Advice Ro First Time Trailer User Please

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sbsmiths

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As title - just bought our first trailer - Bateson Deauville - and am looking for hints & tips for hassle free travelling. We will only carry 1 horse as my vehicle can't tow 2 and I know he needs to travel on the r/h side. He came to us in a lorry but I'm not anticipating any probs loading - omg what did I just say!!!

We're not travelling any great distances but any do's and don'ts would be much appreciated.

Thanks
 
Well i know i took my trailer out a few times without horse in it, to get used to it, practice your reversing in it too.
I must say i am pretty good at reversing now even if i do say so myself!
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Kate x
 
Practice walking him in and around the trailer, don't make a fuss, stay calm and 'expect' him to follow you. Obviously you have to be ready in case he doesn't, but IME they take a lot off our attitude, so if you don't think its a problem it won't be.
Make sure you practice going out the front fo the trailer and reversing him out backwards - you never know when you'll have no other choice - remember to turn his head slightly to the outside of the trailer so that he can see the edge of the ramp.
make sure you can put on and take off the handbrake - I only say this cos the handbrake is soo stiff on our trailer that I can't take it off and have to get OH to do it for me!
 
Keep the trailer maintained properly ,and remember the speed limit for a trailer is 50 mph for some very important safety reasons.Check your tyre pressures regularly,and the tyre condition.And finaly, last thing before you get in to drive away, walk a complete circuit around the vehicle and check everything. Pilots do this ,so why shouldnt you.Be as professional with your trailer as them.
smile.gif
 
Unless the horse is an"old hand" at the game, travel him with one that is ,a few times,first.Also, some horses are worried by comming out of a narrow side door. Remember that it is perfectly Ok to back them out. Oh and although I am sure it is obvious to you. NEVER load or leave a horse in an unhitched trailer EVER.
 
Once loaded do your "Pre flight checks" I check all catches are fastened on all ramps and doors, double chk lights etc. When i got my 1st trailer I drove it around empty etc then put the horse in and just went to the shops for an ice cream!! then drove home lol, do a couple of journeys where you dont have any time restraints and you can take your time.
Good luck!!
 
When you load him move the centre partion over (not sure of the mechanics of bateson's) so it's wider for him to walk in, and walk him through and down the side ramp until he's chilled about it. You could also give him his dinner in there a few times before you take him out for a journey.

For your first trip I'd go for a hack somewhere so you don't have a time restriction - will be much less stressful than worrying about missing your class at a show. Take it nice and slowly, don't worry about traffic building up behind you just keep an eye out for somewhere safe to pull in so you can let them past. I think this is really important because drivers that get stuck behind a slow trailer for miles on end will go to great lengths to get in front of the next one they encounter.

When you go round bends and roundabouts make sure the trailer has straightened out before you accelerate. Leave masses of room to slow down before junctions as ignorant car drivers will change lanes at the last minute and shorten your stopping distance. Always have your side lights on so you're more visible to other road users.

Most importantly - have fun when you get to your destination!
 
best of luck !! deffo drive the trailer empty so you get the feel for the width on corners you don't want to clip curbs when you've got your horse on board !!
the main thing to do is stay calm and yes driving as though you have an egg on the dash is good i was told imagine you have a glass of water - don't spill it !!!

always anticipate that a traffic light will change to red when approaching do not brake hard if it changes when your nearly on it in-fact don't brake hard anywhere unless its an absolute emergency !!! always give plenty of space between the car infront and you.
take all corners slow and wide especially islands.
and above all while you have your most precious cargo in your trailer you own the road !! so if someone wants to go faster let them overtake !!!!
 
Woohoo! Welcome to the Bateson Deauville Trailer Owners Club! What are you towing with? I could tow 2 horses with my car but the most I have carried is 2 Shetlands - you should find the Daeuville so light you'll hardly notice it's there. Have you thought about travelling your single horse without the partitions? Gives you a bit less weight. I'm thinking about it - the 2 Shetlands travel loose with the partitions taken out but to travel Sunny (15.2) with the partitions out I'd have to get a double breast and breeching bar.
 
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Keep the trailer maintained properly ,and remember the speed limit for a trailer is 50 mph for some very important safety reasons.Check your tyre pressures regularly,and the tyre condition.And finaly, last thing before you get in to drive away, walk a complete circuit around the vehicle and check everything. Pilots do this ,so why shouldnt you.Be as professional with your trailer as them.
smile.gif


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good advice just one point the speed limit is 50 mph on single carrageways and 60 mph on dual carrageways/motorways ..
 
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