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O/T - towing question

N

Nancy Howell

Well-known Member
My large horse trailer, 6000 lbs, and 2 horses are at the farm in e. Tx. My small trailer, 2000 lbs, and 2 horses are in Dallas. Its time to have the horses' feet trimmed and since the farrier is in Dallas, the two in e. Tx have to be brought back to Dallas this w/e.

Here's the question - I could pull the small trailer empty to e. Tx, 2000 lbs, 150 miles; bring the horses back in the small trailer, 136 miles, 4000 lbs.

I would then return the two horses that stay at the farm to e. Tx. the following w/e, 150 miles, 4000 lbs. When we return to Dallas, I would bring the small trailer back empty, 136 miles, 2000 lbs.

Or I could use the large trailer, 8000 lbs with the horses, a total of 286 miles.

If I use the small trailer, it would mean an extra round trip, but the trailer would be empty.
The question is which would be more economical?

286 miles with the small trailer, 2000 lbs.
286 miles with small trailer & horses, 4000 lbs.

or

286 miles with the large trailer & horses, 8000 lbs.
 
Tell the farrier where they are at and tell 'im to get with it. :>)

My guy comes from 114 miles away and charges an additional $10 a head fer fuel.

Allan
 
I would guess using the big trailer is the best. Once you get rolling I don't see a lot of difference in gas milage in the two sizes and if you consider total cost of insurance, maintaince, depreciation, etc. it be even a stronger case.
 
If one train leaves Chicago towards New York doing 56mph, and another leaves New York 2o minutes later headed towards Chicago running at 72mph............
 
I figured someone would come through with a wise crack.

Don't know about the rest of ya'll, but I just hated the word problems in math.
 
Well, there ya go.

It's fer sure that ya gotta buy another 48 head of horses to make it worth his while. :>)

Allan
 
I don't have horses, but I bet there is a farrier in e.Tx that is just as good or better than the one you have in Dallas.
 
I've thought about that and I'm sure you are correct, but my farrier in Dallas is a good one, has been taking care of my horses for almost 15yrs now and he travels over 50 miles to get to my place.

If I had him trim just the 2 in Dallas, he will probably have to quit coming because it wouldn't be worth the travel time and expense for just 2 horses.
 
are they work horses or pleasure horses? If pleasure then the only obstacle is "what's it worth to you". if they are work horses then you have to make them pay. You don't say if you are pulling both trailers with the same vehicle. plus the added trip you have to factor in whats your time worth.
 
Your question does not make any sense. Where is the larger trailer located, East Texas or Dallas? How can you make only one trip with the large trailer if it is in East Texas or Dallas? Where is the tow vehicle for the large trailer located?
 
My son (16) was shoveling with a Square nosed long handled spade. It had a buildup uf sticky black dirt on front and back weighing more than the shovel. As I explained it to him, one full shovel does the work of two when it is efficient. He got the idea. One trip big trailer, less total dead weight. dragged the distance. Jim
 
I believe this would depend on the size of your truck and engine. A large diesel powered pickup will get almost the same mileage with either of those loads. It will burn a little more but nothing like a gas powered V8. Take the large trailer and make it in one trip. That question reminds me of Algebra class in H.S.
 
Whoo-ee, thank Gawd I don't own any horses, probably never will. I'm sure they're just fantastic to own, I ride one maybe once every 4 months. But the thing is they get sick, they're outlandishly expensive, and beyond the limits of my wallet.

Most horse farmers around here have fancy barns, but NO horses to put in them anymore. I guess they realized they have no more money.
 
Large trailer is in e. Tx and would make 1 round trip - farm to Dallas to farm - approx. 286 miles.

Small trailer is located in Dallas and would have to be pulled (empty) from Dallas to the farm, 150 miles, bring the two horses to Dallas, 136 miles loaded, return the two horses from Dallas to the farm, 150 miles loaded, then returned to Dallas empty, 136 miles.

Towing vehicle is my 97 Ford, F350 with 7.3L diesel which is the vehicle we use to go from Dallas to the farm every weekend with or without any loads.

The variance in miles between trip to the farm and returning from the farm is because we take a different route from Dallas to the farm to avoid very heavy, stop and go traffic out of Dallas on Friday evenings.

The reason for the question is the small trailer is much lighter than the large trailer, but would require an extra round trip because it is located in Dallas and would have to be returned to Dallas after taking 2 of my 4 horses back to the farm in e. Tx.
 
Towing vehicle will be my 1997 Ford F-350 with the 7.3L diesel. Towing the small trailer is a snap with this truck and while the large trailer is much heavier, still not a hard job for this truck.

One thing to remember is the terrain. First 80 miles from Dallas to the farm is gently rolling hills, remaining miles get into some pretty good hills which means more work for the truck.
 
Forgot to take into account the terrain.

First 80 miles from Dallas to the farm is gently rolling hills, remaining miles get into some pretty good hills which means the heavier load will require more work for the truck.
 
Since our "paying jobs" are in Dallas, we are in Dallas during the week. We head to the farm every week end so the trip occurs regardless. Only difference is whether or not we tow something.

Horses are my high dollar luxury items.

Same vehicle, 97 Ford F-350, 7.3L diesel, makes the trip to and from the farm every week end regardless of whether we're towing something or not.
 
Simple answer- find a farrier in e. Texas. Especially if all they need is a trim- not very technical work. Get James a pair of nippers and a file, and let him loose!
 
I would drive the pickup to e Tx and hook onto the big trailer and head to Dallas with the horses and on the return trip take whichever trailer you want...
 
That's a tough one, but I think I'd run bareback on each end and bring the hosses over in the big trailer.

My experience is that wind drag does as much and sometimes more to lower mileage than weight. My 2100# car hauler doesn't even touch the mileage on the Cummins when it's empty. Put a 3500# car on it to make 5600# and my mileage drops from 20mpg to 17.

Put my empty 3200# box trailer behind the same truck, and I'm down to 17 or less from the gitgo, and only lose another 1 or 2mpg when it's fully loaded.

There is a tipping point at which weight starts to take over, though, and I don't know just where that is. My deckover gooseneck scales just over 5000# and unladen, that's enough weight to hit my mileage pretty hard, drops me to about 16. With it loaded to the full 14k, 12 is about the best I can get.

That 8k trailer must be a palace (I'm guessing living quarters?) to weigh that much.
 
I think you've already answered your own question. One trip, at lower fuel mileage still is going to more economical than two trips. Plus you have the added economy of time also, for one trip is half the time used as two. Time adds up to money also, if it's time taken away from other chores at home.
 
Take the large one, lots less miles to put on you and the truck..... your time has to be worth something to you and don't forget tire wear and oil changes on the truck. The mileage won't be too terribly different for trailers that size.
 
Nancy, if your 97 rides like my 93 ton-of-fun you will want the biggest trailer on it most of the time. Unless Tx roads are alot better than KY roads, you will enjoy the extra weight and the 7.3 is not going to notice the differnce.

Good luck and have fun what ever you do.

Dave
 
Heard y'all had some hot weather a week or so ago.

Didn't hear back from you; but I guess you made it through alright.

National news made it sound like a pretty desparate situation.

Hope you and your family are OK.

<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa5/jameslloydhowell/?action=view¤t=churchill01.jpg" target="_blank">
churchill01.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket
</a> Sir Winston Churchill once said [b:654c4848f0]"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man."[/b:654c4848f0]

I remember a reply you made a while back something about "if your wife's hobby is horses, it's your hobby too".

About all I do is pet one every now and then and/or maybe give each one an alfalfa treat.

I have a lot of respect for ferriers; that is some kind of hard work.
 
My $0.02...

Agree with all those who say drive out and bring the trailer back UNLESS there is a large item at either end that you want to move the other direction. This would be your opportunity.

As a horse hobbyist, I can commisserate with your farrier dilemna. We have 4 and it is tough to get the preferred person, they all want to hit the big show barns and maximize their income. I have gotten to the point where I will do trims myself. It can be a back breaker, but ours usually don't give me too much trouble.
 
What you need to do is schedule it so that when you leave Dallas from work you can pick up the trailer on the way to e TX and bring the horses to the Farrier Sunday evening or Monday Morning. Leaving the trailer in Dallas. Then pick up the trailer and horses on the following friday and bring the horses back to e TX. On Monday return the trailer to Dallas and go to work.
 
I've decided to use the larger trailer.

If I used the smaller trailer, I would have to hitch it up here in Dallas and unhitch it when we got to the farm. Hitch up again Sunday when we got ready to leave the farm, drive to Dallas, park the trailer in its spot in the barn and unhitch because I need the truck to go to and from work.

Next Friday I would have hitch it up again to take the horses back to the farm, then unhitch at the farm. Sunday I would have to rehitch to bring it back to Dallas, then park it in is spot in the barn and unhitch again.

With the big trailer, I will hitch it up Sunday when we get ready to leave the farm, unhitch when we get to Dallas as I need the truck to drive to and from work. Rehitch next Friday to take the horses back to the farm, then park the trailer in its spot at the farm and unhitch.
 
Why not find farriers who make farm visits? One in Dallas and one in E Texas. Then you have no logistical issues or expenses.
 
All I know is you have to haul the chicken first, and then the fox. You can't put them in the trailer together, or leave them alone on the farm together.

Gordo
 
This is stupid. You surely can figure it out with out the help of all of us 1st graders.
Quite confusing but it will work out.
 
Nancy here's the deal that ford 7.3 will not care about the extra 2,000lb and most likely get the same MPG either way so I would save the miles and less overall time involved.
 
Yep, no fatalities locally from heat- they had lots of "cooling centers" set up in public buildings, fire stations, senior and community centers. Several days 100 or slightly over, then the big heater a week ago Wednesday- hit 108 in my town, as high as 111 in the county. What I noticed is that it didn't seem any hotter in the sun than in the shade.

We're back to normal now, or even slightly below- high of about 70 today, pretty thick clouds today. Maybe even a touch of precip by Monday!

Re your Churchill quote- here's another (not by Churchill, obviously), slightly less profound: Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, its too dark to read.
 
Time and distance problems in school were always a hoot. Be sure to have lots of air in the rears.

Give the two away sell the big trailer and kick back.

Dot man will be pleased to see you so be correct.
 

Why not do them yourself???? I've got several books but found the one below real helpful. If they are real bad, get the trim then stay on top of them with a rasp. With 2 horses you could do 2 feet a week and be in real good shape. Our Farrier lives 2 miles away and it's like pulling teeth to get him here. I keep goodies on hand like absorbine gel and thrush remedy to give him for a treat to keep him showing up. He comes in spring and fall to trim/check everyone and does the babies, but I do the rest. Sure is a lot less stress than working around someone else's schedule.

Dave


http://www.amazon.com/Making-Natural-Hoof-Care-Work/dp/0965800776/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1249688836&amp;sr=8-1
 
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