9 Steps to Prepare Your Horse Trailer & Vehicle for a Winter Haul
Posted on: 30 January 2017
If you need to transport your horse somewhere this winter, you need to make sure that your vehicle and your horse trailer are ready to haul and are ready for the slipper conditions that you may encounter on the way to your destination. Here are nine steps that you need to take to ensure that your horse trailer and vehicle are ready for a winter hauling job.
#1 Check The Tires
First, check the tires on your towing vehicle and make sure that they have plenty of tread on them. You need good tread on your tires to ensure that you have enough traction to grip the slippery road as you are hauling your trailer.
You should also double check and make sure that your tire pressure is accurate; improperly inflated tires can affect your ability to steer and handle your vehicle effectively.
#2 Check Your Lights
Next, you need to make sure that all of your lights are working. Have someone sit on your vehicle and put on the turn signal, the headlights, the fog lights and hit the brakes to ensure that all the lights are working properly. Make sure that you check lights on your trailer as well as your vehicle.
#3 Make Sure Your Braces On Synced
Make sure that the connection between the brakes on your vehicle and on your horse trailer are synced. You want the brakes on both your vehicle and your horse trailer to work together, especially when you are trying to stop on slippery winter roads.
#4 Turn Off Compression Release Engine Brake
If you are hauling your horse trailer with a diesel vehicle that has compression release engine breaks, you are going to want to turn off this feature while you are towing your horse trailer in the winter. This type of brakes can lead you to easily jackknife while trying to stop with your horse trailer on wet, slippery and icy roads. This happens because your compression release system will stop your horse trailer before it stops your vehicle.
#5 Fill Up Your Windshield Wiper Fluid
It is really important that you are able to see clearly, especially when you are hauling a trailer with you. Fill up your windshield washer fluid with a type of fluid that is specifically designed for use in cold weather.
#6 Fill Up Your Fuel
Make sure that you fill up your fuel tank and when you are on the road, try to always keep your fuel above the half-way line. It is going to take more fuel to haul your horse trailer, and you want to have enough fuel to keep yourself warm should you break down. If you are going to driving on remote highways or roads, you may want to bring a full fuel can with you on your trip just to be safe.
#7 Bring Chains
If there is a chance that you'll encounter ice or snow, and you don't have snow tires, you are going to want to bring chains. Make sure that you bring chains for your towing vehicle as well as for your horse trailer. Its best to put chains on both your towing vehicle and your horse trailer to increase traction.
#8 Put Reflective Decals On Your Horse Trailer
You want to make sure that your horse trailer stands out and is visible in the dark and during poor weather conditions. Trailers, as they don't have all the lights on them that vehicles do, can sometimes be difficult to spot. You can counteract this by applying reflective decals around the sides and on the back of your trailer. This will help ensure that all motorist around you are able to see your horse trailer no matter what the weather conditions or time of day.
#9 Take It Slow
Finally, make sure that you build more time into your trip than you would during the summer time when the weather Is better. Don't rush on your way to your destination and always allow yourself at least double the time when you need to break, stop or turn.
For more information, contact a business such as TNT Towing & Equipment Hauling.
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