I have a TB/Perch cross (read: +1700lbs) that I'm trailering in a two horse BP Sundowner, towed by a Chevy Tahoe. She weaves when the big trucks pass us on the highway, really swaying the trailer when she's at her worst. While I'm hoping she'll get better with time/miles, I can't imagine that this isn't going to cause stress on the truck and trailer. What can I expect in terms of vehicle/trailer wear and tear?

The damage could be anything from nothing to totaled... Like when you roll the rig after losing control. Are you using a WD hitch? If not I would recommend you get one. GM requires a WD hitch for any BP trailer over 5,000 pounds.

Okay ... That last post sounded too severe.

Your horse really won't cause any significant extra wear weaving. But since you've already experianced sway, that's a tip-off to do something to increase your control. Increasing your vehicle control could be simply slowing down to getting a longer, heavier tow vehicle. A WD (Weight Distributing) hitch goes a long way toward controlling a trailer as a middle step.

OK, "sway" might be too strong of a term. I have never felt like the vehicle couldn't handle it, or that I was in any danger of losing control. I do however think of stress on the transmission, or wheel bearings, etc. I will fully admit that I am not very knowledgable about mechanics, but the pull that is exerted has to be doing something.

Can someone tell me more about weight distributing hitches? It is not cited anywhere in my Tahoe manual, or in my trailer manual...

quote:

Originally posted by equineaddict:
OK, "sway" might be too strong of a term. I have never felt like the vehicle couldn't handle it, or that I was in any danger of losing control. I do however think of stress on the transmission, or wheel bearings, etc. I will fully admit that I am not very knowledgable about mechanics, but the pull that is exerted has to be doing something.

Can someone tell me more about weight distributing hitches? It is not cited anywhere in my Tahoe manual, or in my trailer manual...

The pull that is exerted by the horse moving is insignificant compared to the loads generated by road bumps, cornering, braking, etc. I don't dispute that the horse is loading the trailer parts, but the trailer builder should have taken care of it in the design and componet selection of the trailer.

go to this site to seee an article on WD hitches. >>> http://mrtruck.net/wdh.htm

The GM towing guide has the WD requirement as a footnote. I think otherwise, more people would buy and use a WD hitch. But a simple footnote is a fair defense in court.

VERY helpful...thank you!

If your trailer/load is within the specs of the pulling capacity of your Tahoe, I would be looking at those tires and/or getting better ones. And getting that WD hitch. Might slip a coulpe of extra springs in your leafs and getting some better shocks.
I have a 2004 Silverado and pull a heavy(1500#mt)2 axle car trailer and have gotten rid of the factory tires and installed a Hellwig rear sway bar, which helped out alot, next I'm putting on better shocks and adding a couple more leaves to the spring packs, that should tighten it up some more.The 04 truck doesn't pull like my old 98 did.

BTW; If you have the GM factory hitch be careful. If your towing alot I'd get a different one.
My two cents.
Trucker

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