Mobility V

Welcome back!  I've been super busy and got behind on my blogging.  Again...

I have been meaning to share with you the truck I purchased.  I knew when I was shopping I was looking for a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton Chevy or GMC.  Those brands because I have access to a great mechanic and he's not a very big fan of Fords and a happy mechanic is a well running truck!  In my price range those brands are actually not that easy to find, you can find tons of the other ones which my mechanic says means that nobody keeps those trucks for life.  Anything in that price range also sold VERY fast, as in you'd better be gassed up and ready to go.

Here's my truck!  It's a 2002 silverado with a regular cab and 4 wheel drive.  I responded to a craigslist ad that said the owner was selling the truck she used to pull her horse trailer with, asked about the trailer to get an idea of towing capacity, and the rest was history!

I did have to make some compromises in my budget.

First, I ended up with a small half ton.  It's a well maintained strong running torquey motor that pulls its matched trailer fine but if I want a bigger trailer I will need to upgrade the truck.

Second, it's a regular cab long bed.  I was really set on a crewcab, and there were plenty out there as it's by far the more popular option.  However, if I wanted a crew cab I'd need to make compromises in other areas such as rust and 4 wheel drive.  This truck has some rust but is in nonessential areas that can be managed and hasn't eaten through the rocker panels to the door panels.   I've also had to use the 4 wheel drive three times now getting it park in the grass and mud at my barn and any regret over not having cab storage space fades away instantly when I shift to neutral, pop it into 4 high, and haul out of the muddy mess I've backed my trailer into.

Overall I'm pleased with my purchases.  I made some hard choices about what I needed NOW versus what I WANTED in the future and got something that is perfect for me.  Now to get comfortable enough to put my horse in it!

Mobility IV

Welcome back to part IV in my mobility series!  Here I'll show you pictures of the trailer I purchased!!!!!!!!!!

I was actually truck shopping and when I called about a truck someone used to pull their trailer with I just offhand inquired about the trailer, wanting to get a good guess of the capabilities of the truck.  Then I asked if the trailer was for sale too.  Then I bought both.

What I bought was a 1982 WW trailer.  In my budget I was generally going to get either a steel trailer with a dressing room or an aluminum trailer without.  What I liked and disliked about this trailer was the size.  I did have some reservations about the height and width but my 14.2 hand mare fits perfectly but if I was to purchase a bigger horse I'd probably have to sell this trailer to someone with small horses.  The bonus of being a smaller trailer is I got a dressing room capable of being towed with my 1/2 ton truck.  I can also see around it using regular mirrors and it feels like it tracks well behind my truck.

I went ahead with the purchase when I saw the condition it was in.  The original owners had stripped it down the the frame, replaced the axles and cross members, the floor all the way back to front, and painted and sandblasted the exterior.  It also has new tires, new brakes, and a new jack.  

The only thing that needs some work is the horse area, it's mostly cosmetic but rust is a cancer and if you don't prevent it from spreading it will eat your trailer.  I plan on using a rust killer on the rust parts and painting the inside back to white.  There is a bit of damage on the right side in the horse area but it doesn't affect anything structural.  Regardless, I am going to have someone weld a bit there just to fix it up.  I am also going to have some of the exterior lights replaced with LEDs to make it more noticeable at night.  I'm even considering getting a full length butt bar so I can remove the divider and just haul one horse.

No pictures of the dressing room as I keep forgetting but it's big enough to put my stuff in.

I'm VERY excited!  I even towed it the 40 miles home last week without hitting anything!!!!