Need Horse Trailer Opinion

[QRTRHRS]

I "whacked" my Sundowner the first time out, bol! Only it was not the truck bed as I was pulling it with a flatbed. I had a a couple of wheel barrows behind my cab and the gooseneck settled on the drop tube. When I turned into a parking lot with a ramp style of entrance, I put a ding in the front corner of the trailer.

The trailer was second hand but like new. The dealer had supposedly gone over it but I suppose people take it for granted that the tube would be torqued correctly.

Ramps vs step ups; that's another topic we could argue away on.

 

[RobertN]

I've trailered horses. Live loads are definitely different than a static load(ie tractor, cargo).

I really really like lifted Jeeps and Trucks! But...

- The CG is higher. Things get out of balance too fast in an emergency
- the brakes don't work as well. The OP's brakes were made to work with 31" tall tires. 37" tall tires are heaviear, and have a much larger spinning mass. The brakes do not work as effectively, without upgrades.
- Things just dont hook up right, ie trailers

For the horses
- The taller the step, the harder to load/unload
- Higher CG, the trailer does not handle as well
- Higher CG, especially with a livestock load that moves, is not as controllable in a panic situation.
- Bigger tires on the trailer, same as truck. More spinning mass, with more wieght + less effective brakes.

I would worry about the clearance and tires for an off-road truck. I would not worry on the street; I would be more concerned with the safety of the horses.

I personally would lower the truck, whether by less lift, or maybe dropping to 35's. It'd be a safer overall towin combination. And, without the angle on the trailer it would be much nicer on the horses legs. Not to mention you can keep a lower floor height for easier loading.

Personally, I would get some 35-12.50x17's. Shorter tire, more sidewall. More sidewall will give a better ride. And, it will give you bettersidewall felx for out on the trail. Those 20's are a recipe for rim rash. Especially when you drop tire pressure on the trail.

IMHO after years of trailering, Rubicon ect...

 

[RobertN]

One other thing... That looks like an F-350? I would make sure/verify those tires and rims are "E" rated for hauling a trailer full of horses. If those tires and rims are not rated for the GVWR of that truck, you may have derated yourself effectively to an F150...

That's one problem with large aftermarket tires/rims. They are not usually up to the wieght ratings of stock tires/rims...

 

[jgrreed]

One other thing... That looks like an F-350? I would make sure/verify those tires and rims are "E" rated for hauling a trailer full of horses. If those tires and rims are not rated for the GVWR of that truck, you may have derated yourself effectively to an F150...

That's one problem with large aftermarket tires/rims. They are not usually up to the wieght ratings of stock tires/rims...

It's a F350.

E rated, 3990lbs per tire. 99mph max speed. On second set of rubber, first ones lasted about 90000km.

Hauled 11000lb bobcats, 13000lb minihoes, 10000lb of hay, no problems. Pretty sure the aluminum 3 horse trailer with a 42" pony and 15.5h walker will be OK. Belgian's won't fit, unfortunately (love big horses, want a team eventually).

Brakes are a bit soft at 130,000km, fronts getting done this week. Rears are OK. Were fine initially after the lift and tires.

Rails are definitely a bit of a worry for me, but so far it's been OK, even with the big dip in that parking lot.

I do wish that I had waited for a 3 or 4" lift, as it'd saved these trailer problems. Next time.....

The longer the trailer, the better the angle. A 4 horse, or a 30' flatdeck, would've been fine I think. My 25' flatdeck is just a bit most high when empty.

-Jer.

 

[jgrreed]

Personally, I would get some 35-12.50x17's. Shorter tire, more sidewall. More sidewall will give a better ride. And, it will give you bettersidewall felx for out on the trail. Those 20's are a recipe for rim rash. Especially when you drop tire pressure on the trail.

IMHO after years of trailering, Rubicon ect...

In all honesty, I'm too chicken to take it really offroad, it's too expensive. I want to get an AEV Rubicon for that.....then we'll have some fun!!! The 350 is a pavement baby mostly.... The 4x4 gets engaged a few times a month for mud and snow, but certainly nothing I've headed into on purpose. The 20" rims are pretty safe tucked into those 37's. It's not exactly on 20 series on 26" spinner rims!!!

I appreciate what you saying about CG and stopping, etc. I know it doesn't seem like I would be, but I'm very cautious, borderline ****, about trailering anything...especially critters. It's far from 'tippy', with or without a load.

-Jer.