 | Home > Off Topic > Horsebox and stabilisers |
 
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| discomog Member Since: 09 May 2015 Location: Notts/Lincs Border Posts: 2539   
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I have towed Ifor Williams horse trailers, both HB506 and HB511 with 2 defender 90's and Disco 3/4's for the last 20 years and never had any problems on A roads, B roads and Motorways. I have towed with two 16.3hh horses and never had a need for stabilisers although i do limit my speed to a max of 55mph but will occasionally up it to 60mph to stay clear of HGv's. My latest Def 90 (my2015) with an Ifor Williams HB511 was on the motorway last week with one 16.3hh doing 60mph overtaking HGv's with a slight cross wind, again with no indication of snaking. It was also noted that the rear mudflaps showed no sign of rubbing on the tyres. All I can say is that I have never had any problems towing with Land Rovers.
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5th Jul 2015 9:30pm |
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| JWL Member Since: 26 Oct 2011 Location: Hereford Posts: 3443  
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I've towed horseboxes pretty much since I began to drive and have to say I've never come across any with a stabiliser. Generally any sway or poor towing is down to bad driving and poor loading, unless there is something wrong with the box itself, such as tyre pressures, the suspension is giving way such as with the metalastic tube type that are found on Rice trailers etc. The tracking of the axles can cause some very weird problems. So if you are sure that the person is competant with towing then I would get somebody to have a good look at the trailer itself.
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5th Jul 2015 9:35pm |
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| muddybaldboy Member Since: 09 Apr 2012 Location: Ruthin Posts: 395  
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Similar to discomog, never had any trouble with either Ifor Williams or Equi Trek boxes.
Cruise happily at 60 in all weathers. Generally have a much lower centre of gravity than a caravan. Also had similar experiences towing with a Navara which has a longer overhang and less weight at the back than a 90 or 110 Can only suggest ? Design of trailer with higher CoG or ? small horses in a large box-positioned too far forward or back. He who dies with the most toys...wins! |
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5th Jul 2015 9:38pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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I would say that the person concerned is an experienced 4x4 driver and is used to towing a horsebox. I think she has been frightened by this incident, horse riders tend to be very protective of their horses.
I must admit I wonder if the horsebox has been seriously 'kerbed' and therefore effects its stability. I think the main point of any advice I give is to get the horsebox thoroughly checked over by a competent trailer mechanic. Brendan |
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5th Jul 2015 10:45pm |
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| JWL Member Since: 26 Oct 2011 Location: Hereford Posts: 3443
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I agree Brendan, it will give a great piece of mind as well to help her gain her confidence plus I'd also say to take it to somebody with the towing vehicle as well to give that a quick once over, tyres, bushes etc.
I would think that there's a mechanical type of problem somewhere along the line that popped up at the wrong moment and that takes a lot of getting over for some people. |
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5th Jul 2015 10:55pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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Her reaction is she won't be towing with that combo again. There is a new tow vehicle on order and she has been considering a new trailer for a while so I reckon that is a given.
Somehow I think that a box might be on the cards but that would involve yet another test. Sometimes there are advantages to being an old gimmer. 
Regards Barbara |
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5th Jul 2015 11:13pm |
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| lambert.the.farmer Member Since: 11 Apr 2012 Location: harrogate Posts: 2006 
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Problem with a horse box over a trailer is it can only do the one job. Also it's still being used to transport a live load which can still move unpredictably and the handling of said vehicle is still going to be compromised by neglect or abuse just like a trailer. Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
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6th Jul 2015 5:40am |
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| SailingTom Member Since: 19 Nov 2013 Location: ESSEX Posts: 1729
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I know its a friend of yours so I dont mean it in a nasty way.
Reality is she could have had an off day. Only poor driving leads to that amount of tipping or doing something wrong and not correctly stopping it if you cant see anything really wrong with the trailer. I'd reckon that not paying full attention and getting a bit to comfortable in her mind towing things would probably be the cause. If she changes trailer it will at least get her confidence back, which is the most important thing. Although She'll be more aware and I bet drive it differently anyway after that experience. Like I said in know way is it meant negatively, we all get a bit over confident sometimes with things we do all the time. Just needs an eye opener like that to make you go back to doing it properly. 
Most things are down to human error |
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6th Jul 2015 6:55am |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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No offence taken Tom.
Yes driver error could be a contributing factor, along with possible fault in trailer, bad loading (unlikely) a live cargo which can move etc etc. Will be difficult to actually pinpoint the exact cause of the snake. However it would appear that stabilisers are rarely fitted to horsebox trailers, especially when compared to caravans. It makes me wonder how many people have their trailers checked on a regular basis? Trailers can be sat stationary for months at a time then suddenly expected to work perfectly at 60mph on motorways. A case for trailer MOT's?? Brendan |
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6th Jul 2015 12:38pm |
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| SailingTom Member Since: 19 Nov 2013 Location: ESSEX Posts: 1729
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Definitely 100% agree on trailers needing an MOT type test.
Some of the boat trailers we see are awful, only when things go very wrong is it ever picked up on though. We change the wheels every 6 months on our trailers we collect with and they are regularly checked over by us despite them never going in the water |
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6th Jul 2015 12:45pm |
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| Happyoldgit Member Since: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3471 
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I can't really add much more to what has already been said but I too have never encountered snaking while pulling a loaded horse trailer. I tend to treat the exercise it as if I had a load of full beer glasses and I don't want to spill any ...ie accelerating, gear shifts, changes of direction and braking are all carried out gently and smoothly.
I cringe when I see people towing horse and livestock trailers at relatively high speeds, the load is just so unpredictable and they give themselves so little time to react if anything goes pear shaped. Obviously I am not passing judgement or linking this to the incident in question. Steve. Owned numerous Land Rover vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the decades. Current Defender: A non tarts hand-bagged Puma 110 XS USW. [Insert something impressive here such as extensive list of previous Land Rovers or examples of your prestigeous and expensive items, trinkets, houses, bikes, vehicles etc] http://forums.lr4x4.com I used to be Miserable ...but now I'm ecstatic. |
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6th Jul 2015 12:46pm |
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| Lost for Words Member Since: 18 Jun 2015 Location: Warminster, Wiltshire Posts: 200 |
I've also never had any snaking with a horse trailer. Correct hitch height and steady, sensible driving are vital. If that's all correct, I'd definitely be taking a good look at the trailer.
Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver  |
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6th Jul 2015 2:04pm |
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| I.AM_a driver Member Since: 11 Jun 2009 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 404  
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Never heard of stabilisers being used on a horse trailer, and I subscribe to the regular servicing regime for trailers as much as vehicles. Our horse trailer (an Ifor HB610) usually gets a service in April, after winter and ready for a busy summer. Mark S
CONVOY for HEROES www.facebook.com/convoy4heroes www.lothian4x4response.org ------ Td5 90 Thread in 'My Defender' Forum |
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17th Jul 2015 9:38pm |
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| RobKeay Member Since: 19 Jul 2009 Location: Stafford Posts: 1596
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I had a trailer go a little funny on me a few years back.
Rear trailing arm was loose needed new bushes. Check bearings and bushes on the trailer and the towing vehicle. Both must be tip top no amount of being a good or bad driver will help if the bushes are moving about. Tyres need to be good and I my opinion less than five years old. |
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17th Jul 2015 9:44pm |
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