Commonly Used Trailer Terms
So that you can better understand some of the technical and brand-specific terms used throughout the site, we have provided a list of commonly used terms for your reference:
- Gaps located beneath the top rail on the side(s) of a trailer that run the length of the trailer’s belly. Air gaps are most frequently found on livestock trailers and on equine trailers in hot climates.
- Tank in a living quarters model that is used for storing waste water and biohazard waste. Usually contains waste that comes directly from the toilet.
- Bar attached to wall in dressing room or tack area that is designed to hold blankets.
- Indicates an equine bumper pull. Used as a suffix. E.g. Sooner SE 30 BP.
- Padded steel bar that is located at either the head or the tail of the horse to keep it safely in the stall.
- Small hooks attached to wall in dressing room or tack area that are designed to hold bridles.
- Tray attached to wall in dressing room or tack area that is designed to hold brushes.
- Trailer that connects to a ball hitch that's attached to the tow vehicle’s frame or bumper.
- Also called curb side or tail side. The side of the trailer equivalent to the passenger side of a vehicle in North America. So called because each horse’s rear end is located on this side when loaded in a standard slant load trailer.
- Mechanism that attaches trailer to tow vehicle.
- Also called butt side or tail side. The side of the trailer equivalent to the passenger side of a vehicle in the United States.
- Separate room in front of the horse area, used for changing and storage.
- Indicates a Sooner Livestock trailer with a dressing room. Used as a suffix. E.g. Sooner SR 720 DR.
- Indicates a standard Sooner Equine gooseneck or living quarters model. Used as a suffix. E.g. Sooner SE 318 DX.
- Tank in living a quarters model that is used for holding fresh water to be used in shower, sink, toilet, etc.
- Trailer that attaches to a ball in bed of a pickup or semi truck.
- Aluminum, diamond treadplate attached to the lower nose area of a bumper pull. Protects trailer from road debris.
- Tank in a living quarters model that is used for holding waste water and non-biohazard waste. Usually contains waste that comes from showers and/or sinks.
- A structure designed to reinforce a joint where two or more disconnected parts meet. It is a plate that is welded the exterior of the separate parts, such that an equal amount of area on the plate covers each part.
- Rack that is attached to a trailer’s roof to holds hay or other supplies. Available in various sizes and can either be wrapped in aluminum skin or be attached as a frame only.
- Also called street side. The side of the trailer equivalent to the driver's side of a vehicle in the United States. So called because each horse’s head is located on this side when loaded in a standard slant load trailer.
- Aluminum, “I” shaped beams that run horizontally from one side of the trailer to the other. Serve as a platform for the extruded aluminum flooring that runs vertically.
- Trailer that has an area appointed with living accommodations which may include bed, dinette, kitchenette, and bathroom.
- Exterior flood lights used to help load and unload livestock or horses. Located on or above the top rail of the trailer, usually above the rear door(s) or escape door.
- The longer sidewall of the dressing room on the curb side of a standard slant load trailer, created by the slanted horse area stalls.
- Extra panel beneath stall divider that is used to keep horses more confined and secure. Also called Stud Panel.
- Indicates trailer with living quarters. Used as a suffix. E.g. Event SS 310 LQ
- Indicates a Sooner Equine gooseneck or living quarters model with a luxury upgrade package. Used as a suffix. E.g. Sooner SE 318 LX.
- A trough located on the interior headside of the horse area that is used to hold food or water for horses.
- Tack room located between dressing room and horse area.
- Panel that shows the levels of the fresh water tank, grey water tank, black water tank and battery.
- Trailer without living quarters.
- Trailer with both sidewalls having open air spaces at the top for ventilation. Popular in hot climates.
- Same as open curb side. Trailer sidewall on curb side has open air spaces at the top for ventilation. So called because of location of horses’ rear end when loaded in trailer.
- Same as open butt side. Trailer sidewall on butt side has open air spaces at the top for ventilation.
- Mid tack that is wedge shaped (like a pie slice) is wide on the curb side and narrow on the street side.
- Allows the battery on the trailer to be charged by plugging into 110V power supply.
- Area in rear of horse area used for storing saddles, harnesses and other gear used for riding and working with horses. In most models the rear tack wall is collapsible.
- Rack located in dressing room or tack area used for storing saddles.
- A Sooner Equine trailer. Used as a prefix. E.g. SE 318.
- Cord which connects the electrical parts of the trailer, usually a living quarters to a power supply.
- The shorter sidewall of the dressing room on the street side, created by the slanted horse area stalls.
- Mid tack room located on one side of the trailer. Also known as a closet tack.
- Side door located at front of horse area that is used to access horse area and sometimes used as an exit point for handlers while loading/unloading. Usually located at the first stall on the streetside in a slant load, and on either side of the front of the horse area on a straight load.
- Horses loaded diagonally in trailer.
- Indicates a Sooner Equine gooseneck or living quarters model with smooth sides and no extruded aluminum slat on the sides. Sometime used as a suffix. E.g. Sooner SE 318 LX Slat.
- Mid tack that occupies a diagonal space, similar to a horse stall, between the horse area and the dressing room.
- Located in the rear gate or center gate, a slider provides an opening in the gate, usually for one animal or person to go through.
- Indicates a Sooner Equine gooseneck or living quarters model with smooth sides and no extruded aluminum slat on the sides. Sometime used as a suffix. E.g. Sooner SE 318 LX Smooth.
- A Sooner Livestock trailer. Used as a prefix. E.g. SR 720.
- Indicates a Sooner straight load bumper pull. Used as a suffix. E.g. Sooner SE 20 ST.
- Horses face front when loaded (or head-to-head in four and six horse models). Generally for larger and more active horses.
- Also called head side. The side of the trailer equivalent to the driver's side of a vehicle in the United States.
- Rear or center gate that is a one piece design, usually found on a livestock type trailer.
- Aluminum sheets on the side of Sooner gooseneck equine models that are bent at 90 degrees and joined together by a crimping tool. T-Lock side sheets are recognizable by the lack of rivets holding the trailer’s skin to its frame.
- Also called curb side or butt side. The side of the trailer equivalent to the passenger side of a vehicle in the United States.
- Patented aluminum extrusion running length-wise down the side of Sooner equine and livestock trailers. Features a unique, solid back for extra strength and support.
- Interior door that leads from either the dressing room or the living quarters area to the horse area.
Sooner Fact
Every Sooner trailer that is built features a one-piece aluminum roof that eliminates roof leaks and adds structural integrity to the trailer.