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Getting ready for the events – Preparing your horse trailer for 2022 season

Mar 15, 2022

There was a brief glimpse of the sun this week. Ever the optimist, I am taking that as a sign that winter is on the way out. That means it’s time to start thinking about having your horse trailer serviced for the coming season.

Regardless of what size of events you will be attending, you will want to make sure that your trailer is in top condition. It’s important for the safety of your horse (not to mention your passengers and other road users) that you get your horsebox checked and serviced on a regular basis. It’s not hard to imagine the problems you could have if you try negotiating those winding roads around the Northampton countryside while you are pulling a horse trailer that suddenly develops a mechanical issue. Getting a horse trailer service will put your mind at rest and make your drive smoother and easier. We are here to help so why not drop us a call and we can talk about whether you need a service or not. In the meantime, here are a few checks, warning signs and spruce ups you can do yourself to get your horse trailer ready for the coming season. 

Put your trailer on level ground and walk around

One of the most common warning signs of a mechanical problem is when your trailer leans to one side. Position the trailer so that it is sitting on level ground and look at it from all sides. It should be upright with little or no tilt in any direction. If it is leaning there is almost certainly a problem. Unless it is obvious why (see tyres below) call us immediately and we will advise you on what to do about it.

 

Check the tyres and tread depth

Your tread must meet the minimum depth requirement of 1.6mm or your tyres are illegal. No if’s, no but’s, that’s the bottom line. Just as importantly though it’s not worth the risk to run on old or worn tyres. Particularly ones that are showing any of the following:

  • Low pressure – this could be causing the box to lean (see the last point)
  • Different pressure than the manufacturer's guidelines in any tyre
  • Bulges in the skin of the tyre (this could blow out while travelling)
  • Embedded objects such as stones that may have compromised the surface
  • Uneven wear and tear on one or more tyres. This could suggest a problem

 Please don’t gamble with tyre safety. It is simply not worth the risk. Remember your spare and check that as well.

 

Check the structure of the body and seals

Winter can be hard on the structure of your trailer. If there are any soft spots, bulges or signs of decay or rust in the body of your trailer, get them checked. Similarly, the seals around doors, windows and ventilation areas should be checked for wear.

 

Look underneath

Grab a good torch and do a visual check of the seals and base of the box. Please only crawl under if you are totally sure it is safe to do so. If you see any corrosion or signs of damage, you need to take advice before taking the trailer on the road.

 

Lights, plates, and hitches

Check there are no worn cables and that all connections are snug. Cable wear is a common problem for both electrical and brake cables. Hitch your trailer up and then check it’s working OK by putting it on and off a couple of times. It should attach effortlessly, and the connections should be easy to put together.  Now get someone to help you check all the bulbs and lights are working by having them watch while you activate them. Number plates should be checked for damage and remember they should always be visible to other road users. Horse trailers do tend to be a bit muddy, so it’s time for the brush up to make sure it’s clean.

 

Speaking of brush-ups…

It’s spring-cleaning time so add your horse trailer to the list. Oil the hinges, sweep the floors and spruce up the interior. Cleaning up will often reveal problems that would otherwise have remained hidden until they were more serious.

 

Whatever size of horse trailer you have, whether it is a high tech, top of the range luxury model, or a trusted ‘old faithful’ simple horsebox, you need to give it a good check. A horse trailer with a problem is a danger to everyone on the road, including your horse.

 

Finally, one more thought on safety. The horse trailer you use is only as safe as the vehicle that pulls it. Remember to give your car or van a pre-summer check and make sure your MOT and servicing are up to date. We want you to have a safe journey so, if you find any potential problems, give us a call and we will advise you on the best course of action. 

The British Horse Society (BHS) have lots of additional information on caring for your horse trailer as well as running safety awareness events and, of course, they have all the equestrian news on their website.

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