Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
With the trailer hitched to its towing vehicle, assess its balance. The truck hitch should
be at the right height so that the trailer floor is level. Most of a trailer's weight should be
borne by its wheels. At a standstill on level ground, only about 10 percent of the weight of
a tagalong trailer should be transferred by the tongue to the towing vehicle. A trailer that is
tongue-heavy will overstress the rear end of the towing vehicle and cause excess wear on
the ball of the hitch. A trailer that is rear-heavy, by contrast, can cause dangerous swaying
(fishtailing) when the vehicle is in motion.
Trailering can be very hard on a horse's muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
Rough roads, long miles, inexperienced or inconsiderate drivers, inadequate trailer suspen-
sion, poor floor mats, and improperly maintained tires can all cause unnecessary wear and
tear on your horse. To help ensure that a horse arrives at his destination refreshed rather
than fatigued, make the trailer as safe and comfortable as possible. Organize a maintenance
plan for your horse trailer as you do for your towing vehicle.
Trailer Maintenance
Store your trailer on level ground with the hitch jack adjusted so that the trailer's weight is
balanced between the tongue and the tires. Park the trailer out of the weather to preserve
the paint, and on pavement whenever possible to protect against tire rot. When storing it
for several months, jack up each side and place blocks under the axles where the springs
attach to take the weight off the tires.
Evaluate the following major items at least once a year and repair or replace worn or
broken parts.
Wheel bearings.
The grease that lubricates wheel bearings accumulates dirt and dries
out. Have the wheel bearings cleaned and repacked with grease annually. The seals will be
replaced at the same time.
Brakes.
The wheels should be removed so that accumulated dust and dirt can be cleaned
from the brakes. Also, have the pads checked for wear and replaced if necessary. Several
times each year, perform a brake check and adjustment. A gravel roadway makes a good
area for this test. Enlist the aid of a knowledgeable observer to tell you whether a particular
wheel is locking up or rolling free when the others are stopping properly. In either case, the
brakes of that particular wheel will need to be adjusted.
Once all of the brakes of the trailer are stopping evenly, you can proceed to the next part
of the brake test. Preferably on level ground, accelerate to about 30 miles per hour. Then,
without using your truck's brake pedal, bring the rig to a stop by using the manual electric
brake controller mounted on or under your dashboard. If the trailer brakes grab too quickly,
adjust the controller down. If the trailer can't stop the rig, adjust the controller up. Once the
