RE: [RC] Equestrian culture may be fading into the sunset-California - Ginger Bill
When I was a youngster, participating in Highschool rodeos in Nevada, it was nothing to see your friends pull into the rodeo grounds with a big, heavy car pulling a two horse trailer. Yes, we drove ourselves and if you know anything about that state, the towns are many many miles apart. The rule of thumb was to NEVER drive over 50 miles an hour and preferrably 45 would be better. It took one forever to get to the rodeo. Now I drive a big one ton truck and I'm still not driving over 50 miles an hour. No wrecks with a car/truck and trailer so far. Knock on wood. Different culture and different way of going, however, our children were brought up with the same principle: Always drive defensively, ESPECIALLY while pulling a trailer as it doesn't matter who is right or wrong, as that horse is at your mercy. Just my opinion. Ginger
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:36:20 -0700 Subject: Re: [RC] Equestrian culture may be fading into the sunset-California From: richardson.carla@xxxxxxxxx To: cest.mon.virage@xxxxxxxxx CC: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
I've been pulling 2 horse bp trailers around for many, many years, with no trailer brakes, using a Ford Bronco (not a good tow vehicle, but it was all I had) or a F-150 truck. I drive slower than most, and I've never had a wreck (Major Knock on Wood here), I slow down in anticipation of trouble. It takes me longer to get to rides, but I get there. Last year I hauled to California, southern New Mexico, southern Arizona, Wyoming, and Utah, mostly in my Ford Bronco, and then later in my F-150.
That's the key, you can't drive too fast for conditions, or for your trailer, or your tow vehicle, regardless of what it is -- even a semi tractor trailer can lose control if driven too fast. Even a 1 ton truck pulling a gooseneck can lose control and jackknife, if driven too fast for conditions.
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.
D'Arcy
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