Horse Trailer - nose weight

[taffie000]

My daughter has a Cheval Liberte Touring double trailer, brand new. It seems to be a great piece of kit but before towing it with her horse on board I decided to check the nose weight of the empty trailer using the non scientific method of a stick and some bathroom scales. I was surprised to find the NW is close to 120kg, which is the limit on many towbar systems, especially as it is a twin wheel trailer. I dread to think what it will be with a horse on board plus tack (there is a tack room at the front of the trailer)The trailer was on a VERY slight uphill slope. Opportunities to balance the load on the trailer are limited. Having never towed a loaded horse trailer before I don't want much, if any, loose kit on the empty side of the trailer, as we may not be able to adequately secure it. Can anyone please advise, or share their experience please?

 

[nutjob]

When you put the horse in, it looks like it will be standing over the wheels, towards the back so it doesn't look like it will increase the NW. It may well decrease.

 

[taffie000]

Thank you for replying. The twin wheels are definitely at the back of the trailer. with very little overhang at the rear. i understand that horse stand weigh forward, so my concern is it would increase further when loaded. I can think of no safe way to measure the nose weight with the horse inside.

 

[Merry neddy man]

Google ----measuring trailer nose weight---- there are various videos and advice on the subject. And nose weight gauges from £7:49 upwards.

 

[Tiddlypom]

If you can’t find the nose weight spec in your handbook, contact Cheval Liberte and ask.

Ifor Williams do list it for their trailers, this for their HBX range of horse trailers. You might find some pointers here, though Ifors are much more sturdily built than Cheval Liberte.

 

[taffie000]

Thank you, that's very useful. I did email Cheval yesterday, so should learn more from them