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horse trailer should weigh at least 4,800
pounds or more. If you are that non-dressingroom
two-horse-trailer-with-one-horse person, I
still would not pull with a vehicle weighing less
than 4,500 pounds. Generally, the heavier the
SUV the more stable it will be on the road.
Determine the wheelbase length.
This is the distance between the front and rear
axles. Imagine looking at a fully hitched up rig
from the side. Notice that the tongue weight of
the horse trailer is pushing down on the back of
the tow vehicle behind the axles. This will tend
to push the front of the tow vehicle upward,
especially when driving (bouncing) down the
road. The longer the distance is in front of the
rear axle, the less it will bounce upward. So,
the shorter the wheelbase, the more easily the
tongue weight of your trailer can cause the
front of the tow vehicle to “float,” creating lack
of control. A weight-distribution hitch system
(often mistakenly called “sway bars”) will
reduce and often eliminate this. I recommend
its use on all SUVs and trucks pulling tag-along
horse trailers.
Finally, SUVs, in general, are known to be
somewhat unstable. Their center of balance is
somewhat off from the combination of having
all-wheel drive, short wheelbases and narrow
widths. Bear this in mind when stopping, starting,
slowing, and accelerating. Give yourself
plenty of room, drive responsibly and you’ll
arrive in comfort and ready to ride.
Authors of the Complete Guide to Buying,
Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer and
Equine Emergencies on the Road, Tom and
Neva also are nationally recognized for their
clinics on horse trailer safety and are developers
and owners of EquiSpirit Trailer Company.
For more info, contact Tom: 1-877-575-1771,
tom@equispirit.com or visit them on line at
equispirit.com.
Once you have your SUV,
Authors of the Complete Guide to Buying,
Maintaining, and Servicing a Horse Trailer
and Equine Emergencies on the Road. Tom
and wife are developers and owners of EquiSpirit
Trailer Company. For more info, contact
Tom: 1-877-575-1771, tom@equispirit.
com or visit them on line at equispirit.com.