SIG Forum...
I'm looking for some guidance from those who own/have owned horses; most importantly, trucks and horse trailers.

Background: My wife has been riding horses all her life; everywhere we've been stationed, she's found a place to ride or exercise horses. Now that we are in a more permanent place (i.e. retirement location), we've bought a horse--an off-the-track thoroughbred mare. My wife has started training the horse for foxhunting, but is looking forward to travelling with the horse to places like Tryon, NC or southern SC.

We've narrowed our requirements to a 2-horse, slant load, gooseneck trailer w/tack room/dressing room.

However, choosing a make/model of truck is proving to be as fruitful as a 9mm vs .45 or external safety vs no safety debate.
- What kind of truck do you have (or had)?
- Did the gooseneck ball in the truck come installed or aftermarket? 6' or 8' bed?
- Gas or diesel?

Question:
What kind of truck would you recommend based on your experience to haul a two-horse trailer?

Choices:
Ram 1500
Ram 2500
Ford F150
Ford F250
Toyota??
Other (explain)

Question:
Gas or diesel?

Choices:
Gas
Diesel

 

I've pulled both 2 horse and 4 horse bumper pull trailers. I've done it with both a 1/2 ton and a 3/4 ton.

With 2 horses, you should easily be able to pull it with a nice Ford F-150 with the 3.5L ecoboost engine. My 2018 has the Max Tow Package and will tow 12,400# and has a payload capacity of about 1,400#

If you are just pulling around the area, I see no reason for a diesel.
Mike

Our trailer is the same you describe, except for being a straight-pull (bumper hitch). At the time we needed the full bed for loading a cart we were working with.

The wife's truck is a GM extended cab, 2500HD diesel with an 8' bed. 4WD.

I would not haul horses, regularly, without a 2500 series. If you can afford it, and the math works as far as how much/often you will be hauling, I would also opt for diesel.

I was going to say that if ground clearance is an issue, then stay away from Chevy. Our 3/4-ton will scrape the bottom in places the Ford has no problem going. Then again, you have to climb UP into the Ford more noticeably. It’s a trade-off.

We’re cattle folks, so I can’t comment on your trailer. I will say that out here in the boonies, dealer support is what drives our choice in trucks. The local Chevy dealership just sold, so they’re a wildcard. The Ford place kept dad’s truck for a week to replace a window motor. This is after dad took the door panel off and diagnosed it. Three days later after the appointment, they still hadn’t ordered the part.

I would pass on the diesel.

Bottom line, it’s personal preference. Get what you want and don’t look back.

Here’s some perspective: Europeans pull 2-horse trailers with sedans and station wagons. BMW, Mercedes, Audi/VW. The thought of buying a truck doesn’t even register with them because it’s just not feasible (gas prices) or necessary.

I voted F-150 with a gas (EcoBoost) engine if you buy new to lightly used. If used, you might find one with the 5th wheel receiver already installed, probably not. Check classified ads to find a used receiver and have it installed.

I don't recall the configuration of the trailer, but my mom is on her third SRW F350 for towing their gooseneck horse trailer. I think it's a 3 stall with sleeping quarters & on board water. They do a fair bit of travel to barrel race.

Edit: Her F350s have all been diesel SRWs. Her F150 is a 2011 4WD EcoBoost & I believe she's pulled a smaller bumper pull horse trailer with no problem.

I started hauling horses with an F-150 due to finances, it's doable but sometimes frustrating. I moved up to a gas F-250 and thought I was in heaven. I then upgraded to a diesel F-250 and found out what heaven is really like.

I have had 3 gm 2500s and currently a F-250 diesel since. But I haul a lot.

All of the gooseneck balls are aftermarket installed.

Tommy

How heavy is the trailer (with horses and loaded with whatever else you're going to put in it), and what is the pin weight?

We have a rig very similar to what you describe: 4 Star goose neck two horse straight load ramp, with changing room and bunk area in the goose neck. We usually pull with a full load of gear and two 16.3 hand show horses, which run 1150 to 1350 lbs each. Gross full load trailer weight is #8500. We haul all over central Florida with a 2012 F-150 4x4 crew cab 6.5 bed with 5.0L coyote V8 motor, factory tow package and aftermarket hitch. Truck is capable of towing #11,500 as configured, and the newer ones are over #12k due to the lighter aluminum body. The factory tow package includes a proportional, adjustable trailer brake controller, and tow mode on the transmission automatically downshifts while braking or slowing to help control the truck and load. For what it's worth, we preferred the performance of the V8 over the Ecoboost 6, even though the Ecoboost is higher rated.

You honestly don't need more than that. We looked at a diesel, and have been so satisfied with the rig, that we concluded we didn't want the expense and maintenance hassle of the new diesels. Yesterday, I pulled a two horse load up hill on a rutted dirt track, and the engine never exceeded 1200 rpm. The rig is so stable, that with a light load, you almost forget the trailer is back there.

The changes in 1/2 ton class trucks over the last few years is massive, and the difference between this 2012 Ford, and my very capable, but older 2004 Nissan Titan are night and day.

Unless you are hauling daily, or pulling draft horses and gear over mountains, anything more just isn't necessary.

If The Beautiful Girl wasn't hauling a horse today, I'd post a picture for you; maybe I can get a shot of the rig when she gets back.

ETA: The pic. Also, as for pin weight, I don't think it's too bad. The truck displaces less than 2" against its rear springs with the trailer at full load, and the hand crank for the trailer jack is manageable by The Beautiful Girl, who only weighs 110. We do have 10 ply E rated Michelin tires on the truck, which does help with stability, cornering and braking. It worked fine with the C rated light truck tires it came with, but the 10 ply are a nice upgrade.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ArtieS,

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
How heavy is the trailer (with horses and loaded with whatever else you're going to put in it), and what is the pin weight?

I don’t know...that’s why I’m asking the forum for their experience. I’m not a horse person, nor do I know what other “stuff” equestrians need or bring to show or hunt. I don’t want to go overboard on a trailer and then buy too little or too much truck...I’d rather not collect trailers and trucks like I do holsters

All of my trucks are 1 ton or larger, but I have owned Ford, GM, and now Ram. Some have been gas, but most diesel. We are always hauling and or towing something ranging in weight from 3,000 to 20,000 pounds.

Artie posted his weights above, and that all seems to be well within the capabilities of the 150. Pin weight is important as that counts towards your payload capacity. The 250 will have double the ability, and I can honestly say that I don't see very many 150s pulling goosenecks of any type around here.

A heavier truck will give you a bit more stability and better braking ability. Although some of these manufacturers may offer factory options for hitches, none of mine have ever had them. We buy them aftermarket and put them in. Lots to choose from.

May be worth driving by a local place where horses and their people gather and take a look at what truck/trailer combos are most prevalent.

Fords, an F250 and an F350. The first gas, the second diesel. The F150 with 3.5L EcoBoost pulls like crazy, is very un-truck like as a highway cruiser and every-day-driver. The only question with the heavy-half 150 is the weight of that trailer with tack/dressing room, in deciding whether or not you need to go with a 3/4–hope you don’t.

As with almost anything, how nice do you want it and how much do you want to spend? I've pulled horses and trailers many miles over the last 55 years. I have used a 1962 Corvette, a 1968 Buick Riviera and various GM half ton pick-ups. I always had bumper pull trailers with no dressing room. I would suggest an all aluminum trailer and goose neck trailers pull better than bumper pull. Dually trucks are more stable than conventional 4 wheel trucks though I've never had one. You'll need an accurate weight of your trailer purchase and what you intend to put in it. The horses are probably about 1300 pounds each. Your truck should have a tow weight somewhat higher than the load you are going to pull. The trailer should have brakes on all four wheels. If everyone involved in this doesn't really love the horses and working with them, it becomes a lot of work and a major commitment. The doggone things eat too much and they go to the bathroom too much and they can hurt you. I did it for about 55 years but a couple of years ago I sold everything because I just wasn't doing enough with them. Hope some of this helps you and good luck!

No one ever complained about having too much truck to pull their trailer but the opposite is very true.

I'm in construction and haul a lot. I would advise the F-250. I like diesels but they will be more maintenance and your wife may not want the hassle. The 3/4 ton trucks will have stiffer frames, bigger brakes and usually better transmissions.

1st, if you need a 2 horse, get a 3 horse. You'll appreciate the extra space for water and hay, etc.
Wife has an Exiss 388, 3 horse slant load. Unloaded believe it runs 6900 lbs, tongue weight would be around 1700 lbs. We pull with a 2011 6.7 Liter diesel Ford. I put an after market spring kit on it that gets it to a F-350 pay load.
We're in SE Georgia but wife pulls in upper SC and NC, and TN.

Dodge has always had the great Cummins diesel, but the interiors just sucked. However in the last 6+ years the truck has made amazing improvements. I bought Ram 2500 diesel recently, and am very impressed. I have always been a Ford guy, but even with their new 6.7 it still has some maintenance issues. The Cummins is a better engine overall, and is easier to service.

I would get a diesel if you plan on pulling in the moutians.

Since you have decided to go with a gooseneck, I would recommend a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. As you can see from ArtieS' picture, the gooseneck trailer puts a lot of weight on the truck.

We have an 18 foot Eby aluminium livestock bumper pull trailer. It will hold 4 draft horses, the trailer is rated at 12,000lbs, and weighs 3,000lbs empty. We had a diesel F350 dually regular cab, traded it for a 2003 F350 dually regular cab with the V10 gas engine. I find the odor of a diesel very unpleasant, I always get it on my hands when fueling, and will never buy a new diesel truck. We also have a 2016 F150 supercrew with the 5.0 V8. The V8 has plenty of power for my needs. The tow rating for the F150 is 10,800lbs (higher on some models), while the F350 is only rated at 10,000lbs. The factory brake controller from Ford is absolutely wonderful, but hard to find on dealer lots.

I have never understood why you would want to pull your animals with a SRW F250 or F350. The dual rear wheels give me a lot of confidence. I worried that my wife would have trouble judging width clearance, but after twenty plus years it has not been a problem.

Some travel trailer have clearance issues with 6' truck beds, and require 8' beds. Check your trailer specifications/

All of my trucks have been Dodges. My 1st trailer was a steel, 3 horse, with dressing room gooseneck. I had 1 of those gooseneck balls that you could release from the bed & flip it over to make it flush in case I needed to haul something flat. Very handy. Loved the set up of the trailer & it was built like a tank. If it were ever involved in a crash, I believe it would have offered the most protection for my horses. However, it was a step up & it sat rather high off the ground compared to most trailers. My old horse that I traveled with the most actually preferred step up over ramp, but how high it was made me nervous. I had a 2001, Dodge Ram 1500, 4x4, V8 with the Off Road Special Edition, extended cab, short bed. Pulled that trailer no problem. My brother warned me, & physically showed me, I had to be careful not to turn the short bed wheelbase truck too sharp while pulling the gooseneck because if turned too sharp, the trailer would hit the cab. I got in many tight spaces, always knew not to crank it too sharp & had no problems.

I then found an aluminum "Hart" brand, 2 horse, bumper pull, with ramp load, walk thru dressing room & saddle storage, with built in huge water tank (some horses don't like to drink water that isn't familiar.) I absolutely LOVED that trailer. It was extra tall for oversized horses (although my tallest horse was only 15.2), it was nice and comfortable.

Then I moved cross country, my parents let my horses "retire to pasture" on their land. I kept the trailer at my parents in case they ever needed to use it for an emergency & if my brother or sister wanted to borrow it. Plus they had room to keep it inside.

In CA, I started working for a very rich man, taking care of, exercising, & training his 6 horses. He'd always wanted to take the horses to other places to ride like the beach. He let me pick a trailer. It was a 4 horse, aluminum, gooseneck. At the time I had a 1998 5.2L, 318 Dodge Ram. Again, my brother told me I could probably pull the trailer, not fully loaded, short distances, on pretty flat roads. Well, we just put 3 dirt bikes in it to the sand dunes & truck was having problems, no power, check engine light, etc. So, boss told me he'd pay for a better truck as long as I found a different truck that would have the power, used my old truck for a trade in, do all the paperwork, put in my name, & etc. I ended up with a 2000, Dodge Ram, extended cab, long bed, diesel. I believe it was a 3500, but the only 1 that wasn't 4x4. My 1st trip with it we hauled 3 horses & 2 dirt bikes, loaded & really tested the rig. Went way up in the mountains. Bout a 5 hour drive from Pacific Palasades. Handled beautifully, I was nervous on the way back just because of the steep downgrades & curves. Paranoid if breaks would work. All was good. I knew if the truck handled that trip, she'd handle anything I'd need to do. His horses were a lot bigger than my own. A Fresian, Quarter Horse, & an Adalusians.

Oh, I did use my old boss's big Ford dually, diesel, long bed, quad cab truck to catch part of his wild horse herd in the woods, pulling a stock trailer. Think of off roading with that set up! Boss told me he didn't care what happened to the trailer, just don't get the set up stuck. Path was not set up for a truck & trailer to drive on it. I only barely scrapped 1 of the trailer fenders. Was glad to have enough truck in that case. It was 4x4.

My brother says you don't really need a dually unless you are doing some serious long distance/recurrent/heavy load hauling.