Lakota vs. Double D Horse Trailers: Which Is the Right Fit for You?

Lakota and Double D Trailers are two respected names in the horse trailer industry, but they serve slightly different riders. Lakota is best known for its spacious living quarters and strong dealer presence, while Double D Trailers is recognized for patented safety innovations and a factory-direct buying model.

But when it comes to your horses’ safety and comfort, construction choices matter. Let’s look at how each brand approaches the essentials.

Comparison at a Glance

1. Frame & Structure

• Lakota: All-aluminum frame and skin. Lighter weight, but aluminum frames are more prone to splitting and collapsing in crashes.
• Double D Trailers: Z-Frame® galvanized steel cage with aluminum skin. Steel is far stronger in accidents and creates a rigid safety cage around horses.
  

👉 Why it matters: A horse’s survival in a crash depends on the frame. Aluminum saves weight, but steel provides proven protection.

2. Walls & Insulation

• Lakota: Single-layer aluminum walls. This type of wall heats up to 149°F in direct sun and offers little resistance to horse kicks or collisions.
• Double D Trailers: Insulated double walls with Galvalite® interior. Cooler, quieter, and far stronger against kicks and impacts.
  

👉 Why it matters: Hot, noisy, thin walls = stressed, uncomfortable horses.

3. Roof

• Lakota: Aluminum roof panels with seams and rivets. These conduct extreme heat and create dozens of potential leak points. Thin aluminum can puncture if a horse rears.
• Double D Trailers: SafeBump® one-piece fiber composite roof. Seamless, leak-proof, insulated, and flexible to protect the horse’s poll.
  

👉 Why it matters: Roof design directly affects both temperature inside and injury risk during rears.

4. Floor

• Lakota: Aluminum floors with rubber mats. These can corrode from urine and weaken over time… a known safety hazard in the industry.
• Double D Trailers: Rumber flooring (recycled rubber boards). No rot, no mats, easy to clean, vibration-absorbing.
  

👉 Why it matters: A weak floor is one of the most dangerous trailer failures.

5. Layout & Loading

• Lakota: Traditional straight and slant load models with conventional rear tacks. The “birth canal” rear tack design restricts airflow and blocks the rear exit in emergencies.
• Double D Trailers: Patented SafeTack Reverse® design. Swing-out rear tack opens the entire back for wide, safe loading. Reverse-angle stalls reduce stress and fatigue on horses.
  

👉 Why it matters: Layout affects handler safety, airflow, and how horses recover after travel.

6. Living Quarters (LQ)

• Lakota: Strong emphasis on living quarters, with a wide range of pre-designed floorplans and larger trailer sizes. Great choice for buyers who want more RV-style comfort off the lot. Many are RVIA-certified, which can help with financing and campground access.
• Double D Trailers: Offers custom-designed LQs built around each customer’s exact needs. Rather than mass-market floorplans, the priority is safety and comfort for the horses first, human conveniences second.

👉 Why it matters: Lakota shines if you want a ready-made RV-style rig with a focus on the human living space. Double D Trailers is the better choice if you want horse-first safety and a living quarters tailored to your exact requirements.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Lakota vs. Double D

When comparing trailers, the sticker price doesn’t tell the whole story. Maintenance, repair costs, and resale value can have a big impact on the true cost of ownership.

Lakota

• Lower upfront purchase price through dealer networks
• Higher long-term maintenance: aluminum floors (corrosion), aluminum roof seams (potential leaks), wall dents/kicks
• Possible depreciation faster if floor/roof repairs are needed

Double D Trailers

• May require higher initial investment
• Lower maintenance: rot-proof Rumber floors, seamless SafeBump® roof, rust-protected Z-Frame®
• Higher long-term durability + resale value because safety features are unique and patented
  

Bottom line: Lakota may be attractive at the start, but Double D Trailers are designed for a lower total cost of ownership over the lifetime of the trailer.

Use our total cost of ownership calculator below. 

The Verdict

• Lakota: A strong option if your priority is integrated living quarters and easy dealer availability.
• Double D Trailers: A strong option if your top concern is horse safety, comfort, and low-maintenance ownership.
  

Both brands meet different needs. The key is deciding whether your priority is living convenience for the rider or safety and comfort for the horse.

FAQs

Q: Are Lakota trailers safe?
They meet industry standards, but aluminum floors, roofs, and walls come with known risks (heat transfer, excess noise/vibration, corrosion, punctures).

Q: How does Double D address those risks?
With steel zinc-infused frame construction, insulated Galvalite® walls, SafeBump® roof, and rot-proof Rumber floors.

Q: Which has better living quarters?
Lakota is best known for its large living-quarters trailers, offering a wide variety of ready-made floorplans you can find on dealer lots. Their rigs often emphasize comfort and amenities for riders and families. Double D Trailers also builds living quarters, but with a different focus, fully custom layouts that are built to RVIA standards and integrated into horse-first trailer designs.

Q: Which is the better investment?
Lakota may be less upfront, but Double D’s lower maintenance and longer durability can save money (and headaches) over the long term.