Re: Trailer Safety Chains

["Brian W. Silcott" <silcott@southwind.net>]

Dear Glenda, I am sorry for not fully explaining myself and for the
numerous typo's, I was in a hurry to go for a ride. I was speaking only of
severe crashes, as most people do not expect to experience such
catastrophic events. I myself have a bumper pulled,  2 horse trailer, as
well as, a goose neck stock trailer. As a general rule, goose necks are
safer and with this past wreck still fresh in my mind I was focused on the
severist of crashes. Goose necks enable the trailer to place the center of
gravity more to the middle of the hauling vehicle than a bumber pulled
vehicle, whose center of gravity is at the truck/trailer attachment sight
at the rear of the pulling vehicle. There is also less strain on the
attachment site with a goose neck. A bumber pulled trailer is more likely
to seperate from the hauling vehicle.  Any trailer that is well maintained
and is handled responsibly is going to be safe. In my opinon, listed below,
I was placing more value in the driver of the truck and the motorist around
them than on the animals being transported. 
	Brian Silcott
	Wichita Ks
> From: Glenda R. Snodgrass <grs@theneteffect.com>
> To: Ridecamp <ridecamp@endurance.net>
> Subject: Re: Trailer Safety Chains
> Date: Thursday, July 02, 1998 6:20 PM
> 
> > If my opinon, if your trailer is a goose neck
> > your odds for survival go down. If your trailer is a bumber pull your
odds
> > for survival are better than average.
> 
> I just read this message (BTW thanks for writing, I do so enjoy hearing
> from different folks on this forum) and am SHOCKED by the statement
quoted
> above.  I have a small 2H BP but have been dreaming of when I can afford
a
> gooseneck, not just for the sleeping room <g> but because I thought it
was
> much safer than a bumper pull.  Is it perhaps safer in a major crash,
> because of the likelihood of separation, but more likely to have a
smaller
> accident for that same reason?  Which is safer for the horses?  What do
> the rest of you think?  Any authoritative sources out there you can point
> me to? 
> 
> Glenda & Lakota
> Mobile, AL
> AERC # M18819 & H27310
> SE Region