Anyone with a horse trailer knowledge here?
 

I've (almost) swapped my bike trailer for a horse trailer. Reason for that is I wanted more room for the bike bits and tools, a roof, and the possibility to keep the bike locked when Julie and I want to have a look and discover England around the tracks...

The trailer is great (thanks Ian) but as 2 tyres need replacing, I was thinkink about changing the current wheels (16 inches wheels, with huge tyres) for something smaller (car wheels?). I think it's possible, the stud diameter is 108mm like most Peugeot, Citroen and Ford cars. I could almost take the wheels of Julie's 306, but then she would have to kill me. So let's try and figure something else.

Any idea about that? Has anyone already done/seen that?

Cheers
Tonio

Nooooooo, use 7 ply trailer tyres only......

Shouldn't be a problem but remember that lower profile tyres give less flex and offer a harsher ride.

It may be better to keep the smaller wheels with bigger profile and more flex to give the box a smoother rider over the lumps and bumps.

But, you're not worried about changing the rolling radius (size of wheel + tyre) so as long as you can get a suitable wheel + tyre combination it should be ok.

Try ebay as a cheap source of steel wheels.

Why?

Cheers Antonye.


What does that mean? What are 7 ply? :puzzled:

Standard car tyres are usual 4 ply (layers) whereas 7 ply would suggest a re-inforced tyre.

That makes sense for towing heavy loads, like a couple of horses in a horsebox, but for towing a bike and spares you would be fine with standard car tyres.

I think so... now let's keep an eye on Ebay for a cheap set of steel wheels :)

Should be plenty of cheap steel wheels with all the boy racers changing theirs to pukka alloys, innit...

Exactly what I thought :lol:

spot on young man.

So, Tonio - if selling it on as a transport for gee-gees (dinner for you frenchies;) ) you would be best to put back 7 plys again.

Tho do check the weight of the trailer first before getting 4 plys mate. Might be worth a chat with Surrey's finest: Tyreman.

You do realise that you will use more fuel & take more time with a horse trailer - however ergonomically it has been made, as it will have more height and weight than a bike trailer.

C, not taking horses about any more

Hye thang ewe!

s'okay!:saint:

but I'd still get Tonio to check the weight out, and then ask Tyreman his opinion about downgrading, before going ahead:P

Having had my race trailer blow a tyre on the M11 the other week on a pretty car type tyre, I now prefer the heavy duty uglier trailer tyres.......

You are asking for trouble, I would stick with the 16 wheels and the stronger 7 ply tyres. Is it twin axel?

when we had a horse trailer for my horse we found out that it was land rover tyres and wheels that fitted

I Don't think a horse trailer would be a good idea !

My main concern is that they are heavy and your fuel costs would nearly double.

Why don't ya look around for a trailer with a Fiberglass body on it. I would advise twin wheels !

My other thought is do ya realy want people to think your a Horsey person as they always say the rider looks like the Horse :D:D:D

Age

Be very careful tonio horse boxes are very heavy & with smaller wheels they over heat the tyers and burst, I have 12" wheels on my trailer with 8ply van tyers a good compromise me thinks.

I've seen Ian's horse box at racing and it's not exactly the huge, heavy thing you lot think it is!

In fact, I doubt you'd ever actually get a horse in there!

Even a light-weight tow-a-van doubles the fuel consumption.
Its not the weight - that only really slows your acceleration - its the frontal area of the bloody things that sucks the juice out of your tank.
We've got a tow-a-van, a horse trailer and a 3-bike trailer and I've towed them all with my car and monitored the fuel consumption (well it has an onboard puter so its easy)

Anyway - I would encourage anyone who is thinking about getting a trailer with a roof to go ahead - they are wonderful when it rains :P

(wouldnt want to p*ss about changing the wheels tho)

its a 2 pony one, if memory serves me right:)

this pony trailer unlaiden will prob be about 5 times as heavy as the bike trailer (at a rough guess):puzzled:

Good luck in whatever you do with the wheels Tonio - but do ask Steve @ Wraysbury Tyres - he is most helpful with advice:)

Back from France... :D

But I can't recognize the place, I must get used to it first. Colour sheme looks good :)

Anyway, I'm still looking for a set of car wheels (15 inches, 4 x 108mm stud => peugeot, citroen, ford fitment), then we'll see what happens.

I miss the DSC smileys!!!!!!!!

Then look again ;)
The trailer is very heavy... It's not made from aluminium :)

Any idea if I can fit strong tyres (7ply) on car wheels?

give Steve at Wraysbury tryes a call mate:)

I hate giving phone calls, I feel even more stupid when I don't understand people... :lol:

Anyway will surely call him at one stage.

if it helps mate, do you want me to call him in the morning?

if so - can you email me all the info you need to ask? :)

I've just had 2 new tyres fitted on the horse trailer (keeping the standard wheels, less hassle). First difference (and problem...), the trailer seems to be less stable, could it be because they've got different profil? Used front tyres like tractor tyres, brand new rear tyres more like car tyres. All size are the same, just the shape of the tyres is quite different... If I try to go faster than 55mph, the trailer starts moving from left to right and so does the rear of the car (that's bl00dy frightening). I hope to be able to go to CC tomorrow :(

Other thing, my tow bar starts to move a little bit... I will tight it again tonight but is it possible that I need a special stronger towbar to tow a horse trailer?

Now is one of those moments when I wish my passion was the chess....

Pony trailers are not usually designed to be taken over 50mph Tonio.
load the trailer (weight should be centred) and take it out for a spin & see how it handles.