In this article, we will answer the following question: Do horse trailers hold their value? We will explain how horse trailers depreciate over time, how to find your horse trailer’s true value and whether it is worth it to invest in a second-hand horse trailer.

Do horse trailers hold their value?

Yes, horse trailers hold their resale value, better than travel trailers in fact. A good horse trailer will hold much of its value for at least a few years. Horse trailer owners often prefer trailers with warranties of eight years or more. Still, even the best trailers can experience problems from time to time, so it’s good to be prepared.

To establish the value of your horse trailer, look for the Blue Book, which contains years of comprehensive data to be used as a used trailer valuation guide. Prices are derived from MSRP, retail distributor information, and actual sales records.

A horse trailer can cost $4,000- $50,000 or more, depending on size, weight, materials and type of hitch. For example, a 16 ′ Excess STC 16 B, bumper puller and all-aluminium sells for $12,000- $14,000. Used horse trailers start at around $1,000, according to horseandtravel.com

How much do horse trailers depreciate over the years?

As explained above, how much your horse trailer will depreciate over the years depends on the quality of the build, the materials, size, weight and the type of hitch of the trailer. In the table below you can see an estimate of how much horse trailers depreciate over the years.

Time	Depreciation rate
After first year of purchase	Between 10% and 20%
Second and subsequent years	Between 5% and 10% per year
After 10 years	Between 55% and 76% of the MRSP

How to find the value of a horse trailer

Knowing the value of your horse trailer is important for insurance and sales purposes. However, because there is no Kelly Blue Book for horse trailers, determining the value of your horse trailer requires some preparation and research. The value of a trailer for specific horses can vary widely by location and year, so you will need to conduct research on what is current in your area.

Here’s what we recommend:

Go to any used horse trailer sales website.
Search that website for trailers similar to yours near your location.
Write down the prices of the trailers you will find. Be aware of differences in the condition of your own trailer.
Go to another used horse trailer sale website.
Repeat steps two and three.
Visit a local towing dealer that has your trailer brand. If possible, take your trailer with you and give you an estimated value. If you can’t take the trailer with you, just ask for the trailer’s year, make, model, and approximate condition. The dealer should be able to give you a more or less estimated value.
Determine the value of your horse trailer based on the data you have collected. Take into account the conditions of your trailer compared to others, as well as other differences, such as age, size or style.

For example, a three-horse trailer will be worth more than a two-horse trailer, and a trailer stock with Plexiglas panels will be worth more than one that is open. Also, take into account the improvements made to your trailer. Things like new tires, floors, and feed troughs will add value to your trailer.

How to calculate the value of a used horse trailer

Buying a used horse trailer is a significant investment. Buying the wrong trailer for your horse can be devastating. Although finding the best price is important, your horse’s well-being must be paramount. You must find a trailer that will fit your older horse while still being safe for your smaller horse.

Most horse trailers are 6 feet 6 inches tall and 5 feet 6 inches wide. This will comfortably fit a 15-2-hand horse. For taller horses, you must add an additional 6 inches to trailer height for each hand. The trailer floor, hitch unit and brakes are the most important parts for the safety of your horse and the parts that suffer the most wear and tear.

For horses that do not transport well or are not hauled often, a trailer from stock might be the best option. As a general rule of thumb, stock trailers are less expensive than stall trailers, aluminum trailers are more expensive than steel trailers, and the more stalls a trailer has, the more expensive it will be.

Before you inspect the used horse trailer:

Write down what type of trailer you want: size (height and width), year made, two horses up to six horses trailer or stock trailer, the inclination of the load or straight load, aluminum or steel, gooseneck hitch or frame and colour.

Write down what amenities you want in the trailer like bedrooms, tack room and power room.

Establish a budget for your trailer. Remember to leave some leeway in your budget in case the trailer you select needs repair.

Spend some time on the Internet viewing advertisements for trailers that meet your requirements. If you know what brand you want, check the manufacturer’s website for additional trailer information.

Find the average price of trailers that meet your needs. Use this number to establish a base price for the trailers you are looking at.

Obtain estimates for the most common repairs, such as replacing the plant, brakes, tires and cables; Paint again; and rust repair.

Services are anything that adds value to a trailer. Estimate how much value the most common amenities add to the trailer. The most common amenities are aluminum exterior, saddlery, there are grills, chrome wheels, saddle frames, ramps, double walls, padded dividers, matted walls, roof vents, interior lights, tilt posts, gooseneck hitch and condition. immaculate. Low mileage also adds additional value.

The evaluation of a used horse trailer:

Inspect the used horse trailer with your pocket knife, ladder, flashlight, measuring tape, and knee pads. Check exterior, roof, tongue, hitch unit, landing gear, tires, wiring, brakes, wheel bearings, floor, interior, and accessories. Write down the repairs that the trailer needs, as these will be deducted from the price. Take photos or a video and inspect the trailers for comparison at home.

List any additional services the horse has in tow. For example, if you research three lean-to-load steel trailers without a saddle, and the trailer, which you inspect has a saddle, list the saddle as an amenity.

Determine the total cost of all repairs. Determine the total added value of services. Subtract the cost of repairs from the median price and add the total cost of services. This will give you the price of your used horse trailer.

How to maintain a horse trailer so it lasts many years?

Before buying a horse trailer, keep in mind that it must be maintained and stored properly. Any horse trailer must be serviced at least twice a year, more often if you are using it almost on a daily basis or if you are transporting more than one horse!

To guarantee optimum durability and increase the safety of the trailer, it is best to check a few important points and perform the right actions. When the trailer is immobilized for a long time, it is advisable to position it on chocks or jack stands in order to relieve the tires.

This solution is also to be adopted to carry out all maintenance work on the trailer:

bearings: regularly lubricate the parts by removing the hub caps,
wheels: check the tightness of the bolts,
spare wheel: check its condition regularly,
tires: regular inflation of the tires to ensure the safety of the coupling,
brakes: replace them if they are defective,
coupling: the drawbar must be in perfect working order and must not show any point of wear,
trailer light: ensure the correct functioning of the lighting components without forgetting the condition of the connectors and wiring, remember to clean the cabochons periodically, even more often when the trailer is used for agricultural work.
registration plate: it must be correctly fixed and the registration must be perfectly legible.

Note: Regular inspection of the trailer’s parts and accessories does not dispense with checking by a professional.

The bottom line

The overhaul and maintenance of your trailer will give it maximum longevity and ensure good safety in use. By applying all the advice given in this article, your horse trailer will perform its functions for many years!

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FAQ on Do horse trailers hold their value?

How to maintain a horse trailer?

It is important to maintain and keep your horse trailer as clean and safe as possible, which can be achieved by fixing any problems you are having right away and regularly checking the trailer for any new faults.

How to customize a horse trailer?

A trailer can be customized for trail riding or horse shows with a few different pieces. There is no limit to what can be done to make towing a better experience for both horse and rider, it all depends on your needs.

Where do you store a horse trailer?

You can store a horse trailer at your home if you have a shed or garage, or you could look for either outdoor or indoor storage centres.

What are the top 5 trailer brands for horses?

The top 5 trailer brands for horses are:

Sundowner;
Featherlite;
Trials West;
Exiss;
Titan.

What are the best horse trailers?

Among the best horse trailers are the Featherlite 7442. They are known for being lightweight and easy to tow.

References

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Do horse trailers hold their value?