In the market for a new horse trailer? Here’s what you should know
Picking the Right Horse Trailer for You!
Whether you are a weekend rider or a career cowboy, getting your horses to the event is a key part of the lifestyle. With so many different options and choices on the market, how do you decide which trailer is the best fit for you and your horses?
Towing Capacity and Safety
The first thing to consider is your vehicle’s towing capacity. It might seem obvious, but you absolutely do not want to tow a trailer that is too big and heavy for your vehicle. Being able to stop effectively is a top priority when pulling any load, especially one as precious as your horse. Aside from this and other safety issues, pulling an oversized trailer can also cause expensive and permanent damage to your vehicle’s driveline.
“How do I find my truck’s towing capacity” you might ask? The answer is simple! Your vehicle’s towing capacity will be listed in your owner’s manual. Don’t have your manual handy? We’ve got you covered. Our online towing guide has an easy-to-use towing capacity tool. Simply plug in your vehicle’s model year, make and trim and let our towing capacity calculator do the math!
Gooseneck or Bumper Pull?
Now that we have your towing capacity figured out, the next step is to decide whether you are looking for a gooseneck or bumper pull horse trailer. The biggest difference between goosenecks and bumper pulls is the mounting point. Bumper pull trailers mount to the rear of the vehicle via a standard ball hitch, and goosenecks will mount into the bed of a truck through a bed hitch or fifth wheel.
Gooseneck trailers are generally larger than bumper pulls, and can offer a better turning radius due to its location in the bed of the truck as opposed to on the rear bumper. If your truck is equipped with a bed hitch or fifth wheel, the gooseneck is a great choice!
What if you don’t need all of that extra space that a gooseneck horse trailer provides? Maybe your vehicle is not equipped with a fifth wheel or bed hitch? That’s okay, because bumper pull trailers can mount on to a standard ball hitch at the rear of your vehicle. This opens up your vehicle options to not only trucks, but SUVs and other large vehicles that may not have a truck bed (remember to check your towing capacity!).
Two Horse Bumper Pull
Let’s start with the two-horse bumper pull. This is going to be one of the more common types of horse trailer that you will see during your shopping experience. If you’re only bringing one or two horses to the show, this is probably the type of trailer for you. These trailers commonly have a dressing or tack room in the front area of the trailer. Here you can store your tack, accessories, and even some hay and grain. Some rooms will have bridle hooks, saddle racks, and additional storage.
C&B Quality Trailers offers a variety of affordable two-horse bumper pulls through the Maverick brand, and San Antonio RVs is happy to help find the right one for you!
Gooseneck Trailers
If you plan on hauling 3 or more horses and your truck is equipped for it, a gooseneck trailer is probably your best bet. As mentioned before, gooseneck trailers provide increased driveability due to its mounting position in the bed of the truck. This allows for a tighter turning radius, less sway, and generally better control.
Obviously if you are planning on hauling 6 horses, the gooseneck is the way to go. However, gooseneck trailers can also be a pleasant upgrade from a bumper pull with more space for your horses and tack.
San Antonio RVs proudly offers gooseneck trailers from Delta Mfg. for all of your horse and livestock needs.
Shopping and Research
A quality horse trailer is no small investment, so it is important that you spend some time reflecting on your needs and researching the correct horse trailer to meet them. How often are you riding, and how far are you traveling? How many horses are you taking? Do you plan to overnight with your trailer loaded with your equine friends? These are just some questions to think about when shopping for your next horse trailer.
San Antonio RVs is here to help you choose the perfect trailer for you and your four-legged companions!
