Tip #1: What kind of brakes do I need on my horse trailer and why? A friend of mine says I don't need them. Is he right?
Thirty one states require brakes on at
least one axle (2-wheel brakes) on trailers over 3000 lbs. GVW and 11
states require brakes on both axles (4-wheel brakes) on trailers over
3000 lbs. GVW. In addition, 3 of those states that require brakes on
trailers over 3000 lbs., require 4 wheel brakes on trailers over 4,000
lbs. (No matter how light your trailer is, when it is loaded with
horses it will weigh 3000 lbs. or more!) The remaining states that do
not require brakes per se have regulations that require the ability to
stop the combination without sway from a specified speed over a
specified distance.
For those who are classified
"commercial", 4 wheel brakes are mandatory for vehicles and
combinations of vehicles over 10,001 lbs. These regulations have been
put into effect because having brakes on the trailer reduces the
possibility of accidents, and makes hauling not only safer for you and
your horse, but for other people on the road. Without brakes, the
trailer will push against the tow vehicle every time you stop, and if
there is a sway, the trailer can jackknife because there is nothing to
control it.
Trailers come equipped with several
different types of brakes, but electric brakes are the most common
type. When the brakes are adjusted properly, stepping on the tow
vehicle brake pedal activates the trailer brakes just slightly after
the tow vehicle brakes are activated. Because there is a control box
located on the dashboard within reach of the driver, it is possible to
activate the brakes from the driver's seat without stepping on the
brake pedal in the tow vehicle. If the trailer starts to sway out of
control while you are driving, you can work the trailer brakes by hand
and gain control of the trailer without braking your vehicle.
There are other types of brakes such
as surge or hydraulic brakes, which are activated when the trailer
pushes up against the vehicle when it slows down. These types of brakes
are usually legal, but may not be legal in the states that require the
brake to be able to be activated from the driver's seat, especially if
you are classified as "commercial". (This requirement may be open to
interpretation by the law officer.)
Those who believe that brakes are not
necessary for a horse trailer are asking for trouble. Besides
increasing the chance of an accident, there are fines for driving with
illegal equipment. Even if you never get stopped and checked, if you
have an accident, your liability will be increased and you may be held
at fault for the accident. You, your horse, or other drivers on the
road may be injured or killed. It's just like wearing a seatbelt or a
riding helmet. You may think you don't need it until its too late!
To learn more about horse trailer safety go to http://www.equispirit.com. Also check out our latest horse trailer models.
If you find this information helpful, please forward to a fellow horse owner.
Regards,
Tom & Neva Scheve
EquiSpirit, 230 Bennett St., Southern Pines, NC 28387, USA
