How to Safely Tow a Horse Trailer

Using a trailer can be a great way to transport your horses or livestock from one location to another. But if you’re not familiar with towing a trailer, you’ll want to take some time to figure out some of the best practices so you can stay safe and efficiently get the job done. We have provided some of the most essential tips that you’ll want to keep in mind when you’re towing a horse trailer.

Weight Capacity

The first, and one of the most important, tips you’ll want to know has to do with not overloading your trailer. This may pertain to the horse trailer itself or to your tow vehicle, but an overloaded unit can make for dangerous driving conditions, like increased sway risk and less control. Start by figuring out what your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is for your tow vehicle, which indicates the weight your entire unit should not exceed. This will include the tow vehicle, the towed vehicle, and your horses. Knowing this will inform you as to how much your trailer should weigh and then how much weight you should haul in order to not exceed these limits.

You’ll also need to be aware of how much weight your hitch can handle. Not only do you need to be aware of your GVWR, but you’ll also need to know your tongue weight rating, which informs you of how much weight your hitch can safely tow without running into major problems. Sometimes this means it’s better to have the tow vehicle first and find a trailer to match. If you do need a new tow vehicle, make sure you ask about both GVWR and the tongue weight rating.

Braking and Acceleration

When you’re finally on the road, consider the kinds of basic driving skills that will change when you’re hauling extra weight. For example, all that extra weight is going to put extra strain on your brakes, and it’ll take longer for you to come to a stop or even slow down. Many horse trailers come with an electric trailer brake controller (or you can get one installed) to assist in controlling it and slowing down, but you’ll still want to leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you and allow plenty of time and space to slow down.

General Driving

There are lots of tips and tricks that you can use to help with towing, some of which you’ll probably learn from experience and some you’ll learn from other drivers, but many of them boil down to slowing down and taking it easy. Reckless driving is always dangerous, but it can be more so when you are hauling a horse trailer. It poses a risk not only to you and your horses but also to the other commuters around you. Even if it’s another driver making unsafe choices, you’ll have to take responsibility for staying safe. 

Spend plenty of time practicing, preferably in a large, empty parking lot where you can safely learn the driving skills that are essential for hauling a horse trailer. This will make you more confident and safer when you’re behind the wheel. If you need additional help, come talk to our experienced staff at True Value Trailers & Power Equipment in Penrose and Florence, CO. We welcome all patrons from the communities of Pueblo and Colorado Springs.