Tune Up the Horse Trailer Before Hitting the Road

The summer season is quickly approaching. That means it is time to tune up your horse trailer and ensure that it is in tip-top shape, resulting in happy trails for both you and your horses. The following are some tips to make sure your trailer is ready to hit the road.

1. Check the tires. Make sure tires have a good tread and are filled correctly. You also should make sure you have a spare (or two) and that the tires have been rotated recently. Always pack a well-stocked tire kit in case of a flat or blow-out on the road.

2.  Inspect the brakes. Ensure that your brake pads do not need to be replaced and that the drums or rotors are turned every 10,000 miles.

3.  Mind your mats. Cleaning your mats means first removing them and then cleaning the mats and the trailer itself. Don’t worry about using expensive cleaning products as soap and water will do. You also might want to consider sprinkling baking soda under the mats to cut down on odors. While the mats are out you should check floorboards and lubricate any metal parts to reduce the chance of rust and cut down on noise.

4. Test the lights. Make sure all lights are working and check for any loose wires. You also should put reflective tape around the back and sides of the trailer and on the trailer doors. This is especially important in light of the fact that if brake lights fail (and they often do) you are not completely left in the dark.

5. Check the controller on your emergency brake. If you are towing your trailer, it is imperative that the emergency break is able to stop the trailer. That makes it imperative that the battery that controls the emergency break is charged and in good working order. You also need to check the break controller itself. Don’t forget to always adjust the setting of your brake controller after you load horses so that the setting matches the load.

6. Level the trailer. If a trailer hitch is set to low or too high, it is harder to control the trailer. It also will force horses to stand at an angle which can tire and stress them out.

Finally, just as you stock fresh hay bales for your horses, make sure that you have a well-stocked emergency kit for every trip. If something breaks, it is important you have what you need to fix it so that you and your horses can be on your way as quickly as possible.