Exiss or Double D Trailers? Which Horse Trailer Offers Better Safety, Comfort, and Long-Term Value
TL;DR – Quick Summary
Exiss and Double D Trailers both build high-quality horse trailers, but they serve different priorities. Exiss focuses on all-aluminum,
dealer-available models that emphasize value and accessibility. Double D Trailers builds factory-direct using Z-Frame®, SafeTack®, and SafeBump® systems for superior safety, insulation, and comfort. Exiss wins for quick, affordable options; Double D wins for safety, engineering, and long-term reliability.
Choosing between Double D Trailers and Exiss often comes down to one question:
Are you looking for a trailer that’s easy to buy... or one that’s engineered to protect?
Both are respected names in the horse trailer world.
But they approach safety, construction, and comfort from opposite sides of the spectrum.
| Feature | Exiss | Double D Trailers |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | All-aluminum frame and exterior | Z-Frame® hybrid: steel-strong, aluminum-light, rust-resistant |
| Roof System | Aluminum sheet | SafeBump® composite roof cushions head impact and blocks heat |
| Tack & Loading | Traditional rear tack with slam-latch dividers | SafeTack® swing-out compartment for full-width, walk-through loading |
| Insulation | Optional 1 ⅝″ in lined models | Full-body insulation standard. Quiet, cool, horse-friendly |
| Ventilation & Noise | Two-way vents and LED lighting | Engineered airflow + reverse-slant design for calmer travel |
| Flooring | Extruded aluminum planks | Pressure-treated pine or Rumber® boards. Cooler, quieter, replaceable |
| Living Quarters | Standard models (Escape, Express, Endeavor) | Custom-built LQ to RVIA standards and owner layout |
| Distribution | Nationwide dealer network | Factory-direct with personal design consult |
| Warranty & Support | 8-year structural; transferable | Lifetime service from the same team who built your trailer |
| Ideal Buyer | Wants fast, off-the-lot value | Wants tailored safety and long-term ROI |
Quick Take: What’s the Real Difference?
Exiss builds all-aluminum horse trailers with dealer-based availability and quick turnaround. They’re designed for accessibility, not customization.
Double D Trailers builds factory-direct, crafting each unit one-on-one around your horses, your tow vehicle, and your hauling habits.
Their designs are backed by patented safety technology, including SafeTack®, SafeBump®, and Z-Frame®.
In a sentence: Exiss focuses on convenience. Double D Trailers focuses on confidence.
Construction & Materials
- Exiss: Built with an all-aluminum frame and exterior. The floors are interlocking planks welded to 2×4 I-beams spaced 13″–16″ apart, depending on model. Insulation is available on some models as an upgrade.
- Double D Trailers: Uses the exclusive Z-Frame®: a zinc-infused steel alloy that’s stronger than aluminum yet completely rust-resistant. Every model includes the SafeBump® composite roof (to protect your horse’s head and regulate temperature) and full-body insulation as standard.
Fasteners & Corrosion Resistance
- Exiss uses xylan-coated Huck bolts: strong, reliable, and designed to minimize vibration loosening.
- Double D Trailers prevents galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals through sealed seams and engineered fasteners, critical in hybrid builds.
Takeaway: Exiss protects from outside in. Double D Trailers protects from inside out.
Ventilation, Noise & Comfort
- Exiss provides basic airflow with two-way vents and lined interiors.
- Double D Trailers designs airflow around horse behavior. Every trailer includes a full thermal barrier, strategically placed windows, and a SafeBump® roof that naturally quiets sound and deflects heat; keeping horses calmer, cooler, and more relaxed during long hauls.
Act: See this difference in action in our Factory Demo Video, where airflow, insulation, and roof materials come together for real-world comfort.
Loading & Tack Design
- Exiss: Traditional rear-tack layout with dividers; their patented recessed slam latch is flush-mounted for cleaner operation.
- Double D Trailers: The SafeTack® swing-out compartment eliminates obstructions for safer, full-width loading. The optional reverse slant orientation allows horses to unload facing forward.
Takeaway: Exiss keeps the standard formula functional and familiar. Double D Trailers rethinks it entirely for safer loading and less stress, especially for difficult loaders. If you’ve ever had a horse hesitate or rear at a narrow trailer opening, this one change can feel like night and day.
Flooring & Structure
- Exiss: Extruded aluminum plank floors on I-beam crossmembers (13–16″ spacing). Doors are often 2″ thick for rigidity.
- Double D Trailers: Builds with pressure-treated pine flooring or optional Rumber boards. Both materials are chosen for their thermal stability and shock absorption. Pine offers a natural, forgiving surface that doesn’t conduct heat or vibration like metal, while Rumber (a recycled rubber composite) is completely waterproof and virtually maintenance-free. Each board can be replaced individually, and both options are supported by Z-Frame crossmembers engineered for even load distribution and longevity.
Takeaway: Exiss floors are lightweight and strong but can get hot, noisy, and slippery without diligent upkeep. Double D Trailers' treated pine or Rumber floors stay cooler, quieter, and easier on hooves: providing a more comfortable ride and lower long-term maintenance. If you haul long hours or in Southern heat, your horse’s hooves will thank you!
Model Range & Living Quarters
- Exiss: Offers bumper pull, gooseneck, and LQ models including Escape, Express, and Endeavor. LQ models feature hardwood cabinetry and optional slide-outs.
- Double D Trailers: Custom living quarters built to the buyer’s specifications with balanced weight distribution and full insulation, built to RVIA standards though sold factory-direct.
Takeaway: Exiss provides ready-made luxury models with predictable layouts. Double D Trailers focuses on tailoring every inch to match the buyer’s lifestyle and towing rig. It’s the difference between choosing a floor plan... and creating one.
Warranty & Support
- Exiss: 8-year structural frame warranty, 3-year on manufactured components, and transferable coverage.
- Double D Trailers: Personalized factory-direct service: repairs, upgrades, or accessories handled by the same team that built the trailer.
Takeaway: Exiss offers a solid dealer-backed warranty. Double D Trailers’ direct relationship gives owners faster, more knowledgeable support throughout the trailer’s life. When you call, you talk to real people who remember your build, not a dealership queue.
Price & Value
- Exiss: Competitive pricing thanks to mass production and dealer volume. Lower entry point for basic aluminum builds.
- Double D Trailers: Higher initial investment but stronger long-term ROI through durability, reduced heat damage, easier cleaning, and resale appeal tied to safety patents.
Takeaway: Exiss wins for shoppers chasing the lowest upfront cost. Double D Trailers wins for those looking at cost-per-year ownership and safer travel. Run the numbers with our Horse Trailer Cost of Ownership Calculator below and compare total value year-over-year.
Total Cost of Ownership Calculator
Compare two horse trailers over your ownership timeline — including purchase, maintenance, resale, and (optional) financing.
Brand A
Advanced: Repairs + Financing
Brand B
Advanced: Repairs + Financing
Estimated Ownership Summary
Brand A Annualized Cost: —
Brand B Annualized Cost: —
Winner: —
Which One’s Right for You?
If you want…
Dealer availability and quick delivery
Go with…
Exiss
If you want…
Custom design and advanced safety tech
Go with…
Double D Trailers
If you want…
Lowest upfront price
Go with…
Exiss
If you want…
Cooler rides, quieter hauls, and lasting resale value
Go with…
Double D Trailers
Takeaway: Exiss is for the rider who values convenience. Double D Trailers is for the horse owner who refuses to compromise on safety.
FAQs
Is Exiss all aluminum?
Yes, the frame and exterior are aluminum with welded plank floors and I-beams.
Do Exiss trailers have insulation?
Not standard, but they offer 1⅝″ insulation in lined models, including doors.
What’s Double D’s frame made of?
Z-Frame®, a proprietary steel tubing infused with zinc and chromate, combining steel strength with corrosion protection.
Which trailer is safer for horses?
Both meet federal trailer standards, but Double D’s SafeTack® and SafeBump® systems directly address loading stress and head injuries, giving it an edge in safety-focused design.
