A good truck and trailer are “musts” for the horse owner that does his or her own hauling and horse care. Weigh all the pros and cons of investing in a powerful tow vehicle or new trailer, however, before taking the plunge. How often would you use it? Can you trailer share with a friend or neighbor? Will owning and maintaining a truck or trailer outweigh your yearly shipping and hauling costs? View the results of a survey about which trailers TheHorse.com readers prefer.

Some cost-related suggestions for Trucks:
-       If you own an old tow vehicle, it may be practical to trade it in on the purchase of a new one that is more powerful, uses less fuel, and costs less to maintain
-       Shop the used lot but make sure to give the vehicle a thorough inspection before putting any money down.
-       Make sure you invest in a truck with enough towing capacity – it’s best to have more than you need than the other way around!
-       Driving conservatively and with gas mileage in mind.

Trailers:
-       When buying any trailer, but particularly a used one, bring your tow vehicle along so you can hook it up to evaluate the trailer. See a complete physical inspection checklist here.
-       Pay the extra few dollars to have a mechanic inspect a used trailer. The extra cost is well worth it, and any findings or flaws may be used as a bargaining tool.
-       If you only use your trailer occasionally, then don’t splurge for a large trailer with a dressing room and all the frills.
-       If you expect to do a lot of long-distance travel, it may be in the best interest of your horse to buy the best trailer you can afford.

For more cost-saving tips on truck and trailer purchases, read an excerpt from the Thrifty Horsekeeping farm equipment chapter here.