Posted 2011-12-08 6:10 PM (#139398) Subject: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Regina, Sk
We are currently looking and researching for our first horse trailer, as borrowing friends trucks and trailers inst always easy, we are looking for a 3 horse slant so that it is also possible to load the snow machines and quads into the trailer. I have a 2011 Silverado 1500 5.3L with the heavy duty tow package, with a towing capacity of 9800lbs. I have been looking at trailers with a dry weight of 4000lbs or less so if I do end up carrying 3 horses and gear for a weekend I do not overload the truck, especially since we do travel some hilly areas. I would like to have a gooseneck trailer but most I have either searched or looked at are over 4000lbs dry weight, just wondering if anyone has recommendations of a manufacturer that makes a 3 horse slant gn that is under 4000lbs or if anyone is towing a trailer over 4000lbs with a half ton?
Posted 2011-12-08 7:17 PM (#139401 - in reply to #139398) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Veteran
Posts: 178 Location: Richmond, Ky
Not wanting to scare you or change your mind, but I had a friend that had a older chevy 2wd 1/2 ton, that he was pulling a 3horse gooseneck with 2 horses onboard and he met a very steep hill just out of a sharp curve on wet pavement and the truck lost traction going up the grade. Thankfully the trailer hit a tree going backwards and stopped the rig from going over. You've got to be able to put the power to the ground and also have the ability to stop the load.
Posted 2011-12-08 9:25 PM (#139403 - in reply to #139398) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: Hopkinsville, Ky
A 1/2 ton truck is more of a grocery getter than a trailer puller. I wouldn't crowd that 9,800 pound mark. The life you save may be your own. They'll pull almost like a 3/4, but cornering and stopping are a different story. You hit a bump in the road, and that rear end will have more moves than a Maytag.
Posted 2011-12-08 10:25 PM (#139404 - in reply to #139398) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Lockport, Illinois
The standard 3 horse trailer is 7' wide and about 10' on the short wall. You used plural when talking about snow machines and quads. Most snow machines and quads are over 3 1/2' wide, even if you go with a wider trailer, there is only about 7' between the inside wheel wells. I don't think you will get more than one snow machine or quad in the trailer.
Posted 2011-12-08 11:31 PM (#139406 - in reply to #139398) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Why do people try to short change their hauling machines??? The cost in fuel is relatively minimal compared to potential loss of trailer and animals...or a possible transmission failure of an overworked too small tow vehicle
Posted 2011-12-09 1:42 AM (#139410 - in reply to #139398) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Should have bitten the bullet and bought a 2500HD D-Max/Allison....
Another thing, how many Quads or snow machines can you haul in a three horse trailer? One maybe?
"Shadow" has a line of gooseneck trailers with DR that they say are suited for a half ton truck. I imagine there are other mfg's that have them as well. www.shadowhorsetrailer.com
Posted 2011-12-09 6:52 AM (#139411 - in reply to #139398) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
We had a Cornpro 18' BP stock/combo 3H slant load. The forward bulkhead could be opened or removed, resulting in the entire interior length being useful for bulky items. The trailer was steel and weighed ~3600#.
For a few years we pulled it with an Expedition, essentially a half ton truck with a softer suspension. The trailer loads could be very easily balanced, which resulted in low tongue weights, and no need for weight distribution devices.
We often hauled our compact tractor with its front loader, and could have hauled two sleds or quads. It was a very versatile trailer and relatively inexpensive to purchase.
Posted 2011-12-09 7:24 AM (#139413 - in reply to #139411) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Lockport, Illinois
Originally written by gard on 2011-12-09 6:52 AM
could have hauled two sleds .
Sleds don't have reverse, besides dragging it out, how would you get it out? Maybe winch it in backwards, and drive it out, which might tear up the mats.
Posted 2011-12-09 10:21 AM (#139415 - in reply to #139398) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Regina, Sk
When I bought the truck i did look into 3/4 tons and wanted one but the payment was too high at the time. Now I need to try and work with what I have, stay within my means and trade my way up in a few years when it is affordable. I was looking more into bumper pulls to keep the weight down just wanted to know if the were lighter goosenecks but I will probably steer away and keep looking and light bumper pulls.
Posted 2011-12-09 10:29 AM (#139416 - in reply to #139398) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Regina, Sk
Newer sleds do have a reverse on them now, my 2009 does. It is possible to get 2 sleds into a 3 horse by driving the first one into and swinging the track against the wall and the backing the 2nd one in beside it because the back of the snowmachine is narrower. Its a bit tricky but we have done it before. Ive also seen 2 quads by driving them in and turning then on an angle, the biggest pain is usually finding a place to tie them down in the trailer.
Posted 2011-12-12 11:05 AM (#139478 - in reply to #139398) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Member
Posts: 45
Hi Crossview,
Personally, I think you will be fine with the 1/2 ton truck. The newer trucks have better suspensions(and ABS) and higher payload specs than 3/4 ton trucks of past(think 70's,80's and some 90 models). You do have to work with what you have at times, and all of us can't go out and buy a new $50,000+ truck(or 20,000+/used). As was mentioned, stay within and preferably a bit lower than your GVWR. I'm not sure of quad weights, but having had sleds in the past, I know they are less than 1/2 weight of an average horse. I've been to many shows where some of the 3/4ton SRW and 1 ton duallies are pulling huge trailers(with 3-4,000lb+ pin weights) and requiring air bags or other suspension helpers because their "stock" suspensions are not up to the task(flame suit put on). I would look for a lighter weight BP, since they are an option to buyers of large SUV's at resale time. They also put less weight on the tow vehicle. As was also mentioned, trailers with swing away(removable) inside partitions give you more versatility. You came to a great site for info and personal experiences on trailers/trucks. Good luck with trailer shopping.
Posted 2011-12-12 6:15 PM (#139482 - in reply to #139478) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Regina, Sk
Thanks lostinohio. I have decided not to go with a gooseneck and instead a bumper pull to keep the weight down and it never occurred to me that if I had a light enough trailer there was the opportunity of resale to an SUV owner as well. I appreciate the advise.
Posted 2011-12-13 11:52 AM (#139493 - in reply to #139398) Subject: RE: Trailers for 1/2 ton
Veteran
Posts: 147 Location: santa clara, ca
you can also explorer stock combos in BP types: you will still have dividers but the lack of windows and insulation should keep the weight down, but you are in Canada so you might want that for the colder months....
Trailers for 1/2 ton
