Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Accident on way to Oroville, best way to trailer a horse

--- drhopkins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> As a newbie, I was wondering how you
> and other riders haul your 
> horses to keep them safe?

I just can't say enough about my Dad.  He's the best
driver ever!

He drives 5 mph slower than the speed limit.  As has
already been proven, you can't STOP!  

Your truck MUST be heavy enough, and heavy-duty enough
to haul the trailer, horse, and stuff.  It's easy for
the trailer to over-power the truck if the truck
doesn't have the weight to handle it.

Every trailer I've ever had has been heavy.  While
some can argue the benefits of metal vs aluminum, give
me the heavy trailer everytime.  That's what *I* can
sleep with.  We've also had a towing vehicle big
enough to handle the job.

I'm sure many can jump in here so let me end with
tires.  If at all possible, don't cut costs on your
tires for either towing vehicle or trailer.  

If you blow a tire while doing 65 mph on the open
road, you could cause a chain of events that would
effect many lives.  That's not a chance I'll take.  We
budget and save up for the best tires for the truck
(10 ply) and trailer (trailer-specific 8-ply) and buy
them NEW.  

A friend bought 4 used 4-ply passenger tires for her
trailer just before a long trip.  She had to stop on
the way down to replace one and had to lay over on the
way back due to another blown tire.  She had nothing
but trouble with all 4 tires which caused her much
distress.  The fellow she bought the tires from said
they had very few miles on them (which I'm sure was
true) and that they had been sitting in his storage
room for FIVE years.  Rubber rots which is why she had
so much trouble with them...that and they were only
4-ply.

There's my .02!  Slow down, have a towing vehicle that
can and will do the job, and get the appropriate
tires.

Safe hauling,

=====
Susan Young Casey, Princess of Pink, LIW, RRHA, RHS
Semper Obliquo (Always aside)  

Glenndale Grace Farm, Ft Gibson, Oklahoma U.S.A.

"Ride on! Rough-shod if need be, smooth-shod if that will do, but ride on! Ride on over all obstacles, 
and win the race!"         - Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

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