The Easy Way to Fix a Trailer Flat:

It is bound to happen to all of us... somewhere, sometime, when you least expect it....  NO - not the Candid Camera crew - a flat tire!

A flat tire in our passenger car can be a real pain, and even worse in our trucks (everything is heavier).  But what about on our horse trailer?  Well, that can be life threatening, for both the horses and their handlers.

Since with virtually all older trailers, you must unload the horses in order to change the flat, you will have one or two strong and frightened animals that you are trying to secure, while you are worried and anxious yourself.  Far too many terrible accidents have happened with horses getting loose on the road because they were removed from a trailer to fix a tire.

So, let us share with you yet another wonderful benefit of the rubber torsion suspension system on our trailers:  In the event of a flat tire, the other three tires will still track correctly and carry the full weight of the trailer (even with horses loaded) until you can get to a place to safely pull off the road and change the tire!  This might be 500 yards or 5 miles... it doesn't matter (no - you shouldn't drive 50 miles on a flat, any flat).

This is not the case with any of the classic automotive-type suspension systems... with those - you have a flat and you stop now.

Using a jack is inherently dangerous, requires some muscle and skill, and one should never jack up a trailer with horses in it.  (Notice that all manufacturers' trailers do not come with jacks or lug wrenches due to liability jeopardy; if you want a jack you must purchase it yourself.)  So, what are your alternatives?  

The ramp option can be used with the trailer fully loaded!  No messing with the horses, no jacks sinking in the sand and mud, no playing superman with the jack handle... gee - which option sounds best?

The ramp technique can be used for either a front or rear trailer tire by backing-up or pulling forward onto the ramp, respectively.  Ramps can be found at any decent RV shop and many places on the web.  One style we really like comes in square inter-locking blocks (like giant Lego's ®) which you stack into the shape and height (typically only 3~5 inches) you need.  They are virtually indestructible and weigh only a couple pounds per kit of 10.

Here is a photo of the blocks (kit of 10 with nylon carrying case) available from Horse-Cents, LLC .  Each block is approximately 8.5" square and 1" tall.  They can be used for leveling your trailer when parking, raising a flat tire, putting under the jack stand, and/or wheel chocks.  They are also real handy for your car, truck, camper and/or RV.  For details write to: sales@horse-cents.net.

We strongly caution you about unloading your horses anywhere unscheduled while in-route.  Lots of folks think that "the horses would enjoy grazing in the pretty rest area"... or "wouldn't that bus load of kids like to pet Silver and Buck."  Well - maybe they might... but the risks are far too great, and the possible rewards far too small.  Grass in rest areas is usually chemically treated, not to mention the highway department taking a real dim view of hoof-prints and horse-mess on their lawns.  As for the kids, allow them come over to see the horses in the trailer... but not attempt to touch them.

As mentioned above, no trailer comes with a jack or lug nut wrench; this is a liability issue.  So, you have a spare tire, and may buy the plastic block / ramps to raise your flat tire, but how will you get the flat off?  Unfortunately, there is not a universal standard size for wheel lug nuts.  The wrench from your truck might or might not fit your trailer.  The one from my F-250 fits well, but I put an extra in the "emergency kit" for the trailer.  It takes a 13/16 " - which you can get at any auto parts place (e.g., AutoZone, NAPA, PepBoys, etc.).  You should get one like this, they allow you to get the torque you need when in a jam.  A 20" (end-to-end) is best, 16" will do if you're pretty strong.  Cost should be under $15.

In closing, we must repeat the warning... too many horses have broken free in rest areas and caused major havoc... sometimes resulting in fatal injury.  Unless it is absolutely necessary, keep the horses in the trailer and attend to them there.  They will be safer and more secure... so will you.

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