Europeans are not pulling horse trailers at Autobahn speeds as most Americans are, as some have mentioned the braking power of the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks is of prime concern
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Neither truck is stopping your trailer if your brake controller is set correctly.
And no one is pulling their horse trailer at 80mph if they’ve got brains. If they don’t, they get what they get.
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My Ram 1500 has been my daily driver since I got it in 2016. I love that truck. I don’t want it to be my daily driver, but another vehicle hasn’t been in the cards.
There have been times in my life when I haul weekly. There have been several long distance trailer trips through the mountains.
I have never felt under-trucked when pulling my steel 2h bumper pull.
Prior to getting this truck, I had an older GMC 2500, so it’s not like I haven’t experienced different. I do not feel like I lost any safety or power.
The only time I wish I had a bigger truck is when I covert larger, fancier trailers like 2+1s or LQs. Then I remember I don’t need and can’t afford a huge trailer. 
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I always would choose the heavier duty if it were an option because my trucks work hard. I’ve had bad experiences being under-trucked and I see people (in the landscaping business) who are constantly replacing brakes/ transmissions etc because they beat the crap out of their not hefty enough trucks
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You don’t live in Florida lmao. My friend hauls her 150k Lakota on the turnpike like she’s towing nothing at all. 
Most of the trailer tires I know about have a DOT maximum speed rating of 81 mph. Anyone keeping up with interstate highway traffic while towing their horses is taking a risk of tire failure. And that is regardless of whether the trailer is behind a 4500, 3500, 2500, or 1500 truck
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This is always an interesting topic.
Today’s half ton/light duty pickups are fairly substantial in size and power depending on how the truck is equipped. A well outfitted 1500 or 150 should be fine for a 2 horse BP. As with most things, you just need to read the fine print and specs. Today’s gas trucks are making decent power with better fuel efficiency too.
I have a 2500 because I wanted a gooseneck. The truck rides rough and isn’t very comfortable without the trailer on it, tbh. With the trailer on it, the ride in the truck and trailer is just fine.
I actually got a bit annoyed with it when I drove it as a daily driver for a few weeks when one of our other vehicles was down.
I do a lot of fairly long hauls (6-8 hours) throughout the year. I read a study a while back that horses’ stress levels in the trailer went up significantly on the highway at speeds higher than 55mph.
Another thing to consider with a 1500 vrs 2500- it’s hard to find a 1500 with a real bed. They all seem to come with those useless short beds that can’t even hold a proper load of hay or a sheet of plywood
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Circling back to the rig/horses weighing more than your truck thing… Many rigs weigh more than the truck they’re attached to. It’s not uncommon, I think. Especially around here where people are really into the multiple horse and living quarters set up. I’m not sure that’s a factor that most people consider or need to consider.
I mean, that as a personal rule is fine, don’t get me wrong.
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Thank you all for the insight.
For one, I feel like I relate to so many of you! Are we the same? I had a short communication with my dad last night who pushed the 2500. He has a fleet of Chevy Silverados (as another poster). (Unfortunately the charity to snag one of them on the low isn’t going to be found under my tree)
I think for the amount of miles I drive, about 30-40K miles a year (Did some math for how much I’ve put on my truck), a monthly/bi-monthly long trip , and in self-reflection I am probably a C+ car owner. It’s probably the best investment, plus I’ll need my next vehicle to last to 280k miles.
The timing of now pertains to 1. I’m going to be travelling back and forth to Florida (8+ hour drives) monthly starting in January and 2. My Christmas bonus hits 12/31, but if I can wait maybe a few months/weeks maybe we will see some of these used-models come down a few grand. I’ll keep everyone in the loop.
I do have to say I’ve loved my Ram 2500. When I was shopping 8 years ago, I knew nothing and had very little, well the same as now, thanks horse, to spend. It’s been very trusty and a great drive. Even it was in my affordable bracket, I don’t think I would go to a Ford or Chevy because I’ve enjoyed this model so much.
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Your friend is an idiot without care for the cargo she hauls.
No truck or trailer combo will fix that. I hope you don’t haul with her.
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Bingo. If someone wants to be a dummy, they’re going to do it. The #1 thing to hauling safely is the DRIVER, and some brains.
I hauled a 2 horse slant with a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee for over 100,000 miles. I drove slow, and I had good brakes on the trailer that were set appropriately. Was it the best rig? Nope, I was underpowered on hills and if a horse really started making a racket you definitely knew. But I never had a fishtail, never had the trailer slip, never had any problems ever.
I’m sure that lots of people will gasp at that combo. I will return the argument with “You know what else will send your rig in a ditch? Blowing a tire on your 6000# lead sled of a 3/4 ton.”
Rig maintenance, good brakes, brains. Those will keep you as safe as you possibly can be.
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I don’t even want to tell people what I was towing my horse with in Europe
Yes, European trailers are different, but still.
What I’d really like is a horse box. So easy to get in and out of places.
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Ahhh I covet a horse box! I saw one used on FB I think it was, for the low low price of $70-80K 🥲. It’s not too bad when you think about it truck is like $30-40K (used but newer and moderate miles) + a newer trailer can be in the $20-30K range too. Or at least that’s how I try to justify it 
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Do you not all tend to find that towing a 2 horse BP straightload is easier/smoother with 2 horses in the trailer rather than just 1?
Multiple potential reasons for that, but if it involves my Old Man, no.
That’s pretty much his only bad-boy quirk. He hauls great alone, put another horse in and he kicks the snot out of the back door, swaying the trailer.
Oh, yeah. That’s no fun. I had a horse that would weave violently in the trailer. I remember vividly hauling him to the vet over a mountain pass in a snowstorm. After we got back from that trip, he never left the farm again!
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We went from a 2019 F150 4WD XLT to a 2023 F150 4WD with Powerburst. The difference for towing is like night and day, though for DH’s 30 foot long enclosed car trailer, sway chains are really necessary. I’d pulled my BP horse trailer with the 2019 F150, and it wasn’t great compared to the prior truck, a 4.5 l Toyota Tundra. Sold the trailer in early 2023.
Can someone explain to me why horse boxes aren’t more prevalent in the US. They’re literally all over Europe…
I don’t tow personally, but I am SO CURIOUS!
Ok I am currently in the same predicament as OP (thinking about a truck purchase for a 2H BP and debating 1/2 vs 3/4 ton). I appreciate that 1/2 ton trucks can certainly do the job if properly equipped but I have been leaning towards a 3/4 simply because I am daunted by the prospect of finding such a “properly equipped” 1/2 ton used. That being said, if I could get away with a slightly less mondo vehicle, I would like to! It wont be a daily driver but will be used for puttering locally as well as towing.
So with that said, would someone be willing to explain exactly what we should be looking for in a 1/2 ton option used that make the biggest differences in capacity? I know the towing specs are available but I have a hard time finding them for older models and the idea of googling every single truck combo until I get a sense for what options make the biggest difference makes me just want to give up
