When towing a horse trailer there are many things to consider when it comes to ensuring the safety of you, your passengers & horses along with your truck & trailer. There are certain guidelines that must be followed when towing a horse trailer & following them will improve your safety when towing.
1. You must have at least a Class III or Class IV receiver hitch, with each part rated to match the GVWR of the trailer.
2. The frame of the trailer must be inspected for cracks, loose wires & connections.
3. All hinges & hitches should be greased & there should be no rust on the hitch or trailer.
Other Considerations
Towing horses can add a lot of weight to your vehicle & even though your weight is within the GVWR, you may experience sagging. This sacrifices the quality of your ride & makes it more difficult to tow. By the simple addition of level load support, such as air bags or helper springs, you can reduce sag, sway & bottoming out. This increases safety conditions for you & your horses.
General Rule of Thumb
Many different kinds of trucks can be used for towing horses. When selecting a truck, there is a general rule of thumb to follow: for a 1 horse trailer, a 1/2 ton truck will do; for a 2-4 horse trailer you’ll need a 3/4 or 1 ton truck; above a 4 horse trailer you will need a heavier duty vehicle, like an F450.
Air Bag Kits
There are many different options for load support when towing a trailer & Air Bags are a popular choice. If you use a B & W gooseneck hitch for towing, you’ll need an air bag kit designed specifically to work with that type of hitch.
Helper Springs
Another option to help with load support are Hellwig Helper springs. These are not as versatile as Air Bags, but they provide up to 3500lbs of support & work with in-bed hitches. Helper spring models will automatically adjust to your load. When you need them they engage & when unloaded, your ride will go unaffected. Many people enjoy the helper springs as they are easy to install & require no air pressure maintenance.
Timbren SES
Timbren Kits are another preferred choice for towing. With a Timbren SES kit there is zero maintenance & your unloaded ride will be the same as it is now. Timbrens replace stock bump stop & sit about 1-2” above the axle, once you hook up your trailer & load your horse, the Timbrens make contact with the axle & prevent sagging. Timbrens offer up to 8600lbs of load support & can easily be installed, with or without an in-bed hitch.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
When towing a horse trailer, you also need to keep in mind the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of your vehicle. Even with the added support of helpers, you cannot exceed the GVWR. With a gooseneck setup you can approach your vehicle’s maximum capacity very quickly, so be careful when selecting your truck & trailer. If you are following all of the safety guidelines for towing & still experiencing sagging in the rear, adding airbags, helper springs or Timbrens help to eliminate your problems.
Thanks
Many thanks to Nicole Felix from SD Truck Springs for the helpful info.
Definitely some helpful info – I love the picture!