Considering buying my own trailer, I have a few questions first

Now that I am getting a vehicle that can tow a trailer, I am considering buying my own horse trailer. I have trailered before but it was usually with a rented trailer, borrowed truck that sort of thing. I will NOT be towing long distances, usually within 10 miles to clinics, shows etc. The longest I may go is 60 miles but if I go to a show out there I will most likely hitch a ride with someone.

If you absolutely think this vehicle is unsafe to tow, please be loud and clear about it. My first and foremost thing is everyone's safety!!

First and foremost, do you guys think my vehicle can safely tow a horse with a trailer? I am getting a 2005 Kia Sorento with all wheel drive and 92-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine. According to the manual it can safely tow up to 3500 pounds, and there is a really NICE towing package on it. When I get it I will double check the limits of the towing package of course, but the person I am buying the Sorento from says that the towing package is higher capacity than the vehicle so but they have always stuck with the 3500 lb limit.

Next, I was thinking of a small featherlight ... Anybody out there who has a featherlight, do you like it, is it durable? I really really like the Featherlite 9401 and I think that may be my first choice because it it so versitile.

Any tips that anyone has for "trailer shopping" would also be helpful. I know to pay special attention to the frame and that the floor is sound, is there anything else?

Thank you for your help :)

I don't know anything about the car you'll be using, but when it comes to the trailer get one with a metal floor - I've heard of several disasters happening with wooden floored trailers - especially if you're buying a used trailer.

I know nothing about KIA, but in regard to a trailer with metal floor, I would stick with wood. The floor needs to be checked regardless of what its made of. Wood can he replaced easily and board by board, and can be purchased from the local hardware store. A metal floor isn't that simple.
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KIA SORRENTO IS WAY TO SMALL TO PULL A HORSE AND TRAILER.

Is that clear enough?

It could probably even pull 5000 pds but the physical size is so small it would be dangerous to be pulling something much larger and stopping would also be a problem. It is a unibody crossover. Crossover is between a car and a SUV. I would say this type of car is suited to pull a jet ski, small boat or something of that nature.

Point taken...see this is why I asked. Sometimes I need people to tell me that I'm being a complete idiot in my way of thinking.

When I was younger and didn't have the funds I used a S10 blazer to pull 1 horse and an El Camino.
Now they make the S10 so small and not as strong so you could not use a newer model like you could on the older models.

My sister uses a Durango as they are beefier but they get poor mileage. I looked at the Feather lite but it does not give the weight on the site. That would be important to know

Yes, the Kia will be able to pull one horse in a very small trailer. Personally, I wouldn't drive a Kia, let alone haul a horse with one, but that's neither here nore there.

The question you need to ask when deciding if something is safe to tow with isn't "can it pull it?", it's "can it stop it?" If you get trailer brakes installed in the Kia, it might be able to handle a horse trailer, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it.

When in doubt.... talk to your local trailer place. We have a great place that sells campers. I love them. I would trust them over any dealership.
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There are actually downfalls to both metal and wood, so it really is a moot point. Besides, *most* trailers have rubber mats over top, no matter what it is, especially a newer trailer.

Wood can rot from urine, and metal can rust. Its 50/50. RitzieAnn makes a good point about the wood being easier to replace then a metal one though.

Right Velvets. It's just easier for you to replace a wood floor in your back yard than it is to replace a metal one.
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