[Janet]

If the trailer separated from the tow vehicle, is is also likely that the ball hitch was worn.

[JSwan]

I understand the points people have raised (vehicle having to double as passenger car, Brenderup designed to tow behind car, axle to axle measurements, you can tow with an SUV, you can't, you can, etc. ) But here's what I have to say about that:

None of these reasons would be valid had that vehicle been a semi hauling cattle to market. If a semi was not loaded properly, or not hooked up properly, or driven by an inexperienced driver, that vehicle poses a danger to us all. Not only the vehicle - but the cargo.

It's not a matter of opinion. It's a matter of fact. The knowledge required is the same and it's your responsibility to know and apply it.

I urge all of you, in the strongest possible terms, to educate yourself on safe trailering of live loads. It's more than just tongue weight, axle ratio and engine size.

So many horse owners are completely ignorant of the mechanics and physics involved. You don't have to be a PhD, but at least use common sense.

A Ford F-150 with an extended cab and cap would have safely hauled the trailer and also accomondated a family and cargo such as groceries. And for about the same price as an Explorer. People make choices. At least make informed choices.

If you are going to tow a horse - get the proper equipment. A horse isn't a jetski, and a horse trailer is not a camper. Don't let anyone tell you different. Do it right, or don't do it at all.

You wouldn't go to a proctologist to get a nose job, you wouldn't let your kid play with a loaded gun, and you wouldn't go on a trail ride with a broken girth.

Towing is no different.

This accident is all the more tragic because it was avoidable.

[findeight]

Well said.
But modifications are possible IF drivers realize the limitations and DRIVE WITH COMMON SENSE..which is way to uncommon regardless of rig.

The full sized Explorer can be used with modification and a trailer designed to be pulled by a full sized SUV. An Expedition or Navigator is a better choice but, again, you may have to use what you got...but for everybody's sake BE CAREFUL behind the wheel.

Pilot error is the main cause as excessive speed and sudden moves flip everthing from tag along trailers to Greyhound busses.
DON'T GO THERE...SLOW DOWN.

[Xanthoria]

I can't stand to hear people say they have to drive faster on big highways. Is someone holding a gun to your head? Around here the limit with a trailer is 55. If the people behind you don't like it, guess what: they'll go round you.

Never let anyone intimidate you into driving too fast to be safe!

Same goes for giant gas guzzling trucks. Most people don't need them. Buy a Brenderup or Rice or Boeckmann and save some gas. There should be a law against people having giant honkin' 14mpg trucks unless they have a true need for them.

The right rig doesn't have to be a giant mass of steel. It just has to be better designed and engineered.

[jr]

Given the description of the accident, I wouldn't jumpt to the conclusion that the Explorer is at fault. Sounds like it could be faulty/old hitch equipment. Can't tell -- but it's irresponsible to jump to any conclusion that the size of the tow vehicle was the cause.

The bigger the vehicle, the better off you are. However, with the correct trailer, an Explorer is just fine.

[JSwan]

Those giant honkin' trucks are the ones designed and engineered to haul heavy loads.

SUV's and fiberglass trailers are designed for people who can't do math.

[Mav226]

The wheelbase boo-boo was one of mine--sorry! I must have been having cobwebs in the brain when I wrote that.

[Jay Gee NZ]

So did Cowgirl get found??

[JSwan]

Not yet - as far as I know... the owner must be devastated.

[texang73]

Jingles for humans and animals involved. Glad I didn't see the wreck!

Any news?

[Galloway]

Channel 9 CBS just had a blurp about this for the 11 o'clock news. Apparently the horse is still missing, they had overhead footage of the wreck as well.

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

Galloway, if you, or anyone else around here, hears anything more about it, let us know. This is so sad. I hope they find the horse. Galloway, did the accident look bad???

[Galloway]

Well, any trailer wreck would look bad to me. Brrr.
But, I only caught a quick glance of it.....

I'll watch the news and let you know what they say. Hopefully by then the horse will have turned up.
I can only imagine how the owners feel, I'd be going nuts. Not to mention tramping through every soggy bit of area near the greenway right now.

[ryansgirl]

Hi X-rab - I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab with a V8. I bought a trailer recently - a 2-horse bumper pull (Kingston Dartmouth) - no dressing room. I talked with many dealerships and finally found one that didn't try to oversell something to me. I checked all the towing info on it and the weight of the trailer and it is fine. I did put weight distribution bars on it (definitely recommend them) and it hauls fine. Of course I won't put both my horses in it - I'd rather be safe than sorry but with one horse it hauls like a dream. Just be careful driving and take your time.

[creseida]

What most people don't realise is this: An SUV or a mid-size pick up can generally tow the weight just fine under normal driving conditions. Driving along on relatively flat, smooth roads in good weather... yeah, you're right...an SUV will probably get you there just fine.

But accidents are not about normal driving circumstances. Accidents are about the abnormal driving situations where having the right vehicle can make the difference between a scary moment and a wreck.

SUV's and mid-size pick ups to not have the mass, suspension or braking systems to reel in an out-of-control trailer. When a trailer starts to fish-tail or goes out of control (such as overtaking the vehicle pulling it going down a grade or uunder hard/panic braking conditions), these vehicles do not have what it takes to stay *stable* on the road themselves. In these situations, the trailer takes the lead and the tow vehicle becomes the "passenger". In many of these cases, the trailer causes the tow vehicle to flip over or jack-knife. I've seen these exact scenarios take place at least a half-dozen times. In every single vehicle trailer accident I've seen, the tow vehicle was an SUV or light duty pick up truck.

A *properly outfitted* full-size truck (and probably a Suburban or Excursion as well) has the track, the wheel base the braking system and THE MASS not to be taken over by a trailer. So even if the trailer loses control, the driving vehicle has what it takes to stay stable and going where it should, giving the driver the chance to pull the trailer out of a skid, or keep it behind the tow vehicle where it belongs. Even the lead-sled station wagons of the 70's are better choices than SUV's because they are heavy and have a low centre of gravity giving them a stable platform that isn't easily thrown out of control.

It isn't all about the towing capacity of the vehicle. Remember, you are dealing with LIVE, SHIFTING weight, not a dead weight payload. HUGE difference.

[/soapbox]

[Fairview Horse Center]

I was told a long time ago as statement that is as true as any I have heard.

"When 5000 lbs worth of trailer wants to sway, make sure you have enough weight in a truck to say NO."

The weight of your tow vehicle is as important as wheelbase, width, braking, etc.

[Castlegate]

FWIW: I am currently towing my Sundowner 2 horse straight load with my Tahoe....Not by choice but we are having serious issues with my Dodge Ram 1500 at the moment and I just do not trust it!

An SUV can pull just fine if you get the special stuff (anti-sway bars etc etc.) but I hate towing in it..I have two rules during this temporary situation...1) only one horse at a time...2) flat roads, hwys only etc.

When we went to Lexington VA recently I borrowed a friends F250 because of the hills curves etc.

Can't wait to get a new F250!

Did I mention I have blown 2 transmissions on my Tahoe when towing? AND it is rated for a lot more weigh than I pull! This is when I used to use it to trailer a few miles to my trainers place when hubby had the pick-up.....

Can't wait to get rid of it!

[NRB]

Ditto what Fairview Horse Center just said.

I drive a F250 that weighs 6175 lbs empty and pull a horse trailer that weighs 3000 lbs empty. Add gear and one 1100 lb horse. Horse hauls fine for first 10 trips then starts to weave and by trip number 21 he is HURLING his body from side to side in the trailer causing it to move back and forth on the road. I don't mean sway at the top, the trailer is actually getting swayed back and forth at the wheels. It is moving over the yellow line.

I have a weight distribution hitch and it is a BP. And the GCWR is 20,000 lbs on this truck. Anyway this was a situation where the horse's welfare was at risk, my life and the lives of everyone on the road would have been negitively impacted had the situation gotten any worse. It didn't.

I wouldn't haul w/ anything smaller. You just never know what is down the road. The issue here is NOT the engine size or the transmission, it is the size, legnth and weight of the truck and the streangth of the suspension, shocks and frame that will aide you in any emergency sway type situation.

[fernie fox]

"Plus, a traffic accident involving a horse trailer. Amazingly, one horse survives and wanders away. Maybe you can help locate this missing horse.
Tonight at 11 on W*USA 9 News. "

Did any one see this on the 11 o clock news.Is there an update on this?.

[Galloway]

Just watched the piece, short, done sort of as a human-interest piece.
The paint, named Cowgirl is still missing, the owner's idea of searching is to drive around and scream the horses name. (Would that work?).
Really didn't seem that frantic, rightly worried about the mare getting onto a road and being hit, but that was about it.
The husband was home sitting on a porch swing with the paddock gate open in case she comes home.
No mention of where they live in relation to the greenway though.
Accident did look nasty, old beatup trailer detached and lying on its side, the other horse, a 22 year old named Magic, lying behind it with his head covered.

They said the mare took off in the direction of 606, that's a fairly busy road. Hope she's found before she wanders out onto it.

Anchor humourously reminding everyone that if they see a horse call Loudoun Animal Control.

Really.