Horse Trailers
Thames Valley Trailers are specialists in the sales of top quality horse trailers, horseboxes and horse transport. We stock TVT, Fautras, Second-hand, Bateson, horse trailers, horseboxes, horse transport and accessories.
Thames Valley Trailers are members of the Federation of Small Businesses, and NFU Mutual.
Visiting Thames Valley Trailers
Thames Valley Trailers are based just 5 miles from junction 10 of the M4 motorway. Location on Google Maps.
For an appointment to view our trailers please ring 07836 200101 before leaving home.
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About us
Frank & Liz Connolly
Liz Connolly riding Jade, Addington 2006
Frank Connolly riding Syd, Twezeldown 1996
Frank and Liz Connolly have had a lifetime of competitive experience with horses, having both started riding at a very early age, progressing through the Pony Club Teams and on to Senior Affiliated Level at Horse Trials, Show Jumping, Race Riding, Showing and Dressage.
During this time we have owned several different types of horse boxes and horse trailers, giving us a wealth of knowledge in the transporting of horses.
We can therefore highly recommend any range of horse trailers, horseboxes or other horse transport that we decide to stock. We are also happy to advise with problems encountered loading and transporting your horses and these can often be solved by contacting us before you buy. Read our personal recommendations on safe towing of horse trailers.
Safe Towing of Horse Trailers
by Frank Connolly
All vehicles have a maximum weight that they can safely tow and this can be checked by referring to the vehicle handbook. Generally, the weight of the trailer plus any load that it is carrying, (the laden weight), should not exceed 85% of the unladen weight of the car. This is so that the car is always substantially heavier than the trailer; otherwise the horse trailer will tend to dictate the conditions of travel (the tail will wag the dog)! Also, the brakes and suspension fitted to the towing vehicle are only designed to work for a specific weight. Basically, the closer you get to the car's unladen weight, the greater the risk of problems with control.
By law, all trailers must visibly display both their unladen and maximum gross weights. This should be printed on a small plate riveted to the chassis of the trailer, usually close to the towing hitch.
Check your trailer’s unladen weight figure and add the weight of any load that you wish to carry (a large horse weighs approximately 500kg). Therefore, if a trailer has an unladen weight of 1500kg and carries one large horse, the gross weight becomes 2000kg. With this weight combination, the towing vehicle should weigh at least 2300kg. This is heavier than a great deal of normal cars!
However, there are notable exceptions to the above rules. Many four-wheel drive vehicles are specifically designed for towing heavy loads, often in excess of their own weight. For example, a Landrover Discovery weighs around 2000kgs, but can tow a trailer with a gross weight of up to 3500kgs, or even 4000kgs if the trailer has hydraulic brakes. This is because components such as the brakes are designed to cope with these higher weights. Again, check your vehicle's handbook for the relevant information.
Finally, always remember that you are carrying a very precious cargo. Please travel safely.