anyone have a general idea of horse trailer weight?

[2003Can4runner]

My girlfriend is looking at buying a Two Horse trailer. I dont' have any more information, i just know its from 1990. I saw a picture of it, looks small (as all two horse trailers are) i just need to get a general idea of how heavy these things are. i'm pretty sure i'm going to be pretty close to maxing out my truck with two horses in it. i have a 2000 limited 4runner. what do you guys think?

 

[boston_kevin]

Most of the 2-horse trailers I have seen weigh in around 1200-1500 lbs. Plus the weight of 2 horses (around 2000 lbs each depending on the type of horse) and you have a maximum of 5500 lbs, plus gear (saddles, feed, etc). I would expect for 2 horses in the trailer fully loaded, you would need to be able to tow around 6000 lbs.

 

[2003Can4runner]

hmm...that's not good.

my girlfriend borrowed a two horse trailer once before, and i towed two of her horses, plus 3 of us, and gear. we only needed to go within town but it towed it fine. that was without equilizer bars, and i even didn't have much sag in the rear.

i'm just wondering how it'll be on the highway...
my truck is fully equipped for towing...i put in a large tranny cooler, brake controller, and beefed up the suspension in the rear a bit.

thanks for the reply!

 

[boston_kevin]

A lot of it depends on the type of horses. Quarter horses and paints can weigh in as little as 1100 lbs to as much as 1600 lbs. Larger horses (thinking of draft horses) can weigh as much as 2700 lbs.

Trailers vary too.. I have seen nearly identical trailers weighing in differently with 500-700 lbs difference.

 

[brad6841]

Using info on this website I don't think your going to be able to do it.....

This site states the trailer will weigh 2600 lbs empty, then if you add, say, 1500 per horse, your looking at 5600 lbs with trailer and horses. I'm guess from what boston_kevin said, your max trailer weight is 5500 lbs. So you've already exceeded that before you include the weight difference in horses and any equipment you may want to throw in.

You may have been fine before because it was a short trip, but on the highway you would be very unsafe.

You stated that you did not see much sag from the rear end, but you also need to look at your axle strength, transmission strength, engine strength, and you braking ability. It is not just how much your rear end sags.

If you want to pull it home empty you should be fine, but loaded you would be very unsafe and could be looking at serious fines or injury for you and possibly others....

 

[boston_kevin]

Something else you should consider... Horses are not static weight. They are constantly shifting weight from one side to another and moving their heads which makes the trailer shift behind you. A narrow vehicle like a 4Runner may have more difficulty dealing with this shift.

 

[2003Can4runner]

yeah your right that info there doesn't tell me what i want to hear!


but, just above this is what it reads:

"WHAT TYPE OF TOW VEHICLE DO YOU NEED TO PULL A HORSE TRAILER?
Any prospective tow vehicle must be able to pull at least 5,000 lbs. to safely haul a 2-horse trailer. The vehicle should be equipped with a class 3 hitch, brake controller, electrical plug-in receptacle (to work trailer's lights/brakes) and appropriate size 2" or 2-5/16" hitch ball"

I have all of the above.
i know that sag isn't the only thing i'm looking at, but it was just a small indicator that maybe i can pull these two horses.

by the way, they are both quarter horses that i will be pulling. i wish i could afford a V8 4runner.

 

[brad6841]

You must remember though, that website is giving you general information. You need to look specifically at your situation. You need to know the exact weight of the trailer, and the exact weight of your GF's horses. Then with that info you will be able to fully determine if this will be possible for you.

I'm going to say that if it is possible for you, it will be on the upper limits of possible. I'm thinking your going to be within a few hundred pounds of it being possible.

 

[2003Can4runner]

yeah your right it'll definately be pushing it, if it is actually possible.

but, i'm not overly concerned because the place she will be taking it frequently is not even 10minutes away in town. if we do end up taking them camping, its a 35min drive so it will be no problem driving slow. these horses are her life so i would never want to do anything to put them in danger.

 

[Amanda7289]

I know this thread is old. But Can4runner, if you ever log in here, how does your 07 pull a horse trailer? I just bought a 2007 v6 to haul horses with and would love some insight on how it pulls. Several people around my area haul with them and say they are great!

 

[xxaarraa]

Holy shit, I had no ideas horses were such fatties. 2000 lbs each OMG