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New User
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Location: Redmond WA | i was just wondering what you all thought about this plan the plan is this- i am 16 and am planing a road trip to maryland from washington state and back with 2 outer friend who are 18 we plan on getting a truck and a 5 horse trailer and picking up my horse in maryland along with 4 outhers do you think my 2 friends and 1 can do this please explane your answer thank you.
Edited by a horse crazy angel 2006-02-12 7:54 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2958
   
Location: North Carolina | It sounds like a grand adventure. A cross country trip is long and arduous. A rig capable of hauling 5 horses is more than the usual horse trailer rig. It will require a high level of driving skill. Time of year will determine the weather conditions. What's your experience with ice & snow or conversely broiling heat & glare? I don't know the experience and capabilities of you and your friends or the horses. Experience will help with good planning. Rig driving experience will help avoid problems on the road. Details (like typing & spelling) will be the difference between success and disaster. Youth & enthusiasm are wonderful.
Edited by hosspuller 2006-02-12 11:15 PM
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 Extreme Veteran
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Location: Allegan, Michigan | Do you know about hauling long distances with horses? Maybe you can ease our minds and explain how you will handle the resting of the horses, how often you should do it and for how long. Also, do you know about which papers you are required to have. Also, if you are planning to go before May, how do you handle a truck and trailer jackknifing on slippery roads? I would be very very afraid to let my 16 yr old daughter go across the US to haul horses, even if she is with two other 18yr olds. Personally I don't feel 18yr olds and a 16yr old do not have the maturity level, nor the experience required to haul a rig that far, let alone haul 5 horses. I would strongly suggest a Parent accompany you. Also, do you know what your auto insurance covers? If you are in an accident, will they cover the trailer contents (ie: the horses)? Also, have you thought about the expenses involved in driving all the way there, and back? Your fuel expenses will almost double once you have the livestock loaded in the trailer. It would be more cost effective and safer for the horses, and everyone involved if you hired professional shippers to move your horses. I am sorry, I think it is a very unwise idea. It sounds exciting, but to be honest, I think you will be taking on more than you can handle. Not only am I looking at this as a horse owner, a parent, but also someone who responds to emergencies, and have seen first hand what inexperienced drivers do. Ask for some seasoned adults to assist you in this matter. For your safety and others on the road. |
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Expert
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Location: PA | Do your parents know what you are planning to do? That kind of trip is not just a road trip. It would be a difficult haul for even seasoned haulers at this time of year. I wouldn't even want my 16 year old daughter to go on an extended road trip with 2 18 year olds in car! |
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Location: michigan | this sounds like a bad idea. Unless you have a responsible adult who has experience hauling horses, then I wouldn't let my kid go. |
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Regular
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Location: Northwest Indiana | Some things to think about, Do you know how to change a spare tire, in what condition is your truck/trailer. How much experiance have you and your friend had driving a rig of this size. Where do you plan on spending your nights, what about the horses? What happens if you break down? Personally, like others have said this would even be a challenge for a seasoned hauler, I think this might be too much for you and your friends to do. Kevin |
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Location: PA | Hey, guys. Does anyone think the whole question was a set up?? I'm starting to feel that way. |
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Member
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Location: Maryland | Wow Must have some great rich parents to provide a truck big enough to tow a 5 horse rig plus expenses and let ya go across country.... I wouldn't let a 16/18 year old have my old beat up farm truck let alone turn them loose on the interstates with a rig. What a stupid idea. Even when I was that age and life was simple, I'd be smart enough not to try that venture. |
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Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK | MUD= Made Up Drama |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350
Location: Newton, NJ | Another jesse james????? (see other forum) What's going on here? Why dignify these ridiculous questions with rational answers. No 16 year old has any business hauling a rig like that across country. If it does come about I hope he/she lets us know in advance so we can stay off the roads! |
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Expert
Posts: 2958
Location: North Carolina | Oh! You old foggies.... She's a kid, dreaming... Ya gotta have a dream before making it happen. Like I said: a grand adventure awaits. I'd like to go with her, alas... a fulltime job, horses to be fed, chores to be done, tax return to calculate, Wrong coast for home, family, etc... I hope she does it eventually... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350
Location: Newton, NJ | Yeah, Hosspuller, maybe you're right. Where would we all be without a dream? It just seems that some of these recent posts are a little suspect. Hey, maybe you can get her to swing by on her trip and pick you up. Just don't get caught by the Police. I think they call that statutory something..... |
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Expert
Posts: 2958
Location: North Carolina | Originally written by jakey1 on 2006-02-14 12:35 PM Yeah, Hosspuller, maybe you're right. Where would we all be without a dream? It just seems that some of these recent posts are a little suspect. Hey, maybe you can get her to swing by on her trip and pick you up. Just don't get caught by the Police. I think they call that statutory something.....  away quietly. It'd STILL be a grand adventure for her! Life should be one adventure after another ... After 35 years, I vividly remember driving across our great country the first time. Its' not the same experience at 35,000 feet and 600 MPH.
Edited by hosspuller 2006-02-14 3:13 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Kansas | I moved from Washington state to Kansas when I was 19 (and let me just say yes, stupid!). Caravanned with another couple, they drove truck and regular horse trailer, girlfriend and I drove my 55 Ford cattle truck with 5 horses in the back. There is not enough space here to write about all our problems. Suffice it to say that getting water out of a river to cool down your radiator and having two flats with 5 horses in the back is NOT my idea of a fun time. Did I mention stupid??? I know I'd never do it again. I also know I didn't tell my parents much about the trip until many years later! |
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Expert
Posts: 1719
Location: PA | My husband and I have a 7 year rule. If one of the kids does something really dumb and somehow comes out of it unscathed, they have to wait 7 years to tell us or we will have to kill them! |
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Expert
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Location: South Central OK | OK, then by the time I get married college will have been almost 7 years away. I wonder if that will work with my parents too? LOL! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Kansas | Really...there are some things you're better off NEVER telling them about, even though I'm old enough to be one myself now.  |
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Veteran
Posts: 127
Location: PA | Angel, I know it sounds like a great adventure...and it is good to have dreams and to love horses, but I am afraid that this trip is too big for you and your friends. You need more wisdom and maturity and experience to make a trip like this. Even an experienced horse hauler would probalby cringe at the distance and the responsibility of 5 horses. It is not that you are not capable.........but the task is just too big for your level of experience. We would all be worried about you guys out on the road..... maybe you don't care about yourselves but what about the other drivers on the road, what about the health and care of the horses you love so much? Did you know horses can die from shipping stress? Please do not attempt this......but if you do.....let me know your route so I can keep my family out of your path. |
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New User
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Location: Redmond WA | sorry i havent responded yet i dident get a chance yesterday to tell you this but my friend and i have changed the plan a bit insted of five horses were only going to go with three and we are going to have two other people we know relly well come so it will be 4 of us going and two of them know what to do if somthing were to heppon and
my one friend and i have over tenyears expence with taking care of horses. |
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Veteran
Posts: 127
Location: PA | Okay.....with that said "Angel" I agree with Jakey1, this is just another "jessiejames. In fact, maybe they are one in the same. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 362
Location: Allegan, Michigan | Horse Crazy, be sure to give us an itinerary of your travel dates so we can stay off the roads! With that said...I wish you luck, because you are desperately going to need it. I would also suggest in increasing your insurance policies, make sure you have enough liability insurance in case you cause an accident. Also, you might want to stop and locate some common sense along the way! I have had my say, and I am just thankful you won't be passing through Michigan! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 565
Location: Michigan | Well her updated plan sounds a little better and safer than her original one. I'de say good luck and use common sense on the road and hope you make it safe there and back. |
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New User
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Location: Redmond WA | thank you. and i will be using comon sense on the rode and beseds i might be 16 but i wont be drive like a moron like some people do i will drve safely and carferly. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 362
Location: Allegan, Michigan | a horse crazy angel = jessejames |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335
Location: Decatur, Texas | I think you're right, Mrstacticalmedic. |
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Member
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| It may be cheaper to sell them horses over yonder or if not yours don't buy them, buy some around home then take a trip on the money saved, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Or have an elder set down with ya make a plan with horse motels, fuel stops etc.there and back, if you have a plan you can do it. |
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road trip
