You can use a toy hauler to move a variety of smaller motorized vehicles and other objects. But is this a great way to transport a horse? We researched these trailers from multiple professional sources so that you'll know for sure whether or not this is a good idea.
A toy hauler should not be used to transport a horse unless certain modifications are made. Though built with tough and durable frames, the open garage area of a toy hauler will not give any support to the horse while the trailer is in motion.
Now that we know that you should never use an unmodified toy hauler to transport a horse, we'll take a closer look at the risks. You might also be wondering if you can keep a horse inside a trailer or if you can transport a horse safely in a stock trailer. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post and see what our research has discovered.
Reasons not to use a toy hauler as a horse trailer without modifying it
Toy haulers are a great way to move your bike or kayak. But they aren't the safest way to take your horse from point A to point B. While a traditional horse trailer might not be the only way to move your horse, you'll want to keep them out of the toy trailers.
You will harm your horse
Without the secure confines that keep your horse from being jostled, you can expose the horse to significant injury or even death. A bumpy ride can catch the horse off guard, as can a sudden turn.
Being thrown from side to side in a toy hauler can cause broken legs or worse. And if something as heavy as a horse is being tossed about, you can imagine the next reason for keeping your horse out of these trailers.
There can be extensive damage done to your trailer
Horses are heavy creatures. Though your toy hauler is a tough trailer, built with enough strength to tote motorcycles and jet skis, they won't fare so well with weight being tossed side to side.
Vehicles can be secured in one spot to prevent rolling into the sidewalls. This isn't the case with larger animals.
Your trailer might topple
A sudden turn might cause a horse to be forcefully flung into one of the sidewalls. Too much force from the horse's weight can create a situation where the trailer tips over.
This will seriously injure or kill your horse. Your trailer will undoubtedly be damaged, as well as the tow vehicle.
These risks are quite dire but do not outline the potential harm this situation will expose others on the road to.
Consider a modification
If you modify your toy hauler, you can safely transport your horse. Doing so is much less than buying a horse trailer and doesn't take too long.
Stable Boy makes one such kit. For less than $8,700, you can recreate an environment inside your toy hauler that is akin to an actual horse trailer.
Mods like these are critical for toy haulers if you want to use them to move your horse.
How much weight can a toy hauler carry?
We mentioned earlier that a toy hauler is a solid trailer that is built to carry your heaviest recreational equipment. While there isn't a definitive weight capacity that covers all models, there is a standard for the different sizes.
Larger toy haulers can carry 5,000 pounds on board. This is more than enough capacity to bring pairs of touring motorcycles, larger jet skis and snowmobiles, and other bigger toys.
The smallest toy haulers will be able to withstand an average of 2,000 pounds of cargo on board. But no matter how much you think it's safe to haul, never bring anything on board until you verify the toy hauler's weight limits. This information can be found in the owner's manual.
What should be carried in a toy hauler?
Toy haulers provide a safe and relatively inexpensive way to take your recreational vehicles from place to place. While you might think of them as just storage trailers, they are capable of hauling many different toys.
Toy haulers are great for moving the following:
- Jet skis
- Motorcycles
- Kayaks
- Mountain bikes
- Golf carts
- Snowmobiles
- Surfboards
- Dune buggies
- Other large sporting equipment
As we mentioned earlier, always make sure of the weight capacity of your toy hauler before loading anything into it. Some might not be able to withstand larger toys, resulting in damage to the toy hauler and potentially causing an accident on the roadway.
Can you keep a horse inside a trailer?
If you've transported your horse in the trailer, you ideally want to have them unloaded and secured in a stable or pasture. But sometimes, you might not be able to do so immediately. Is it safe to keep a horse on board a still trailer?
Horses shouldn't be kept inside a trailer, whether moving or not, for more than nine hours. And if they are confined for this long, you will need to ensure they have enough food and water.
The combined travel and rest time shouldn't exceed that nine-hour mark. And when on the road with a horse, it's recommended to give them a break from the road for 30 minutes every few hours. Don't unload them when you stop; just let them still in a motionless trailer for a bit every so often, so the ride is less stressful.
How do you travel long distances with a horse in a trailer?
Earlier in this post, we mentioned that it's recommended not to travel more than nine hours with a horse confined to a trailer. But making a journey that long is about more than just respecting that time limit. Let's look at some ways to make this journey as safe and as comfortable as possible for your animal.
Periodic food and water
Hay from a hay bag is recommended sustenance for your horse on this journey. But they'll need to stay hydrated, too. Many horses won't drink while traveling, so you might need to get a little crafty to get their water intake up.
Soak the hay bag with water. Try to use the water you usually give them at home, so that the taste and smell are familiar.
Keeping the animal's electrolyte levels up is also essential. You can add a bit of Gatorade or another suitable sports drink to their water to accomplish this.
Plan your route carefully
Map out a route where you can make frequent stops if needed. Avoid ones with lots of stop-and-go traffic if at all possible.
Pack your supplies and double-check them before you leave
The last thing you need is to be on the road and realize you've forgotten something critical to your horse on this trip. Make a list, carefully considering everything you'll need. Food, water, any medications, and other vital items should be double-checked so that they are in place before you leave.
Can you transport a horse in a stock trailer?
Stock trailers make a great alternative to the traditional horse trailer. So long as the horse has enough headroom, it should be able to be safely and comfortably transported in this manner.
Modified stock trailers on the secondary market are redone with horses specifically in mind.
Final thoughts
Travel trailers are the perfect way to get your recreational equipment from point A to point B but aren't built to be suitable for horses. You can get modification kits for these toy haulers to make them a safe way to move your horse. Stock trailers are another alternative for moving your horse, so long as the animal has ample headroom. Travel safe!
Make it this far? We hope we have answered all of your questions. For more helpful information, we recommend reading the following posts:
11 Of The Best 5th Wheel Toy Haulers For Full-Time Living
How To Turn A Toy Hauler Ramp Into A Patio [Inc. A Conversion Kit]
How Much Weight Can A Toy Hauler Carry? [Based On 11 Examples]