Towing Issues: Should I buy a towing vehicle, dressage horses, horses and tack

Question
My husband and I are in a position (leaving NYC and heading to CA) to once
again own horses.  We will be purchasing a second vehicle once we arrive out
there, and ideally would like it to be mostly a "family vehicle" (it's just us and
the dogs) with a capacity to tow, and a pick-up truck is up our alley.  We will
NOT buy the horses until we get to California.  We are not anticipating having
to move the animals frequently after the initial purchase, but would like the
freedom for minimal travel and trail riding, say once every 2 months.  Is there
such a thing?  Is a V6 just too small to do it safely?  The horses would not be
tall or large breeds, with a two-horse tagalong trailer in mind (for point of
reference the weight of the equispirit model is 2780 lbs).  Any help or
guidance you can offer is most appreciated.  

Answer
Heidi,

You have a very well thought out question.  Be sure to note that the 2780 lbs you quoted is of a completely empty trailer without any options.  Add in the weight of your horses and tack as well as all hay/straw, feed, water, misc clothing and anything else you may want to keep in the trailer.  

I would have to recommend a full size pick-up to anyone who wants to tow two horses (in a trailer, if they just have the reins tied to the truck they have bigger issues).  

I just did work for a local television producer who was towing dressage horses.  He just traded in his Jeep Commander V8 on a diesel Super Duty pick-up because the Commander didn't have the guts to pull the horses and trailer full of gear.  

I'm not saying you need a huge rig to tow, just plan on needing more than you think.  You'll find yourself loading more stuff than you ever imagined and who knows, maybe you'll get bigger horses down the road.  

Maybe you'll even want to go to a gooseneck trailer at some point.  

If you are buying new, I like the new SuperCabs and MegaCabs.  If used, even an extended cab is very useful to keep the dogs in the back and keep some of your gear out of the trailer, yet keep it sheltered rather than having it in the bed of the truck.

A short box truck is more than sufficient for short jaunts.  If you were long hauling the trailer, I would say go for a long box for the added stability.


I would also like to point out to you and everyone else:

READ THIS ARTICLE! It is the most informative that I have read in some time on the subject of hitches and towing.

http://www.equispirit.com/info/towing.htm


Best of luck,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/