Installing the best fan for horse trailers is the ideal way to ensure your horse stays comfortable while on the road.
They not only help keep your horse from getting too hot, but they also improve airflow; both are essential to your horse’s health.
Luckily this is something you can do yourself and to help you pick the best option I’ve put together this guide to my favorites.
Let’s take a closer look at best fans for horse stalls and horse trailer fan installation.
This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
Top Fans for Horse Trailers at a Glance
- RoadPro RP-1179 Fan, Heavy Duty (WINNER)
- 14" RV Trailer Roof Vent Fan - Best Roof Fan
- Sirocco II Fan, Omni-Directional Gimbal Fan - 360 degree airflow
Don't have time? Here is a quick comparison of our favorites!
6 Best Horse Trailer Fans (Reviews)
Having a fan in your horse trailer isn’t a luxury but a necessity. Even when you think the weather is cool it can get too hot inside the trailer.
If your trailer doesn’t have a fan installed, like some horse trailer manufacturers include, you will need to purchase and install one yourself.
If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic, you know what a nightmare it is to worry about your horse’s in the back overheating. However, this is something that you can easily avoid with fans.
You want to look at fans designed for an RV, camper, trailer, or similar vehicle.
So, with that said let's take a look at my top picks.
#1 RoadPro RP-1179 Fan, Heavy Duty (WINNER)
Proper ventilation is essential for your horse trailer. You don’t want your horses to overheat when traveling in the summer months as it's really uncomfortable and can cause your horse to get sick.
This metal fan is good value and packs a lot of punch when it comes to airflow for such a small fan that your equine passengers will thank you for. It has a swivel feature which makes placing it in your trailer easier.
You can adjust where the airflows to maximize the cooling effect. What you want is to create a good flow of air, not necessarily aim the fan directly at your horse.
Features & Attributes
- 12-Volt
- Metal construction
- Chrome finish
- 10-foot power cord
- Swivel-ball base
Measurements
- 7.5-inch diameter
Benefits RoadPro RP-1179 Fan, Heavy Duty
- Heavy duty
- Good airflow
- Swivel settings
Drawbacks RoadPro RP-1179 Fan, Heavy Duty
- A bit rattley
- Lacks some durability
How it Compares to Others
For a small fan, this has great airflow to help keep your horse cool. It swivels so you can adjust where the airflows.
Expert Tips
Blue Ridge Trailers recommends that fans you place in the back of the trailer face out, not at your horses. This will pull hot air out of the trailer.
What Other Horse Parents Say About RoadPro RP-1179 Fan, Heavy Duty
Users find that this fan doesn’t make a lot of noise and many find it a powerful ‘workhorse.’
CHECK: Cute Horse Trailer Decals
#2 Prime Products (06-0850 Chrome 2-Speed Heavy Duty Fan - No Rust
A metal fan that resists run and fits nicely into different areas of your horse trailer. It has two speeds that provide good airflow.
This is a good option for those who want to place multiple fans in their trailer.
Features & Attributes
- Two speed
- All-metal
- Permanent mount
- 12 Volts
Measurements
- 6-inch fan blades
Benefits Prime Products Chrome 2-Speed Heavy Duty Fan
- Moves air well
- Solidly build
- Not to big
Drawbacks Prime Products Chrome 2-Speed Heavy Duty Fan
- Noisey
- No pivot feature
How it Compares to Others
This is a little more expensive than some of the others but it is a nice size. Some equestrians buy more than one to strategically place them in their horse trailer.
Expert Tips
Because trailer fans are electrical always get them installed by a professional. The last thing you want is for them to burn out or even start a fire in your trailer.
Keeping yourself and your horse safe is the number one priority when hauling.
What Other Horse Parents Say About Prime Products Chrome 2-Speed Heavy Duty Fan
Equestrians who have put these fans in their horse trailers say that they ‘move a lot of air’, and won’t rust.
#3 14" RV Trailer Roof Vent Fan - Best Roof Fan
One great way to improve horse trailer ventilation is to add a roof fan. These fans are a little more complicated to install but users find it pretty easy to do.
Features & Attributes
- 12 volt
- Translucent Polypropylene lid
- Fine mesh screen
Measurements
- 6-inch fan blade
- 16 ½” X 16 ½” exterior mounting
Benefits RV Trailer Roof Vent Fan
- Easy installation
- Good for air circulation
Drawbacks RV Trailer Roof Vent Fan
- Will have to cut hole in roof if you don’t have one
- Not the cheapest
How it Compares to Others
Unlike the other fans, this one is mounting into the roof of your trailer. You will need to cut a hole in the roof to fit it. It is one of the best trailer accessories to have on hot summer days.
Expert Tips
These types of fans require a seal to ensure water doesn’t leak in. Occasionally you will need to replace the seal. Check out this video that shows you how to do this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_USGR5BzVs
What Other Horse Parents Say About RV Trailer Roof Vent Fan
Users are pretty happy with this fan, saying it is a ‘good buy’ and ‘easy to install.’
CHECK: Best Electric Trailer Jacks
#4 Air King 9312 Powder-Coated Steel Multi-Mount Wall Fan - Workhorse
This American-made fan is a workhorse. It can run for several hours and stand up to heavy use. It is industrial grade making it a good choice for horse trailers.
Features & Attributes
- 3-speed motor
- Black coating
- Pull cord
Measurements
- 12-Inch metal blade
Benefits Air King Powder-Coated Steel Multi-Mount Wall Fan
- Industrial grade
- Can hard wire
- Three power levels
Drawbacks Air King Powder-Coated Steel Multi-Mount Wall Fan
- Some mounting hardware must be bought separately
- Vibrates a lot
- Expensive
How it Compares to Others
This is one of the most expensive options, but it is very durable and built to last.
Expert Tips
One tip that I learned and see many experts recommend is to travel your horses during the cooler parts of the day when temperatures are high. You also want to offer water during the trip to keep your horse hydrated.
What Other Horse Parents Say About Air King Powder-Coated Steel Multi-Mount Wall Fan
Users have tons of great things to say about this fan from ‘tough little fan’ to ‘sturdy’ to ‘plenty of air movement.’
CHECK: Best Generator for Horse Trailer
#5 Sirocco II Fan, Omni-Directional Gimbal Fan - 360 degree airflow
This is a cool fan, pun intended! Its unique design allows you to adjust the airflow no matter how you mount it.
It also has various speed settings and timers so you can control when it comes on and how strong it blows.
Features & Attributes
- 3 speed settings
- Timer settings
- 12 Volt
Measurements
- 3.5 x 9.5 x 12 inches
Benefits Sirocco II Fan, Omni-Directional Gimbal Fan
- Adjust air direction regardless of how mounted
- Very quiet
- Low power usage
Drawbacks Sirocco II Fan, Omni-Directional Gimbal Fan
- Expensive
- Some find installation tricky
How it Compares to Others
This is one of the more expensive options but it offers more wiggle room for air flow adjustment than most.
Expert Tips
Before you hit the road and even load your horse open up the trailer, including windows and vents to let fresh cool air in.
What Other Horse Parents Say About Sirocco II Fan, Omni-Directional Gimbal Fan
This user put the fan in his RV, but it is easy to see how it will work for a trailer. Check out this comprehensive review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T79eJ1fdHV4
#6 Madison Accessories RV Trailer Fan - Good Value
This chrome finish fan is a great size to fit into your horse trailer. You can place more than one to get maximum results
The price isn’t bad and it is Corrosion resistant
Features & Attributes
- Twelve volt
- Two-speed
- Metal base
Measurements
- 7.5 x 8.75 x inches
Benefits Madison Accessories RV Trailer Fan
- 180 degree rotation
- Nice airflow
- Oscillating head fan
Drawbacks Madison Accessories RV Trailer Fan
- Need wiring knowledge to install
How it Compares to Others
This is a direct wire fan, which makes it a good choice for horse trailers and trucks. The price is pretty reasonable too!
Expert Tips
World Horse Welfare has some great horse care tips for hot weather, including this - “Make sure your horse is well rested and hydrated before any journey, and provide water on arrival. Keep journey times short and only travel if it is really necessary.”
What Other Horse Parents Say About Madison Accessories RV Trailer Fan
Users find this an attractive fan that works great.
Things To Look At When Buying Fans For Horse Trailers
Not all fans will suit a horse trailer. When looking to buy fans for horse trailers there are a few things to consider to make sure you get the right one.
The main things to focus on are the voltage, power source, and how you will mount the fan. The main goal is to keep your horse trailer cooler and your horse safe.
Let’s take a look at what you need to know.
Voltage
You will most likely want to wire horse trailer fans directly. Make sure that the fan voltage matches that of your vehicle and trailer’s wiring.
Some fans connect to the cigarette lighter plus only. While these are an excellent option for you and your passengers, they won’t work in your trailer.
The majority of options are a 12-volt fan for horse trailer or RV. The two types are very similar and pretty much interchangeable, even
Power Source
It is important to consider how much power the fan draws. The last thing you want is a fan that draws heavily from your truck’s battery, leaving it drained and you stranded.
A good idea is to have a backup power source that the fan can use such as a battery pack or generator. You can also consider a battery operated fan for horse trailers.
Fans that you can hard wire are the best way to go. However, this needs to be done safely and correctly. It is a good idea to enlist the help of someone who is an expert in vehicle electrics to do this for you.
Mounting & Base
When choosing the best fan for horse trailer the mount is pretty important. You want a base that will fit easily into the corner or top of the trailer walls.
And of course, the easier it is to install the better!
The sturdier the mount and the fan itself is something to look out for. The last thing you want is for the fan to fall off while you are on the road and hurt or spook your horses.
This brings up another safety consideration. Look for a fan that you can place safely out of your horse’s reach. This will vary with different types of horse trailers, but small and sturdy will work for most.
FAQs
Where does the fan go in a horse trailer?
You can place horse trailer fans on the roof, corners, and sides. All fans should be placed high, near the ceiling out of the horse’s reach.
How do I keep my horse trailer cool in the summer?
To keep your horse trailer cool in the summer make sure it has plenty of ventilation, install fans, and get it insulated to keep heat out.
Can you add air conditioning to a horse trailer?
It is possible to add air conditioning to a horse trailer but it isn’t a straightforward job and is expensive.
Conclusion
I hope my guide has given you some idea about the best fan for horse trailer. Anyone that wants to improve airflow and that travels in warm weather should add this accessory to their trailers.
A comfortable horse is a happy horse that is less likely to get sick on the road. My final recommendation is the RoadPro RP-1179 Fan, Heavy Duty. It is a decent price and does its job well.
Though, I’d be happy to use any of the fans I’ve included.
Do you use a horse trailer fan? Do you have a favorite?
Resources
- 1. Becky Bernard Stuempfig | Therapy Services | Encinitas, CA 92024 . Becky Bernard Stuempfig. . Available from: https://encinitastherapy.com/
- 2. Do Your Children Get Enough Sleep? . 2020. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/children-sleep.htm
- 3. Anderson K. Parents, Grandparents Disagree on How to Raise Grandkids . AARP. . Available from: https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/parents-grandparents-disagree-poll.html