PrintCheck back on Wednesday, May 5, for Part 5: Preparing To Hit The Road, the next article in our continuing series on Towing and Trailer Safety.
Once you’ve purchased the horses and bought the trailer, it’s time to make the final step and find a tow vehicle. However, the process isn’t as easy as going to a dealership and picking out a truck or SUV. Choosing a vehicle that will safely haul your trailer and horses requires some research and a little bit of math.
“People want what they see, but they don’t realize that what they see may not be the right thing [for their situation],” said Neva Scheve, author of The Complete Guide To Buying, Maintaining, And Servicing A Horse Trailer. “There are so many myths out there, and people just jump on the bandwagon. People don’t realize how important it is to make smart decisions about their truck and trailer.”
Why Weight Matters
The first step in deciding which tow vehicle to purchase is finding out how much your trailer weighs. Some trailers have their empty weight listed on the title, but the more important number is the Gross Vehicle Weight.
The GVW is the actual weight of a single vehicle and its complete load. In order to find out the GVW, load up your trailer with everything you think you might take with you when you’re hauling (including your horses, feed, water, equipment, etc.) and take it to a scale and weigh it. Add 20 percent for a safety margin, and you will know the correct weight for which your tow vehicle needs to be rated in order to haul safely.
“It’s a common misconception that aluminum trailers are lighter than steel. There are many factors that determine weight besides the construction material,” said Scheve. “If the weight is listed on the title, it’s probably going to be the generic weight of that model. If a manufacture adds extra features, they won’t add that on to the weight.”
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is not the actual weight. It’s the total weight the trailer can weigh and still be safe as stated by the manufacturer. This rating is usually printed on a sticker inside the trailer. It's easier to use this number to choose your tow vehicle than to load it up and weigh it. If you don't overload the trailer, you will have the recommended safety margin you need.
Normally, GVWR of a trailer is determined by axle capacity. Axle capacity is the combined weight rating of each axle. If your trailer has a GVWR of 5,000 pounds, then it means the trailer has two 2,500-pound rated axles. Some manufacturers may add a bit more to the GVWR allowing that some of the tongue weight is on the tow vehicle. Your trailer’s coupler should be equal to or greater than the axle capacity.
“If your axles have a 7,000 pound capacity and your coupler has a 5,000 pound capacity, the trailer would only be rated at 5,000 pounds,” said Scheve. “The trailer is only rated to the lowest rating.”
However, Scheve noted that the towing capacity of a vehicle is generally calculated for hauling travel trailers or boats on flat ground. If you’ll be traveling in the mountains, consider a larger towing capacity than if you’re hauling on average terrain.
