Doing my first longish haul (90 miles) solo with my boy. I’ve usually had someone with me when I have hauled and am a bit nervous to haul solo. I was looking into US Rider and their equine roadside assistance program. Any other recommendations? Good program?
I know it may not seem like much to some, but this is a big deal for me and I am looking forward to conquering this on our own!
I had US Rider and while I only used them for one call (and there was no trailer involved), their service on that call was better than I’ve gotten from some roadside assistance companies. I’ll sign up with them again when I buy another trailer. I’ve heard somewhat mixed reviews about how they do when a trailer is involved, but as far as I know they are the only company that will handle horse trailers (or at least horse trailers with horses in them), so I’d rather take my chances with them than have no options at all.
The other thing you can do for your peace of mind is line up someone you know who has a truck and trailer and ask them to be on call for you. If you DO break down, you’ll be a lot more comfortable knowing someone is on the way who can 1) either haul your trailer and horse back home, if your truck broke down, or 2) is bringing a trailer so they can pick up your horse if your trailer broke down. Even if you have US Rider–knowing someone YOU know can help you get your horse home will reduce your anxiety considerably, so you can focus on getting your truck or trailer back on the road.
Good luck and have fun!
I have had US Rider for about 10 years and have never been disappointed with them. I think I have used it 2-3 times, but never when towing, just for vehicle issues without the trailer.
Halt Near X has given excellent advice. There are three of us women who live reasonably close to each other, all with trailers and horses. Should one of us break down, we call on the others. But, having said that, we have never had to because we are EXTREMELY diligent about trailer care and maintenance. Before I hook up, I check tire pressure (I have a compressor on my truck and can fill if necessary). I have yearly inspection (brakes/bearings) that includes a professional look at the floor (removing mats) and other stress areas. Before long trips (I’ve hauled to NY and TN before --ten hour trips), I take my truck and trailer in and have all my tires checked by Monteith Tire Company–they will tell me if they are good or if I need one or more replaced --it’s a free service – and every three years I buy a set of new tires from them for the trailer --I think if I did more long distance hauling, I’d use US Rider —as someone said, they are about the only people that deal with horse and trailers.
I almost always haul alone and have gone up to 3 hours one way in some cases. I have US Rider and they have been great. They took a long time to locate someone to give me a tow when I used them, but they got me home which is all that counts.
My hubby is convinced I don’t need this and I’ll “be fine” :rolleyes: We did just have the truck in for service in spring and I will have the trailer looked at too. Have used it a few times this year for shorter hauls. My biggest fear is an accident that I am not able to control.
That’s everyone’s fear, I think. You are not alone in that regard. I don’t like hauling by myself, but I do it frequently. Average trips are around an hour, so nothing too major. I do have US Rider, and it’s worked well, but I have never used it when I’ve had the trailer. It has mixed reviews but most are favorable. I think it’s worth it. You can use it for any vehicle you are in, so it’s not just for the horse trailer. There is another service for horse trailers, but I can’t remember the name. There was a post on Horse Trails and Camping Across America, which is a FB group.
I’m also going to recommend a Trailer Aid, if you don’t already have one. It makes changing a Trailer tire so much easier.
My husband thought it was silly at first, too. But you know what? The peace of mind of having someone to call is priceless. And he found it less silly when we relocated and had to haul the trailer cross country.
Knock on wood, I haven’t had to use it.
I’ve had it since I got my first trailer, and used it once when my truck broke down. It was a bit of a wait because I was in the middle of nowhere and there aren’t a ton of places with vehicles set up to tow a gooseneck…most can pull bumper pulls or with a 5th wheel. But they did come and they covered most of the cost of getting it home.
The people I know who have had problems without US rider have had some really expensive towing bills in addition to being stuck on the side of the road for a long time or having horses stuck at shows until someone else could drive out to get them. So I say it’s worth it.
If you use it once to have a vehicle towed, it has more than paid for itself that year. Even well maintained vehicles can break down, have a tire blow or go flat from a road hazard.
I routinely haul 6-12 hours away, myself with just dogs and horses. Many roadside assistance companies will not deal with a diesel vehicle or a trailer, so to me the US Rider membership is worth every penny. It is nice to have peace of mind that if something goes wrong there is someone available that can handle both my truck and trailer, as well as find a vet or layover for me.
Trailguard are another company offering excellent roadside assistance/towing or whatever you need if you break down or have blow out etc. while towing a horse rig. I used US Rider for a couple of years but the couple of times I needed them they were bringing tow trucks from hours away from where I was and there was major town only a couple of miles away. The rep on the phone (in Canada) did not seem familiar with where I was even though I gave exact locations and nearest town names and still they were telling me I had 45 minute to 2 hour waits for help which was coming from far away. The tow truck guys were always surprised that they got the call when they knew of lots of tow services locally who would have been with me in minutes. Several friends had the same problem and we have all since moved to Trailguard. It might have to do with where you live in the US but for Texas I prefer Trailguard, plus they are a Texas company which might explain their ability to locate the nearest help to where you are broken down.
I appreciate this good feedback. For me, it is peace of mind and just extra prep for the unexpected. I told my husband the other option is for him to come with and haul and stay at my mom’s for the weekend :lol: He passed. But I really want to do this myself anyway, just me and my boy. So, US Rider it is. I did look at Trailguard too but the rate for one year is $360.00 compared to US Rider at $139.00.
When I had a flat on the big trailer 4 hours from home, I called US Rider and reported the need…and immediately hung up and started calling around to local service providers, too. I was on the side of I 65 for over an hour in the late summer heat. I couldn’t find anyone close, nor could USR. I cannot physically manhandle those huge tires, I needed help and the driver’s side of I 65 is nowhere I’m willing to be, down on my knees, wrestling a tire.
A good Samaritan stopped and changed my tire for me. I gave him $40 cash (all I had with me) and thanked him a hundred times. Have the right tools with you, including tire chocks, a good spare, tools that fit, a Trailer Aid to drive up on (worth it’s weight in gold). Take a good phone charger and go.
I have kept US rider for 15 years or so and used them maybe 6 times total? Only half of those involving the truck and trailer. I wouldn’t shell out the $ for one 90 mile trip 
I just found out about this FB Group - emergency livestock roadside assistance
I have USRider for about 10 years. Used 2x - 1x successful - had bad fuel gauge in a diesel and ran out of fuel. Guy came out with fuel and bled the lines. All I paid was fuel. Other not so successful - drove from PA to SC and had trailer issue literally 5 mins from final destination barn. It didn’t go well. Issue with USRider as a see it - is that they don’t have as close a relationship with shops and also not as many relationships as some of the more prominent services - hence the variability in service. I have heard that AAA won’t touch you if you are towing and that’s not just horses, that’s RVs, etc. I still have USRider despite the bad experience. Since many of my trips are decent distance I like having that little bit of security of membership.
In addition to a diesel truck, I also have a diesel car, and AAA won’t touch the diesel car. The car left me sit last summer and US Rider had no issues getting it towed. I had always carried a AAA Plus membership and it’s cost was about the same as US Rider.
Thanks! I did join this group as well. You never know…
My daughter was short hauling her pony back home when a car failed to stop at an intersection broadsiding the trailer… this was a steel slant load with drop down doors, her horse watch the whole thing unfold as the car smashed into the trailer just in front of him… didn’t bother him but kind of destroyed the car
US Rider respond quickly, it was determine in a just a little time that the trailer was actually undamaged …but having them respond quickly provided peace of mind
I’ve posted before about USRider. The sole reason for my 16+ year membership is the assurance they will handle my dually and animals in the trailer. I would be very upset to be told “We don’t service vehicles with animals” Or “your truck is too large for our equipment” The whole reason for a road service is getting help when everything goes upside down. Even the best maintained vehicle and expert driver can’t avoid every hazard on the roads.
I have been well pleased with their service… although I don’t call for tire problems. I can and have changed a trailer tire in less time than to call and wait for someone. A “Trailer-aid” or similar is essential. It’s also handy to level a trailer in a poor camping spot.
I have used US Rider multiple times - once with the trailer and several times when I was just in my car. In all cases they have been very helpful and supportive. They were even ready to get the police to shut down the freeway to unload my horse when she was starting to get anxious after having to wait for quite some time on the side of a very busy interstate (we were in the middle of nowhere so it was a long drive for any service provider and it was a Sunday!). Fortunately, the local service provided showed up and got us back on the road while I kept the horse calm in the trailer. I travel exclusively on my own (with horses and dogs) and they provide an enormous amount of peace of mind so I find them well worth the money.
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