Horse Trailers
Trailer Types, Safety, and Care
Horse trailers are important in the transport of your horse for any reason. You do not necessarily need to own your own trailer, but it does make life easier. There are also many aspects to consider when you are looking for a new trailer. For example, how you intend to use your trailer, how much you have in your budget, and what type of vehicle you have to haul with.
These are only a few of the things you must remember when shopping. The following information on horse trailers is meant as a small guide to selecting and caring for a trailer best suited to you.
Bumper Pull
Bumper pull horse trailers are hitched to the
truck at the hitch on the truck bumper. This type of trailer can be
hauled with a wider variety of vehicles including trucks and SUV's with
enough towing capacity. This type of trailer can have a dressing roomor
tack storage in the front either floor to ceiling or in smaller
compartments depending on the loading type.
Bumper pull horse trailers come as a fully enclosed "horse trailer" or as a "stock trailer". Stock trailers are usually open on the sides at the top and are built for hauling different types of stock animals which includes horses. I have found that stock trailers are generally a little more reasonable in price than fully enclosed horse trailers.
Loading type can be either a straight load or a slant load. In a straight load trailer you load horses straight in, facing forward. In a slant load trailer, you load horses on a slant or angle which is usually to the left. The slant load trailers allow for a large and full dressing room in the front of the trailer and sometimes a rear tack compartment in the back of the trailer.
This type of horse trailer is very easy to connect to a truck and more convenient for shorter trips with your horse. If you like to show your horse and are likely away at shows for more than one day, this type of trailer has no living space to camp in. You could do some renovations to the dressing room area to sleep in, but it is much more cramped than some of the larger trailers built for sleep space.
Gooseneck
Gooseneck horse trailers attach to your truck
through a hitch in the bed, or on a platform off the back of a flatbed
type truck. For this trailer you are a little more limited in the type
of vehicle you need to haul it. Although you are limited in the
vehicles you need to travel with this type of trailer, you have far
more options available by being able to use this trailer for camping.
A gooseneck trailer can also come fully enclosed or as a stock trailer. You also once again have the option of choosing a straight or slant load option for your horses. If you have more horses to haul, it may be easier to use a gooseneck since they can come with the option to haul 6 or more horses at a time. You just need to make sure your truck is capable of moving that much weight.
In addition to moving more horses, you have many options available to you for the amount of space you need in the front of the trailer. The most basic models come with some tack storage or just an empty space in the front. If you plan to travel for days at a time with your horse(s), you can look into getting some type of living quarters in the front.
Living quarters come in a variety of sizes offering options such as slide-outs, bathrooms, showers, kitchens, and full beds. Keep in mind the more space and the more stuff in that space to make your life more comfortable, the more money you will likely be paying. I have also seen people use these trailers for family camping even without the horses.
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Trucks
No matter what trailer you are looking at
getting, you need to make sure that your vehicle is capable of towing
it. Check your owner's manual for maximum towing capacity. Then check
your manual (if you have one) or the manufacturer website for weight
information on your specific trailer. This is the trailer weight with
NOTHING in it. Once you put your horse in the trailer, add some tack, feed, shavings and hay, your trailer will weigh a little more. If you are planning on making long trips with your truck and trailer, it is very important to stay within the recommended guidelines for your truck's towing capacity to prevent any roadside problems.
Most 1/2 ton trucks can haul 7,000-10,000 pounds depending on the engine size. If you intend on hauling more weight than that, you may want to consider getting a larger vehicle. Most bumper pull trailers with 1-3 horses can easily be handled with a 1/2 ton pick up, but again check all your weights before heading out.
For the most part, I usually see 3/4 ton and 1 ton pickups hauling gooseneck trailers. Again this is due to the fact that this type of horse trailer usually weighs a little more. When in doubt refer back to your manual or the manufacturer of both your truck and trailer.
Trailer Safety
Whenever you hit the road with horses in tow,
there are always risks you must keep in mind. The best things you can
do for keeping yourself safe on the road are the things you do before
you ever leave home. Make sure your truck is in working order and up to
date on all needed services including oil changes and tire inflation.
Before each trip, run a safety check of your horse trailer. You can keep a checklist on hand to remember everything you need to double check before you leave. While performing a safety check of your horse trailer you want to make sure you have sufficient air in your tires, that your spare tire is in good condition, and that all your trailer lights (inside and outside) are in working order.
If your horse trailer has been sitting for an extended period (or even just a couple of weeks), check around the inside of the trailer for wasps nests, loose/splintered wood, exposed nails, and other hazards for your horses.
Make sure you have a cell phone with you in case of emergency on the road. When towing, make sure you take the precautions needed with hauling a trailer. You will want the trip to be smooth for your horse and to do that you will need more time for stopping, turning, and accelerating. You need to be aware of what you can and can't see in your mirrors as well.
Horse trailers also require slower lane changes and most drivers usually travel at slower speeds. It is a good idea to bring with you a first aid kit for both you and your horse.
Trailer Care
Horse trailers need proper care and there is no
better time to perform routine maintenance than during the off season.
Things you may want to check on your trailer include tires, brake
drums, trailer suspension, major trailer bolts (hanger bolts, u-bolts,
and shackle bolts), brake linings, brake magnets, wheel bearings, and
look for any signs of rust.
Tires & Wheels
When checking trailer tires you must first make sure they have the proper tire pressure. Also look for problematic wear patterns on tires such as uneven wearing and general wearing. Horse trailers should have tires changed out every 3-5 years, even if you don't travel very much. Valve stems on tires should always be replaced when getting new tires. You need a minimum of 1/4" of tread on your tires for proper road safety.
Wheel bearings and brakes should also be inspected at this time to make sure they are up to par.
Undercarriage
Check the hitch area of the trailer for excess dirt and rust. Check all fastening equipment and any bolts securing the hitch mechanism to the trailer. The safety chains should remain securely attached to the sides of the trailer tongue. Attachment points at the ends of the of the chains should also be in working order.
Check the emergency break-away mechanism. This cord activates your trailer brakes should the trailer come unhitched.
Under the front of the trailer, all parts should be securely bolted into place. Fenders should be secured with no bent areas that could rub tires. Also check the axle springs and spring leaves.
Interior
The interior in all horse trailers may exhibit the most wear after a few show seasons on the road. Horses cause damage to the interior by constant pawing, leaning, and kicking on the walls and dividers.
When looking at the interior of your horse trailer you should check for sharp points and edges in the roof and around the metal areas. You can then file these spots down.
Check surfaces of mangers for wear and for tears in any vinyl that can be patched up. Check the floor mats for tears and wearing at the edges.
The trailer floor is probably the most important to check. If you have mats in the trailer make sure you pull them out to inspect the wood floor for signs of rot. The most common places you will find floor rotting will be along the edges and front corners. Areas where the wood is softer or rotten can be replaced with new boards. Discolored areas can be sanded down and you can use chemicals such as bleach and water to kill bacteria and fungus. You will then want to reapply a fresh coat of water sealer.
If you have sidewalls with wood, damage is easily caused by a kicking horse. Make sure there are no sharp and protruding splinters from this type of damage. You may also want to update wood treatment with wood sealer if you have an older trailer.
The tack area or dressing room will also need to be checked for signs of leaking and wearing on doors and door seals.
Exterior
When inspecting the outside body of your trailer, look for signs of wear and tear that could cause more significant problems through the travel and show season. Check your trailer from front to back and down both sides. Some wear and damage to your trailer can leave sharper edges and weaker points to.
Look for loose screws or bolts, especially to rivets holding aluminum pieces in place. Sharp edges around the trailer could cause cuts for you and your horse. You may have to replace damaged hardware in your trailer such as tie rings, brackets, and hinges. We recommend using oil on hinges and latches to keep them moving smoothly.
Rust is inevitable to the exterior. If you catch it early you can clean rust spots up by rubbing on a compound or sanding those areas. You can also seal seams in the trailer by using a silicone sealer.
It is a good idea to have an annual check of your trailer just before the start of your busy travel season. Use the above information as a general guide in addition to any other resources you find helpful. Check over your trailer yourself at first and consult with a professional for help and servicing. It is a good idea to talk to someone familiar with horse trailers. Your local horse trailer dealer will be able to provide you with these services.
