Horse trailers come in all shapes and sizes, from slimline one-horse models right through to those that carry several equines and cater for overnight stays. Different brands of trailers have many different features available including the number of horses they can take and options for the way your horse faces during travel - either facing forwards, backwards, or what is known as herringbone, meaning that the horse is positioned on the diagonal as he travels.
When out travelling with a trailer you are subject to maximum weight legislation. Our Horse Trailer Insurance team delved a little deeper into these weights and found some expert advice so we can head out confidently on the road with our horses.
What the law says
For those holding a car driving licence a trailer up to a certain weight can be towed. For those that passed the car driving test before January 1997 most drivers are permitted to drive a car and trailer with a combined Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) up to 8,250kgs. For those that received a driving licence after 1st January 1997, a trailer up to 3,500kgs MAM can be towed. For more information please visit the Government website here.
We spoke to Chris Bridges of Universal Trailers in West Sussex. Universal Trailers are National National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA) members and have been in business for over 40 years meaning they have a wealth pf experience and knowledge regarding horse trailers and towing.
Why you need to know how much your trailer weighs
Chris said: “It is important to know the unloaded and the gross vehicle weight for your trailer – for example an Ifor Willians 511 model weighs 1,000kg and the gross vehicle weight is 2,700kgs. This means you have up to 1,700kgs for contents to load into the trailer. Any Ifor Williams trailers that we sell have a certificate of conformity so the purchaser knows for definite the weight of the trailer. If you do have any doubts about the weight then go to a weigh-bridge.”
“Generally, any issues regarding trailer weight comes down to the purchaser making sure they have the right vehicle for towing. The key thing is to look at is the car with which you are planning to tow. Every single car on the market has a manufacturers maximum towing capacity. A large 4x4 Toyota, Land Rover Discovery or similar heavy, diesel car designed for towing is likely to have the maximum 3,500kgs. More commonly used mid-range vehicles, including many SUV’s, vary between around 2,000 and 2,600kgs. Whether the car is petrol or diesel can also affect its towing capacity. It is vital to know what your car’s towing capacity is before setting off on the road.”
The maximum recommended towing weight for a car is usually listed in the vehicle handbook, or on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate.
“Electric cars can be problematic when it comes to towing, not only can they be very heavy, but towing drains the battery power very quickly! Whereas, driving a large diesel car that is designed for towing, the MPG (miles per gallon) will not differ very much whether it is towing or not.”
Ensure your trailer is roadworthy
“We would always advise potential trailer purchasers to buy their trailer from a dealership. This advice can never be more important than if you are buying a second-hand trailer. We check out every second-hand trailer we offer for sale, service them to ensure they roadworthiness and run checks to make sure they are not lost or stolen. If you are buying an older trailer – many on the road are 25 years old – it is so important that you know what you are buying. All this is covered if you go to a dealership.”
It is always advised that you undertake training on towing a trailer safely before heading out on the road. Training will also help ensure you are driving your trailer smoothly, making sure your horse has a comfortable journey.
See www.universal-trailers.co.uk for more information on purchasing an Ifor Williams trailer.
About SEIB
Always ensure you have the correct Horse Trailer Insurance in place for your journey. SEIB has been providing trailer policies and breakdown policies for over 40 years and can tailor a policy to meet your needs.
