EquineTeleseminar

Are Safety Chains Really Necessary?

 

Forty-six states require safety chains on tag-along trailers and 29 of those states also require them on gooseneck trailers. The remaining states strongly recommend safety chains. The safety chains should be attached to the frame of the vehicle or to the frame-mounted hitch. They should be crossed underneath to catch the trailer in a sort of cradle if the trailer comes off the ball.

The chains should not touch the ground and they should be long enough to allow the trailer to turn corners without pulling. Trailers do come off, especially if they have not been properly hitched or if equipment fails. Don't take a chance - use safety chains!

To learn more about horse trailer safety go to http://www.equispirit.com.   Also check out our latest horse trailer models, equipped with the finest safety features.

 

If you find this information helpful, please forward to a fellow horse owner.

Regards,
Tom & Neva Scheve

What is a breakaway brake?

What is a breakaway brake?

A breakaway brake is an independent device located on the coupler of the trailer that activates the trailer brakes if the trailer should come off the tow vehicle. To be legal, it must be equipped with a fully charged battery that will engage the trailer brakes for 15 minutes. A removable pin on the battery box is attached to a cable that is hooked onto the tow vehicle. If the trailer pulls free, the pin pulls out and the breakaway device activates the trailer brake.

"I'm not A Commercial Hauler..."

I don't haul horses for money. Do I need a logbook, medical card, or commercial driver's license?

If your vehicle or combination of vehicles has a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating) of less than 10,001 lbs., you do not need to be concerned about these things. However, if your rig has a GVWR or GCVWR of 10,001 lbs. or more, you must make some decisions. (The GVWR is determined by the manufacturer and should be marked on your trailer and your tow vehicle. The GCVWR can be obtained by adding the two together. A two-horse trailer and a pickup truck can easily be rated over 10,001 lbs.).

Is a gooseneck trailer better than a tag-along?

For more than two horses, yes. For a two-horse trailer, a tag-along trailer is just a safe as a gooseneck trailer if it is properly hitched to the proper tow vehicle. The advantages of a tag-along include cost, ability to be towed by something other than a pick-up truck, and a smaller size for storing and hauling. If you do not need the extra space for sleeping or tack/feed storage, the extra expense for a gooseneck trailer may not be necessary.