Re: [RC] Equestrian culture may be fading into the sunset-California - Sandy Adams
I like to take a less myopic view of it in the interest of NOT being SUED or possibly killing someone. Whether or not the vehicle has the ability to PULL or even STOP a trailer is less an issue in the end that whether or not the vehicle can keep the rig straight, avoid interfering with the normal flow of traffic, and most importantly, being able to avoid hitting that child or rodent who runs into the road - or slamming into the idiot who thinks trailers are invisible and therefore rolls right in front of you. MOst people can barely drive their own car (Hummer, Perversion etc) and so we cannot expect them to understand the mechanics of hauling a trailer. Personally, I would like to know that the 18 wheeler behind me has good, working brakes and is able to control his load. I would think other drivers appreciate that from us as well (assuming they even GET it - read, Starbucks in hand, cell phone to the ear). We should be as safe as possible - and in the end, have to compensate for a TON of truly stupid people who are given a license to drive a car. Can you tell we live in California??:)
On Jan 27, 2009, at 7:35 AM, CTH wrote:
It is not so much stopping the trailer from going through he back of the jeep,small truck or car. Its about safely being able to stop and not be pushed into the car in front of you or going down a steep hill and not being pushed out of control.
I remember a very close call I had with a full size truck and small trailer when I had to lock up to avoid hitting a child that ran in the road. I was driving slow and had a full size truck. The trailer I was hauling had one horse and the trailer brakes were not hooked up. I could feel the truck being pushed forward. I did stop and have never driven without trailer brakes again. Lesson learned that could have been HARD lesson learned. I am sure if I had my small trucknever would have been able to stop the rig. I was on a flat road.
It is safety and I personally would never put my horses in danger by putting them in a trailer hauled by an inadequate vehicle. In an accident the horses usually get the worst of it.
Paddi
I agree with you Carla. Unfortunately, those smaller vehicles were lighter and shorter than most of the trailers they were pulling. Most states now have an ordinance that the towing vehicle has to be equal to or greater than the towed vehicle. I had no idea about this until I took my Jeep Laredo to rent a two horse bumper pull. Had to get out the specs of the vehicle to convince the rental company that it was safe enough (breaking distance ability) to stop the trailer from going through the back end of the vehicle should I have to slam my breaks on.
I have a friend in Merced that tows her two horse trailer around with a mini-truck! LOL! Of course that is all FLAT land! None-the-less government intervention is truly a spoil sport.
