Be a Savvy Hauler

PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM

Take precautions on the road, especially in wintry conditions. Drive at least 5 mph under the speed limit, maintain a good distance behind the vehicle in front of you, and don’t dart into traffic.

Your Rig

The foundation of good driving habits is a safe and properly rated rig.

If you’re towing a tag-along (bumper-pull) trailer, you must have a Class III or Class IV hitch that’s bolted or welded to the frame of your tow vehicle. It must be rated to match or exceed the weight of your trailer.

Pre-Trip Practice

Take a ride in your trailer. You might be surprised how it feels each time the rig takes a turn or makes a sudden stop.

If trailering is new to you, practice driving your rig before you load your horse in the trailer. Know how to park and back up before you go out on the road.

If trailering is new to you, practice driving your rig before you load your horse in the trailer.

PHOTO BY HEIDI MELOCCO

Backing isn’t so hard once you know the secret: Put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. To turn the back of the trailer to the left, move your hand to the left (turning the steering wheel clockwise). To turn the back of your trailer to the right, move your hand to the right (turning the steering wheel counterclockwise).

To turn your trailer sharply while backing, turn the steering wheel before you move your vehicle. To turn more gradually, turn the steering wheel as your vehicle is moving.

On the Road

On the road, your driving requires special precautions. Loaded horse trailers are heavy. The extra weight strains your tow vehicle and increases stopping distances.

Take precautions on the road, especially in wintry conditions. Drive at least 5 mph under the speed limit, maintain a good distance behind the vehicle in front of you, and don’t dart into traffic.

On multi-lane highways, change lanes gradually.

Keep forward motion and tension on the hitch to help prevent loss of control from trailer sway. If your trailer starts to sway, don’t apply the brakes on your tow vehicle; instead apply, in brief spurts, the hand brake on the controller to the trailer.

—Tom Scheve & Neva Kittrell Scheve, Equisprit.com