So you’ve got a wonderful horse and the perfect trailer…still,               
are you ready to travel? There are many details regarding readying     
your tow vehicle, hooking up the horse trailer and, of course the                   
comfort and safety of your horse(s), that can’t be overlooked. We hope               
the following information makes good horse sense when preparing to hit                
the road. Be sure to check back with us each month for more helpful travel tips.       

1. Inspect the ball on the towing vehicle to make sure it is the right size and is set at the proper ball height. The top of the ball is labeled with the ball size of 1 7/8”, 2” or 2 5/16.” Then check the coupler for the correct ball size and be sure the ball size matches the coupler size! As the manufacturer of the trailer, we’ll tell you at what height to set the ball on the tow vehicle. The distance of 18” from the ground to the top of the ball is recommended for a Hawk bumper pull trailer.

2. Safety chains or safety cables located on the tongue of the trailer must be made of material strong enough to prevent the trailer from leaving the tow vehicle in the event the trailer coupler comes off the ball. Most states require these safety chains or cables be long enough to cross under the trailer tongue. This will help to cradle the trailer tongue in the event of separation.

3. Inspect the tires on the trailer- first for any nails or foreign objects in the tire tread. Then check for proper inflation to prevent excessive wear. Also, look at the sidewalls of the tires to check for cracks due to the sunlight. Excessive cracking or weather checking can cause a tire to go flat. Above all, be sure the tires are the same size. And don’t mix a bias ply with a radial tire

4. Before each trip, it’s a good idea to be sure all the lights and brakes are working properly. Especially before putting the horse(s) into the trailer. Most horse trailers have either a 6 or 7 prong electrical connection for the 12-volt wiring system. The female on the tow vehicle and the male end on the tongue cord must be kept clean and dry. Check for corrosion before attaching them together. This may eliminate the problem of your lights flickering or worse yet, not working at all when you’re out on the road.

5. Inspect the floor of the trailer by lifting up the floor mats or completely removing them. Older trailers have untreated lumber that may have rotted over the years. Some aluminum floors may have excessive corrosion or holes in them because they were not cleaned properly. A good inspection of the floor and cross members will prevent possible injury to your horse.