Horse trailer

Under a horse trailer, a vehicle type is understood, which is attached as a pendant on a motor vehicle. He has mostly one or two rack for horses ( although there are some larger models ), a double axle ( tandem axle ) with less than 1 m distance ( therefore considered single axle ) and an overrun brake.

Construction

On a mostly welded galvanized steel beams chassis is a closed structure having generally parallel side walls and a pointed front (aerodynamics ). Horse trailers can be constructed from different materials:

• Construction from wooden boards (eg multiplex plate ) with wooden floor and a polyester cover
• Construction of polyester castings ( "full polyester hanger" )
• Sheet steel construction

There are on the market a large number of different manufacturers and models with numerous technical variations. Most horse trailers are loaded and unloaded from the back ( in driving direction) via a ramp. However, there are also models with a hinged door and step aboard about the horses and ramps or doors at the front of the trailer, for example, to get off. In most horse trailers the horses are in the same direction; of individual models, they are at an angle, this will boost the horses to an improved balance in vehicle movements. The horses are separated from each other typically by the loading of the horse pivotable wooden partition or a thick film, which is forward connected to a transverse bar and behind with two rods that are hooked behind the horse, also fixed on the outer walls of the trailer is separated.

The soil is mostly assembled from wood laminates such as plywood or vapor barrier plates with an inlaid aluminum plate or aluminum elements and often covered with a non-slip rubber mat. Wood generally causes a better noise attenuation, but is vulnerable to corrosion than aluminum. Rotted wood floors have collapsed already under stress due to the horse's legs. Therefore, this must be checked regularly and replaced if necessary.

Other features include for example

• A separate tack room
• Transparent partition between the horses
• Front window
• Feeders
• Feed suspension Plan
• Water tank / shower ( for the horses )
• Video surveillance
• Adjustable crossbars for securing different sized horses front and rear
• Panic release of the transverse bars
• Changing room

The wheelbase between the two axles of the models on the market 70 to 90 cm. The longer the wheelbase, the better straight-line stability and behavior of the swing, the heavier the trailer, however, is to turn or driving through curves.

In horse trailers four different axis systems are installed:

• Rubber spring axle
• Torsion bar spring axle - often installed in older trailers.
• Rotational spring axle - a principle that has been adopted from the Messerschmitt in the axle production for trailer axles. Is rarely used.
• Independent suspension with wishbones - Was used by the company Westfalia Trailer Group for the first time.

Trailer weight

The curb weight of horse trailers is between about 600 kg in lightweight models and about 800 kg with 2 - horse trailer with polyester or Aluaufbau. In any case, the trailer should be re-weighed once. The value specified in the vehicle documents often not true. Thus, for a given 780 kg ' of 2 all-poly " horse trailer with tack room, rubber mat ever weigh 930 kg. With old trailers can also be a " double bottom " is the weight he " Wood / Plane" are for a 1.5 at 800 kg dry.

In each case, a suitable towing vehicle when pulling two horses must be used with each eg, 600 kg. Here, the maximum authorized mass of the trailer must not be exceeded. To measure the zGM (permissible total mass ), the payload of the trailer is added to the unladen mass of the selfsame. A tractor with a maximum towing capacity of 1600 kg may thus, for example, pulling a trailer, the actual total mass (not zGM ) comprises of 1600 kg. The (theoretical) maximum total mass according to certificate part I or II or on the nameplate does not count, unless it is exceeded. The vertical load must be at least 4 % of the actual total mass, it must not exceed the maximum nose weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer.

Overcharging is in Germany after being warned, money and Bußgeldkatalog penalized as follows (as of 2012).

Overcharging (car or trailer ) to 5 %, there is no penance or caution money.

• Caution money at overload of more than: 5-10% = 10 €
• 10-15 % = 30 €
• 15-20 % = 35 €

• 20 % = 95 €
• 25 % = 140 €
• 30 % = € 235.

If the keeper of the vehicle overloading allowed or even arranged, it can also be assigned next to the driver with a fine.

Required license classes

For teams to 3.5 t permissible total mass of the driving license class B enough.

For teams over 3.5 t permissible total mass of the driver's license class BE or B96 is needed.

• With driving license class B96 (more precisely, driving license class B with key number 96), the permissible maximum mass of the trailer combination up to 4.25 t be ( towing vehicle than 3.5 t)
• With driving license class BE the maximum authorized mass of the trailer up to 3.5 tonnes may reach, beyond the C1E is also required when using a tractor vehicle in category B for this team
• With driving licenses of category BE, which were issued before 19 January 2013, trailers may also continue to be pulled over 3,5 t total weight

The former German driving license of category 3 (car with trailer) stipulated that only single-axle trailers were to be drawn, with single axle and tandem axle trailer, as it is typical for horse trailers were considered, provided that the center distance was less than a meter. This limitation has been eliminated in the new EU driving licenses.

100-km/h-Zulassung ( Germany )

For teams in Germany applies a top speed of 80 km / h on motorways and motor roads.

Certain cars with trailers, certain track vehicles with a gross vehicle weight up to 3.5 t and 100 km / h approved COM with a gross vehicle weight up to 3.5 tonnes with a trailer notwithstanding § 18 (5 ) No 1 Highway Code up to 100 km / h on motorways and motor roads.

For this to be fulfilled for horse trailers following requirements by the vehicle combinations:

• Towing vehicle with ABS in conjunction with horse trailer (or other hanger ) with overrun brake and an aptitude for a top speed of 100 km / h: permissible mass of the trailer ≤ 1.1 × unladen mass of the towing vehicle; or
• Permissible mass of the trailer ≤ 1.2 × unladen mass of the towing vehicle when equipped with a towing device with roll damping according to ISO 11555-1, or provided with another technical device, as demonstrated by the means of TÜV / ABE the operation of the combination to 120 km / h is;

It applies in addition:

• Permissible mass of the trailer (which can " derated " are ) ≤ permissible mass of the towing vehicle,
• Permissible mass of the trailer ≤ permissible towable mass of the towing vehicle according to vehicle registration,
• Tires of the trailer has received for 100 km / h no surcharge for load index,
• Tires of the trailer at least equal to the speed category L ( = 120 km / h),
• Tires of the trailer is younger than 6 years.
• The provided with official seal 100 placard must be attached to the rear of the trailer to use the Tempo 100 may control.

Thus, the maximum permissible mass of the trailer, the smallest of the three values ​​" permissible trailer load ", " permissible vehicle mass " and " empty weight * factor of 1.1 or 1.2 ".

The mass information can be found in the entries in the vehicle slips ( mass: Clause 14, permissible load:. Clause 15. ). A supplement to the load index can get a tire if it is designed for a higher speed; in this case, for a permit to 80 km / h tires will still be enough if its carrying capacity is actually lower than necessary. This " Repurposing " of speed to load is no longer possible at a 100 km / h approval.

The suitability for operation up to 100 km / h, the manufacturer can certify. If such certificate is issued by the manufacturer is not available, the trailer must meet at least the condition that its axes are allowed up to 100 km / h ( refer to the name plate of the trailer ). However, this is not a sufficient condition; it can also have other requirements that are demanded in the individual case by the competent testing authority for approval ( eg TÜV or DEKRA ), for example, conversion to hydraulic shock absorbers. The approval may also be denied altogether.

For trailer trips abroad is the " 100-km/h-Zulassung " irrelevant. It applies where the speed limit in the country.

Examples of the calculation

1 Saab 9-3 TiD I (specifications according to vehicle registration ), with trailer sway coupling:

• Permissible mass Zugfahrzeugleermasse = 1465 kg x 1.2 = 1758 kg,
• Total weight = 1910 kg,
• Trailer load max. 1600 kg

The maximum permissible mass of the trailer is limited to 1600 kg, since this is the smallest of the three values ​​(1600, 1758, 1910). If you want a trailer with a factory higher permissible mass (typically 2000-2400 kg) using a load shedding would be necessary.

2 Audi A4 Avant Quattro TDI 172 kW (specifications according to Audi 's website):

• Permissible mass Zugfahrzeugleermasse = 1660 kg x 1.2 = 1992 kg,
• Total weight = 2210 kg,
• Trailer load max. 2000 kg (at max. 8% slope)

The minimum value is here the upper of 1992; in this case limited the curb weight of the vehicle, the permissible mass of the trailer.

As tires for example, a 1x5/1x R 1x 85 L can be used, where " x " as a variable trailer depending defines the dimensions of the tire, "85" for a load capacity of 515 kg ( safety margin ), while " L" 120 km / h means.

The previously required explicit approval each tractor-trailer combination, whereby the towing vehicle received a small 100 plaque for the windshield is abolished since 21 October 2005 ( by the third regulation amending 9 except regulation traffic regulations ).