Average Weight of Horse Trailers

Last Updated on March 3, 2023

Every horse owner knows the importance of having the right trailer when hauling a horse. Safety is the number one priority when hauling a horse, so it is important that you have a trailer that fits your vehicle and horse. One of the key aspects to finding the right trailer is knowing the average weight of horse trailers (2 and 4 horses).

There are many factors to take into consideration when hauling a horse. You need to think about how many horses you will tow at once, how much space you need for equipment, do you need a living space and how much weight your vehicle can pull, amongst other things.

There are several different types of horse trailers you can buy. There are goosenecks, bumper pulls, stock trailers and trailers with living quarters. These trailers all vary in size and weight due to the features they have.

This helpful video will give you a better understanding of towing concerns, weight limits, and trailer tips.

Types of Trailers

Bumper Pulls

Bumper pull trailers are one of the most common forms of horse trailers. They are designed to be able to be pulled by most SUVs and pick-up trucks. Bumper pull trailers normally have some form of a tack room or storage space.

Bumper pulls are a great choice for first-time trailer owners. They have a normal turn radius and don’t need a special hitch system. Bumper pulls often only have room for two horses.

Goosenecks

Goosenecks have a unique design where they attach to a ball hitch in a pick-up truck bed. Goosenecks are often larger than bumper pulls and are able to hold more weight. They are often more stable than bumper pulls because of the tongue weight being over the truck’s rear axle versus the back of the frame.

Goosenecks are also easier to turn and maneuver. They have a tight turn radius, making it easier to cut corners and pull into tight spaces. However, it can be tricky to learn how to turn a gooseneck without messing up the trailer’s fender or hitting objects close to you.

Some goosenecks are heavy enough to be considered a commercial vehicle. Goosenecks also require a special hitch setup in the bed of a pick-up truck that needs to be installed, as most trucks don’t come equipped with them.

Trailers with Living Quarters

Certain trailers also come with living quarters for people. They usually include a bed, bathroom, kitchen, and small living area. They are a popular choice for those who show, as many show facilities have trailer hookups available. This allows you to be on-site at the facility your horse is staying at.

Goosenecks are the most common types of trailers with living quarters.  Most trailers with living quarters are four horse trailers.

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Stock Trailers

Stock trailers are the most basic form of horse trailers. They are often made from steel or aluminum and are the most budget-friendly trailers. They can be bumper pulls or goosenecks. Stock trailers can be either two or four-horse.

Stock trailers often have no additional room or just a small storage area. They are known for being heavy-duty and reliable.  

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the weight limit for your vehicle set by the manufacturer. Most cars have a sticker with their GVWR. The GVWR weight includes the weight of passengers, equipment, cargo, and tongue weight.

It is very important to follow your vehicle’s GVWR. If you surpassed your vehicle’s GVWR, you are risking your brakes giving out, tires blowing out and the suspension failing.

Horse trailers also have a GVWR. A trailer’s GVWR is commonly found on a sticker inside one of the doors. You need to take your vehicle and trailer’s GVWR into account when traveling.

Vehicle’s Towing Capacity

When going to purchase a trailer, you need to find out your vehicle’s GVWR. If you have a large pick-up truck, such as a Ford F-450, it will have a towing capacity of around 21,000 pounds or up to 34,000 pounds with a gooseneck. A large SUV, such as a GMC Yukon, can pull up to 8,500 pounds.

Average Weight of a Two Horse Trailer

The most common type of two-horse trailer is a bumper pull that has a small storage space. A two-horse bumper pulls generally weighs 3,200 pounds. This includes spots for two horses and a small tack room that can also be used as a dressing room.

It is important to take in consideration how much your horses and equipment will weigh. Once you add two horses, approximately 1,000 pounds each, hay, grain, tack, clothes and equipment, you will likely exceed 5,600 pounds.

Average Weight of a Four Horse Trailer

The average weight of a gooseneck four-horse trailer is 6,300 pounds. Most four-horse trailers are goosenecks, as a trailer this size is easier to tow as a gooseneck. They also often have a small tack room that can double as a dressing room.

When you take into account four horses, tack, equipment, clothes, hay and grain, the weight total will be an average of 10,700 pounds. For four-horse trailers with living quarters, the weight of just the trailer will be closer to an average of 7,900 pounds.

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Finding the Right Horse Trailer for You

If you are looking to get a horse trailer, there are some things you need to take into consideration. You need to consider how much your vehicle can tow, how many horses you will tow, do you need storage space and do you want living quarters.

Please comment if you enjoyed this article or have any remarks regarding this post! Also see the following article to learn about the best ways to lock a trailer.

Though it depends on the type of trailer and the feature it has, you can find the average weight of  two and four-horse trailers based on the most common models:

•  The most common model of a two-horse trailer is a bumper pull that includes a storage space, weighing an average of 3,200 pounds empty.
• The most common model of a four-horse trailer is a gooseneck with storage space, weighing an average of 6,300 pounds empty.