Size of truck /SUV for hauling 2 horse trailer?

Size of truck /SUV for hauling 2 horse trailer?

Post by Meg » Sun, 15 Feb 1998 04:00:00


What type of truck would you recommend for pulling a 2 horse trailer
(14 - 15.2 hand horses) with most of hauling in north Texas area.
We could possibly get into Hill Country around Austin or hills
in SE OKlahoma/SW Arkansas.

This would be our first truck and trailer, so we are real novices.
Quite an investment for us. I have tried to search on the web, but
can't quite figure out how to make the evaluation on size, weight, etc.
Perhaps just let me know what you use? Really appreciate it.

Would you recommend used or new? 4WD or not? Extended cab? Extra
cooling? Brakes? Goose neck or not?
(Will usually have 2 ***s in vehicle.)

Perhaps a large style SUV?

Thanks for any input,

Meg F

 
 
 

Size of truck /SUV for hauling 2 horse trailer?

Post by Robby Johnso » Sun, 15 Feb 1998 04:00:00

Quote:

> What type of truck would you recommend for pulling a 2 horse trailer
> (14 - 15.2 hand horses) with most of hauling in north Texas area.
> We could possibly get into Hill Country around Austin or hills
> in SE OKlahoma/SW Arkansas.

> This would be our first truck and trailer, so we are real novices.
> Quite an investment for us. I have tried to search on the web, but
> can't quite figure out how to make the evaluation on size, weight, etc.
> Perhaps just let me know what you use? Really appreciate it.

> Would you recommend used or new? 4WD or not? Extended cab? Extra
> cooling? Brakes? Goose neck or not?
> (Will usually have 2 ***s in vehicle.)

> Perhaps a large style SUV?

> Thanks for any input,

> Meg F


Hey Meg -

You don't say what you're going to be using your trailer for or how
often you're going to be hauling and those are factors I really
consider.  What you do say is that you'll be hauling quite "a ways" when
you haul.  

I am also looking at truck/trailer combinations and here's what I'd
recommend.

1.  Turnbow trailers near Tulsa are great; many of their standard
features aren't options (like other manufacturers who reach a point
where you're being charged for every***that gets added).  They have
a lot of great floor plans and standard models and will build custom.
If you can afford a gooseneck, I'd go with that.  They're better for
hauling and give you more room.  For the travel you're wanting to do, go
ahead and get the hay rack added to the top of the trailer.  Aluminum
vs. Steel?  Aluminum last longer through weather; I believe steel lasts
better in a collision.  I'll probably get a steel trailer.
2.  I'd look for at least a 3/4 ton x-cab pickup to haul with.  Make
sure you get a long-wheel base truck if you're going to haul a
gooseneck.  You'll wanna read up on the trucks towing specs., make sure
it has a high rated read end towing capacity (and don't let some idiot
car salesman try to tell you it'll haul if it has less than a 400 rear
end).

Best advice - it's better to be a little over-rigged than under-rigged.
--

Robby Johnson
Little Rock, Arkansas

* I'm spamblocking, remove asterisks to email me:

* "People are afraid to ask for what they want, that's why they don't
get what they want."  - Madonna, "Sex" 1992

 
 
 

Size of truck /SUV for hauling 2 horse trailer?

Post by Richard Bish » Sun, 15 Feb 1998 04:00:00


Quote:

>What type of truck would you recommend for pulling a 2 horse trailer
>(14 - 15.2 hand horses) with most of hauling in north Texas area.
>We could possibly get into Hill Country around Austin or hills
>in SE OKlahoma/SW Arkansas.

>This would be our first truck and trailer, so we are real novices.
>Quite an investment for us. I have tried to search on the web, but
>can't quite figure out how to make the evaluation on size, weight,
etc.
>Perhaps just let me know what you use? Really appreciate it.

There was an excellent article in Horse and Rider a while back, I think
it was Nov. 1996.  Check it out if your library keeps the back copies.

You won't be in trouble if you remember you are better off with more
muscle than you need.  Sure, you can PULL with a smaller vehicle, but
you might have problems with 'trailer sway' and lack of control.

Quote:

>Would you recommend used or new? 4WD or not? Extended cab? Extra
>cooling? Brakes? Goose neck or not?
>(Will usually have 2 ***s in vehicle.)

I'll tell you what I drive.  I drive a 1997 Chevy 4x4 HD 3/4 ton X-cab
Diesel truck.  It is a wonderful towing vehicle.  

Definitely get the extra cooling package, go for a 410 rear end.

Quote:

>Perhaps a large style SUV?

Depends on what you want.  The larger SUVs are OK, but nothing beats a
good pickup truck.

Go to the various dealers, get the promo manuals for the trucks and
read the fine print in the towing information.  There's a gross towing
number which is calculated on the contents (people and equipment) in
the truck, the weight of the trailer and the trailer contents.  I tend
to say be conservative and try to keep your towing down to about 75% of
the maximum.  
Stay AWAY from the 'little' trucks such as the Chevy S10 and Ford
Ranger.  They are 'toy trucks' and definitely not safe to tow horses.

Get an electronic brake control installed on your tow vehicle, along
with sway bars.  And get someone to help you learn how to drive and
pull a trailer.

Quote:

>Thanks for any input,

>Meg F


Sue

 
 
 

Size of truck /SUV for hauling 2 horse trailer?

Post by Richard Bish » Sun, 15 Feb 1998 04:00:00


Quote:


>> What type of truck would you recommend for pulling a 2 horse trailer
>> (14 - 15.2 hand horses) with most of hauling in north Texas area.
>> We could possibly get into Hill Country around Austin or hills
>> in SE OKlahoma/SW Arkansas.

>> This would be our first truck and trailer, so we are real novices.
>> Quite an investment for us. I have tried to search on the web, but
>> can't quite figure out how to make the evaluation on size, weight,
etc.
>> Perhaps just let me know what you use? Really appreciate it.

>> Would you recommend used or new? 4WD or not? Extended cab? Extra
>> cooling? Brakes? Goose neck or not?
>> (Will usually have 2 ***s in vehicle.)

>> Perhaps a large style SUV?

>> Thanks for any input,

>> Meg F

>Hey Meg -

>You don't say what you're going to be using your trailer for or how
>often you're going to be hauling and those are factors I really
>consider.  What you do say is that you'll be hauling quite "a ways"
when
>you haul.  

>I am also looking at truck/trailer combinations and here's what I'd
>recommend.

>1.  Turnbow trailers near Tulsa are great; many of their standard
>features aren't options (like other manufacturers who reach a point
>where you're being charged for every***that gets added).  They
have
>a lot of great floor plans and standard models and will build custom.
>If you can afford a gooseneck, I'd go with that.  They're better for
>hauling and give you more room.  For the travel you're wanting to do,
go
>ahead and get the hay rack added to the top of the trailer.  Aluminum
>vs. Steel?  Aluminum last longer through weather; I believe steel
lasts
>better in a collision.  I'll probably get a steel trailer.
>2.  I'd look for at least a 3/4 ton x-cab pickup to haul with.  Make
>sure you get a long-wheel base truck if you're going to haul a
>gooseneck.  You'll wanna read up on the trucks towing specs., make
sure
>it has a high rated read end towing capacity (and don't let some idiot
>car salesman try to tell you it'll haul if it has less than a 400 rear
>end).

>Best advice - it's better to be a little over-rigged than

under-rigged.

One more thing, if you buy a 4x4 truck and a gooseneck trailer, there
are problems with both the Ford and the Dodge trucks.  Seems that the
beds on the 4x4s are too high for many of the gooseneck horse trailers.

Quote:
>--

>Robby Johnson
>Little Rock, Arkansas

>* I'm spamblocking, remove asterisks to email me:

>* "People are afraid to ask for what they want, that's why they don't
>get what they want."  - Madonna, "Sex" 1992

Sue
 
 
 

Size of truck /SUV for hauling 2 horse trailer?

Post by R E P » Tue, 17 Feb 1998 04:00:00

What I have is a 89 Chevy Suburban 454  engine with tow package(oversize
radiator hooked up to ***) I have a 2 horse bumper-pull ,  steel,  warm***
size trailer

 
 
 

Size of truck /SUV for hauling 2 horse trailer?

Post by Eileen G. Morg » Tue, 17 Feb 1998 04:00:00

Quote:

>What type of truck would you recommend for pulling a 2 horse trailer
>(14 - 15.2 hand horses) with most of hauling in north Texas area.
>We could possibly get into Hill Country around Austin or hills
>in SE OKlahoma/SW Arkansas.

Meg--
I do about 80-90% of my driving with my truck as a "car." I have to
haul me, the spouse action, friends, dogs, cats, stuff, etc, go on
long trips, and such. The spouse has a beat up pick-up, ford 150, that
is not powerful enough to move our two horse with horses in it. Don't
get a 150 ford or equivalent--NOT enough truck!

Although many people will screech that a sport utility is not enough
truck, not safe, etc, I've been pulling with one for the last 10 years
and never had a problem. Get a LARGE SUV--I have a 4 door GMC Yukon.
Love it. My last one was a 2 door Yuklon, slightly smaller than my 2
door Full size Bronco, which was slightly smaller than my first
monster truck early 80s Blazer. The 2 door, in my opinion, is no
longer heavy enough to pull a two horse. I have the same basic engine
in my new 4 door Yukon, and a much more stable rig.

Two pieces of advice:
*get a heavy towing package
*get equalizer hitch. It will distribute the weight of the togue over
the frame of the truck more evenly as well as provide anti-sway bars.

good luck!
eileen morgan
The Mare's Nest

 
 
 

Size of truck /SUV for hauling 2 horse trailer?

Post by Katheri3 » Tue, 17 Feb 1998 04:00:00

I have towed a two horse trailer with two quarter horse sized horses with a
1972 Ford Ranch Wagon, a 1985 Chevy Van20, and a 1997 Ford Expedition.  I have
always used a equalizer hitch and sway bar and have found all three vehicles to
be fine for towing.  All three vehicles are heavy and have long wheel bases.
Fom what I have read, the wheel base is very important.

Since my tow vehicle has had to be the family car, a pick-up truck has not been
an option.  

Hope this helps!

Katherine  :)

 
 
 

Size of truck /SUV for hauling 2 horse trailer?

Post by Richard Bish » Tue, 17 Feb 1998 04:00:00


Quote:
Morgan) writes:


>>What type of truck would you recommend for pulling a 2 horse trailer
>>(14 - 15.2 hand horses) with most of hauling in north Texas area.
>>We could possibly get into Hill Country around Austin or hills
>>in SE OKlahoma/SW Arkansas.
>Meg--
>I do about 80-90% of my driving with my truck as a "car." I have to
>haul me, the spouse action, friends, dogs, cats, stuff, etc, go on
>long trips, and such. The spouse has a beat up pick-up, ford 150, that
>is not powerful enough to move our two horse with horses in it. Don't
>get a 150 ford or equivalent--NOT enough truck!

>Although many people will screech that a sport utility is not enough
>truck, not safe, etc, I've been pulling with one for the last 10 years
>and never had a problem. Get a LARGE SUV--I have a 4 door GMC Yukon.
>Love it. My last one was a 2 door Yuklon, slightly smaller than my 2
>door Full size Bronco, which was slightly smaller than my first
>monster truck early 80s Blazer. The 2 door, in my opinion, is no
>longer heavy enough to pull a two horse. I have the same basic engine
>in my new 4 door Yukon, and a much more stable rig.

>Two pieces of advice:
>*get a heavy towing package
>*get equalizer hitch. It will distribute the weight of the togue over
>the frame of the truck more evenly as well as provide anti-sway bars.

I agree with you with one slight alteration.  I steer people away from
SUVs, because many folks think all of them are created equal.  They
aren't.  You've got the bigger SUV.  But I still prefer a big ole
truck, sorta messy to haul the hay in the SUV and my hubby complains.

Quote:

>good luck!
>eileen morgan
>The Mare's Nest

Sue who dumped the SUV and got a truck
 
 
 

Size of truck /SUV for hauling 2 horse trailer?

Post by Dea » Wed, 18 Feb 1998 04:00:00


says...

Quote:
>Stay AWAY from the 'little' trucks such as the Chevy S10 and Ford
>Ranger.  They are 'toy trucks' and definitely not safe to tow horses.

I will heartily second this advice.  You need a vehicle with some weight.
I have a 1 ton diesel Ford club cab pickup that I use around the farm pulling
all kinds of stuff; trailers, wagons, farm equipment.  I also have a Ranger,
and there is NO comparison. Also, definitely get a 4x4.  The first time you
pull into a muddy drive, you will be thankful.  It is inconvenient when you
get a vehicle stuck, but to have a vehicle and a trailer stuck cam be a
disaster.  

Dean