My husband left today. I blame it on Winter Storm Nika.
He wasn’t supposed to leave until Wednesday but this morning he said he wanted to beat the storm, “I want to leave today.”
“Today…today? In a few hours?”
“Yes.”
Let the frantic trailer loading begin. And the math. How much weight can the truck and trailer safely hold?
Q- Doesn’t the tag on the trailer tell us?
A- The tag said 14,500 lbs.
Q- How much does the trailer weigh empty?
A- The trailer weighs around 6,500 lbs empty.
My first lesson was on axle weight. Our six horse trailer has two 7,000 lbs axles. 7,000 lbs x 2= 14, 000 lbs
The tag on the trailer says it carries- 14,500 lbs
This is not a good time for a math mystery. Why is it rated for more than the axles should carry?
A call to the trailer dealer confirmed why my math doesn’t add up. The gooseneck of the trailer distributes 25% of the weight onto the truck which is why the tag rates the trailer higher than the straight up math.
Mystery solved. Back to the other math.
The six horses weigh around 6,000…the lean ones balancing out the chubby ones.
In the end the six horses were loaded, the hay, the grain…kids possessions…2 papasan chair…all my Charlie 1 Horse hats (my husband says I have too many…), school books for the end of the year (I kept a months worth)…
“Will this table fit?”
“How about this lamp”
Without a set of scales how am I supposed to hit the magic number?
In the end I threw out the math and relied completely on my husband. He’s the math guy anyway….and it is official. He is on the road to Texas with our first load of horses and stuff!
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Will be praying that you have a safe trip! Best wishes on your many new adventures.
I made a similar journey to Texas last Oct from Ontario Canada. (Met u briefly in London, ON at the Can-Am event there few yrs ago & u have been an inspiration since.) My husband was offered a job transfer to Dallas. Like you, it was an opportunity we felt we had to take. He was in Texas nearly a full year before we got all our paperwork & things sorted out. Didn’t have a fancy rig, just my old 97 dodge and our gooseneck stock trailer with a bunk. Broke down twice cuz of faulty fuel pump, but we met the most amazing and helpful people! I hauled 3 horses, 2 teen girls, a dog & their cat. We must have been quite the site at the truck stops as both dog & cat were led out on leashes! This is not an adventure for the feint of heart to be sure, but life is short and you have to seize the moments. Some people still think we’re nuts:) God bless & take care in your travels. Can’t wait for your posts! And welcome to Texas!
I goes on the axle rating of the the truck and trailer and not how much you can pull. The weight distribution also plays a part in it at well. with a goose neck most of the weight is on the back end of the trailer witch give it stability on the road. if the weight is over on the axles that is where you stand the chance of bending them. Next time your at a truck stop check the axle weight. I hope you have a safe trip and the Lord blesses you with nothing but wealth and happiness.
Safe travels! Onward and upward :).
What an amazing journey. I cannot wait to hear more. Safe travels for all.
Hope he beat the snow in OK/KS. It’s blowing and snowing here in SE Kansas.
Traveling mercies for all your journeys.
Please let everyone know if you are doing clinics in Texas!
I’m glad that Jesse is a weather watcher like I am. I was worried when you were going to leave.
God speed!
Always remember to take the tire rating into account. Just because your trailer is rated for x amount doesn’t mean the tires are rated as high.
Agreed! I considered writing about the truck rating, etc. but kept it short. Great info…another blog!
Praying for safe journey, wherever the road takes him and all of you! God go with Jesse and place His angels around that rig. <3
Hoping for a safe trip to the great of Texas!
May all of your family’s travels be safe and uneventful.
The beginning of a new adventure… take care,
I hope you husband has a safe trip. What kind of truck do you have. I can’t tell the way the picture was taken. Is it a gas or diesel? My truck is a 4 door GMC with an automatic, but it down shifts like a strait shift. Its a dually like yours. Its a 4×4 and pulls my gooseneck really well. I have a 4 door too. We used to load up one daughter, a Queensland Heeler, one retir)ed Saddlebred (who thought he should go every time the truck was hooked to the trailer, and did so) and any extra kids who needed a ride to the high school rodeo. That lasted 4 years between our Quarter Horse shows. I once again hope you husband has a safe trip and I hope I will see you in the future.
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Prayers for. JESSE AND THE HORSES!
Wishing you an uneventful boring old trip down…. 🙂
Am praying for a very safe & uneventful trip for your husband & horses as they make their way to Texas.
Hooray!!! I got butterflies and it isn’t even me embarking on this adventure. lol. When are you and the kiddos leaving? And can you tell us where your first stop in Texas will be?
safe travel and I hope he misses the storm!…don’t come thru St. Louis as we are supposed to get it starting around 12 (noon) Tuesday.
Hoping to get to see you at some event while you are in my neck of the woods! We are in the Hill Country, 60 miles NW of Austin. Happy Trails on your new adventure.
Safe trip to your husband and horses.
good job y’all! and good luck!!
If you can find a Truck Stop they have scales that will tell you the Accurate weight in your trailer