Posted 2005-08-16 3:58 PM (#29273) Subject: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Copperas Cove, TX
Hello,
My husband and I are downsizing our herd and therefore downsizing from our dually and 4-horse gooseneck to a 2-horse. I'm not currently showing right now and it just made sense.
I have been reading about Brenderups and their claim to fame of only pulling with 120 HP and min. 93" wheelbase. We are looking at purchasing one so we can pull it with our new Trailblazer. Are there any additional precautions we need to take? Things we should know? They note that you don't even need a truck brakebox due to their special braking sysyem? How can that be?
i tow with a 2002 trailblazer, 2horse slant w/dress 6000#, so a brenderup should be no problem with your new trailblazer. but be ready for the "shouldnt pull with a suv", and "brenderup is a plastic box" arguments which are on the way.........
Posted 2005-08-16 5:23 PM (#29276 - in reply to #29275) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 6
Location: tulsa.ok
2 stout people could flip one over and ive heard of horses sitting back and pulling one over so all in all I think probably a cool little thing to have for a quick trip if your carefull with it. Definately a plastic box though, pretty cheap feelin. Youll get plenty of opinions on here. Go find one and pull it. You might love it or you might hate it.
Posted 2005-08-16 6:02 PM (#29277 - in reply to #29276) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Location: sc
Originally written by coleS on 2005-08-16 6:23 PM
2 stout people could flip one over and ive heard of horses sitting back and pulling one over so all in all I think probably a cool little thing to have for a quick trip if your carefull with it. Definately a plastic box though, pretty cheap feelin. Youll get plenty of opinions on here. Go find one and pull it. You might love it or you might hate it.
interesting.....could you elaborate on the "horses sitting back and pulling one over" please?
and are you not careful on all your trips short or long, with a steel/alum trailer?
also what is your take on rumber? is that cheap feeling to you also? thanks
Posted 2005-08-16 8:42 PM (#29280 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 202
Location: North Texas
I can't say enough good about Brenderup.
As I have said in previous posts, I bought a used Brenderup two horse and pulled it for several years and loved it! Pulled it from Denton, TX to Santa Fe many times. Can't say enough good about it!
Like all trailers, the better care you take with it the longer it lasts (translates to keep a clean trailer, lube the bearings and adjust the brakes and they all last a long time!)
Your Trailblazer ought to pull just fine. I recommend a transmission cooler on all tow vehicles in Texas no matter what they pull. My gosh, its a 103 degrees out there!
Yeah, they are "unusual" looking but they are very practical. Enjoy the Brenderup and the Trailblazer.
Posted 2005-08-17 9:27 AM (#29296 - in reply to #29276) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 455
Location: Ontario - east of TO
Originally written by coleS on 2005-08-16 6:23 PM
2 stout people could flip one over and ive heard of horses sitting back and pulling one over so all in all I think probably a cool little thing to have for a quick trip if your carefull with it. Definately a plastic box though, pretty cheap feelin. Youll get plenty of opinions on here. Go find one and pull it. You might love it or you might hate it.
When was the last time you had one? Judging by the review mentioned above they are actually pretty sturdy. I agree, maybe not the trailer for everyone, but they certinaly get good reviews.
Posted 2005-08-17 9:55 AM (#29297 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina
Originally written by quisto on 2005-08-16 2:58 PM
They note that you don't even need a truck brakebox due to their special braking sysyem? How can that be?
Thanks! Jennifer
The BU has a hydraulic piston built into the coupler. When the tow vehicle brakes, the trailer pushes against the coupler. The hydraulic piston forces brake fluid to the trailer brakes, slowing the trailer. The harder the TV brakes, the more braking the trailer does. It's a good system, though expensive. That actually sums up the BU trailer.... Good, though expensive
Posted 2005-08-17 10:01 AM (#29299 - in reply to #29276) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Location: North Carolina
Originally written by coleS on 2005-08-16 4:23 PM
2 stout people could flip one over and ive heard of horses sitting back and pulling one over .
While the BU is lighter than most 2H trailers, I'd be careful with tying any horse to any uncoupled 2H trailer. I'd think a horse could pull one over if he had enough lead rope to sit back on.
Posted 2005-08-17 4:30 PM (#29314 - in reply to #29297) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Location: sc
Originally written by hosspuller on 2005-08-17 10:55 AM
Originally written by quisto on 2005-08-16 2:58 PM
They note that you don't even need a truck brakebox due to their special braking sysyem? How can that be?
Thanks! Jennifer
The BU has a hydraulic piston built into the coupler. When the tow vehicle brakes, the trailer pushes against the coupler. The hydraulic piston forces brake fluid to the trailer brakes, slowing the trailer. The harder the TV brakes, the more braking the trailer does. It's a good system, though expensive. That actually sums up the BU trailer.... Good, though expensive
i was under the impression it was cable operated not hydraulic.
"But instead of the tow vehicles change in motion pushing the trailer coupler into the hydraulic plunger to activate hydraulic brakes, Brenderup's coupler pushes in to move 4 cables which activate the trailer brakes. It's called "all wheel Inertia®."
Posted 2005-08-17 7:19 PM (#29320 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 65
Location: TN
I pull my Brenderup with an Aura MDX with a towing capacity of 3500 pounds. I have no problem at all towing it with two horses. I wanted something I could pull without having to get my husbands pickup everytime I wanted to go. If you haven't owned one, you can not appreciate the versatility of this trailer. If anything were to happen to mine I would certainly buy another one. Check the specs on the trailblazer and see what the towing capacity is. I am sure it is more than an Acura.
Posted 2005-08-17 9:33 PM (#29327 - in reply to #29314) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Location: North Carolina
Originally written by chadsalt on 2005-08-17 3:30 PM
Originally written by hosspuller on 2005-08-17 10:55 AM
Originally written by quisto on 2005-08-16 2:58 PM
They note that you don't even need a truck brakebox due to their special braking sysyem? How can that be?
Thanks! Jennifer
The BU has a hydraulic piston built into the coupler. When the tow vehicle brakes, the trailer pushes against the coupler. The hydraulic piston forces brake fluid to the trailer brakes, slowing the trailer. The harder the TV brakes, the more braking the trailer does. It's a good system, though expensive. That actually sums up the BU trailer.... Good, though expensive
i was under the impression it was cable operated not hydraulic.
"But instead of the tow vehicles change in motion pushing the trailer coupler into the hydraulic plunger to activate hydraulic brakes, Brenderup's coupler pushes in to move 4 cables which activate the trailer brakes. It's called "all wheel Inertia®."
Perhaps I am mistaken... but the operating principle is the same.
Posted 2005-08-18 3:09 AM (#29333 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 1160
Location: Denver Colorado
The Brenderup brakes are activated by a rod pushed inside the coupler to pull the 4 cables. It's not hydraulic, all mechanical, which the parking brake is attached to that rod, a nice feature. The coupler works similar to a surge brake hydraulic coupler though, as the tow vehicle deceleration activates the trailer brakes.
That is about a pony's weight lighter than my 2H Jamco, which is rated to 7,000 lbs.
The biggest negative I've heard about B-Ups is that they're too pokey for a horse to get into. Just a mental, claustrophobia issue, but I think if I were a horse I'd feel shrink wrapped in one. I guess that keeps them even lighter ?
I recently did a 470 mile round trip to move a horse 145 miles for someone because he (the horse) "won't get in the BrenderUp". He walked right on the head to head trailer and backed into a stall, no issue. A week later I did the return trip, same behavior. The owner no longer has a B-Up.
I think that horse would settle well into the Jamco or any "regular size" 2 horse bumper pull with a 7' 6" ceiling height.
Posted 2005-08-29 4:54 PM (#29724 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 87
Location: Novato, California
I just made a 2,600 mile trip with my Brenderup. California to Colorado and back. The trailer is not plastic. It is made of a SPC solid phenolic resin. Trailers of this type are used in Europe, as trucks are not available. The trailer does look different but alot of time, years, has been put into its design. Eventually the gas prices with cause the horse popolation to take a second look. Those that criticize do not own one and probably have never seen one. My horse wouldn't go into a Circle J, does that mean there is something wrong with a Circle J. The horse I bought my original Brenderup for wouldn't go into any trailer but walked right into the Brenderup. The trailer is designed to haul with a smaller vehicle, it is not designed to be compared to a gooseneck with living quarters or other larger heavier trailers. Some of us can not afford a large tow vehicle. Thankfully the Brenderup is available to us.
Posted 2005-08-30 12:06 PM (#29768 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup Towing Query
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Posts: 2
Location: NY
I am looking for real first hand information from people who have towed Brenderups with station wagons.
I have pulled horses for decades with a 3/4 ton PU and steel trailer, but I am no longer willing to accept the rollover, roof crush and other safety problems with pickups and SUVS. Also, my last trip to Europe finally convinced me that the "Brenderup-behind-a-Volvo" model really is safer for both me and my horse than they way I've been doing it for all these years.
I'm looking specifically at the Brenderup solo, which would weigh about 2300 to 2500 lbs with my 15.2 hand Andalusian and a few extra bales of hay in it. According to my research, the following vehicles meet my safety requirements and exceed Brenderup's minimum tow vehicle requirements by a big enough margin to make me think they ought to be able to handle the Solo (and my small horse) with ease:
1. Volvo V70 or XC70
2. Honda Pilot
3. Subaru Outback 3.0R
4. Audi All-Road Quattro
5. BMW 3 or 5 series station wagon
Has anyone pulled a Brenderup with any of these cars? Or any similar car? Any information will be much appreciated!
Posted 2005-08-30 4:15 PM (#29792 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 87
Location: Novato, California
Pat Chowning, the Brenderup dealer has pulled his trailer with a volvo stationwagon, mercedez and other smaller vehicles. You should call him and he could give you specifics. His number is 877-550-8899. I pull mine with a F150 (Brenderup Baron TC) with two horses and have traveled from California to Colorado and back twice, with a wrong turn out of Durango that caused me to have to travel through the mountains to Silverton and Ouray Colorado approx 12,000 ft above sea level.
Posted 2005-08-30 7:41 PM (#29804 - in reply to #29768) Subject: RE: Brenderup Towing Query
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Posts: 65
Location: TN
I pull my Baron TC with a Acura MDX which is the same thing as a Honda Pilot. No compaints. I might change the type of SUV next time I trade but will always have a Brenderup.
Posted 2005-09-01 3:52 PM (#29890 - in reply to #29768) Subject: RE: Brenderup Towing Query
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Posts: 28
Location: Illinois
I pulled my Brenderup Royal HB for two years with a '96 Mercury Cougar, towing capacity 2,000 lbs. Only ever hauled one horse due to the class II
hitch. Now I use an Explorer and easily pull 2 horses.
Posted 2005-09-13 2:59 PM (#30302 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 648
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
A very good friend of mine is on her 2nd Brenderup. She pulled it with a small Dodge van to Tenn and back, and all over Fla without a problem. I thought it was small until I loaded up my 15.3 hand bulky long bodied QH and he had plenty of room. She bought a refurbished '87 model (the smaller one) for $4,500 in '96 and just sold it last year '04 for $4,200. Pretty good after 8 years of use. She bought a brand new Baron and now pulls it with one of those RV vans. She's a big fan.
Posted 2006-09-05 1:46 AM (#47857 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 1
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Hi,
I have only great things to say about Brenderups..my riding partner purchased a Baron TC two years ago..she had it delivered to Telluride, CO with her Toyota Forerunner we hauled her horse back to California. I had never driven a trailer before and it was a breeze...like it wasn't even there. The high winds we encountered along the way seemed to anchor it even more to the highway. The ride is smooth for the horse as it rides on a car suspension. There is plenty of space in front of the chest bar for your animals to breathe and lower their heads. The new models are not plastic but a bullet-proof composite with a fiberglass top. They will send you a CD to watch if you are interested. Since these are pricey trailers, I recently purchased a used Royal model and haul two horses around with my Nissan Xterra...we are in a mountainous area of Southern California and the more horsepower the better...but my Xterra pulls it easily and the trailer literally follows your every turn...tight turning radius and it doesn't push your car..that's why you don't need a brake box...the inertia brakes are there working for you.
Posted 2006-09-05 2:02 AM (#47858 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 1160
Location: Denver Colorado
I'm working on a new model Brenderup review. So far I've towed it with a H3 Hummer and a Jeep Liberty diesel. We loaded a 17.3 hand Thoroughbred in the Baron. It normally takes two stalls on their slant load for this horse. The Brenderup had plenty of room. More later.
Posted 2006-09-20 12:29 PM (#48841 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 121
Location: Salem, CT
Mr. Sundling, is your review of the new Brenderup due soon? I've read your earlier review, and I also ordered (arrived in 2 days) their DVD video. I'm very impressed by the functionality of this trailer. I can't wait to read your latest review. I have a 2003 V6 Forerunner, and I hope this will be the trailer for me. We have a very large bodied Standardbred, and it sounds like one of the Baron models will due very nicely.
Posted 2006-09-20 12:43 PM (#48843 - in reply to #29273) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 1160
Location: Denver Colorado
Still working on the review. Today I'm towing a different idea of LQ. A 28 ft 5th wheel RV towing a Baron Brenderup. My Paint mare and Quarter filly have volunteered for the ride. Pictures soon.
Posted 2006-09-20 12:55 PM (#48846 - in reply to #48841) Subject: RE: Brenderup with a 2005 Trailblazer
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Posts: 26
Location: Alabama
My first tow vehicle was an 95 S10 blazer. It pulled the trailer fine even loaded down with furniture. However, when you put a horse in the trailer, the live weight shifting around made the blazer's rear end shift around. It didn't feel safe to me even though I was well within my towing capacity & had trailer brakes.