tips and tricks

[krissy3]

Ok , I finally did it ...I purchased my first pony trailer. its a Böckmann from Germany, a "Pony duo" , and I will be pulling it with no problem in my VW passat stationwagen. Naturally it is a lot smaller than a normal big horse trailer, the company first designed this trailer for their shetland ponys, so everything is smaller in it , its very nice. I will now have to learn how to drive the thing, in the parking lot by the lake , have you any tips for me ? It would really help , I am a bit nervous about driving it around , especially on these narrow 2 way streets, in Europe.

thanks

 

[Miniv]

Congratulations on your purchase.

The two things that immediately come to mind about pulling a trailer is......1) You will need to allow more space and time for braking and stopping than you would with just your car. .......and 2) You will need to take your turns wider to accommodate the extra length behind you.

When I'm pulling a trailer I sort of start thinking in "slow motion". Everything is slower, wider, smoother. Tap your brakes more instead of just hitting them......that sort of thing. Just always be considering what the animal in the trailer is having to deal with as you make a turn or have to come to a sudden stop.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I hope you have trailer brakes. Find out how to engage them manually, then practice locating them so you can do it easily in a panic situation. Mine has a little lever. If your vehicle starts to fishtail, engaging the trailer brake manually will generally straighten out your vehicle.

Backing sometimes flusters me; I can do it, but I need plenty of time. I'm getting better with practice. I try to just keep cool.

Check the air in the tires before every trip. Low tire pressure can cause a blowout.

If you have to leave the trailer in a public place for a length of time, double check your connection to the vehicle before starting out--people have been known to tamper with that, causing the trailer to come lose while driving.

I try to think like miniv suggested--being aware I am longer, heavier, and have a living creature behind me.

 

[wildoak]

Practice, practice, practice.

In a big parking lot with an empty trailer first - just get a good feel for how long it takes you to stop, how wide your turns must be, and practice backing. I know lots of people who have been driving trailers for years and still can't back them LOL, and it's not that hard to do - just takes going slowly and paying attention. Your narrow roads are no worse than our big highways which always seem to be under construction with stretches of narrow lanes & concrete barriers immediately on either side (and a 60-70 mph speed limit). Makes me very nervous and I admit I white knuckle it sometimes, but as long as I remember to breathe

I'm okay.

Jan

 

[SilverDollar]

krissy3, congratulations on your trailer purchase! How exciting. I have found lots of good horse trailering tips here. Trailer Safety

(I'm the same as wildoak...must remember to breathe.

)

 

[SampleMM]

When backing up, I find it easier to turn around and look instead of using my mirrors. Another suggestion, ask anyone but your husband to help teach you.

I learned this the hard way.

 

[bonloubri]

Try to plan ahead for backing or turning around. Sometimes there is enough room to turn around without having to back up. When backing always try to get in a position to back the trailer to the left (driver's side). It is much easier to see as the right side is the "blind side".

 

[~Lisa~]

Another suggestion, ask anyone but your husband to help teach you.

I learned this the hard way.

LOL that was a lesson I learned pretty quickly as well

(should add he is now a x-husband)

 

[JMS Miniatures]

When you are backing you are also backing your vehicle the opposite direction where you want your trailer to go. Don't over turn it or you will jacknife it.

Basiclly like what everyone else is saying when you are pulling a trailer everything you are doing is slower. Once you get use to it it really isn't all that hard. I think the hardest problem I have and still have slight trouble is backing the truck to the trailer to hook it up. When I first learned you should have seen my lisence plate lol.

 

[Kim]

I will add - remember that you have precious cargo in the back!! Everything must be done really slowly so that your horses can keep their balance and don't get too stressed with quick, jarring movements. Take your corners extremely slowly, accelerate slowly and stop slowly - way, way slower than if you were driving with no trailer. Someone once told me to drive as if there were a full glass of water balancing on the dash and you can't spill any...good advice.

 

[Boinky]

slow smooth starts, slow smooth stops, slow smooth turns (as smooth as you can make a turn that is..lol). when backing put your hand(s) at the BOTTOM of the steering wheel and just move your hand in the direction you want your trailer to go (so if you want to back it to the right move your hand to the right) and that is the direction your trailer will go. only turn it enough so your trailer starts to turn then counter balance it a bit and keep going back and forth with the wheel until your trailer is going where you want (don't just turn it one way and go for it because it surely wont work) It's an easier way for many people to remember since backing a trailer is backwards from backing just a car.

when going around a corner make a wider swing (probably with a small trailer you wont need to worry about it as much though). Electric breaks can be your friend although i've done a lot of hauling without them as well.

If it's a short trailer remember it will be HARDER to back. The longer the trailer the easier they are to back. If your car is larger than the trailer it makes them ESPECIALLY hard to back. you will need to take a lot of time and effort to get it to back without jackknifing.

as someone else mentioned it is often easier to turn your head and look backwards than to use your side view mirrors.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. I started hauling trailers before I even had a drivers permit/liscence. My dad was adimant that I learned how to drive a trailer well (he knew i would be hauling a lot of course being a horse show junkie..and of course owning horses you have to be able to get hay and supplies). I was practicing driving them in the fields backing through obstacles etc for a few years before I was on the road. Then of course with my permit he went with me a lot. I learned to back a trailer out of/into any situation (my friends all take me along to help in nasty situations..lol) as well as being able to parallel park one even! One of my neighbor kids said "you back a horse trailer better than a boy!!" hehehe.. I guess that's supposed to be a complement, but in all seriousness i've probably logged more miles with a trailer than most men do in a lifetime unless they are truckers!! I do feel it's important to have a good strong basic knowlege of towing and being comfortable with it and your vehicles (both trailer and tow vehicle).