Towing a trailer for the first time :)

[katymay]

we are taking Harry Hoof to his first show at the end of the month to see how he reacts and help get him used to all the hustle and bustle, we have a discovery 3 with tow bar but havent been able to purchase a horse trailer just yet! so we are renting one for the day, now neither myself or my partner have ever towed a trailer before, although we are both old enough not to need the test! I know the basic rules, break before you think you need to, steady round the corners, never go over 50mph etc, we are picking it up saturday afternoon for a show sunday so will do lots of practising with it during the afternoon both loaded and unloaded, any other tips or advice?
thanks

 

[Clippy]

Practice reversing! Accelerate slowly and take your turns as wide as you can.

 

[Vanha12]

Try to relax - it's not nearly as scary as you think. Take it steady - for you and your horse. Break gently, accelerate slowly and exagerate your turns so you don't start bumping over the pavements or hitting gate posts. Good luck!

Oh and of course - loads of reversing practice. Remember you are 'pushing' it into place so. Lots of minor adjustments are best and if you get it wrong just pull forward and start again.

 

[ROG]

Make sure you can see easily down both sides in the mirrors and then check both mirrors before doing anything

Plan NEVER to stop - not always possible but try try try

Put yourself in the position that the horse is in - poor horsey does not know what is coming next so its like you being blindfolded and kneeling on the back seat facing forwards without holding on .....

 

[wes]

Check tyre pressures on trailer and tow car, the car may need more air when towing.

I'd put some bedding on the floor of the trailer to keep it dry, they all poop and may wee and even non slip rubber can be slippery.

Don't rug the horse, it's likely to get stressed and hot even on a short journey.

Take a couple of hay bales, one for munching in the trailer and another to hang outside when unloaded, and take water and bucket.

Tie the lead rope onto twine so it can snap, and short enough so the horse cannot turn but can reach hay.

Do you need a mounting block?

Look in the window and then through jockey door before attempting to lower ramp, so you know all is well inside.

 

[katymay]

Thank you all! im very excited, but a little nervous, if this show goes well then I can persuade the other half that we REALLY need to buy our own trailer
have thought of everything in regards of what to take, he has never travelled in a rug or travel boots before so am leaving them off and taking it steady.
this is all provided that the show doesnt get cancelled due to the incessant rain

 

[ROG]

So which area of the UK should we all avoid when you go towing for the first time?

 

[Carlosmum]

Remember,
if you practice the day before with the trailer empty, it will feel completely different with the horse up all the reacton times will be longer as the trailer will be heavier.

Have fun, hope its the first of many new adventures!

 

[katymay]

ROTFL!
Somerset, so quite far away from you!

 

[hblue]

Remember,
if you practice the day before with the trailer empty, it will feel completely different with the horse up all the reacton times will be longer as the trailer will be heavier.---nice experience sharing. sound good

 

[ROG]

ROTFL!
Somerset, so quite far away from you!

PHEW !!!

Dear Avon & Somerset road policing unit,
I have received some disturbing information that katymay will be towing a trailer for the first time very soon.

May I suggest that when it happens you deploy more traffic officers.

Yours
ROG

 

[JFTDWS]

Take a couple of hay bales, one for munching in the trailer and another to hang outside when unloaded, and take water and bucket.

a couple of bales how much does your horse eat

 

[wench]

Get a towing lesson first!

 

[ROG]

This might help a little VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up

 

[9tails]

Think about the curves in a road, you don't want to hit kerbs. So, on a left handed curve try to drive your car as close to the centre line as possible, with right as close to the kerb as possible. This will cause the trailer to stay in the centre of the lane. Angle your mirrors down so that you can see your trailer's wheels, this will give you an idea of where your trailer is in relation to the road.

For reversing, if you see more trailer in one mirror tilt your steering wheel that way but then bring it back to centre, then tilt it that way again if the trailer doesn't straighten up enough. Don't hold your wheel on that tilt as it will just snake about all over the place and you'll get into a right pickle. Keep it moving backwards steadily and things will be much easier. If you mess up, pull forward and start again.

 

[ROG]

Think about the curves in a road, you don't want to hit kerbs. So, on a left handed curve try to drive your car as close to the centre line as possible, with right as close to the kerb as possible. This will cause the trailer to stay in the centre of the lane.

DRAINS .....
You will now notice how clever the UK road planners are because on a left hand bend the drains are on the left keeping you towards the centre line and on a right hand bend there are no drains so you can keep to the kerb

The bends are also cambered so the lower part of the bend is where the drains are

 

[TallulahBright]

Reverse, reverse, reverse!! Did the same, rented a trailer a few times and then OH did the maths and 'allowed' me to buy one! Like all things, I dropped lots of hints and let him think it was his fine idea. Both happy! Enjoy- transport allows you such freedom!

 

[china]

I have had my own trailer about a month now, I borrowed others before now. I'm much more confident towing my own trailer. I was so nervous when borrowing my friends! Paranoia

 

[Four white socks]

As I always manage to jack-knife the trailer every time I take it out, also I'm hopeless at reversing, and have tried to set off with the trailer wheel clamp still on (more than once) I'm probably not the best person to ask!

 

[china]

As I always manage to jack-knife the trailer every time I take it out, also I'm hopeless at reversing, and have tried to set off with the trailer wheel clamp still on (more than once) I'm probably not the best person to ask!

I did chuckle at that last bit ;-)