In today’s article, we will answer the following question:Is a horse trailer a recreational vehicle? We will explain the differences between a horse trailer and a recreational vehicle. We will also discuss the possibility of converting a horse trailer to an RV.

Is a horse trailer a recreational vehicle?

A horse trailer is considered a recreational vehicle only if it has living quarters. In this case, the living quarters of the trailer must contain the following elements:

A sleeping area with a bed
A cooking area with a stove
A bathroom with a sink.
Water hookups and sewage system.

In short, a horse trailer with living quarters is an RV with the addition of a horse compartment!

What is a horse trailer?

A horse trailer is the safest method to transport one or more horses. There are different ranges and qualities of horse trailers However, all of them offer reliable, secure and comfortable solutions for your horse.

Top-of-the-range horse trailers also offer a saddlery space to store all your equipment.

Some very spacious horse trailers called oblique horse trailers allow the horse to travel obliquely and not in the direction of the road. This has the adhorse trailer tage of being able to place 3 or 4 horses. You can also install a camera in the horse trailer to see if the horse is traveling correctly.

Whether it is a horse trailer or a truck, the horse does not travel lying down, but standing on its 4 limbs. Throughout the trip, his sole purpose is to seek stability. It is therefore essential, in order not to tire and stress the animal:

to drive calmly at constant speed;
anticipate braking and taking roundabouts.

The horse has an excellent memory. Therefore, if the trip did not go well, you will have great difficulty getting it to board your truck or horse trailer again.

It is a good idea to follow certain tips so that the embarkation of your horse in its transport goes as smoothly as possible:

First of all, do not forget to put protection on the limbs of your horse.
Then, without getting excited, face the horse by positioning yourself a few meters behind the horse trailer.
Hold the lead with the horse straight facing the entry of the wind.
Solicit the horse with your voice to make it ride. Pull the lanyard discontinuously and gently.
Once the horse gets into the truck or horse trailer, praise it.

Hauling a horse trailer is a matter of practice. The more often a trailer is driven, the more skilled the driver will be. First of all, you have to get used to the behaviour of the vehicle when cornering.

In addition, you always have to drive gently and cautiously, and above all, not go too fast. If the speed is too high, the trailer will start to wobble and the horse will surely get scared, affecting his physical and emotional condition.

What is a recreational vehicle (RV)?

RVs are self-sufficient vehicles, able to travel alone and guarantee full independence during a trip with family or friends. In these models, the cabin and the camper trailer are integrated within the same structure, with a different configuration depending on the vehicle.

Recreational vehicles are divided into two main categories:

Motorized vehicles: Also called motor homes, they are separated into three classes.

Class A (large motorized RV, built on a heavy or commercial truck chassis, or that of a bus)
Class B (built from an ordinary horse trailer with a raised roof added)
Class C (built from a sturdy truck chassis with a cabin that doubles as living quarters)

Towable vehicles: Different models of trailers belong to this category.

The classic (or conventional) caravan
The fifth wheel
The pop-up camper (or pop-up camper)
The classic hybrid trailer.

The recreational vehicle includes a structure designed for temporary accommodation for the purpose of travelling, vacationing, or recreational use, and may be driven, pulled, parked or transported. Accommodation may include sleeping area, kitchen, bathroom, and fresh and wastewater piping systems, 110 A / 12 V power supply, propane gas, heating, air conditioning and entertainment system.

The RV shall not exceed 13.2 meters (42 feet and 11 inches) in length and 2.6 meters (8 feet and 6 inches) in width, the latter being the sum of the distance from the centre of the vehicle to the at the side ends (including door handles, water connections, etc.) when the vehicle is closed or stowed for transport. Such structures include pop-up campers, classic trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, separable motorhomes and motorhomes.

Can you convert a used horse trailer to a recreational vehicle?

Horse trailers can be converted into very inexpensive camper trailers if you do it yourself. Some people like the idea of reuse, some like the economy of it, and some prefer the lighter, narrower load that a converted horse trailer offers.

Do-it-yourself conversion, while inexpensive, requires carpentry, plumbing and electrical wiring. These construction skills are required to complete the job. Also, this is a project that must meet the requirements of the housing code. Schedule your inspections at each phase, so you won’t spend more time and money.

First, design a wiring plan that meets your needs for outdoor power source, lighting, refrigeration, microwave, television, as well as any other small or large appliance you plan to use. Complete the wiring after glueing the interior wall base (described in step 3).

nsulate and wire the walls. Fill between the 1x4s with an insulation sheet flush with the base. Nail the ¼-inch plywood into the base. Sand, paint or paper to your own specifications.

Install the plumbing: toilet, shower and sink are as close together as possible. If the trailer does not have a bunk, the shower and toilet usually go all the way to the front, next to each other. The front door of the trailer will be on one side, and the lavatory can conveniently be installed directly in front of the door.

Install the stove, gas tank, and kitchen cabinet. An overhead cabinet with a microwave well is ideal. The stove can go under them. A vent hood to carry the heat from the stove directly outside is essential.

Install the sofa seat, table and bed. The sofa seat is a box, with a lid, for storage. It’s long and narrow, and when closed, it should seat two people directly across a drop-down table. When the fold-out table is finished, the fold-out bed should descend in front of the table, over the top of the sofa seat. If you are looking at the back of the trailer, and the table is on the left, then the sofa bed and fold-out seat are on the right. Install the linoleum on the floor.

The bottom line

We hope that now it is more clear to you what type of horse trailers can be considered reactionary vehicles and what is the main difference between a horse trailer and an RV. If you have more quotations about the content, please let us know!

FAQ on Is a horse trailer a recreational vehicle?

What are the top 5 trailer brands for horses?

The top 5 trailer brands for horses are:

Sundowner;
Featherlite;
Trials West;
Exiss;
Titan.

What travel equipment do I need to transport a horse?

As for travel equipment, the horse must wear the halter for the duration of the trip. Most experts suggest a leather halter (not nylon or rope). In an emergency, the leather is easy to cut. Depending on the weather during your trip, you may or may not need a blanket. Bumpers and leg guards can be very important.

How many horses can fit in a trailer?

Up to six horses can fit in a trailer, depending on the size and model of the trailer. When transporting more than one horse, the minimum height inside the compartments must exceed the height at the withers of the tallest animal by at least 30 inches (almost 75 cm).

What is a motorhome?

The concept of a motorhome applies to vehicles built with a special purpose for the transport and accommodation of people. This means that everything or that serves for autonomous transport – serves as a properly propelled vehicle – and accommodation is a motorhome.

What is the difference between a horse trailer and a stock trailer?

The main difference between a horse trailer and a stock trailer is the size, the latter being usually larger, with a full rear swing gate or double back doors. Otherwise, there is not much difference between a stock trailer and a horse trailer. Horse trailers tend to be more safeguarded with mats, partitions, and padding. Stock trailers have minimal stripped accessories.

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Is a horse trailer a recreational vehicle?