Towing Other Weight: A Towing Blog

Put a couple of animals inside your horse float, and you have lots of unstable weight to tow with your truck. The challenge here is that you are not pulling dead weight. You have a bunch of big animals moving inside the horse float as you cruise down the highway. Indeed, due care is necessary to ensure safety when moving, leading to the next question. When was the last time you had a thorough safety and mechanical audit on your horse float? Here is a piece that talks you through the whole diagnosis.

The Ramp Fastenings  

The ramp is a critical component of your horse float. It is the gateway used by your horse to enter the float. More importantly, you will slot it into position to form a door that you can secure before towing the horse float. You can lock the ramp in several ways. First, you can go for a ramp fastening that locks into place by clamping an over-centre latch. Make sure it has a metal pin for better protection. These latches are great for the absence of sharp objects that could injure the horse during transit.

The other option involves a standard trailer fastener capable of swinging out of the way when lowering the ramp. When inspecting the horse float, look out for latches and components hanging out of position. They should also be free from corrosion and fracturing.

The Ramp Springs

Ramps can only stand up to the heavy traffic from horses walking on them if they are made from heavy-duty metal panels. The large, heavy panels are a nightmare for anyone who needs to lift the ramp through different angles and positions. Check your horse float for the standard support springs on either side. If needed, modify them by adding a single-mounted spring at the centre of the ramp's joint. The spring ends up underneath the ramp and keeps the hoses from shoving their legs through the joint when loading.

An engineer should be able to install the additional spring without interfering with the ramp's working.

The Horse Float's Floor

It also helps to check the horse float's floor to ensure that it has enough strength to support the animals during transit. Check the area beneath the floor and ensure that it is free from corrosion. Brush off any rust traces using a stiff wire brush and paint the area using special anti-rust primers. The reinforcing steel should have a uniform protective coating to avoid sections of weakness.

To learn more, contact a horse float servicing company.