See How Double D Trailers Creates Your Safe Custom Horse Trailer
Your Custom Trailer Journey: Transparency in Craftsmanship
At Double D Trailers, we understand that choosing a horse trailer is a significant decision. It's not just a financial investment; it's about the safety and well-being of your horse. That's why we're committed to providing complete transparency into our custom build process. This guided tour, brought to you by the experts at Double D Trailers, offers an in-depth look at how we combine meticulous craftsmanship with innovative safety features to create a trailer that is tailor-made to your unique needs.
Each Double D Trailer is custom-built from the ground up. We don't mass-produce; we handcraft each trailer with a relentless focus on quality and your horse's safety. Join us as we walk you through our factory, showcasing the dedicated steps and premium materials that set Double D Trailers apart.
Building Your Double D Trailer: Step-by-Step Expertise
Our commitment to building the safest and most durable horse trailers is evident in every stage of our process. We don't cut corners; we meticulously craft each component using premium materials and proven techniques. Here’s a detailed look at how your custom Double D Trailer comes to life:
Step 1: Laying the Foundation - The Z-Frame Chassis
The backbone of every Double D Trailer is our Z-Frame chassis. Unlike traditional steel or aluminum I-beams or tubing, our patented Z-Frame design offers a superior strength-to-weight ratio. The unique Z-shape provides exceptional structural integrity, resisting frame flex and ensuring a stable and smooth ride for your horses.
- Unmatched Strength: The Z-Frame's engineered shape distributes stress more effectively than standard C-channel frames, leading to enhanced durability and longevity.
- Corrosion Resistance: Each Z-Frame component undergoes a zinc and chromate impregnation process, providing exceptional resistance to rust and corrosion, crucial for withstanding various weather conditions.
- Optimal Support: We utilize 16-inch on-center cross-member spacing, providing robust support for the flooring and minimizing potential for sagging or weakness over time.
"Our Head Welder explains, 'Using precise jig fixtures and adhering to stringent welding standards ensures the structural integrity of every Z-Frame chassis we build.'"
Step 2: Framing the Structure - Walls and Support
The strength of the Z-Frame extends beyond the chassis. We also utilize Z-Frame uprights in the construction of our trailer walls, ensuring consistent strength and a unified structure.
- Consistent Strength: Employing Z-Frame for the uprights creates a sturdy cage-like structure, enhancing the overall durability and safety of the trailer.
- Customization at its Core: Our framing process is highly adaptable, allowing us to accommodate unique customer requests and design specifications for the perfect fit.
- Ergonomic Design: The raised dressing room floor, a standard feature in many of our models, is integrated into the framing stage. This design offers ergonomic benefits for users and simplifies maintenance.
- Secure Connections: The tongue and coupler are securely integrated into the main frame, ensuring a reliable connection to your tow vehicle.
Step 3: Installing Key Internal Components
The interior of a Double D Trailer is designed with your horse's comfort and safety in mind, utilizing premium materials and thoughtful features.
- Durable and Comfortable Flooring: We highly recommend Rumber flooring, a recycled rubber product known for its exceptional longevity, impact resistance, and reduced vibration. Unlike heavy rubber mats, Rumber is easier to clean, doesn't absorb moisture, and helps regulate temperature, contributing to your horse's comfort.
- Preparing for Safety: The SafeKick wall system prep involves reinforcing the lower portion of the walls to withstand kicks and impacts, a crucial safety feature for protecting your horses.
- Convenient Access: A standard interior door provides easy access between the horse area and the dressing room, enhancing convenience during loading, unloading, and while on the road.
- Secure Tack Storage: The innovative SafeTack compartment offers a safe and organized space for your valuable tack and equipment, keeping it separate from your horses.
- Enhanced Comfort and Safety: Our Z-Frame dividers, often featuring tubular head dividers, promote better airflow and light penetration compared to solid dividers, creating a more comfortable and less claustrophobic environment for your horses. Tubular dividers also reduce the risk of horses getting cast.
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Step 4: Enclosing the Trailer - Skin, Ramps, and Roof
The exterior of your Double D Trailer is engineered for durability, weather resistance, and the safety of your horses.
- Double-Layer Protection: Our two-layer wall system provides superior insulation, helping to regulate the interior temperature and protect your horses from extreme weather conditions. It also adds to the overall structural integrity.
- Durable Interior Lining: We utilize Galvalite on the interior walls due to its exceptional corrosion resistance and smooth, easy-to-clean surface, contributing to a healthy environment for your horses. Galvalite's specific composition provides superior corrosion resistance compared to standard galvanized steel, ensuring a long-lasting interior.
- Safe and Easy Loading: Our ramps are designed with a safe loading angle, a non-skid surface for secure footing, and are spring-loaded for effortless operation.
- Versatile Loading Options: For reverse load models, we expertly install side ramps in addition to the rear ramp, offering flexibility and ease when loading and unloading horses that prefer to exit facing forward. These side ramps also feature spring-loading and a non-skid surface for maximum safety.
- Superior Roof Design: The SafeBump roof, constructed from a single piece of fiber composite material, offers exceptional impact protection, keeping your horses safe from overhead hazards. Its seamless design also makes it completely leak-proof and helps to keep the interior cooler compared to traditional aluminum roofs.
- Integrated Support: Z-Frame roof supports are integrated into the trailer's structure, providing additional strength and preventing roof sagging over time.
Step 5: Exterior Finishing - Bonding, Paint & Protection
The final exterior touches ensure a durable, aesthetically pleasing, and well-protected trailer.
- Enhanced Corrosion Protection: Before painting, we apply an epoxy primer to the aluminum skin, providing an additional layer of protection against corrosion and ensuring excellent paint adhesion.
- Seamless and Strong Construction: We utilize the advanced 3M Chemical bonding system to adhere the aluminum skin to the frame. This method creates a permanent, water-tight seal, eliminating the need for rivets or screws. This not only prevents leaks and potential points of corrosion but also results in a cleaner, more streamlined exterior and eliminates stress concentration points associated with mechanical fasteners.
- Durable and Attractive Finish: Our painting process involves multiple stages to achieve a high-quality, durable finish that can withstand the rigors of travel and the elements.
Step 6: Final Touches and Systems Integration
The final stage involves integrating essential features and conducting thorough quality checks.
- Convenient and Secure Windows: Drop-down windows with mid-latch mechanisms offer convenient ventilation options and feature leak-proof gaskets to keep the interior dry.
- Enhanced Security: A single-key locking system for multiple access points provides added security for your trailer and belongings.
- Added Convenience: Features like running boards for easier access, a spare tire for peace of mind, durable wheel wells, and optional additions like ladders and hay racks are carefully installed.
- Illuminated Interior: Interior lights ensure visibility during loading and unloading in low-light conditions.
- Quality Assurance: Before leaving our facility, every Double D Trailer undergoes a comprehensive final quality check to ensure all components are functioning correctly and meet our stringent standards.
Why Our Process Solves Common Problems & Delivers Lasting Value
Common Trailer Problems We Solve Through Experience & Better Building:
Over 25 years of building custom horse trailers, we've seen firsthand the common issues that can plague horse owners. Our unique construction methods and material choices are specifically designed to prevent these problems, providing you with a trailer that offers lasting value and, most importantly, keeps your horses safe.
- Rust and Corrosion: Many trailers succumb to rust, especially in harsh environments. Our Z-Frame with zinc/chromate impregnation and the use of Galvalite on interior walls provide superior corrosion resistance, ensuring the longevity of your investment.
- Floor Rot: Traditional wooden floors with rubber mats can trap moisture, leading to rot and structural weakness. Our recommended Rumber flooring is non-absorbent and incredibly durable, eliminating this common issue.
- Frame Weakness and Flex: Standard C-channel frames can flex and weaken over time, compromising the trailer's structural integrity. The engineered design of our patented Z-Frame provides exceptional strength and resists flexing, ensuring a stable and safe ride.
- Leaks: Riveted or screwed skin can create points of water ingress, leading to interior damage. Our 3M Chemical bonding system creates a seamless, watertight seal, preventing leaks and protecting your horses and equipment.
- Poor Ventilation and Overheating: Inadequate airflow can lead to discomfort and stress for your horses. Our tubular head dividers and thoughtfully placed windows promote excellent ventilation and help regulate interior temperature, especially when combined with the insulating properties of our two-layer wall system and the cooler SafeBump roof.
- Safety Hazards: Weak wall construction and poorly designed loading mechanisms can pose significant risks. Our SafeKick wall system prep, safe ramp angles with non-skid surfaces, and the impact-resistant SafeBump roof are all designed with your horse's safety as the top priority.
Happy Customers: Real Experiences, Real Quality
"I knew I wanted a trailer that would be safe and the safety and construction of Double D Trailers, especially the SafeTack, were key reasons I chose them over others." - Linda S.
"The quality of construction is outstanding, and you can tell they really prioritize the safety and comfort of the horses." - Kristin H.
"Absolutely love my Double D Trailer! The design is so well thought out for the horses' safety and ease of use for me. The quality is top-notch, and it's clear they put a lot of care into building them." - Jennifer H.
Our Warranty and Beyond
Every Double D Trailer is built with meticulous care, backed by our comprehensive warranty. We stand behind the quality and durability of our trailers.
We also offer nationwide delivery, handled by experienced professionals who understand the importance of careful and timely transportation. Our customers consistently praise our delivery team for their professionalism and attention to detail.
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