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Post by Jlynn on Apr 4, 2016 12:31:01 GMT
I have a three horse slant load aluminum gooseneck which I have only hauled full or with a single horse. A couple of weeks ago I hauled two horses and put them in the front two slots - but the trailer felt "bouncy". Should I have put them in the back two slots, more weight over the tires than the tongue?
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Post by rideanotherday on Apr 4, 2016 13:38:00 GMT
The weight should be as far forward as possible. If you weight towards the rear of the trailer, it could lift the rear wheels of your vehicle and reduce traction. That's not a good thing. Perhaps check tire pressure etc?
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Post by horseguy on Apr 4, 2016 15:22:15 GMT
Another variable is how much gear you store up in the front of the trailer. For example, some have a water tank and pump up in the gooseneck and that can be very heavy. Too much weight in the back "lifts" the truck, as was stated. Too much weight in the front can compress the truck springs and create a different feel. Trail an error will tell you, or if you want to get really obsessive, go to a weigh scale and weigh the truck with the trailer off the scale. Then weigh the trailer with the truck off the scale then rearrange the horses and weigh the truck and trailer as before and see the difference, if any. I used to encourage students to do stuff like this as school science projects. Need a science project?  |
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Post by Jlynn on Apr 4, 2016 16:14:40 GMT
I don't need a science project, I know a 10 year old boy that might - thanks for the idea. The trailer was empty except for the horses. Nothing in the back, nothing in the front, no saddles no gear. All tire pressures are fine. The horses aren't big - a couple of stock horses. I've had this truck and trailer for 11 years, hauled all over the country sometimes with gear and hay - but never with just two horses in it - either three or one. It just felt odd and it was right after I took the third horse off the back, so I was thinking maybe whatever I learned about loading a trailer might be wrong - it wouldn't be the first time!
Thanks guys!
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Post by jimmy on Apr 4, 2016 19:30:32 GMT
How old are your tires? They could be worn unevenly and out of round, or out of balance.
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Post by Jlynn on Apr 5, 2016 11:23:12 GMT
Thanks Jimmy - the tires are 4-5 years old - I'll have that checked out. I should take it in anyway - I had the brakes and wheel-barrings done when I bought it but other than tires I haven't had anything done since.
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