Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post Reply
jczv
Rank: Senior Hunter
Posts: 116
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:16 am
Location: se wi

Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by jczv » Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:50 am

Is it viable to use a mid-sized truck (later model Tacoma or Frontier) for hauling two horses, mutts, etc. We Currently don't have horses but probably will have some 3 or 4 years down the road. I need a truck for other stuff now (and I keep anything I buy forever). In the current market I can get a couple year old F-150 or Ram for about the same price (or less) as a few year old frontier or tacoma. Mileage and reliability are better on the Tacoma / Frontier but the F-150/Ram have more towing and carrying capacity. Just wondering if I should bother looking at the smaller trucks. I don't care that much about off the line power (I drive a grandma car right now) but want something that can handle pulling safely and without falling apart.

User avatar
Karen
GDF Junkie
Posts: 1647
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:03 am
Location: Analomink, PA

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Karen » Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:07 am

I'd suggets looking at something that's at least a 3/4 ton PU if you plan on hauling a "couple of horses". I haul 1 small horse in a light pony-sized trailer (1950 lbs) with my Durango, which is rated to tow 5600 lbs. I figure I'm hauling right around 3000 lbs., and have been doing so for 3 yrs without issue, but I NEVER put a 2nd horse in the trailer, only travel with the water tank full when absolutely necessary, travel as light as possible, and I stick to a 4 hour radius of home.

Your other option, if you really want to go with a smaller truck, is a Brender Up trailer. They are super-light and can be hauled with a 6 cyl. SUV (or so the website says). They're expensive, but might be worth the trade-off in what you'd spend on a larger truck. They're not easy to find used and hold their value really well. You won't be able to put dog boxes in it, but you can cap the truck and transport at least a few dogs back there.
ImageImage
Woodland's Spirit of Big Oaks & Woodland's Money Pit

User avatar
Greg Jennings
GDF Junkie
Posts: 5743
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:59 am
Location: Springboro, OH

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Greg Jennings » Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:33 am

Two thoughts:

1. A lot of things change in 3-4 years to change your plans. Maybe a used, small pickup that serves your needs now (and is cheaper to operate now) and then see where you are when horses happen.

2. When you get a truck to tow a load, don't just think about being able to pull it, think about being able to STOP it.

Greg J.

lvrgsp
GDF Junkie
Posts: 2511
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:12 am
Location: ILLA NOISE..................

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by lvrgsp » Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:37 pm

Greg any afterthoughts on your recent truck purchase and the way the economy has been?
Just Curious,
Chip

User avatar
NE Vizsla
Rank: Champion
Posts: 353
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:35 pm
Location: Nebraska

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by NE Vizsla » Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:57 pm

Greg Jennings wrote:
2. When you get a truck to tow a load, don't just think about being able to pull it, think about being able to STOP it.

Greg J.
Isnt that where trailer brakes come in handy ?

User avatar
kninebirddog
GDF Premier Member!
Posts: 7846
Joined: Sat Dec 25, 2004 12:45 am
Location: Coolidge AZ

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by kninebirddog » Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:26 pm

The wear and tear towing can put on a smaller truck ..will show up on the tranny the engine and the brake system

Short hauls is one thing but if you ever plan on going on the road or have to deal with hills...better to go stronger nothing like topping out at 10 miles an hour with a line of people behind you wanting to push you off a cliff cause they can't get around you
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"When I hear somebody talk about a horse or cow being stupid, I figure its a sure sign that the animal has outfoxed them." Tom Dorrance
If you feel like you are banging your head against the wall, try using the door.

User avatar
AHGSP
GDF Junkie
Posts: 1857
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 7:35 am
Location: Springfield, WV

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by AHGSP » Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:27 pm

Being in Nebraska, I'm guessing you've never had 8000 lbs of loaded Horse Trailer following you down a twisty turny mountain?! :lol: :D
NE Vizsla wrote:
Greg Jennings wrote:
2. When you get a truck to tow a load, don't just think about being able to pull it, think about being able to STOP it.

Greg J.
Isnt that where trailer brakes come in handy ?
Bruce Shaffer

"If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten"
Mark Twain

Bruce, Raine, Storm and GSP's
Almost Heaven GSP's
"In Search of the Perfect GSP";)

RayGubernat
GDF Junkie
Posts: 3308
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:47 am
Location: Central DE

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by RayGubernat » Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:13 pm

Horses ae 1000#, give or take, water is 8# a gallon,hay is 40# per bale, saddle and tack is about 50#.

Trailer weights vary from 1500# to 3500# for a two horse, depending on construction materials(aluminum or steel) and style(stock versusstraight load with tack room.

Even one horse in a two horse trailer with a couple bales of hay, somw water and the pile of stuff we wind up carrying aroundis a lot of weight for a mid sized truck.

The thing with a mid sized truck is that a heavy load, you will absolutely want to use a load distributing hitch system for a bumper pull. Either that or a gooseneck which by its nature distributes the weight over the whole truck.

I have a 3/4 ton short bed Dodge with the big V-8 in it. I get approximately 15 mpg when I am not towing and about 10 when I am(2 horses). If I watch my acceleration and make sure the air filter is clean and stuff I can do a bit better. A friend just bought a new diesel and his towing mileage ain't much different than mine. Appparently the new emisions junk that they have to put on has driven down the diesel mileage values to about what gasoline engines are.

That was great to hear.

User avatar
NE Vizsla
Rank: Champion
Posts: 353
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:35 pm
Location: Nebraska

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by NE Vizsla » Sun Sep 07, 2008 2:02 pm

AHGSP wrote:Being in Nebraska, I'm guessing you've never had 8000 lbs of loaded Horse Trailer following you down a twisty turny mountain?! :lol: :D
NE Vizsla wrote:
Greg Jennings wrote:
2. When you get a truck to tow a load, don't just think about being able to pull it, think about being able to STOP it.

Greg J.
Isnt that where trailer brakes come in handy ?
Sure havent, i think a half ton would be fine for what the guy is wanting to do.

User avatar
Greg Jennings
GDF Junkie
Posts: 5743
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:59 am
Location: Springboro, OH

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Greg Jennings » Sun Sep 07, 2008 7:18 pm

Hi Chip,

Oh, I've second guessed some of my decisions, but not the diesel decision. It was a no-brainer given the way that the rebates worked. With it getting over 20 mpg now, the numbers still make sense versus gas.

What I have started doing is changing the oil and filters myself. I'm also going to install differential covers that I can more easily work with and do it myself rather than getting molested by the dealer.

I'm ordering the filters online (saving $5.50 on the fuel filter over AutoZone!). I still need to find a good source for the oil that I want to use (Rotella T Synthetic).

Greg J.

User avatar
topher40
GDF Junkie
Posts: 2306
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 3:09 pm
Location: NE Kansas

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by topher40 » Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:17 am

I can haul my two horse with two horses just fine with my Chevy 1500. I wouldnt go any smaller than that and if you have the money go bigger! Thats always better isnt it?? :lol:
Chris E. Kroll
CEK Kennels
http://www.cekkennels.com
785-288-0461


Governments govern best when governments governs least


-Thomas Paine

User avatar
Greg Jennings
GDF Junkie
Posts: 5743
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:59 am
Location: Springboro, OH

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Greg Jennings » Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:43 pm

I hauled a 17' stock trailer with a Frontier once.

lvrgsp
GDF Junkie
Posts: 2511
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:12 am
Location: ILLA NOISE..................

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by lvrgsp » Tue Sep 09, 2008 3:10 pm

The reason I ask Greg is around here we have had a lot of farmers and friends going back to 3/4 ton gassers, either the chevy 6.0 or the ford v-10 or the dodge 5.7. Now there not pulling horses, and dogs across the states, but there still pulling alot of livestock trailers all over, and with the new emission standards on some of the diesels and the money it takes to modify them to get better mileage, it's just not worth it to them.
Just an observation,
Chip

User avatar
Greg Jennings
GDF Junkie
Posts: 5743
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 11:59 am
Location: Springboro, OH

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Greg Jennings » Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:24 am

Hi Chip,

My brother was in the trucking industry for eons. He told me about the upcoming change in the diesel regs when I started talking about getting a truck. He quickly told me to get the 2006 model, which I did. It's one of the reasons that I was in a hurry at the time. I've heard that the particulate trap is the main problem and that Cummins went from a 5.9 liter to a 6.7 liter in order to keep the horsepower and torque of previous engine.

Here is an anecdotal thought:

I'm now getting 20 mpg in daily driving in the truck. My 1996 Toyota 4Runner gets the same. Gas, today, is $3.57 diesel was $3.96 (rounding up on both) (some math insert some math) => diesel is 10.9% more. So, it's costing me 10.9% more to drive a 3/4 ton MegaCab than a mid-sized SUV.

That's not the whole story, however. The Cummins is 12 quarts of oil versus 5 for the Toyota. I replace the fuel filter every oil change in the Cummins at $10 a pop whereas I do it once a year or so on the Toyota. I can get the Toyota oil changed at Wal-Mart. I've gone to doing the truck myself; it's a hassle.

I'm really a fan of the Cummins. OTOH, I'm not nearly as big a fan of Dodge. I've been spoiled by 3 Toyotas. The quality of execution is just much higher. The Toyota, in over 216,000 miles has never let me down; it has barely had a wrench pulled on it. The Dodge has twice stranded me and it has 46,000.

I've heard various tales of Toyota going into the big-truck market, but have yet to see anything. It also seems that all the good engines are taken (doh!).

Greg J

lvrgsp
GDF Junkie
Posts: 2511
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:12 am
Location: ILLA NOISE..................

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by lvrgsp » Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:25 am

Yes Cummins did mak e a change for the motor in the Dodge, sorry to here about your problems with megacab. On a new note you may want to wait for ford to unleash the diesel in there F-150 here in the states.

Chip

Firstarrow

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Firstarrow » Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:40 am

I would go heavy half or 3/4 ton minumum.

My 6 litre chev is great, but would like diesel.

Speaking of dream'n wouldn't it be cool to get a dodge cummins with an allison tranny OR
a Chevy with a cummins to marry up with the allison tranny?

- a guy has to dream sometimes!

Blue Dawn Kennel
Rank: 5X Champion
Posts: 830
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2007 1:44 pm
Location: Madison, KS

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Blue Dawn Kennel » Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:58 pm

I'll way my .02 worth even though we're pulling a much larger trailer and load. I agree on not going smaller than a 3/4 ton and I'd definately stick with the diesel even though higher priced. We just purchase exactly a yr. ago our first Dodge Ram 3500 with the 6.7 Cummings and we're loving it. We have all the towing/pulling power that we need. We have way more than we had with our last 2 (2000 & 2005) F-350 diesels. I (before meeting Keith) used to pull w/ a Chevy 1/2 ton gas, I got around okey with it and my old 2 horse and two horses but after meeting and traveling with Keith all these years and seeing what all could/can happen with a smaller truck and a good load behind it was enough to make a believer out of me. I also like the ton dually's as I know friends and have had/seen people with single axled pick ups blow truck tires and flip the whole rig over (truck, trailer w/ 2 horses and 4-6 dogs). Not a pretty picture at least with a dually you've got lots more tires to pick up where that one blew. Granted know a lot of people that have pull and still pull with single axles (and some pretty good sized trailers and loads and not have a problem (yet). Anyway best of luck to you in whichever and whatever you decide to use.

Robbi
BDK'S Kessie's Sin City Casino~http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/genview.php?id=1270
BDK's All That Jazz~ http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/genview.php?id=5853
BDK's Try Your Luck~ http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/genview.php?id=5854
"Home of 60 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES (wins & runner ups) & Many Many Field Champions"

Flush
Rank: Senior Hunter
Posts: 139
Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:52 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Flush » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:45 pm

If you really want to keep the truck forever and are real confident you'll get horses, I'd go with at least a 1/2 ton. If you thought you might get horses and in 4 years from now at that and wouldn't mind upgrading the truck, you could probably at least get started into horses and a small trailer and get by with a Taco/Frontier for a bit. However I'm pretty sure you would want to upgrade the truck if you actually started towing much.

I myself tow a small two-horse trailer with a 05 v8 Tundra (older style) and sometimes two smallish horses, but usually just one. My setup works fine and feels safe, but a bigger truck would certainly be even better. My trailer is quite small and weighs right about 2,000lbs, many two-horse trailers weigh a good 1,000 or more pounds than mine empty and the extra space is kinda nice to have if you can manage it. I feel I shouldn't really go any bigger/heavier with my truck, even though based on ratings I could do it and be legal.

While my truck does fine, a Tacoma would have even less torque (but similar HP) and I'm not sure how the trannies, rear-ends, and brakes compare. I see people tow horses with Tacos and Frontiers and I know with the right trailer you are within their ratings, but I agree with everyone else when towing, especially live animals, the more margin you have the better. Even an F150 is typically considered "small" for horses so depending on how certain you are on getting horses, my personal recomendation would be to get at least a 1/2 ton. If you like Toy/Nissan a slightly older Tundra/Titan may be a thought.

-Flush

User avatar
nj gsp
Rank: 5X Champion
Posts: 786
Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2006 7:07 pm
Location: NJ

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by nj gsp » Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:09 pm

I have a 3/4 ton diesel. It's a 2002 Chevy 2500 HD crew cab with the 5 speed Allison transmission. I can tow up to 12,000 lbs or so with it, and a 5th wheel is a factory option - or was when I got my truck. I've towed a lot of different things with it, up to a 10,000 lb backhoe & trailer, I don't tow with it every day, but when I do I'm never disappointed. When it comes to towing, you want lots of torque, and that's what a diesel delivers.

I'm getting around 17-18 mpg daily driving, and 19.5 average on the highway for long trips. If I had road tires instead of the all-terrains that would probably improve.

To get the optimal fuel economy, inflate your tires all the way, and slow down a bit - easy starts, coast to a stop, and keep the RPM's as low as possible. I was able to improve my fuel economy over 17% by this alone. I may get a programmer at some point, because there are likely efficiency improvements to be realized, but the biggest bang for the buck is free - fill the tires, and slow down.

User avatar
westexasrepublic
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 96
Joined: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:29 am

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by westexasrepublic » Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:35 pm

I own an 05 Frontier V6 and know for a fact that its capable of towing AND stopping a steel trailer with 2 horses/feed/tac. I wouldnt recommend any older frontier, but the 05+ second gen frontiers get it done when it comes to towing. If any mid size truck would even be considered for towing such capacity, this would be the only one. The Tacoma is a little lighter, little less power and more expensive. Thats just to answer your somewhat vague question, but like most people mentioned, you have to consider how much towing and what terrain your towing. Then I would say for towing often and in mountainess terrain, then I would get a Diesel in that case.
Soouthland's Duke of Hearts
Little Lady Maple

ImageEdit This PedigreeGet Your Free Pedigree Today! WEST TEXAS

shags
GDF Junkie
Posts: 2717
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:57 pm

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by shags » Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:53 am

Learn from my mistake...get more truck than you think you'll need. Don't trust the numbers in the manual, or what the dealer tells you. I started with a 1/2 ton Chevy gasser which looked good on paper, but on the road with my little 2-horse trailer it struggled.
I switched to a 3/4ton HD, gas, with a better rear axle ratio, and cruise along with a bigger heavier trailer than before.
The smaller truck was better for running around (18-20 mpg) but it was a nightmare hauling. I'll spend more on fuel now, park the bigger truck more and run around in my little 4 cyl beater, but I can pull my horses anywhere.

User avatar
STEVE ANKER
Rank: Just A Pup
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:36 am
Location: The Ponderosa, Speonk, Long Island NY

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by STEVE ANKER » Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:57 am

Speaking from my point of view only-

Having progressed to my second truck trailer combination, one word of advice, buy the biggest truck and rigg you can, 'cause you're sure to out grow it before the payments are up. Our gently used 2500 gas GMC did very well pulling our 20 footer, hauling around 2 TWH's and 8-12 dogs at a time, but, as sure as SHAZAAM, the tranny (pre-Allison) gave way at Wye Island, after about 40K of hard East Coast FT miles. Mileage was in the 10's mpg. Recently picked up an older Ford 4X 350 Powerstroke Diesel 7.3 and we went to a 2H tack room gooseneck, now we're livin.... still need more room tho'. Truck pulls no sweat, and mileage is much better than the GMC gasser. Gonna expect 250k out of the Ford as well.
Steve Anker
ANKER OUTFITTERS
A-TEAM Gun Dog Training
HUNTERS GARDEN PRESERVE

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

Boliep

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Boliep » Thu Feb 12, 2009 3:10 pm

There is a lot of good advice for him listed above. But I am still hung up on this.

He said in either 3 or 4 years or 4 or 5 years he might want to haul a horse and trailer. Why are you worrying about it now?
Even if you buy a truck today, you would probably want to trade by the time you decide, if you do, to haul a trailer.

User avatar
subatomicstang
Rank: Senior Hunter
Posts: 145
Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:03 am

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by subatomicstang » Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:55 pm

I can say the bigger the truck the better! But my wife uses a 2004 f150 (newer body style) to haul a 3 horse slant load trailer gooseneck. And loaded with horses that 5.4 litre engine and just lowsy 355 gears dont miss a beat! You dont need a 3/4 ton diesel or anything unless your hauling everyday! She trailers maybe twice a week and it works flawless! I am sure haveing the gooseneck deal makes it a heck of alot easier with the weight placed more over the rear axle than the bumper!
Randy B

MSC SMOKE

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by MSC SMOKE » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:52 am

I have been pulling a 2 horse slantload steel trailer with a small tack room up front with an 07 Tacoma double cab. Hauling one horse and a 3-dog box in the back of the truck. The truck pulls and stops the trailer fine. But get a bigger truck if you can. I am looking into trading a little bit myself.

If it will be several years until you need it, I would keep talking to people and looking at their set-ups, and wait till the time comes. One other thought if economics and effeciency are a concern--how many days a year will you actually tow the trailer? Are you willing to drive and pay for a 3/4 ton truck 355 days a year and actually tow the trailer the other 10?

Wa Chukar Hunter
Rank: Champion
Posts: 347
Joined: Wed May 19, 2004 7:34 am
Location: Cental Texas and prairies of South Dakota

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Wa Chukar Hunter » Fri May 29, 2009 3:49 pm

I am just starting to look at this again - I currently have a 99 Chev 3500 (SRW) with a long bed - and I have been kicking around getting a newer F-250 - but diesels are hard to come by - everything I like in my price range has a 5.4L gas engine and just not sure that will pull my big horse trailer loaded down with 3 horses, 30 dogs, a small 4 wheeler.
"I swear a woman's breast is the hardest rock, the Almighty ever created, and I can find no sign on it." Bear Claw Chris Lapp

RayGubernat
GDF Junkie
Posts: 3308
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:47 am
Location: Central DE

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by RayGubernat » Fri May 29, 2009 7:32 pm

Keith -

My trailer was a steel frame/aluminum skin, 2 horse straight load bumper pull with a 4 ft. dressing room. I have an 01 Dodge 2500 with the 5.9L gas engine and a 3.73(I think) rear.

With 2 horses and the associated tack and a small water tank the trailer pulled fine on level roads or small grades, but on a major grade, there was not any pedal left by the time I got to the top. I did not like that...at all. The truck brakes wer more than adequate, but the transmission didn't cut the mustard until it was reworked and they installed the same kind of bands that the diesel tranny has.

Anyway, I upgraded to an 04 Ford 6.0 L diesel also with a 3.73 rear and it pulled the trailer, fully loaded, like there was nothing back there. I upgraded to a 3 horse bumper pull so I would have a place to put the dogs in the trailer, instead of carting them around in the truck and anticipate no problems with towing capacity.

I do not believe that you will find the towing capacity of a 5.4 gas engine P/U to be satisfactory. The only way it might be passable would be if you had a 4.10 rear and then your gas mileage would suck and your rig would really be revving at interstate speeds and working awful hard when going over the road.

RayG

Wa Chukar Hunter
Rank: Champion
Posts: 347
Joined: Wed May 19, 2004 7:34 am
Location: Cental Texas and prairies of South Dakota

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Wa Chukar Hunter » Fri May 29, 2009 8:28 pm

Ray - Thanks - I am really thinking about - just getting my truck ready to haul - It is a 99 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab 2WD with a Long bed. It has a 5.7L engine and according to the manual it's trailer towing capability is 8500 lbs. Just need to get it wired for electric brakes - My trailer is a 24 ft steel/aluminum gooseneck trailer. Figure I can put a bit more money out and not get much more of a truck to pull my trailer.
"I swear a woman's breast is the hardest rock, the Almighty ever created, and I can find no sign on it." Bear Claw Chris Lapp

Jmackk
Rank: Junior Hunter
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:06 pm

Re: Mid-sized trucks for hauling horses

Post by Jmackk » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:32 am

What most people dont understond about hualing a trailer is not just pulling and stoping, tequnickly a jeep has enough power to pull the horse trailer, and many mid-size trucks can stop it. But, it the matter of weight of truck to weight of trailer. If the trailer is dramaticaly heavier than the tow vehical you will get trailer sway and that is bad, its even down right dangerous. Its also the length of the wheel base, the longer the vehical the more controle you will have over the trailer. I know a guy who huals a 25ft travel trailer with his blazer, and I must say that that is just crazy. And its not a matter of "can this vehical pull it" it's "how long can it pull it and handle the stress befor somehing brakes." There is a reason they make 3/4 tone trucks, most know days are designed to hual big loads. They have big engines, oversized brakes and long wheel bases, and they weight around 7000 pounds. I have hualed horses, enclosed trailers(3000pounds) 5000 pound flat beds, and a few backhoes and dozers. trust me, get at leased a 3/4, it will serve you better in the long run. I dod burn up the brakes in a half tone(heavy half) trying to hual a small backhoe(40000), only went about 4 miles to the job and by the time I got there the brakes were gone. They guy I rented it from maid me sign a bunch of release forms because I did not have a 3/4 or 1tone tuck, and know I know why. Dumb mistack on my part and I should have known better. So it is better to be safe than sorry, especialy with horses, you can replace a trailer, but not a friend.


Oh and ya get a diesel, twice the gas milesage of gas, and and about 3 times as much torque(which is more important when hualing than horsepower) I have an 01 F250 7.3L powerstroke and love it. DONT GET THE NEW 6.0L DIESEL FROM FORD. A friend of mine bought one, had an oil leak about a month latter, tok it back to Ford AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE HOLE ENGINE. Did not cost my friend a thing, but, it still should not have happend. Get one with a 7.3, it will beat the 6.0 off the line with at full load capacity every time, but the 6.0 has more top end, but wuho.

Post Reply