truck and trailer question please help!

Ok so I finally decided it is time to buy a used truck and trailer...im not looking for anything fancy infact I like the stock trailers just fine...i only really need a two horse trailer...now heres the problem im on a very limited budget and don't want to spend over 2000 for the trailer actually if I can find something under 1500 I would be alot happier...now as for the truck what is the most reliable cheapest option any sugestions would be great I also don't want to spend alot on the truck...i know im asking alot but any ideas would be great! thanks in advance!!

I know where you are coming from. I happen to not want to spend those exotic prices on trucks and trailers either.. Most of what I have ranges from slightly older to alot older. But everything I got, I did paid in full at purchase! Smart sense to me!

As for the Trailer..
That's going to be tough. I do not know what pirces are in your area, and sometimes if things are a little pricey, its best to look out of state. For the price you quoted, I would suspect you will end up in the market for an older 1960-1970's steel stock trailer. Now you may find a really good deal come up, but those are hard as you better have cash on hand and ready to go when the add comes out.

Important things to look for:
- Make sure you don't see any cracks in the tongue or frame.
- Check the brakes and tires. You may end up finding a good deal on something, but will need repair. Tires are the last thing anyone ever worries about on their trailers.. so you will end up with a lot of "pastured" babies.
- Myself, I wouldnt worry about electrical too much. Trailer electrical components are cheap and easy to replace.
- Structural soundness. Bends, folds, twists in the body occur when trailers have been rolled, or even parked on an embankent and left for months on end. How much body flex is important to look at.

Trucks: (controversial)
Your truck is the important thing to look for first.. I am sure you may be all too aware of what mechanical things to look for in dependability. For towing rigs though, checking the brakes are important. I personally will stay away from anything with drum brakes in the rear. They freeze and also lock up which is dangerous when hauling your horses. Things to check for:
- You want a 3/4 ton or bigger. I say this as you may end up having bigger needs later, or even a deal on a good trailer come up.. too small of a truck, and it wont be an option for you. 1/2 ton trucks can do alot, but for alot of hauling and work, especially in large payloads, it takes a bigger toll on the truck. Things like engines, transmissions, brakes and suspension are some of the first things to fold when being used to work.
- Determine if you can drive a manual or an automatic. Alot of todays trucks have transmission coolers already installed fromthe factory, but older trucks do not, so when towing under payload, they can get pretty hot and overheat. Failure happens next. Manuals are good in that they are ideal for towing, problem is that many previous owners do not know how to drive a standard without using up the clutch. Clutches are the first thing to go in older used trucks.
- Check the truck frame. Especially in the rear. Depending on whether you go with a bumper hitch assembly, or gooseneck/5th wheel hitch, a good solid unaltered frame is ideal. Looking at the frame rails, are they thick and well assembled. (Did you know that in the early and mid 1980's, many truck manufactorers started cutting holes and slots in the frame to "lighten"the truck, making it more fuel efficient and passing EPA standards? This type of design was great in that it did lighten the truck, but sacraficed durability).

Now as for places to look.. As crazy as it sounds, I have had luck searching rural areas and rural adds. Online sites are wonderful because you can line up several visits to various independant and commercial locations to visit on a day off.

A lot of good advice from Midwest Paint.

I'll second to take a good look at any older trailer that you may find. I've looked at many 'pastured' trailers and depending on the weather in the area, 10 years of sitting out there can turn the frame to a pile of rust. Just like the electrical, wood flooring is also easy to replace.

And rural places are indeed the best; if you know someone in farming, ask them for pointers (your local Ag extension may have info, also). Farmers are constantly buying/selling/trading/bartering trucks/trailers/tractors/etc and you can find some good deals at the sales they go to...but be prepared to buy if you do find something good...good used equipment goes FAST.

As for the truck, my main advice is for you is just to make sure that the towing vehicle is big enough to pull the heaviest you will ever be pulling. You may need something as big as you think. I pulled my trailer with a cherokee for quite some time. It wasn't an overly heavy trailer and I normally never trailered anywhere outside of my local area and it was never more than 1 horse.

LOL.. Ahhhh.. made me think back to when I first started my collection.. I used a For Explorer, and was toting along a aluminum stock trailer. That poor thing gave it all she could. I felt soo aweful for doing that, but it was what I could afford at the time. Now I run along in a F-350 turbo diesel, hauling a 6 horse slant. Its amazing what you think will be just enough, and then as you go you realize quickly that you really needed something bigger! LOL!

Keep an eye out on Craigslist and any local ad mags. I know in our area there are always those free paper swap and shop magazines in grocery store entrances.
I was amazed at Craigslist. I was looking for some straw bales and just by chance checked Craigslist. Low and behold there was someone with some for sale not 6 miles from me.

Ohhh that is a wonderful website! The things you come across!

Wow thanks you guys im only 20 years old and have very limited knowledge on what I need to pull a horse trailer...any suggestions on make and models most the time I will be pulling just one horse but im sure as soon as I get a trailer people will want to bum a ride so I want something that can pull two horses...whats my cheapest option? How many miles do these vehicles usually last and whats better diesel or gas? Sorry for all the questions just clueless!

I don't think you should be going with the "cheapest option" just because it isnt fun to be stranded out in the middle of no where with two cranky horses...lol

I have a F-150 and pull a 16 foot stock trailer. I only have 2 horses and it has no problem pulling.

For the trailer I want to really press the idea of soundness in it. Make sure the floorboards are still strong and that the tires are still good. After having our trailer for a few years we had to put new boards in because they were rotting on the sides. The orginal werent treated.

I think tires are over looked too often. Imagine going down the freeway at 65+mph and a tire blows... NOT GOOD. They are spendy to replace. I just put a new set on and it ran me around $550 for 4 tires. Also check the brakes and make sure the emergency brake cable works.

I personally don't like straight load trailers (totally IMO)... My horses don't tend to like them (I think it is the tightness issue) but they will get in. Also if I only have one horse in, the trailer will pull to one side more. You will be able to find a 2 horse for under $2000 but it is going to be tough to find one that you arent going to have to dump a bunch of money back into. Just be wise when trailer shopping, you will be hauling a living being in it.

For the Truck a half ton will be good to start with if you only plan on hauling a small 2-horse. How you maintain the truck is really important (no matter what size you get). Tires are really important as well as making sure it has a working break controler in it. The oil, air filter, and fuel filter should be changed on a regular basis as well as the breaks and routers should be maintained. High miles usualy means that the tranmission has a greater chance of going out and the truck has been used to pull a lot that also has a higher chance of dieing easier.

I don't want to scare you just make sure you know what you are getting yourself into before you hand over the money. Older-cheaper usually means more money down the road... but at the same time that isnt always the case