Why You Should Service and Maintain Your Horse Trailer?
Keeping your horsebox or horse trailer in top shape isn’t just about avoiding breakdowns— more importantly, it’s about ensuring your horses are safe, comfortable, and stress-free on every journey. Regular servicing checks vital components like brakes, tyres, and electrics, preventing costly repairs and reducing the risk of accidents.
With regular maintenance checks and professional service care, you can travel confidently, knowing your trailer is roadworthy and compliant. Servicing also helps identify wear and tear before it becomes a serious issue, safeguarding not just your horses, but other road users too.
1. Safety First
We often carry on with our daily routines, only realising there’s a problem when something goes wrong. Before setting off on a journey, it’s a good idea for you to perform a quick walk-around maintenance check of the horsebox trailer. This includes inspecting the tyres for wear and correct pressure, checking that all lights and indicators are working, ensuring the hitch is securely attached, and confirming that the brakes and safety chains are in good condition. A thorough visual check can catch small issues before they become big problems, giving you peace of mind for a safe trip with your horses.
A poorly maintained trailer increases the risk of accidents, which can endanger both your horses and other road users. We recommend carrying out regular checks on all key components to ensure they are working efficiently, providing peace of mind for every trip.
2. Prevent Costly Breakdowns on your Horse Trailer
Spotting potential issues early on can prevent expensive repairs down the line. Whether it’s a worn-out brake pad or a loose electrical connection, routine servicing identifies these problems before they become serious. Preventive trailer maintenance saves you time, money, and the hassle of dealing with unexpected breakdowns.
3. Comfort for Your Horses
A trailer in good condition ensures a smooth and comfortable ride for your horses. Maintaining the flooring, ventilation, and suspension is essential for their comfort, especially during long journeys. Regular checks ensure that your horses are transported in a stable, well-ventilated environment free from hazards.
4. Compliance with Regulations for your Horse Trailer
Horse trailers, like any other vehicle, must meet certain legal requirements to be roadworthy. Regular servicing ensures your trailer complies with all necessary regulations, avoiding fines and ensuring you can travel without interruption.
Horse Trailer Weight Limits: The horse trailer’s maximum weight must be within the towing vehicle’s capacity, and the combined weight should not exceed the driver’s licence limits. Check our blog on trailer weights to check your vehicles comply……
Brakes: In the UK, trailers with a gross weight over 750kg when loaded, must be equipped with a braking system. These brakes should operate efficiently and automatically engage when the towing vehicle slows or stops. You must use a breakaway cable or secondary coupling in case the trailer becomes detached from your car.
Lights: All trailers must have working rear lights, brake lights, and indicators.
Tyres: Must be in good condition and meet the legal tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre’s breadth and around its entire circumference. Tyres must also be in good condition, free from cuts, bulges, or other signs of damage that could compromise safety.
5. Extended Horse Trailer Life
Like any vehicle, regular care extends the lifespan of your horse trailer. By addressing small issues early, you can prevent them from turning into major problems, keeping your trailer in good condition for years to come. A well-maintained horse trailer is not only safer but also retains its value if you ever decide to sell.
If in doubt, check before you tow. Vist the DVSA website for further checks to carry out every time you tow a trailer, caravan or horse trailer, to make sure you’re towing safely and legally.
Servicing your horse trailer is a small investment that ensures the safety of your horses, protects other road users, and keeps your trailer in peak condition. For expert servicing and maintenance, consider booking with a qualified mobile engineer who can perform thorough checks at your convenience.
For more information on horse trailer servicing in and around Cheshire, our friendly team will be happy to help. Give us a call on 01625 433251.
Happy Towing Adventures.