range from uncomfortable, to possibly toxic and dangerous, to internal climates that could damage surfaces and harm your animals. Knowing how to vent your environments properly, and what would work best for your trailer is imperative as an owner. First, you need a primer on the different types of trailers available:
1. Bumper Pulls ("Tag Alongs") – These are one of the more standard forms of horse trailers that are on the market. They don't typically run as large as some of the other forms of trailers. They can have an open ventilation profile or closed wall set-up with trailer windows. They attach via hitch to your truck's frame and can haul up to four horses. While they are smaller and easier to maneuver when attaching to the hitch, they catch wind more easily than other trailers and are much more sensitive to the gyrations of the horses. As these are a tighter environment than other haulers, if they are not an open ventilation concept, they are in dire need of proper windows for ventilation so that the comfort, and health, of your horses, isn't adversely affected.
2. Stock Trailers ("Open Air") – These are open concept trailers. They have no partitions or stalls to separate the animals. These are the best examples of well-ventilated trailers available to horse owners. The bright and open area makes it easier to haul horses but could be problematic if the vents or ceiling are too low for your equines. These trailers are primarily used for hauling cattle but will work well for horses if the conditions are correct. The big issue with these open trailers and your livestock is that if the conditions outside are adverse, it could create an unhealthy environment as you travel down the road. If you live in a region where the weather fluctuates from time to time, owning a horse trailer with windows is the way to go so you can control the flow of air and outside conditions.
3. Goosenecks – These are the trailers that are used by many owners who spend a lot of time hauling their equine friends around. These are a heavier type of trailer that requires a more massive truck, that has an installed in-bed hitch, to attach to the trailer. These have much more natural sway control because of the position of the hitch connection, but they require (if they are not open air concept) a more extensive installation of horse trailer windows to allow for ventilation over a broader swath of real estate.
4. Straight Load – A straight load trailer is used to haul horses down the road, facing forward. It is favored among owners for the comfort of their equines. It's good for compensating for acceleration (for the horses) when the vehicle is starting or stopping. It is essential in this type of trailer to have adjustable windows to help mitigate the flow of air into the hauling area.
5. Slants – This is one of the full trailers available to owners. They allow for more room for the horses as well as additional storage capacity for the owners. There are the two types of these trailers; the standard slant and reverse slant. It depends on how you, the owner, prefer to haul your horses. This long-bodied trailer requires multiple windows to keep the numerous stalls cool as you travel.
If you are a current owner or a first-time player, you now have an idea of the types of trailers that are out there. Whether a steel body or aluminum, if you find that your hauler fits one of these categories, then you need to make some decisions about how to best ventilate your trailer. With the high-quality horse trailer windows from RecPro, you can add that special touch to your towable that will give your passengers comfort and your trailer a great look. Though, it's not just about the comfort of your horses. Ventilation is about their health. Remember, a horse that gets overheated can sweat too much, suffer the effects of dehydration, and may incur injuries because of their stressed system.