If you own a horse trailer, you need a vehicle that’s capable of towing it. What happens if your RV is your primary method of transportation? Or maybe you want to bring your horses to livestock fairs and rodeos. How can you safely get them there?
RVs generally have a decent towing capacity, but just like everything else, they have limits. The answer to this question largely depends on the size of your horse trailer, the type of RV you own, and how comfortable you are towing live animals.
RV Trader is answering all of these questions in this comprehensive guide.
How Much Does Your Horse Trailer Weigh?
If you’re wondering if your RV can tow your horse trailer, trailer weight is an essential piece of the puzzle. Horse trailers come in a lot of different sizes. Keep in mind that you’ll have to add the weight of your horse(s) to the trailer weight to get your total weight. Realistically, only small and medium horse trailers can reasonably be pulled behind an RV.
Small horse trailers are typically meant to hold one or two horses and weigh between 2,000lbs and 3,500lbs. When the horses are added to the trailer, the total weight is around 6,000lbs to 8,000lbs.
Medium horse trailers can hold up to three horses and weigh between 3,000lbs and 4,000lbs. When the horses are added to the trailer, the total weight is around 7,000lbs to 9,000lbs.
It’s important to know the exact weight of the trailer you’re pulling, not just the manufacturer’s numbers. For safety reasons, don’t ever pull a horse trailer behind an RV without knowing exactly how much weight you’re towing.
What Type of RV do you Have?
Some RVs are equipped to pull a horse trailer, while others are not. Generally, larger motorhomes have higher towing capacities and enough power to pull a horse trailer. The largest drivable campers on the market today are Class A RVs and Class C RVs.
Most Class A RVs can tow a maximum of 15,000lbs. However, this depends specifically on the manufacturer. Oftentimes, people find that the maximum limit isn’t actually comfortable while driving. For example, many Class A RVers find that a more stable weight to tow is 5,000lbs to 10,000lbs.
Another thing to keep in mind with a Class A RV is length. Length restrictions on the road vary by state, so you’ll want to double check those numbers before heading out with your horse trailer. Since Class A RVs are already long, it’s possible that a horse trailer might push your total length over the allowed limit.
If you have a Class C RV, you’re also in luck. Most Class C motorhomes can tow a maximum of 10,000lbs. However, many diesel “Super Class Cs” can pull up to 30,000lbs. These models are built on a stronger chassis and are equipped for heavy duty towing. But with Super Class C RVs, you’ll also have to be mindful of your length on the road.
If you have a smaller Class B RV, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to tow a horse trailer. Class B RVs are more like vans than motorhomes, and they’re generally much smaller than Class A and Class C models. As a result, their maximum towing capacity is usually only 5,000lbs. This might be sufficient to tow a very small horse trailer with one horse, but you’ll have to be extremely conscientious of the weight you’re pulling so you don’t exceed the maximum limit.
Towing Live Animals
If you plan to tow a horse trailer behind your Class A or Class C RV, it’s important to feel comfortable pulling not just a large load behind your motorhome, but also live animals that shift their weight unexpectedly. Make an effort to distribute weight as evenly as you can. Fortunately, this is usually an easy task with a small or medium horse trailer. However, it might take some time to get used to the sensation of operating a vehicle with such a heavy weight and long length.
When in doubt, practice makes perfect. If you’re new to RVing, navigate the roads solo first and get comfortable behind the wheel. Then, attach your horse trailer and take your RV for a spin. Practice backing up, changing lanes, checking your blind spots, making wide turns, and parking. At first, all of these things will feel foreign and awkward. When you feel confident making these maneuvers, you’re ready to load the horses up and hit the road!
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, it’s possible to tow a horse trailer with a Class A or Class C RV. As long as the maximum towing capacity of your RV is more than the weight of your horse trailer combined with the weight of your horses, you’re good to go. It might take some time to master the art of navigating your RV with a horse trailer attached, but practice will set you up for success.
If you’re looking for an RV to take both you and your horses on some exciting adventures, check out our nationwide inventory of new and used motorhomes at RVTrader.com.
