My wife and I are in the market for our first horse trailer.  We are looking at 2 horse BP trailers and possibly a 3H BP.

I am ordering a Prodigy brake controller and the Dodge wiring harness.  My truck has a 7 pin connector in the back, brake wires all exist and I have located the 4 prong jack under the dash.

I just have a couple of questions regarding trailering setup of my truck (96 Dodge 1500 4X4)- I have a class III hitch (rated 6000 lbs WC/10000 WD) but my truck has a 4" lift and 34" tires.  Currently there is a drop bar with about 8" of drop, it is stamped for 5000 lbs and a 2" ball (also 5000 lbs).  My truck is rated at 7800 lbs towing.  My question is would this current setup be fine for a 2 horse BP?

If I get the 3 H, would it be fine for short term with only 1 or 2 horses in it?  I know if I go to 3 horses I would need a WD setup and and heavier drop bar.  I will also have to make sure I do not exceed the GVWR and GTW of 7800lbs.

Also are most horse trailers 2 5/16"?  I have mostly been looking at internet ads and not many of them list the ball size of the trailer...

I have towed snomobiles only in the past- this will be my first venture trailering horses other than as a passenger.

Thanks in advance!

~Kevin

Thanks for the info!

Yeah, I am leaning towards the two horse- although I really would like one with a tack room.  If I do go with the 3H I will invest in a WD & sway control setup.  That will probably put us over budget- so I am leaning towards the 2 horse.  We currently only have 2 horses, but have a friend who would love to go on the "remote" trails with us.  We will eventually get a 3rd horse, as my son is 1.5 years old right now.

I used a tape measure to check and my current setup will be OK for some trailers and a bit high for others- should do fine to get the new trailer home, although I may need to pick up a 2 5/16" ball as well.

Another question: What is the "Average" weight of a 2 H trailer, unloaded?  Seems to me they are all over the place.  I see weights from 1800-3000lbs!  3000 seems pretty high, but 1800 a bit low...  Just trying to get a feel for things...

Trailering equipment is like a chain.  The weakest link determines the safe load. No matter if your truck is rated for 7800 pounds, if you use the 5,000 pound drop bar you are limited to 5,000 pounds.  No more.  Be aware that trailering horses are like traveling with an infant.  The necessary "stuff" in total weight adds up quickly.  5,000 pounds is small for two horses and a trailer.

I would agree that the lift & tall tires will contribute to instability while BP towing.     I never liked trailer sway.  The pucker factor is unpleasant.

I would also wager that the lift and tires will derate your truck's factory tow capacity.

Thanks for all you help everyone!  Just trying to make my first horse trailering experience a pleasant one for me and my wife.

Well I wasn't sure what size ball is needed for a horse trailer- If the coupler is for 2 5/16" then I will need a new ball- I know that.  I was wondering what size most horse trailers use.  I have gone to look at only two trailers in person so far, and forgot to check what size they needed.

I will certainly get a heavier drop bar, but probably after I get the trailer just to make sure it all sits level.  5000lbs should be fine for the ride home, even if it is a bit off level.  Most of the trailers we are looking at are 1 - 2 hours away.  Going shopping again on Saturday.  On the way home I will go to the local camper store and get a solid forged drop hitch and probably a new ball as well (have a 2 5/16" someone at the barn is letting me use).

As for the son only being 1.5- my wife is already shopping for his horse!  Wants to have him all ready.  He already gets ponied around on my horse.  He'll be riding soon enough!  ;-)  She teaches pee-wee classes of 5 year olds...  I would like to keep this trailer at least 2 years, but a 2 horse will do fine for now...

Thanks and keep the good information coming!

Statzk,

  As far as ball size goes, this is what I've found in my yrs. of trailering... MOST 2 hrs. BP will be a 2" ball, not really sure on a 3 hrs. BP, never looked at one, BUT by time ya bump up to a 4 hrs. BP they are 2 5/16".  HOWEVER in the same breath I will tell ya that we have a 16 ft. BP stock trailer (big enough for 4 hrs.) and it is still down at a 2" ball, soooooo make SURE that you check the particular trailer.  Hope that didn't confuse ya too much.  Just for future reference... all of your goose-neck trailers go on a 2 5/16" ball.   IF I HAD to bet on what ball you will be needing, for what you've said you are in the market for, I would guess a 2" is your baby! 

I have owned 2 2 horse trailers and they both used a 2" ball. The 3 horse trailer i owned used a 2 5/16" ball. And my new trailer i am buying is a 2 horse and uses a 2" ball. A single wall trailer will weigh less then a double wall trailer.

I have a 2H BP DR slant and it's got a 2 5/16" ball.  In my observations, the higher quality BP trailers come with the 2 5/16".

Hey Reg,

  Rememberin' the days of yor.... don't forget about those good ole' 1 7/8" balls!!  lol, what a pain in the A$$.  I remember Dad had a ole' single axle trailer that had the 1 7/8" ball, the ONLY thing on the whole place that used one, just so that ya' had to keep track of that one extra ball.(floatin' around the shop somewhere)  Talk to ya later...

Well I guess I will make sure I have both sizes with me, as this weekend I am driving 3 hours (one way) to look at a different trailer dealer.  They have 6 BP 2 horse trailers in stock all in my price range. 

Thanks again everyone!  For the empty trailer I am going to stay with my current 5000lb setup, change over once I own the trailer to a forged setup and if I get a good deal on a trailer a WD setup as well.  Some of the round bar setups are less than $300 so that should be doable.

Thanks and wish us luck!  I will need to trailer my horse almost every weekend for a gig coming up this summer.  Only about an hour each way, but I NEED a trailer to do it!

We also will be bringing our horses to MI (3-4 hour trip) a couple times this summer.

~Kevin

I noticd someone recomended and adjustable hitch.

You can do that but more moving parts= more parts to brake and maintain.

I replace all my pins annually and will be replaceing them this mont and adjustible hitch has 2 extra pins.

I would get a hitch for each trailer you haul.

I have 4 hitches 1&7/8 2" and 2&5/8 and a shorter drop 2 so I can cover all my trailers I also have a hich with a shackle for pulling but I tow something almost as much as I run empty.

I may go with the Aluminum Rapid Hitch adustable ball mount, as it comes with the two balls and adjusts to 10" height.  Rated at 10K it will be more than enough for anything my truck will tow...

 Looks like we may have found a winner- going to look at a Kiefer Built BP trailer on Saturday morning, and if it is in as nice of shape in person as the pics I'll be buying it.

My Prodigy brake controller is on the way, should be here per FedEx on Friday.  Need to go get a 2 5/16" ball to drive the new trailer home, but my current drop bar of 8" puts my ball height at 18.5" to the top of the ball.  I should be good enough to get it home empty, and to test the trailer brakes.

Thanks again for all your help everyone!  I'll report back on how my first horse trailer driving experience goes- trailer will be empty, but it will be a 2 hour expressway drive to get it home!

May load my wife's horse on Sunday for a short local trip, he's a show horse who loves going into trailers. 

~Kevin

Ihave had several trailers, my first was a Logan 2 horse BP 2 in ball pulled like a dream !!great trailer.

Then needed a bigger trailer for hay. Bought a Trails West 4 horse gn loved it too but Wife needed more comforts.

Now have a Trails West 10x15 lq with slide and amt 3 horse.(had to buy a new truck too)

Pulled the first 2 with a F250 SD 4X4 the last one was pulled home by it and it did a good job, but when it gets loaded it probably would be too much.Now have a 06 F350 Dooly crew cab and lookin foward to havin some fun!!

If you are not sure about your truck talk to some other people and maybe they would let you try hooking up to a trailer just to see what you may need.

Good luck