The first question was pretty easy, since the BLM requires a stock trailer when dealing with mustangs that seemed like a logical fit - plus at some point in the future I'd like to have some cows so there just seems to be more versitility with a stock trailer. For those who don't know the difference, stock trailers are open inside them with no partitions to seperate the animals, no troughs for feed, etc. If you gut the inside of a horse trailer you've got a stock trailer. Then I found out about stock/combo trailers which are basically stock trailers with a removable center divider so that you can have the best of both worlds. Since both of my girls have been delivered in stock trailers, I didn't anticipate any issues with one.
As for bumper pull versus gooseneck, originally I wanted a gooseneck. From what I've read, they handle better and have more natural backing characteristics. However, the F-250 is a shortbed which can cause issues with some gooseneck trailers. I've also got a toolbox in the bed that I've gotten used to and would hate to have to take it out. Since I'm not planning any cross country trips the bumper-pull wins this category.
Size of the trailer wasn't as much of an issue, I figured anything 16' and under would be fine, I don't anticipate needing to haul any more than 2 horses or a handful of dexter cattle.
So we put the word out to anyone we could that we were looking for a used trailer, read Uncle Henry's religiously every Saturday, scouted the newspapers, etc. Then one day we got a call from Mona (remember her, she's the woman we adopted Grace from) and she knew of someone in Saco selling a 2 horse bumper pull stock/combo trailer - just what we were looking for. I went to see it a few days later and bought it at the end of that week.
Once we had a trailer, I had to get a hitch put on the truck. The trailer GVCW is 7000 lbs so I figured I needed a hitch of that capacity. Seems logical, right? Well let me tell you, I had quite a time talking the hitch installer into selling me a class IV hitch that would tow it. He wanted to sell me a class III which was only rated for 5000 lbs. Now I don't anticpate putting 4500 pounds in the trailer but I figure if the trailer can support it then the hitch should as well. After some hemming and hawing I got a DrawTite Class IV hitch installed on the truck with a reese brake controller.
I finally had a chance to get out to Saco yesterday to pick her up. Let me tell you, after hauling a 31' travel trailer, she tows like a dream. Don't even need extended mirrors to see the back of it. The truck doesn't seem to mind it being back there - its about 2700 pounds empty.
She's a 2002 Valley 2 horse bumper pull stock/combo trailer 6' wide by 14' long. It is the heavy duty steel model, not the lighter aluminum. Its got a front changing room with saddle racks, etc. All the tires are in good shape, floor is in good condition and has mats. Currently the center divider is out - I'll likely keep it that way unless I need it for some reason.
Tomorrow is the anniversary of Ronald Reagan's death so as a tribute I would like to offer the following.
"I hope we have once again reminded people
that man is not free unless government is limited.
There's a clear cause and effect here that is as
neat and predictable as a law of physics:
as government expands,liberty contracts."
Ronald Reagan
that man is not free unless government is limited.
There's a clear cause and effect here that is as
neat and predictable as a law of physics:
as government expands,liberty contracts."
Ronald Reagan
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