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Using a diesel to tow horse trailer.

12K views 61 replies 25 participants last post by  Darrin 
#1 ·
Okay So this question just popped into my head.

I know mostly everyone uses diesels to pull there trailer. I just got my little two horse today and do you think with the horse in the trailer the sound coming out of the exhaust pipe might scare them? I'm sure it could but what are your opinions?
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#9 · (Edited)
Joe no one asked for your snarky remarks. If you don't have anything nice to say or just like being a smart you know what then go do it somewheres else, not here.
And if you want your snarky unnecessary question answered then yes the majority of people around here do use diesels to pull horse trailers.

I figured they would get use to it. I don't think he should have a problem.
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#10 ·
7.3 liter ford F350 dually 4x4 owner here. No issues that I can tell. As a matter of fact, I think my horses prefer this truck over the F250.

The F250 was a manual, the 350 is an auto. Much smoother starting and stopping on the auto.
 
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#11 ·
Most people around here use diesels and I've never heard anyone laugh at or complain about their horses spooking due to the noise.

Joe, we know you like 1/2 ton gas motors and that's OK, I don't agree with you but it's your choice. What you don't need to do is make snide remarks when people ask about diesels or what what size pickup to buy when suggestions are anything other then a 1/2 ton.
 
#13 · (Edited)
nothing wrong with diesels, Big diesels are great, Id like to have one. They are way more efficient than gas engines. Id like to see more light and medium duty diesels available.
I do take exception to the people that seem to think they know better than the engineers that actually design and build trucks and seem to think the only possible way to pull a horse trailer is with a large diesel. People ask questions about pulling a simple little bumper pull back and forth to the park and posters on here tell them that doing that with anything smaller than a Mac truck is a mortal sin. Companies like Ford put alot of research and testing into vehicle design and I tend to put more credence into their recommendations than what Billybob down the road says. People that post truck questions i tend to tell to read the owners manual or look up the specs and follow the manufacturers recommendation.
I also take exception to totally bogus false statements pulled out of thin air.
Those that make outlandish unsubstantiated claims shouldnt be upset when someone points them out.
Yep diesels are great, they make good tow engines, but lots and lots of people tow with gas engines in 1/2 and 3/4 ton vehicles everyday so "Everyone" doesnt tow with a diesel.
 
#15 ·
I don't get where I acted like I know everything? If anyone is that's you. And it's funny how your getting all worked up over a simple question I asked that has no harm intended. It was just how I worded the question but yes the majority of people do tow with a diesal. No reason to come on here and try to act like your gods gift to trucks.
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#14 ·
I have a GMC Sierra and my horse whose scared of life itself doesn't care. I drive right past his turnout in it whenever the roads are too icky for me to use a non 4wheel drive vehicle and his only response is to start running around like an idiot because he's soooooo happy I came to see him.

I suppose it could be scary for a horse that's never heard a diesel engine but honestly..... the tractor at the barn is a heckuva lot louder and he hears that all the time, same with the 4wheeler.
 
#16 ·
and try to tell ME about them when I drive them. If you like towing with a gas half ton or whatever, congrats! Go for it. But is there really any point to come on here and post snide remarks just because I wrote "I know mostly everyone tows with a diesal." are you jealous? Or...What? Funny how your the only one taking those few words out of proportion.
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#17 ·
I pull my horse trailer with a honda accord.. I busted out the back window and ran the gooseneck in there.. so far the trunk hasnt come off and it pulls fine.. and it has a rice rocket exhaust and it scares my neighbors due to its blinding speed.. but not the horses:lol::lol:
 
#19 ·
I've got a gas & a diesel (both fords), an '04 f350 7.3 and a '92 f250 w/a 460 engine. Both do a great job. I will say though that the old gas pickup is much easier on repair/maintenance costs and gets a fuzz better mpg.

I've not had any issue with the horses and reactions to either....both are pretty loud.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Owning both a gas and diesel at the present time, I can tell you the gas engine is much less expensive to maintain. The 1 ton diesel takes three times the oil for an oil change, more transmission fluid, more cooling...etc.

Because of this, it can be worked harder, and longer, without over heating.

I agree to a point with Joe, a half ton, especially a newer one, can tow a trailer but they do it under more strain than a larger vehicle.

I don't think the "pucker factor" is the same, and a somewhat larger truck offers a more stable ride, has less sway in the corners, has larger brakes, stops better, handles better when the load shifts, and is generally more comfortable to pull with especially at highway speeds.

Some will feel safe pulling with a half ton, others won't and that's the reason I think you'll find more 3/4 and 1 tons in the parking area.

If you're going to make a pull on a hundred degree day up a steep incline the half tons are at greater risk for heat related issues when under a heavy load for a prolonged period of time. I'm of the opinion, half tons are more suited for shorter duration trips, rather than long continuous use pulling a load.

Here in Chattanooga we have some significant hills, (not nearly like out west) and when pulling with the older 3/4 ton gas burner I always tried to plan my pull during the coolest time of the day as I can watch the temp gauge rise in warmer weather.

Face it, a super duty is called a super duty for a reason.
 
#25 ·
I agree with gunslinger.
I have towed with many different types gas, diesel, 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton, 2 ton and even tractors..lol..

Once I made the switch to diesel, I will never go back to a gas pickup. This is the way I look at it, we are a one vehicle family (except for a 379 Peterbuilt) and our one ton diesel Dodge works great for us. Even though it is one ton it doesn't have the dual rear wheels, it just has the heavy rear end in it. It has survived a life on a ranch that a 1/2 pickup couldn't, it can tow anything I ask of it. So if we decide to get a bigger trailer and more horses we have the truck for it, I wouldn't be shopping for a new truck as well. The fuel mileage, when I have 4 horses loaded up in a metal gooseneck, I still average 17 miles to the gallon! Without towing, using it to run errands, I can get between 24-28 mpg. Depending if I am taking county roads or the freeway. And thats with aggressive treaded tires. How can you argue with having all the towing ability you need and getting the fuel mileage of some cars all in one truck?

Yes they are more expensive to buy, the fuel is a little spendier and they require more oil. But in the long run I think they are worth it. They will outlast a gas motor and they will last forever if you take care of them.

I am going to note, both times I have been in a wreck with a horse trailer(I was NOT the driver both times) it was due to pulling too heavy of a load with a 1/2 ton pickup. So Joe I agree with you, if you tow with a 1/2 ton know your weights and what your truck is capable of towing safely.
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#26 ·
I personaly don't understand the references to 1/2 ton, 1ton etc.

We used to tow with a mercedes ML270. Never ever had an issue with it! It is no more noisy then a petrol version, would pull all day, never ever struggled even with the tight narrow steep mountain roads round us and towed a 2 horse trailer out of axle deep mud where even tractors were getting stuck.
 
#30 · (Edited)
Generally, the term 1/2 ton refers to how much weight can safely be placed in the bed of the truck or how much weight the rear axle can support.

This really isn't a good term for towing and the terms GVWR and GCWR are a better indicator of how much a vehicle can haul and tow.

HowStuffWorks "How Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) Works"

My F350 has a Gross Combined Weight Rating of 20,000 lbs. So, the truck weighs 9,000 roughly, and the weight of the truck plus the trailer cannot exceed 20,000 pounds.

The Gross vehicle weight rating is the maximum the truck (or trailer) can weigh loaded and includes passengers and cargo. The GVWR for my F350 is 13,000 pounds, or, 9,000 is the weight of the truck, and loaded with cargo it can weigh 13,000.

Click on the other links on page I've listed above and you'll find more than you wanted to know on how trucks are rated.

Generally, the lighter the truck, the less it can haul or pull.
 
#33 ·
Interesting, I've heard the term Lorry for years but assumed they were delivery truck sized, not pickup sized. Guess a whole bunch of us are Lorry drivers then!

Maybe I shouldn't be so surprised. My last company hired some Scots and Irish for a new facility in Ireland. They were brought to the US for training and we were discussing cars. I thought they were going to have a heart attack after telling them I had a 7.3L motor under the hood.
 
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