Just curious as I’ve seen this more often lately. At night time many trailers seem to be traveling with the inside of the trailer lights on for the horses.
How many people do this? And why? Is there a reason?
I’ve never trailered with the inside lights on, but wondering if I should be?
Entirely possible that they turned on the lights to load and forgot to turn them off.
I dont.
I realize horses vision is different than ours, to me, leaving the lights on inside while hauling in the dark would be disorienting.
I do not do it, but the theory I have heard behind it is that the flashing of lights as headlights come to and pass a trailer can be stressful to the horse and by having lights on in the trailer, the flashing of oncoming headlights is eliminated or at least decreased. I have no idea if the flashing oncoming headlights are stressful or disorienting for a horse, but that is the rationale I have heard for leaving the light on inside
Most trailers, or at least the ones I’ve hauled with, the lights turn on any time you have the headlights on.
I prefer to travel at night with the lights on in the trailer - I think it’s less jarring than the flashing glares of oncoming headlights, etc.
One of my horses, at night, will hesitate to load if lights are not on the the trailer. I don’t think it’s a disobedience thing because it has only been at night and he will oblige, but he’s unsure about it. I think it’s genuinely hard for them to see into the trailer at night if there is no illumination somewhere within.
[QUOTE=beowulf;8858470]
Most trailers, or at least the ones I’ve hauled with, the lights turn on any time you have the headlights on.
I prefer to travel at night with the lights on in the trailer - I think it’s less jarring than the flashing glares of oncoming headlights, etc.
One of my horses, at night, will hesitate to load if lights are not on the the trailer. I don’t think it’s a disobedience thing because it has only been at night and he will oblige, but he’s unsure about it. I think it’s genuinely hard for them to see into the trailer at night if there is no illumination somewhere within.[/QUOTE]
For loading of course it makes sense, but while driving? It seems more common around my area lately while the trailers are in tow.
[QUOTE=LadyB;8858521]
For loading of course it makes sense, but while driving? It seems more common around my area lately while the trailers are in tow.[/QUOTE]
I think in most trailers, the cabin/dressing room lights are usually the same fuse or wiring (or whatever the word is) as the headlights.
At night, you have to use headlights - which will automatically turn on the lights in the trailer/cabin/dressing room. At least in my trailer.
There is no option on my trailer for the headlights to be on and the trailer lights off. The two are not separately wired. You don’t get one or the other, you get both or none.
[QUOTE=beowulf;8858530]
I think in most trailers, the cabin/dressing room lights are usually the same fuse or wiring (or whatever the word is) as the headlights.
At night, you have to use headlights - which will automatically turn on the lights in the trailer/cabin/dressing room. At least in my trailer.
There is no option on my trailer for the headlights to be on and the trailer lights off. The two are not separately wired. You don’t get one or the other, you get both or none.[/QUOTE]
Oh okay, interesting. My trailer, all seems to be separate, the inside light of the dressing room, inside light of the trailer, outside loading light and outside dressing room light all have their own switches on my trailer. Running lights come on when truck lights are on, but that’s it, and obviously makes sense.
[QUOTE=LadyB;8858550]
Oh okay, interesting. My trailer, all seems to be separate, the inside light of the dressing room, inside light of the trailer, outside loading light and outside dressing room light all have their own switches on my trailer. Running lights come on when truck lights are on, but that’s it, and obviously makes sense.[/QUOTE]
I have light-switch envy then… Mine doesn’t have anything separate. How new is your trailer? That might factor into it… Mine is older :lol:
Mine is separate as well- my headlights are on so the running lights and brakes/turn signal lights will work, but the internal lights are separate (I think my trailer is a 2003)
All the trailers I have had prior to this one had a switch to turn the light in the trailer on or off. This trailer I currently have automatically turns the light on in the trailer when the headlights are on; there is no switch to shut it off.
I ship with the lights on after dark for the reasons Beowulf mentioned. Mine don’t come on automatically so it must be a trailer age issue rather than truck: new truck with automatic headlights; 2008 trailer. To be honest, not sure my horse really cares.
[QUOTE=beowulf;8858552]
I have light-switch envy then… Mine doesn’t have anything separate. How new is your trailer? That might factor into it… Mine is older :lol:[/QUOTE]
Mine is a 2005 4 Star. Knowing that there are trailers that don’t have that option, I’m happy mine does LOL Sorry!
My Featherlite has separate switches, as did the Sundowner before it. And the Circle J before that, which goes back 30 years. I didn’t know there was another way, to be honest. And I never see people with the interior lights on when they’re hauling at night. I’m in the west…could it be a regional thing, too?
when I’ve seen this - which is rarely - I’ve wondered if one possible reason could be the driver thinking the lights being on increases the visibility of the trailer to other drivers? Having it lit up makes it more apparent to other traffic than running lights and reflective tape would?
I always travel with the lights off when/if I am travelling at night, but reading this and thinking about it, I think I will leave them on…seems to make sense. My 20 year old trailer gives the option. I don’t get the feeling my mare cares, tho, she seems normal all the time.
My 1996 Featherlite has switches inside the stall compartment and the tack room for those lights. Running lights come on with truck lights. I drive with the interior lights off. Never occurred to me to turn them on. I’ve also not seen other drivers with them on here in the Midwest. YMMV.
For the reasons beowolf stated I haul at night with the trailer’s interior lights on. It really does cut down the contrast from oncoming traffic, city lights etc.
If folks were using a camera in the trailer you would want the lights on…
But, I have to say, I don’t see many people hauling with the interior lights on. I think mine are burned out - tried to use them recently and they didn’t work. I don’t do much hauling at night.
I use the interior lights when hauling at night, so I can see him in the camera. He’s always just stuffing his face, but I feel better knowing… Mine is a 97 4 Star 3+1, 3 separate switches above running lights.
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