Trailer Weight

• 1). Know your trailer weight before you decide on a vehicle. Look for the sticker on your trailer that states its GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Weight is often listed on the title in certain states as well.
  
  
• 2). Vehicles are rated to pull certain weights. Vehicles need to be able to pull a minimum of 5,000 lbs. to safely haul a two-horse trailer. Most half-ton trucks or full-size SUVs can handle a basic two-horse trailer. If the two-horse trailer has a tack room addition, then you will need a vehicle that can haul 6,000 lbs.-plus. Gooseneck trailers that carry three horses to four horses should be hauled by a 3/4- or 1-ton truck. Horse trailers that exceed four horses should only be hauled by a 1-ton, dual-wheeled pickup.
  
  
• 3). Selecting a gas or diesel vehicle tends to be a personal choice. Gas engines have to work harder and burn more fuel then diesel engines. Diesel engines last longer, meaning you can rack up far more miles. Diesel engines also can dramatically outpull any gas engine when going up a steep incline. Speed will be maintained with a diesel engine that is hauling a heavy trailer, but a gas vehicle will significantly slow in speed and work harder on steep inclines. Turbo diesels are probably the best engine for hauling a horse trailer because of their low-end torque--or pulling power--but they are more expensive than other vehicles.
  
  
• 4). Automatic transmissions are recommended for towing a horse trailer because the torque converter helps multiply the engine torque smoothly. This will make the first-gear ratio twice as effective when compared with a manual transmission.
  
  
• 5). Four-wheel-drive vehicles do not increase towing capacity, but they are nice if you are hauling off road on wet or slippery roads. If you become stuck in muddy or inclement weather, a four-wheel-drive will be better-suited to pull a trailer out.