Hi all,

I'm in the market for a truck, and was hoping to get some opinions about what's necessary for pulling horses.

I don't even have horses, but my daughters are riding quite a bit - and I'm thinking its just a matter of time before they have me worn down.  I've been looking for a truck anyway - so thought I should probably make sure to include horse trailering when choosing.  Once we get to that point, we'll probably only be pulling a small 2H with a couple of quarter horses.

My real question is - are 1/2 tons (v8, 4x4) typically sufficient to pull something like this, or should 3/4 ton be a minimum.  Wouldn't be pulling cross-country or anything, and not on an everyday basis.

Would appreciate any words of wisdom.

Thanks!!

Any of the big three half ton truck brands will pull a 2H GN with a small dressing room. A 3/4 ton will do a better job and lower your chances of out growing the truck. What ever brand you choose, buy the largest gas motor available and order the 4 x 4 option. It is also wise to purchase the towing, and camper options for a heavier suspension, brakes, cooling systems, factory installed receiver and trailer wiring.

Purchase a super cab at the minimum (cab and a half) with a full sized bed. A spray in bed liner protects the bed better than an insert and are life time warranted. Get air, cruise, auto etc, don't scrimp on your comfort.

Buy a well equipped truck in the beginning and you won't be quickly trading it in when you out grow its capabilities. It's less expensive and more reliable to buy one good truck than several upgrades.

BOL  Gard

Take a serious look at you will use it.

Will you stay over night?  Are you going to camp or motel it.  If you camp, will you soon be looking for a camper or a Gooseneck to spend the night in.

As stated any of the big 3's current half tons with the large engines will pull a two horse  bp trailer no problem. Or even a 3 horse slant bumper pull.

I had a 97 F150 Supercab ( with the 5.4L engine) that I pulled a 3 horse bumper pull all over Utah with. But the engine worked hard going up mountain passes. And I never could keep up with my friends who were pulling with their diesel trucks. But to haul two horses over to an arena to train, It worked great.

HTB... Is your CM SK the 8'6" bed or the 9'4" bed. Didn't know if your Dodge 3500 CC had a little longer wheelbase, than the standard pickup. I ilke that flat bed with the rear corners trimmed off.

http://www.cmtruckbeds.com/pages/sk_model.html

Mine is the 9'4" or 9'6", Dodge said it was standard 58" cab to axle.

I paid for the 8'6" with 2 tool boxes and when I got there, they had installed the wrong bed.  Yes, they tried to get me to pay the difference but that did not work, so I ended up with a larger bed with 2 extra tool boxes for the same price!  Works great for 4 round bales or 50 square bales.

I thought I was going to hve a problem turning shorter neck trailers, but the corners a cut just enough to clear everything I have hauled. 

I like the CM better than some of the others because the tool box door hinges are bolt on the body not welded on, so if I had a wreck, hinge break or wanted to put the stainless steel doors on I can with out a torch.

Same Here! My wife still brings it up.  6 months into a new truck and we dumped it for the dually.  I have learned when pulling livestock the bigest you can get is the best.  So many gotchya's out on those hi-ways.

Good Luck!