I have a question!

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. It is a heavy duty little truck and hauls my two horse steel trailer (GAWR 2500) with two horses really well. So that is around 4500 pulling a bumper pull (with two horses)

I am looking to get a 4 horse gooseneck, but i am not sure of the GAWR, probably around 5500.  Do you think my truck would haul this ok? The people I am buying it from hauled it up to Maine from Tennessee with a truck just like mine and they said they could hardly tell it was there, but they only had furniture in it. Thank you for your input!

Welcome +1

Reg has answered your original question well.

I would add, the largest issue with a light truck hauling a heavy trailer is NOT pulling it, but stopping it.  The engines are powerful, the suspension can be upgraded with air springs, the tranny can get a honking big cooler, etc.  But, You will need to stop it eventually.  You might even want it to stop right now!  But like the Titantic, it will roll on. 

not exactly, bigger trucks mean more weight to stop when loaded to GVWR, basic physics dictate it will take longer to stop..........bigger wheels actually mean less leverage for breaking(more mass and rotating mass which is some of the reason it needs a bigger brake to start with) which may or may not matter depending on avaliable traction............and you can only fit a brake so large under a 16, 17inch wheel, i have discs just under 13" on the front and just over 13" on the back by my tape measure.

ill wager theyre not much bigger on a 1 ton. you can also only have so much "swept area" and granted a thicker disc will have more "heat sink" capability but now were getting really technical. and i wouldnt expect the trailer to stop the truck, just like the truck alone wont stop the trailer very well. both vehicles have their own brakes designed to stop their respective selves.

I bet my truck on those trailer numbers being over for your truck.  If your trailer states it can haul 10K pounds your truck must also be rated to tow 10K or more.  The law won't care if you never plan on putting all of the 10K pounds in the trailer or not.  You can and may be fined and I believe it's very $$$$$!  Check your state laws and the state laws for any place you'll be towing to and through.

Before I made my trip to NM I e-mailed the state troupers office (looked up their web site) and asked this quiestion. 

The official response I got that the "possible" weight for the trailer/loa

With the weight ratings you provided, the driver is not required to have a
CDL, as long as the actual combination weight does not exceed 26,001 lbs
inclusive of a trailer greater than 10,001 lbs or more.

There is no problem with the weight of the vehicle as the actual weight being displaced on the vehicles is what determines the violation. This allowable weight is determined by axles and axle configurations and tire rating. So as long as the actual weight of the vehicles does not exceed the allowable gross weight allowed or the tire ratings, you should have no problems. Just keep in mind that even though your trailer is rated  at 14,000 lbs most of that weight will actually be distributed to the axles on the trailer with some portion distributed to the towing vehicle. As far as carrying livestock (horses) if you are traveling to NM for work then you would be considered in commerce (private carrier as you only transport your commodity, i.e. horses used in your job) and would be subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations parts 390-399. If you are not “working” and do not use your vehicles for work then you are OK. 

  I have a 1/2 ton Dodge with a 10,000lb trailer limit and a 4 horse slant.  I brought my 2 mares up with me and was not over on anything.  I was close, but legal.  Not that there were any scales open.

OK, let me play "bad barn buddy."

You have a truck and 4 horse trailer.  You only plan on hauling 2 horses which may put you right at your limit.

"What are you going to do with the other two slots?  Can you take my horse?"

Yes, puts you over the limit and I'm not paying for damages...your warranty will be voided if they think you were over weight, so the maker won't pay either FYI.

No, pisses off your riding buddies because you are dragging around dead space.  The temptation to bring along another horse may be too much for you.  Worst case you'll buy another horse and now be really stuck.

the smaller wheels and brakes on my pitiful little trailblazer pulling my 2h sl bp (yes im at the max GVWR) will also stop me. what is your point? are you saying your trailer brakes are or are not functioning properly? i dont understand the point of that statement.

and why is a 1/2 ton with 4h not safe IF it could be managed to the GVWR? say it is a light trailer and 2 small type horses.  youre making a rather broad statement that appears as though youre stating fact. and if, just if, you do mean it as fact....your implied experiance is showing. but if not intended as fact....then i apologize.

I don't haul for other people.  I have 10 acres so there is no "barn buddy" and I go to the large organized rides were I know some people but everyone has their own rigs.   I have also seen people turn flatbed trailers into animal trailers by adding cattle pannels to them.  But they had a 1 ton truck.  And if your friendships are so fragile that saying no to something causes a problem, well....   People ought to be able to understand why you don't want to haul illegal without being offended.

I drove to NM in May and I weighed my trailer/truck fully loaded to make absoultely sure that I wasn't over my limits.  I had wanted to bring about 20 bales of coastal hay with me but having them in the front of the trailer would have put me over so I left them.  I was close, but under and had no problems going over the hills on I10.