Talk to Me Like I'm 5... First Truck and Trailer

[Leather]

Yup - the standard was published in like 2008 but since it was voluntary it took a while for companies to adopt it. Toyota was the first around 2011, but Ford/GM/Ram all played chicken with who would go first. Ford pulled the trigger and announced their 2015 model year adoption (and the other two followed suit).

Also there have been so many advancements in vehicles and technology and expectations, so today’s 1/2 ton baseline braking/axles/etc. could rival yesteryear’s HD models, which further complicates comparisons.

So while SAE J2807 might not be the best yardstick for pulling a horse trailer in terms of the testing parameters, if you look at the ratings post 2015 you can at least compare across the board “as equipped.”

[OTTBs]

@2DogsFarm

Damn ramps weigh a ton

I can lift the one on my Shadow with one finger. My B’up ramp was heavier, though I think maybe the hydraulic assist wasn’t quite right on it.

[poltroon]

No reason a ramp has to be heavy or awkward - the springs should make it not a problem.

I like ramps, especially for larger trailers on taller axles, and especially for situations where a horse has to back out of the trailer, and especially if a horse will be asked to unload on pavement, potentially wet pavement.

I also have used them to wheel heavy objects into the horse trailer.

But, step ups can be better for tight trail heads or situations where you must unload onto very uneven ground, and are less problematic with a trailer where the horse can jump out front first.

[fivestrideline]

Some Euro models I’ve seen have a back ramp and smaller front DOOR to unload - the horses just step down. Honestly it looks like unloading out the escape door but it’s designed that way! I was intrigued, as it saves weight and space and makes sense about the horses that may want to jump out. Had a few of those, with narrower steeper ramp trailers.