Before you hit the road, trailer in tow, make sure your vehicle is compatible with your trailer, your truck and trailer brakes are synchronized and you're prepared for any type of road conditions.
At some
point, most horse owners must trailer their horses, whether for medical reasons or to enjoy a show or trail ride. Whatever the circumstance, it's important for novice haulers to learn some of the safety tips that come from experience. Here are some things to keep in mind while traveling across three terrain types.
1. Make sure your vehicle is compatible with the trailer.
Regardless of terrain, your tow vehicle should be large enough to pull your trailer, which means adequate power plus adequate weight to the vehicle itself. A heavy trailer hooked to the bumper of a light truck might raise the front or rear of the truck, depending on weight distribution in the trailer. Obviously this is a dangerous combination. A trailer might also outweigh a tow vehicle to the point the trailer pushes the vehicle - another dangerous situation that can result in a jackknifed trailer.
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2. Synchronize your truck and trailer brakes.
Trailer brakes should complement the truck brakes not grab and skid, or be so light that they're ineffective. Trailer brakes set higher than the truck brakes hold back the truck, which eventually could cause overheating, fading, and possibly failing trailer brakes. Inadequate trailer brakes and the trailer might push the truck into a jackknife situation. An adjustable braking mechanism installed inside the vehicle enables the driver to find smooth, comfortable assistance from the trailer brakes.
3. Anticipate stops and turns.
This is especially important to prevent a jackknife situation when the tow vehicle and trailer travel on a curve. Regardless of truck and trailer size, safe trailer towing requires the driver to look ahead to anticipate road conditions. Besides, sudden stops,
starts and turns can quickly make a horse inside the trailer reluctant to load for the next trip.
Terrain Type No. 1: Off PavementWhen
a person tows off pavement to a gravel road, for instance, the full tread of the tires isn't in complete contact with the road surface, causing the rig to slide more quickly than when on pavement. The weight of the trailer pushing into the back of the vehicle is also increased because of the loose road surface conditions sand and/or gravel.
Under these conditions, reducing your speed is always the best bet. Looking ahead and anticipating what the road will be like after noticing the "Pavement Ends" sign is much better than trying to regain control of a rig that's jackknifed and sliding off the road. Resist the impulse to speed down an empty, country road.
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