I would recommend chatting with the Boeckmann peeps. There is information on their website as well.
Something to do with the tongue weight on the back of the vehicle but I don’t know it well enough to explain. Their system is set up and balanced differently.
I have towed a two horse with dressing room Gore for the past twenty-plus years using a couple of Lexus LX models, which is the semi-identical twin of the Toyota Land Cruiser. I like towing with them much more than with my recently acquired GMC 2500HD pickup.
The Lexus is a body on frame vehicle and might be described as an SUV body on a Toyota Tundra truck frame. All wheel drive for muddy show grounds, enclosed storage for horse supplies, room for six passengers if needed, quiet and smooth, plenty of power, and very dependable, like most Toyota vehicles.
The Gore trailer converts into an enclosed cargo trailer in under 10 minutes without need of any tools. Center divider and posts come out along with breast and butt bars, and I can even fit my Kawasaki Mule inside, with about 3 inches to spare lengthwise. It is nice to have a horse trailer that can also be easily used as a cargo trailer.
Downside to my Lexus is gas mileage, but that doesn’t concern me. I worked hard for decades to be able to afford horses and horse related things.
I’ve had one since 2017 - I am happy to answer any questions about life with a Bockmann.
What do you tow with, and how much of a buffer do you leave between loaded trailer weight and your vehicle’s tow capacity? I get the differences in tongue weight and brake system, I’m just getting confused on whether it’s really reasonable to pull it with something that would be close to maxed out. Brakes aside, the general rules on towing capacity still seem like they would apply to the actual pulling part - I’d still be hauling 4500+ lbs up a hill with horses possibly throwing their weight around. I don’t want to ruin my transmission or find myself without enough power when I need it.
I have absolutely no experience with towing so I could be missing something totally obvious, but I’d be more comfortable with the idea if someone could explain why it works, or what baseline tow capacity I’d need accounting for the different brakes.
I have towed it with a V8 Grand Cherokee, Lexus GX (V6), Tacoma (V6), GMC Yukon (6.0 V8), and Hyundai Palisade (V6)
all have been fine, though I haven’t crossed the continental divide. I did the run from the northeast to Florida using the Grand Cherokee and Tacoma, both equally fine.
The biggest difference is that getting weight moving is actually not that challenging. It’s mostly a function of the rolling resistance of the tires. The bigger difference is the trailer does not have brakes actuated by a controller in the vehicle. The brakes manage themselves and the tongue is quite light - the trailer has a handle on the front of it and a person can actually move it if the parking brake is not on.
It is much more like flat towing a vehicle than it is like towing a conventional horse trailer. It also has independent suspension more like a car, so the horses shifting does not directly translate to the tow vehicle.
I would not recommend hauling it without a vehicle that has some hauling preparations, but especially when using a vehicle with a modern torquey turbo engine I’ve had zero issues with it in 6 years of towing. The least pleasant towing experience was actually using an F250, which was way too large for it and it wanted to bounce around a bit behind something that large.
To the SUV/Euro-trailer folks: what is your favorite SUV to tow with? (As a Manhattanite who may be moving out of the city in the next few years, I’m always infogathering!)
I bought a new RAM 1500 in 2021 as my tow vehicle, thinking I’d get a small used car as a daily driver. But I love driving the RAM so much I just can’t get excited about anything else!
Yes, fuel economy is crappy - 17 - 19mpg, but it’s sooo comfortable to drive! And when I was in a 4-car pileup on the freeway, the truck saved me. I had stopped for an accident in front of me when a woman plowed into the back of me at about 50-60 mph. The truck bed absorbed the entire impact, and I just felt a small jolt. The police said she’d have been inside the car with me if I’d been in a small car.
I towed a Brenderup for 14 years with an Acura MDX + tow package. Worked like a dream, even up and down Los Angeles area mountains.
This is really helpful, thanks! It looks like those cars are all around 5-6k for towing capacity (at least current models). The length would definitely be nice compared to a truck. MPG looks about the same, and cost would probably be a wash once you factor in the more expensive trailer. The truck would give me more options but I’m not thrilled about having to park it everywhere. I’ll have to do some test drives when I get closer to trading in and see what I like/what makes sense.
My friend tows her Boekmann with a 2008 V8 4Runner and has not had any issues!
Those V8s are beasts - I wish they still made them with that engine!
Right now, depending on your ability to pay cash and go get it in Canada, the prices actually aren’t bad. I looked at trading up my Portax AK to a Portax LK (longer with more headroom) and it was about $23k to buy one - same price as a new Kingston, Gore, etc.
That’s not bad. Canada is too far for me though, I wonder if the US prices are comparable. If I go with a standard trailer I could easily find one used so probably wouldn’t buy new in that scenario.
If you are in the DMV - going by your name - call Traveled Lane and see what they could get you one for. They are usually close to the Canadian price since they import through them (plus super nice people, they sold me my 2017)
Lazaret, it it true that Boeckmann trailers get too warm inside? I have seen this complaint a lot.
A truck that is safe to pull an American trailer is never going to be a good daily driver unless you have deep pockets for gas and repairs. If you don’t need a truck now, just get another Honda or a Toyota or a Subaru–something highly rated for dependability and low cost of ownership.
When you are ready to tow a trailer, if you decide to go European, you can always trade your car in for an SUV with a towing package.
Or if you decide to go with an American trailer you can find an older truck that has already had everything replaced at least once. Then use it only for pulling the trailer.
Never had this happen but I’m in Canada. They come with side windows, and the option to install a top vent and fan if you wish.
My model is the Big Master, which is made of marine composite (what they make yachts out of). That has insulating abilities which helps regulate temperature.
Actually they do make some small trucks these days. Toyota still has the Tacoma, Ford has the Ranger and the Maverick, Nissan has the Frontier still, Honda has the Ridgeline, and I think Hyundai even has one, but I can’t remember the model name. So, there are a few options for smaller-than-full-size trucks! And I agree. I used to have a Ford Ranger as an “extra” vehicle, and it was a great little vehicle.
I don’t feel that they do. Mine has a navy roof and the aluminum sides which are double walled - I actually think mine insulates from road heat pretty well. I also have the large roof vent, I don’t know when that became standard but with that popped up and the rear vent open on the storm flap there’s plenty of airflow.
I also have a couple 5 1/2" USB fans that are attached with super sticky velcro in front of the horses to move some air around, mostly because I just like circulating air more than because I think it gets hot.
I have had my Bockmann for 5 years. I tow it with a Toyota Tacoma V6 and have been very happy with it. Regarding hills - no problems getting two horses up the hill at Loch Moy. A friend tows hers with a Grand Cherokee. I saw someone at a show who was towing one with a Subaru - that gave me pause. They did only have one horse (and the full length butt bar).
John at Traveled Lane trailers in Centreville MD is super helpful if you have questions.
Maple Lane trailers has a lot of information on tow vehicle requirements on their website. I think you just have to decide if you believe their discussion that the way the trailers are balanced makes the tow vehicle requirements different than they would be for an equivalent weight US trailer.
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