Any advice for a soon to be trailer owner

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Chumsmum

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Just put a deposit on a second hand IW505 - to be picked up on Saturday - Xmas pressie from my wonderful hubbie
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I've got loads of plans (funrides/shows/beach/hunting) but will have to get Chum loading nicely and put in some towing practice first - I've been driving long enough not to have to take a test but have never towed anything
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Any tips on owning/towing a trailer? Can you buy bumper stickers that say 'sorry for being slow and don't even think of asking me to reverse'
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...Chumsmum going bouncing off around the room with excitement...
 
make sure it has reflective + hivis stuff on the sides cos round here people don't notice trailers for some reason and think they can pull out behind you in a non existent gap!

take it easy, there's never a rush - if the guy behind gets cross with you being slow its his problem!

keep a spare headcollar and leadrope in the vehicle just in case and get a 2t jack from a garage or somewhere so you can change you trailer tyre if you have to.

tow with a decent vehicle - its safer and more comfortable for your horse.

have fun.
 
Thanks for replies
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I've already got an Isuzu Trooper so hopefully this will do a good job of towing. I already carry a spare headcollar/leadrope, will have to sort out a jack.

I am a bit of a hi-viz queen at the moment so will decorate it
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I was also thinking of having some stickers made up to make it stand out / maybe more of a deterrent to thieves?? Does this work?? Any ideas for wording??
 
My trailer has Horsewatch poster on it, maybe that helps - you can get yours registered and sometimes insurers will give you similar stickers, etc.

I was new to trailing too when I got mine and at first I was terrified, I thought I have got a huge great horse behind me an I am completely responsible! I soon got used to it, I took her out one day on my own round the block and all went without a hitch. Just give yourself lots of room, take corners quite wide as the trailer will cut in beyong where the car tyres went, and take things really gently. Never rush and always drive as if you are pretending that you have no brakes, i.e. use gears. If you give your horse a smooth ride, he will give you no problems.

My trailer has a manger at the front which is brilliant, I can put a treat in there so it is always a pleasure for my mare to go in! Good luck! Dont let other drivers bully you, take your time.
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I had 100 trailer stickers printed up a few years back - they have all gone now but seemed to be popular. They read
Police
Please stop this vehicle if travelling in the hours of darkness

In large enough type to be read by a following vehicle, they were self adhesive and VERY sticky. I have never heard of any of the trailers with these stickers on being stolen!
 
Take the trailer out unloaded to practice first till you feel comfy, bearing in mind what others have said.

When you have your horse in it remember they dont know when you are starting or stopping, they dont know when the the bends are coming either, imagine yourself on all fours with nothing to hold onto and only a bar across your chest to brace yourself against when the brakes are applied.

To get your horse used to the trailer feed him at the ramp to start with and build on that, when he seems happy walk him through a few times, then feed him in the trailer every day for as long as it takes so he associates being in there as a
good place to be, patience is a must, it takes as long as it takes.
 
Havent read the other posts so sorry if i repeat what others have put....

So far as reversing goes whichever way you turn the wheel, the trailer goes the opposite way... and the slower you go (backwards) the more accurate you will be.

Other than that just practice and you will be fine, if your car fits the trailer should!!!
 
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