Will a Jeep Liberty pull a horse trailer?
Jenn Garman
I've never posted here, but I have found several other newsgroups an
incredible wealth of information, so I thought I'd ask your advice:
I've been thinking of buying a Jeep Liberty. However, I also want to
pull a horse trailer (really don't want to have to get a truck or a
larger SUV).
Jeep says that the Liberty will pull 5,000 pounds, and if I get a
Featherlite two-horse trailer, 2,000 pounds of horse (two
thoroughbreds)+ 2,500 pounds of trailer = looks good in print. But I
know that if it looks too good to be true . . . well, you know addage.
Any thoughts?
Thanks for whatever insight you can offer!
Jennifer Garman
Susan Ravan
That is a subject that has been rehashed numerous times, though I don't
think a Liberty has come up. Personally, I won't pull with less than a
3/4 ton truck. Just because it says it will pull the load, you have to
factor in if the the vehicle can handle the load and (for me) if the
brakes on the trailer fail, can I safely stop?
Susan Ravan
Melanie Coffman
>I've been thinking of buying a Jeep Liberty. However, I also want to
>pull a horse trailer (really don't want to have to get a truck or a
>larger SUV).
Jenn,
I'll save you a ton of bashing. You may even google back for old posts on
towing with a Tundra.
A Jeep Liberty may get a 2 horse Featherlight rolling. It isn't going to be
able to stop it well. Chances are the trailer will be taller and (when loaded)
even heavier than the vehicle you are considering. Ever seen a trailer whipping
the towing vehicle? This is a good way for that to happen.
I've seen those little SUVs, I certainly wouldn't risk my horse behind one. My
mom had a CRV (which I believe is a bit bigger than a Liberty) and I never
considered it capable of towing of a jet ski much less a 2 horse trailer loaded
with 2 - 1,000 lb. horses no matter what the dealer might have told me was
possible.
Currently I use a V6 Dodge to pull my two horse Trail-et with one horse. This
truck is a creampuff and shouldn't even be called a truck. Honestly... my V6
Avenger has bigger balls than that truck. It's floored to get us over over
passes and I stay the hell off the freeway when possible. When I buy my own
vehicle (and not borrow my dad's) to tow with it's going to be a 3/4 ton.
Melanie
HHamp5246
>pull a horse trailer (really don't want to have to get a truck or a
>larger SUV).
No a Jeep Liberty will not pull a horse trailer.... or control it or stop
it.... that's the bad news. The good news is it will fit in the horse trailer
if you need to take it in for repairs.
You need a long wheelbase vehicle.
SUVs are sport utility vehicles.... you need a tow vehicle.
Hunter
Michele Goudie
"Jenn Garman" <jga...@firstpic.org> wrote in message
news:4a48db24.02091...@posting.google.com...
> Hello, all --
>
> I've never posted here, but I have found several other newsgroups an
> incredible wealth of information, so I thought I'd ask your advice:
>
> I've been thinking of buying a Jeep Liberty. However, I also want to
> pull a horse trailer (really don't want to have to get a truck or a
> larger SUV).
>
> Jeep says that the Liberty will pull 5,000 pounds, and if I get a
> Featherlite two-horse trailer, 2,000 pounds of horse (two
> thoroughbreds)+ 2,500 pounds of trailer = looks good in print. But I
> know that if it looks too good to be true . . . well, you know addage.
Things to consider:
The standbys of wheelbase, power et all are givens. But, you want to
consider how wide the tow vehicle is. A Tundra is almost as narrow as an
S-10 or Ranger, and is higher as well. While you could ostensibly tow a
horse trailer with a Tundra, and I think Western Horseman did a study with
one, I wouldn't feel safe myself.
If you're pulling a bumper pull, use sway- or weight distribution-bars.
They will make hauling a trailer less stressful.
Make sure you have a good trailer brake. Don't use an inertia brake unless
you have an absolutely flat, level surface to mount it to. A trailer brake
that has a readout for the amperage is a godsend. Having towed with both, I
prefer the adjustability of a readout so I don't overdo the amperage and not
realize it...
The Jeep Liberty probably isn't a good candidate for towing. It's too small
and narrow to make me feel good about it. A 1500 can tow a horse trailer,
but only if you accept the fact that it's not gonna have guts, it's not good
for hilly terrain, and you don't trailer more than a couple of hours in any
direction with it, much less tow on a regular basis. Best off looking for a
3/4 ton. FWIW, my boss picked up a GMC 3500 '01 dually, 8.1ltr engine new
off the lot for $26k. Deals are out there. And the 8.1 has pleeeeeenty of
guts to spare. :)
Michele
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RBishop
"Melanie Coffman" <mch...@aol.comspamaway> wrote in message
news:20020912141051...@mb-mg.aol.com...
> >jga...@firstpic.org (Jenn Garman)
>
> >I've been thinking of buying a Jeep Liberty. However, I also want to
> >pull a horse trailer (really don't want to have to get a truck or a
> >larger SUV).
>
> Jenn,
> I'll save you a ton of bashing. You may even google back for old posts on
> towing with a Tundra.
> A Jeep Liberty may get a 2 horse Featherlight rolling. It isn't going to
be
> able to stop it well. Chances are the trailer will be taller and (when
loaded)
> even heavier than the vehicle you are considering. Ever seen a trailer
whipping
> the towing vehicle? This is a good way for that to happen.
There's a saying among the travel trailer folks that I think fits very well
here.
'Too much tail and not enough dawg.'
Diamond Hill Farm
wrote:
>No a Jeep Liberty will not pull a horse trailer.... or control it or stop
>it.... that's the bad news. The good news is it will fit in the horse trailer
>if you need to take it in for repairs.
>
>You need a long wheelbase vehicle.
>
>SUVs are sport utility vehicles.... you need a tow vehicle.
The OP sure does.
SUV's and trucks are expensive and I can understand why a person would
entertain the idea of using the grocery-getter to haul a horse
trailer, thus saving the $$$ of a "real truck".
But, it doesn't work. Only the biggest SUV's have a wheelbase that
approaches being even adequate. Just as you don't take a big dually
truck to the dry cleaners, you don't tow a horse trailer (presumably
with horses in it) with a SUV. You need something that's appropriate
for the job.
Or, don't try to put 10 pounds of sh*t in a 5-pound bag. It won't work
and it makes a stinky mess.
I would recommend that the OP get a copy of
Trailering Your Horse - A Visual Guide To Safe Training And Traveling
By Cherry Hill
Storey Books, pub.
The first chapter is on towing vehicles.
Gretchen
Arrhae
newsreader...
> SUV's and trucks are expensive and I can understand why a person would
> entertain the idea of using the grocery-getter to haul a horse
> trailer, thus saving the $$$ of a "real truck".
Chevy Suburban? Lots of room for groceries, and the wheelbase doesn't
seem particularly short to me...didn't they have two gas tanks at one
point in time, too? Ok, so it's not going to be particularly easy on the
wallet if you get a new one, but it *is* going to be cheaper than your
baby SUV *and* a truck for towing, and no one complains when you take up
two or three parking spaces in one of those the same way they would with,
say, a Buick or Lincoln land yacht of similar length...
I've got a friend that tows a 2 horse in hilly areas with a Land Rover
Discovery, though usually with only one horse in it, seems to work ok...
And while we're on the topic, could you tow with a Hummer? <weg>
--
"All I know is that he likes pop tarts. POP TARTS. Find me a restaurant
that serves Pop tarts and we'll talk."
-Sara, 10/18/01
Carol Nichols
> pull a horse trailer (really don't want to have to get a truck or a
> larger SUV).
>
> Jeep says that the Liberty will pull 5,000 pounds, and if I get a
> Featherlite two-horse trailer, 2,000 pounds of horse (two
> thoroughbreds)+ 2,500 pounds of trailer = looks good in print. But I
> know that if it looks too good to be true . . . well, you know addage.
I'll add to the "don't even think about it" vote. When my trailriding
buddy and I started towing, my Dodge Ramcharger was one of our tow
vehicles (when her Ford pickup was ill). My Ramcharger had the power
and weight (it's a 4x4 with a 360) but not the wheelbase--it's only
106" IIRC. Starting and stopping wasnt' an issue, but I quickly
learned to stay off major roads---on one trip, a semi was coming up
beside us, and I could feel the trailer being pushed around before
I saw the truck in my mirror. Won't make that mistake again. And
that truck (technically an SUV) probably weighs as much as *two*
Libertys!
I went truck shopping a year and a half ago (I don't care what you
say now, when you're *serious* about this horse stuff, you'll get
a truck) and picked up a 99 Dodge 1500 (half ton). Again, plenty
of weight in the truck to not allow "wagging" by the trailer (it's
a Quad Cab, 4x4), wheelbase is fine (130-something) and it's got
plenty of power (Dodge's 5.9L/360 cid) for what I haul (a 10' naked
stock trailer, and a 12' two horse). With my one mare in the 10'-er,
I don't even know it's back there until I hit the brakes (excuse me,
"ease on the brakes"!) and with the trailer brakes, that's a non
issue.
About the truck-to-trailer weight issue: a friend consulted a local
trailer dealer. They told her to find out what the max towing weight
would be, and figure about 75% of that for your routine hauling.
That'll save on wear and tear on your vehicle, and give you a decent
margin of error (safety). Looking at it that way, there's not much
the Liberty would pull. Safely.
Go out looking at trucks. You'll *love* 'em! I hate lowering myself
into the little Civic we own....I feel like a dwarf on the road!
Carol Nichols and Kylee
Libertyville, IL
you'd think our driveway was a used Dodge truck lot......
Gary W. Sandvik
Who says you can't take a dually to the cleaners? I drive mine
everywhere and really don't like getting into the Sabre with my wife.
Especially if she's driving. I ride better in that F350. I feel very
secure and yes it is a lot of overkill. But that truck tows anything
I put behind it.
Heck the other day I towed a boat that I had sold. It was a 34 foot
Rinker on a big tri-axle trailer. The kids that bought the boat were
going to try and tow with an Expedition. I told them no way. #1
problem was the wheelbase, let alone gross towing weight. The F350
didn't even grunt. The only problem with the tow was the brakes on
the trailer. Weren't set properly. Not my trailer, so I just took my
time slowing down, pissed a few people behind me off. But the last
time I looked the tags were paid on the trailer and the truck.
To the OP; Forget the Jeep!!! Get a truck with a decent engine, good
wheelbase and good GTW (gross towing weight) ability. Make sure the
tires are right for towing as you will get off the beattin path. I
like the 4X4 option. Use it a lot, even when not towing. Don't get me
wrong, I don't off-road with the dually but it does come handy when
you need it.
--
Regards And God Speed,
Gary g...@mtco.com
The magic is in the magician not the wand!
tenwheels
> On Thu, 12 Sep 2002 21:55:36 GMT, this spilled from flo...@erols.com's
> newsreader...
> > SUV's and trucks are expensive and I can understand why a person would
> > entertain the idea of using the grocery-getter to haul a horse
> > trailer, thus saving the $$$ of a "real truck".
>
> Chevy Suburban? Lots of room for groceries, and the wheelbase doesn't
> seem particularly short to me...didn't they have two gas tanks at one
> point in time, too? Ok, so it's not going to be particularly easy on the
> wallet if you get a new one, but it *is* going to be cheaper than your
> baby SUV *and* a truck for towing, and no one complains when you take up
> two or three parking spaces in one of those the same way they would with,
> say, a Buick or Lincoln land yacht of similar length...
I was pretty peeved the day I came out of Kroger and found someone
applying a sticker to my Tahoe that read "savetheworld.com" and was to
discourage people from driving large SUVs. In talking with the guy, I
pointed out that I haul horses with it, and then he helped me remove
the sticker. I have to admit to having more respect for him after
that. Apparently their target audience is the urban cowboy. Guess he
could tell from all the dust...
> I've got a friend that tows a 2 horse in hilly areas with a Land Rover
> Discovery, though usually with only one horse in it, seems to work ok...
I wouldn't feel comfortable in it.
> And while we're on the topic, could you tow with a Hummer? <weg>
Why not? Don't know the weight, but the length and width are okay.
Besides, how else can you cross a deep river with 3 horses in the
trailer? <g>
Bill Kambic
> On Thu, 12 Sep 2002 21:55:36 GMT, this spilled from flo...@erols.com's
> newsreader...
> > SUV's and trucks are expensive and I can understand why a person would
> > entertain the idea of using the grocery-getter to haul a horse
> > trailer, thus saving the $$$ of a "real truck".
>
> Chevy Suburban? Lots of room for groceries, and the wheelbase doesn't
> seem particularly short to me...didn't they have two gas tanks at one
> point in time, too? Ok, so it's not going to be particularly easy on the
> wallet if you get a new one, but it *is* going to be cheaper than your
> baby SUV *and* a truck for towing, and no one complains when you take up
> two or three parking spaces in one of those the same way they would with,
> say, a Buick or Lincoln land yacht of similar length...
The Chevy Suburban is an outstanding tow vehicle. We put 220,000+++ on an
'87 model (traded it for a '99 K3500 Cowboy Cadilac after my son dinged it
thrice and ran it out of antifreeze twice; it was running OK the day we
delivered it to the dealer<g>).
The downside it that they are VERY pricey, reflecting the high demand for
them amonst the Yuppie Scum.
> I've got a friend that tows a 2 horse in hilly areas with a Land Rover
> Discovery, though usually with only one horse in it, seems to work ok...
Well, define "OK."<g> Once again with this class of vehicle you are faced
with the "starting is optional, stopping is not" problem. I have seen Land
Rovers pull small utility trailers with different kinds of equipment in many
environments.
> And while we're on the topic, could you tow with a Hummer? <weg>
Sure. Why not?<g>
But if you look at the numbers it is not a great tow vehicle and its
"sticker" makes the price for a Suburban look "reasonable"!!! But if you
have to ford rivers, climb 60 degree grades, or mount light infantry weapons
(M60s, TOWs, etc.) then the Hummer is surely for you!!!<g>
Bill Kambic, Haras Lucero, Kingston, TN
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/1816
Mangalarga Marchador: Style, Stamina, Symmetry, & Smoothness
Jenn Garman
topic. I wouldn't even have asked except that I did a search for
Liberty discussions and found nothing . . . again, thanks for the
kindness.
Obviously, I have much to learn about trucks and trailers, and lesson
#1 (for me) is that a Jeep Liberty would be both a reckless and unsafe
choice as a tow vehicle for everyone concerned.
Oh, well. Guess it's truck-shopping for me. And now I'll know to keep
my distance from those who *do* choose to haul horses on the
interstate with an SUV, especially a mini (why I came up with this
brilliant idea to begin with).
I really appreciate the comments -- I hope you don't mind if I lurk
here from time to time!
Best to all --
Jenn
Arrhae
newsreader...
> > Chevy Suburban? Lots of room for groceries, and the wheelbase doesn't
> > seem particularly short to me...didn't they have two gas tanks at one
> > point in time, too? Ok, so it's not going to be particularly easy on the
> > wallet if you get a new one, but it *is* going to be cheaper than your
> > baby SUV *and* a truck for towing, and no one complains when you take up
> > two or three parking spaces in one of those the same way they would with,
> > say, a Buick or Lincoln land yacht of similar length...
>
> I was pretty peeved the day I came out of Kroger and found someone
> applying a sticker to my Tahoe that read "savetheworld.com" and was to
> discourage people from driving large SUVs. In talking with the guy, I
> pointed out that I haul horses with it, and then he helped me remove
> the sticker. I have to admit to having more respect for him after
> that. Apparently their target audience is the urban cowboy. Guess he
> could tell from all the dust...
So many people that don't, though. My mom's Honda CRV I was bought after
her other car (gas guzzling land yacht) was broadsided by a cube van,
with *so* many other SUVs on the road, she just doesn't feel safe driving
anything smaller than the rest of them...I suggested a truck cab without
the trailer. <weg>
> > I've got a friend that tows a 2 horse in hilly areas with a Land Rover
> > Discovery, though usually with only one horse in it, seems to work ok...
>
> I wouldn't feel comfortable in it.
There's something about the look of Land Rovers I just can't stand,
actually I'm not a big fan of SUVs at all. Other than protection from
everyone else that drives them, I just don't see the point. If you need
something with room in the back, a station wagon gives people driving
cars a way better view, and for the amount of time most city people spend
hauling stuff...
To their credit, they used to pull the trailer with their truck, until
said friend rolled it and did some pretty good damage...
> > And while we're on the topic, could you tow with a Hummer? <weg>
>
> Why not? Don't know the weight, but the length and width are okay.
> Besides, how else can you cross a deep river with 3 horses in the
> trailer? <g>
Would give the trailer floorboards a good wash, anyways... <weg>
Arrhae
newsreader...
> The Chevy Suburban is an outstanding tow vehicle. We put 220,000+++ on an
> '87 model (traded it for a '99 K3500 Cowboy Cadilac after my son dinged it
> thrice and ran it out of antifreeze twice; it was running OK the day we
> delivered it to the dealer<g>).
>
> The downside it that they are VERY pricey, reflecting the high demand for
> them amonst the Yuppie Scum.
Haven't they figured out it looks too useful and truckish, and that they
all need to trade them in *right now* for Land Rovers and RAV4s and
such... I actually can't remember the last time I saw one, in Toronto...
> > I've got a friend that tows a 2 horse in hilly areas with a Land Rover
> > Discovery, though usually with only one horse in it, seems to work ok...
>
> Well, define "OK."<g> Once again with this class of vehicle you are faced
> with the "starting is optional, stopping is not" problem. I have seen Land
> Rovers pull small utility trailers with different kinds of equipment in many
> environments.
I haven't seen any injuries from horses or passengers riding in it, at
least. <g> But I haven't seen the way they actually drive anywhere,
only loading and unloading...
> > And while we're on the topic, could you tow with a Hummer? <weg>
>
> Sure. Why not?<g>
>
> But if you look at the numbers it is not a great tow vehicle and its
> "sticker" makes the price for a Suburban look "reasonable"!!! But if you
> have to ford rivers, climb 60 degree grades, or mount light infantry weapons
> (M60s, TOWs, etc.) then the Hummer is surely for you!!!<g>
I'm thinking more of the ability to make your own parking space if you
can't find one, but the light infantry weapons don't sound entirely bad,
either... <g>
Arrhae
newsreader...
> Oh, well. Guess it's truck-shopping for me. And now I'll know to keep
> my distance from those who *do* choose to haul horses on the
> interstate with an SUV, especially a mini (why I came up with this
> brilliant idea to begin with).
Trucks are good. I have a thing for another friend's '86 GM even though
it's not got a tailgate and there's a hole in the body about the size of
my fist and at the level of my chest...but it works. <g>
Sheryl Huckaby
>
>But if you look at the numbers it is not a great tow vehicle and its
>"sticker" makes the price for a Suburban look "reasonable"!!! But if you
>have to ford rivers, climb 60 degree grades, or mount light infantry weapons
>(M60s, TOWs, etc.) then the
I am saving my pennies for one of these for my 12 year old to learn to drive
in. He comes from a long line of scary male drivers on both sides and I feel
that this may be the best chance I can give him to survive to go to college,
get a job and support his aging mother.
Sheryl
Ashland City, Tennessee
If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate
something about your size? - Sydney J. Harris
Sheryl Huckaby
wouldn't go out there on the interstate in a car anymore. I just can't stand
the view of those big truck's lug nuts popping off in my window. Seriously,
after a large number of vehicles aimed for me, I quit fooling around with cars
and bought a truck with some metal around me. Yes, it eats the gas, but, I
haven't been blindsided in my trucks and it happened constantly when I drove
cars.
Emily Brooks
"Sheryl Huckaby" <shuc5...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020914083256...@mb-mh.aol.com...
Cars have wimpy mirrors. Business travel and therefore using rental cars
unnerves me! Regular cars with useful-sized external mirrors would improve
the blindside phenomenon some.
I am in the process of replacing my small SUV (daily drive, not tow vehicle)
with a medium SUV - built on a truck chassis! I have a 3/4 ton Dodge utility
van for the tow job. Like many others, I find cars too small, to low to the
ground, for comfort. Last car I owned and ADORED was a Fiero - my how we
change! If I show up at the barn and some trailerless person needs a horse
hauled to UGA and the owner's not available with her dually and goose, I can
do the job. But if I get to plan on towing, only the van will do. My small
stock trailer and one horse is well within the tow window but it's
definitely not ideal.
Emily
Arrhae
newsreader...
> I am saving my pennies for one of these for my 12 year old to learn to drive
> in. He comes from a long line of scary male drivers on both sides and I feel
> that this may be the best chance I can give him to survive to go to college,
> get a job and support his aging mother.
My dad was able to borrow different vehicles from work, around when I was
learning to drive one he had was a suburban, and he had me driving
that...had to back it out of the friend with the Land Rover's long
driveway once because there was no room to turn around... <g> But I
can't park anything worth a shit. I can dock boats, though.
Claudia Wheatley
wrote:
> The Chevy Suburban is an outstanding tow vehicle. We put 220,000+++ on an
> '87 model (traded it for a '99 K3500 Cowboy Cadilac after my son dinged it
> thrice and ran it out of antifreeze twice; it was running OK the day we
> delivered it to the dealer<g>).
What did you tow with it?
C, just curious, doesn't have the money to buy one anyway, we can always
hire someone to haul for us, etc. etc.
Claudia Wheatley, Ithaca, NY
"I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but
why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let
the problem solve itself? --from www.geekissues."
Bill Kambic
news:caw43-EE7F8F....@newsstand.cit.cornell.edu...
> In article <3d824...@news.vic.com>, "Bill Kambic" <wka...@vic.com>
> wrote:
>
> > The Chevy Suburban is an outstanding tow vehicle. We put 220,000+++ on
an
> > '87 model (traded it for a '99 K3500 Cowboy Cadilac after my son dinged
it
> > thrice and ran it out of antifreeze twice; it was running OK the day we
> > delivered it to the dealer<g>).
>
> What did you tow with it?
18 foot, 4 horse, steel trailer.
> C, just curious, doesn't have the money to buy one anyway, we can always
> hire someone to haul for us, etc. etc.
If it works for you, then OK!<g>
But, for many folks, "hiring it done" is not really an option. Not all have
the wherewithall to have multiple vehicles. So, compromises must be made.
Or, put another way, you must remember that you can "scoot" in a hauler, but
can't haul with a "scooter!"<g>
And, a Helpful Lesson When Hauling Long Bumper Pull Trailers: make sure you
use your sway bars. One day I did not, just to see what would happen (it
was a short haul to a local park with two horses on a nice, dry day). What
happened was a very low level preview of one of Mr. Toad's Wild Rides!<g>
The damn trailer moved like Marilyn Monroe's hips. Or maybe The King's
Hips. In any event I used the bars on the way home. And on every
subsequent haul until I swapped the trailer on a gooseneck.
There are certain safety minimums in hauling. Lack of funds for proper
hauling equipment does not negate these minimums, as they are determined by
the Laws of Physics (and apply to all, regardless of race, color, creed,
sex, sexual orientation, or national origin).
Claudia Wheatley
wrote:
> "Claudia Wheatley" <ca...@cornell.edu> wrote in message
> news:caw43-EE7F8F....@newsstand.cit.cornell.edu...
> > In article <3d824...@news.vic.com>, "Bill Kambic" <wka...@vic.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > The Chevy Suburban is an outstanding tow vehicle. We put 220,000+++
> > > on
> an
> > > '87 model (traded it for a '99 K3500 Cowboy Cadilac after my son
> > > dinged
> it
> > > thrice and ran it out of antifreeze twice; it was running OK the day
> > > we
> > > delivered it to the dealer<g>).
> >
> > What did you tow with it?
>
> 18 foot, 4 horse, steel trailer.
Wooo! I just want a 2-horse trailer. With a dressing room. Well, maybe a
3-horse. With sleeping quarters. Hell, it's a lottery dream; I want it
all!
> > C, just curious, doesn't have the money to buy one anyway, we can
> > always
> > hire someone to haul for us, etc. etc.
>
> If it works for you, then OK!<g>
It doesn't. It is extremely frustrating. And it can be hairy, since
owning a truck and trailer does not necessarily qualify a person as a
hauler, yet many a truck-and-trailer owner considers him/herself an
expert and does not take suggestions well ("How about we give each horse
his own hay net, so they won't fight over food on the way?" No answer,
except for a noticeable tightening of the lips. Fortunately, the horses
were so scared by his driving style that they clung together like
orphans in a storm and emerged unscathed.).
<snip helpful advice re sway bars, which I will certainly heed if I ever
get to own any>
> There are certain safety minimums in hauling. Lack of funds for proper
> hauling equipment does not negate these minimums, as they are determined
> by
> the Laws of Physics (and apply to all, regardless of race, color, creed,
> sex, sexual orientation, or national origin).
I know I know I know I know. The woman who owns the barn where I board
likes to impress this point on us, with wild & wooly tales of disasters
she has seen or heard of. So I will not buy until I can afford a safe
rig. Which looks like never, as my daughter is poised to take off for
college (and is trying hard to figure out a way to take her horse with
her).
thanks for the info, though! It will come in handy if I dig up a box of
money in the backyard or something.
C
Mary McHugh
tenwheels wrote:
> > And while we're on the topic, could you tow with a Hummer? <weg>
>
> Why not? Don't know the weight, but the length and width are okay.
> Besides, how else can you cross a deep river with 3 horses in the
> trailer? <g>
Personally, I'd prefer to tow the Hummer across the river with the 3
horses. ;-)
Mary
Sheryl Huckaby
>
>C, just curious, doesn't have the money to buy one anyway, we can always
>hire someone to haul for us, etc. etc.
Afford to buy one, hell, I couldn't afford the gas to run it LOL.
Emily Brooks
"Bill Kambic" <wka...@vic.com> wrote in message
news:3d85e0c2$1...@news.vic.com...
> "Claudia Wheatley" <ca...@cornell.edu> wrote in message
> news:caw43-EE7F8F....@newsstand.cit.cornell.edu...
> > In article <3d824...@news.vic.com>, "Bill Kambic" <wka...@vic.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > The Chevy Suburban is an outstanding tow vehicle. We put 220,000+++
on
> an
> > > '87 model (traded it for a '99 K3500 Cowboy Cadilac after my son
dinged
> it
> > > thrice and ran it out of antifreeze twice; it was running OK the day
we
> > > delivered it to the dealer<g>).
> >
> > What did you tow with it?
>
> 18 foot, 4 horse, steel trailer.
>
Our Suburban towed the big, heavy, sled-of-a-drag car just fine. It towed
the mucho lighter, nimbler roadrace cars just fine. It towed my 2-horse like
hell. It HAS to have been the trailer, since replaced. But I hated that
vehicle every time I took a horse somewhere.
Emily
Claudia Wheatley
"Emily Brooks" <sun...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
Did it do better with your new trailer?
C, looking at Suburbans with new respect
Curlytoons
sun...@bellsouth.net says...
>
> much deleted
>
> Our Suburban towed the big, heavy, sled-of-a-drag car just fine. It towed
> the mucho lighter, nimbler roadrace cars just fine. It towed my 2-horse like
> hell. It HAS to have been the trailer, since replaced. But I hated that
> vehicle every time I took a horse somewhere.
>
> Emily
>
In retrospect, then, you should have hated the trailer. Have you made up
with the Suburban?
Curlytoons
Curlytoons
@cornell.edu says...
>
> Did it do better with your new trailer?
>
> C, looking at Suburbans with new respect
I've towed 3horse bumper pulls with my 3/4 ton Suburban with two horses
without even the trailer brakes working. I know, NOT good, but I was
very careful. Also, I've pulled two horse bumpers many times with just
the Suburban brakes, again I don't advise this. For $150 I now have the
use of trailer brakes with my Featherlite bumper and it's so easy my wife
doesn't even get white knuckles when she's driving.
FWIW, I would get the 3/4 ton just for the extra power towing.
Curlytoons
Emily Brooks
> In article <airh9.49220$AY5.20...@e3500-atl1.usenetserver.com>,
> "Emily Brooks" <sun...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
> > Our Suburban towed the big, heavy, sled-of-a-drag car just fine. It
towed
> > the mucho lighter, nimbler roadrace cars just fine. It towed my 2-horse
> > like
> > hell. It HAS to have been the trailer, since replaced. But I hated that
> > vehicle every time I took a horse somewhere.
>
> Did it do better with your new trailer?
>
> C, looking at Suburbans with new respect
>
> Claudia Wheatley, Ithaca, NY
Sorry, didn't get new trailer until after disposing of the Suburban. I'm
sure it was the trailer since everything else towed just fine and dandy.
Kinda off-topic but - in support of "it's all the trailer's fault", once
upon a time, the DH and I and dearly beloved Scotty were bringing the
sled-of-a-drag-car home from the track. Well in excess of the posted limits
on a 2-lane road. The individual in front of us stopped to turn left just
out of our sight around a curve, and she was waiting for the on-coming
vehicle to clear when we rounded said curve. Sled-trailer had no brakes. DH
laid on the horn while doing everything in his impressive skill set to slow
down (we were NEVER going to stop in time). And was on his way to ditching
the whole rig when she turned in (do you think you might have gassed it
rather than wait, in her shoes?) and we scraped by. The trailer-and-sled
never wobbled. I was concerned about what the ensuing wreck was going to do
the unrestrained Scotty. Never mind what would happen should the sled become
unattached to the trailer.
My old two-horse with brakes wouldn't even TOW straight, let's not talk
about panic stops! It was the trailer.
I have (flame throwers on low please) towed my current trailer with a
Blazer, on I-85, semis and all, with no problem. That was before it became
aged and I bought the big van.
The Suburban was a marvelous vehicle. We replaced the bench seat in the
front with buckets, which left a nice opening to get to the back, and also
removed the third row seat. You could comfortably sleep in the very back and
carry 4 passengers.
Lots of other Suburban stories available: walking home in house shoes and
T-shirt in 50 degree weather; blowing a tire INSIDE THE TRUCK on the way
back from Charlotte with the roadrace car. But none of them are the truck's
fault :-)
Emily
Emily Brooks
After posting the tale of the near-wreck with the Suburban and drag car, DH
and I went to IHOP for dinner. We even got there in one piece. But no more
than a mile from home, he nearly rear-ended some unfortunate who changed her
mind about pulling out onto the main road. We all thought she'd gone on but
she was firmly planted when we looked back. Brake pedal doesn't seem to be
bent :-) DH really, really HATES antilock brakes.
This bright lady must have seen us in her rear-view and pulled forward just
at the critical instant. Gave us >just enough< room and didn't endanger her
too much on the front end hanging out into the traffic either. Whoever you
are, I thank you!
Emily
Sheryl Huckaby
>he nearly rear-ended some unfortunate who changed her
>mind about pulling out onto the main road. We all thought she'd gone on but
>she was firmly planted when we looked back.
LOL, I am not known for paying attention to much, but one day, I was driving my
truck (f150 4x4) and stopped to turn onto another road. Well, someone was in
front of me in one of those little toy cars and when I hit him, my first
thought was to press the gas harder because I thought my transmission had
fallen out of the bottome of the truck About that time, a very large man
unrolled out of the car and I noticed that it was there. I felt really dumb.
Emily Brooks
> LOL, I am not known for paying attention to much, but one day, I was
driving my
> truck (f150 4x4) and stopped to turn onto another road. Well, someone was
in
> front of me in one of those little toy cars and when I hit him, my first
> thought was to press the gas harder because I thought my transmission had
> fallen out of the bottome of the truck About that time, a very large man
> unrolled out of the car and I noticed that it was there. I felt really
dumb.
>
> Sheryl
> Ashland City, Tennessee
We belong in this support group together for another reason - riding with my
husband just about panics me. Only full-blown panic attacks I've ever had
were in airports/airplanes but his driving has pushed those buttons, just
not all the way down :-)
Emily
Diamond Hill Farm
<sun...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
<snip>
>The Suburban was a marvelous vehicle. We replaced the bench seat in the
>front with buckets, which left a nice opening to get to the back, and also
>removed the third row seat. You could comfortably sleep in the very back and
>carry 4 passengers.
If anyone is interested:
For Sale: '85 Chevy Suburban, 454 c.i., towing package, new battery,
and tires, good condition. 172k miles. $3000. (434) 973-8177
Charlottesville, VA
(not mine - is advertised in Horse & Livestock Trader Magazine)
Gretchen
Arrhae
newsreader...
> If anyone is interested:
> For Sale: '85 Chevy Suburban, 454 c.i., towing package, new battery,
> and tires, good condition. 172k miles. $3000. (434) 973-8177
> Charlottesville, VA
> (not mine - is advertised in Horse & Livestock Trader Magazine)
Sheeeeit. If I had the money, I'd take it...though that *is* in US
dollars...