Getting your horsebox ready for the new season with our Ultimate Pre-journey Check Guides
- gotutrailers
- Apr 12, 2022
- 4 min read
It is time to clean out your yard, dust off your track, and getting you and your horse in shape for the upcoming season. There are a few things to check off your list before you drive off in your horsebox.
Horseboxes need a spring once-over as much as the rest of the yard, even if they have been stored inside during the dark winter months. A number of things can get into the workings of your trailer: leaves, rodent nests, dust, old hays and debris.
Here is our Ultimate Guide to give your horseboxes a PRE-JOURNEY check before you bring your horse for a spin this Spring.
ESSENTIAL PRE-JOURNEY CHECKS
We are going to discuss the pre-journey checklist in the following few categories:
Body of Vehicle | Tyres | Electrics & Lights | Floor and Ramp | Weights | Hitch and Jockey Wheel | Brakes and Breakaway Cable
1. Body of Vehicle
Look around both the outside and inside for any obvious signs of damage. This includes rust, damp patches and any sign of rotting. You should also look for signs of bulges and soft patches, they are likely to be damaged or rotten. And do not travel with your horse unless this has been checked by a professional trailer servicing technicians.
Have the vehicle parked on level ground and if the trailer/horsebox leans to one side, seek professional advice.
Look for water damage around any seals.
Partitions and breast/breech bars - check all pins are in place and there are no sharp edges or rips in the partition.
2. Tyres
Kicking your tyres is not the right way to check if your Tyres are in good condition, you should also conduct a through tyres check
Check tread depth; make sure it meets the minimum legal requirement of 1.6mm across ¾ of the breadth. (for over 3.5t it is 1mm)
The RSA regulations on the condition of vehicle tyres, also applies to horseboxes and other types of trailers. For further information please look on the RSA website.
Remove any stones and other objects embedded in the tread. Look out for any bulges, lumps or cuts.
When not in use cover the wheels to help prevent the UV light from defecting the tyre wall.
Look at your manufacturers handbook for the correct tyre pressures for both your vehicle and/or horse trailer.
Park on a hard surface or a well-drained ground when the transport isn’t being used for a period of time as parking on damp ground can reduce the life of the tyres.
Make sure the spare tyres is in good condition and secure!
3. Electrics & Lights
Check the connection lead and sockets for any signs of wear and tear.
If the cable is spilt and wires showing, then it’s in need of professional repair.
Check that all your lights are clean and in working order both externally and internal when connected.
Use a buddy to assist you when checking all your lights and signals.
4. Floor and Ramp
Lift up the rubber matting to check the floor for any signs of rot, corrosion or damage and look from underneath the transport. Any signs of damage should be looked at by a professional before traveling your horse.
Oil the hinges and springs frequently to prevent rust or damage.
5. Weights
Make sure you know the true payload of your horsebox. If you aren’t sure then you can take the horsebox to a weighbridge.
Check the trailer and towing vehicle are suitable and the combination doesn’t exceed the legal weight limits; always check your manufacturer’s handbook for both your towing vehicle and trailer.
You should carry spare water, feed and roughage in case of a breakdown or delays – but be aware when using a trailer, if you load this at the front you could also exceed the nose weight.
Top tip: Don’t forget to know the weight of your horse(s) including passengers and all the equipment you take with you; you could soon be over the allowed weight.
6. Hitch/ Jockey Wheel
Lightly grease the tow-bar roughly every 3 months or more often depending on use.
Check the security of the tow hitch by carefully winding down the jockey wheel and if secure, the rear of the vehicle will raise slightly.
With the tow hitch connected, fully wind up the jockey wheel and secure.
The jockey wheel must be secured when fully up with a safety pin to lock it into position.
Top tip: Hitching up a trailer can be difficult if you don’t have a reversing camera on your vehicle. Lean a broom against the hitch to give you something to aim towards, or invest in a trailer hitching mirror that attaches to the front of your trailer allowing you to see the hitch in your rear view mirror.
7. Brakes and Breakaway Cable
If you’re leaving the trailer for a prolonged period, securely place wheel chocks either side of the wheels and then release the trailer parking brake (It may not be suitable if the ground is not level) - remember to put the brake back on before you hitch up next time.
Breakaway cables are a legal requirement; activating the trailer brakes should the trailer become detached. The cable must be attached to a purpose made tow bar ring or a substantial part of the vehicle.
Make sure there is no wear and tear along the cable and the fixings is all in working order.
If your brakes are ceased or you have problems with the cable, then contact a professional mechanic.
Feeling unsure, then it is time to make an appointment with a professional horsebox service
We hope you have find this article useful, and are able to conduct a quick check up yourself. These checks are not exhaustive, and you should refer to your manufacturers handbook. Also don’t forget to check the vehicle that will be towing your trailer too.
We recommend getting your trailer professionally serviced at least once a year, so if there is anything you are unsure about, then please contact us and arrange for a trailer service. At Gotu Trailers, we offer a complete range of horsebox maintainance, faults checking, repair work, we work with a number of European suppliers to ensure the best services are provided to all makes and models horseboxes.
Comments