Posted 2006-09-24 3:39 PM (#49044 - in reply to #49013) Subject: RE: "Research" on European horse trailers: pics posted
Expert
Posts: 1416
Location: sc
Originally written by chevalnoir on 2006-09-23 11:01 PM
It really is a shame they are forced to pull those flimsy trailers w/insufficient tow vehicles over there.Thank God we have safer options here. I do wish we had horseboxes, though.
yes, you should thank your god that you live in the "land of the easily offended" where you are not accountable for your knowledge or proof of skills involved in "trailering".
it would sure be a shame if we all had to take a written/driving test with our trailers. how many do you think would pass?
Posted 2006-09-24 7:54 PM (#49052 - in reply to #47994) Subject: RE: "Research" on European horse trailers: pics posted
Location: KY
Hey Reg, thanks for the info. I saw one of the "horsebox" vehicles in KY several years ago. Thought the ramp was quite steep and wondered about the center of gravity on such a tall vehicle. The vehicle didn't appeal to me, but then I admit to liking the Dodge dually and Cummins. Still think it would be cool to have a BIG truck.
So, RollinPonies, what is your take on the horsebox question? And, does Blue Moon offer a horsebox option?
Posted 2006-09-24 7:58 PM (#49053 - in reply to #49048) Subject: RE: "Research" on European horse trailers: pics posted
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by Terri on 2006-09-24 4:53 PM
How are they forced to pull anything? They are free to buy a box trailer if they wanted to.
Unlike most States in the US, the norm in many countries in Europe is to register and licence a trailer for use with a specific tow vehicle.
They don't HAVE the issues that some folk in this forum have brought upon themselves, e.g. the Megatonne gooseneck trailer mounted on a beat up old Subaru Brat.
Buy it ? Sure.
"Register" it (i.e. get plates) ? probably not.
The GOOD part is that the equivalent GVxx worries are all done for you.
Try to buy the big trailer, first show the sales person your papers for the truck you'll be pulling it with, continue if OK, if not fergettit.
There's no, "I'm buying a bigger truck next year, but the 1/2 ton will have to do for the rest of this season."
Posted 2006-09-24 8:13 PM (#49057 - in reply to #49053) Subject: RE: "Research" on European horse trailers: pics posted
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Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico
Try to buy the big trailer, first show the sales person your papers for the truck you'll be pulling it with, continue if OK, if not fergettit. There's no, "I'm buying a bigger truck next year, but the 1/2 ton will have to do for the rest of this season."
Posted 2006-09-25 12:01 AM (#49064 - in reply to #49052) Subject: RE: "Research" on European horse trailers: pics posted
Veteran
Posts: 190
Location: Texas
"So, RollinPonies, what is your take on the horsebox question? And, does Blue Moon offer a horsebox option?" -Rose
Rose,
I don't know whether or not Blue Moon makes horseboxes. You know, they are just a small non-profit family run company so they really can't make the best products if they spread themselves too thin.
The Irish Draft Pony Conference is in Chugwater Wyoming in February or March. I'm planning on being a part of it again in 2007. Blue Moon always participates in the vendor fair at the Irish Draft Pony Conference. That's still a ways off but I'll let you know if I hear anything before then.
Posted 2006-09-25 3:02 AM (#49069 - in reply to #47994) Subject: RE: "Research" on European horse trailers: pics posted
Regular
Posts: 83
Location: Cheshire England
Hi Guys, forced to pull tiny trailers? well yes sort of, domestic cars and trucks are allowed to pull trailers up to 91" wide comercial trucks can pull 101" wide, over here in the UK small car/suv/truck can pull a trailer with 2 big horses in line and just stay under width ,to have a bigger trailer is harder, over 3.5 ton is under comercial laws has to be registered and tested yearly and be euro type aproved which requires air brakes with ABS ( europe does not recconise north american standards so your trailers would need re enginering) also you need a bigger truck than 3.5 ton gvw and we can only get a american truck registered if the gvm is less than 3.5 tons!!
So thats why we have small trailers...or a horsebox/ lorry if you need LQs and/or to carry more than 2 horses ( can drive up to 7.5 tons on a normal licence) the bigger rigs need a CDL..
Posted 2006-09-25 5:54 AM (#49072 - in reply to #47994) Subject: RE: "Research" on European horse trailers: pics posted
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Posts: 1283
Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Sounds to me like 7,000 GVW is tops over there unless you want to get into the commercial registrations, 7'7" wide would eliminate 95% of the trailers in the US if they are measuring widest point. Now we know why they have the B-up type trailers, not by choice as so many on this site have indicated, but they are forced to by regulations. Wonderful place to live HUH? Get me a ticket quick.
Posted 2006-09-25 8:10 AM (#49080 - in reply to #49072) Subject: RE: "Research" on European horse trailers: pics posted
Veteran
Posts: 202
Location: North Texas
HW,
Glad you feel vindicated. The point of all of this is that these trailers are a viable choice for those that choose a smaller trailer that can be pulled by a vehicle smaller than a 3/4 truck. It has nothing to do with global politics, world history, where any of us choose to live . . . it is just another valid alternative for people that need to move horses, that's all.
Posted 2006-09-25 8:19 AM (#49081 - in reply to #49072) Subject: RE: "Research" on European horse trailers: pics posted
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by HWBar on 2006-09-25 5:54 AM
Sounds to me like 7,000 GVW is tops over there unless you want to get into the commercial registrations, 7'7" wide would eliminate 95% of the trailers in the US if they are measuring widest point. Now we know why they have the B-up type trailers, not by choice as so many on this site have indicated, but they are forced to by regulations. Wonderful place to live HUH? Get me a ticket quick.
Same here (US), just different numbers - 26,000 and 102.
(-:
Different products for different markets
Want BIG ? Get commercial licenses and registrations, simple enough.
Posted 2006-09-25 2:20 PM (#49097 - in reply to #49085) Subject: RE: "Research" on European horse trailers: pics posted
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Posts: 2689
Originally written by HWBar on 2006-09-25 9:52 AM
26,000 lbs is quite a bit different than 7,000 lbs.
I'm saying the regulations are dictating the trailer size.
Personal Preference something we enjoy over here, has no bearing at all in the matter for the Europeans. They are told what they will pull.
If I had to change, I would. Just glad I don't have to.
I agree ABSO_FRIGGIN_LUTELY !!!!
It scares the heck out of ME to see old farts with more money than testosterone hauling around in bus sized "motorhomes" with a Hummer on the hook and NO idea where they're going, whether they've already past it (probably) or how to drive the darned thing.
Because the total rig is ONLY 25,995 they're LEGAL.
I'd feel a wee bit safer if they were limited to 6,999 (-:
"MotorHome" that just about sums it up.
A friggin house on wheels in the left lane.
Those of us who NEED to haul more than 2 horses at a time could probably suffer the indignity of another driver's test, written and road.
Posted 2006-09-25 3:36 PM (#49103 - in reply to #49052) Subject: Debating the merits of different brands . . . UK style.
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Posts: 190
Location: Texas
Just tooo funny . . . this link will take you to a UK board where the writers/riders are discussing pros/cons of different brands/models horse trailers, just like this site but with a Brittish twist. There are some strong opinions about the diffent brands. Keep in mind all of the trailers they are debating are of the European style. There is even a comment/question of the availability of a backward facing model. Oh, how similar horsepeople are around the world!
Posted 2006-09-25 5:13 PM (#49111 - in reply to #47994) Subject: RE: "Research" on European horse trailers: pics posted
Member
Posts: 10
Location: Wa.
I always enjoy reading the comments from around the globe, we all have our own regulations to deal with in one way or another.
The web-site that rollin mentioned was another interesting venture into a different set of rules. I have been fortunate enough to have sold trailers to customers in several different countries, including Canada, Japan, & Austrai
lia. If you want to visit another very interesting web-site, check out www.horsedeals.com, this is a nice site with a lot of info from our friends " down under", look under the transportation heading, you will see all kinds of things !!