Engineering

Europe has suffered from high gas prices for decades which prompted trailer designers to engineer trailers that can be pulled safely by smaller, more fuel-efficient tow vehicles.

Europeans have been developing well-engineered, aerodynamic horse trailers much longer than we have in North America. We have the benefit of learning from their years of experience.

Three outstanding criteria must be met:

• Maximum tongue load of 113 kg (250 lbs) for trailers up to 14′ in length or 150kg (330 lbs) for trailers 14’+ in length
• Independent overrun (entirely mechanical) braking system.
• Features to create a silent, cool, comfortable space for your horse(s)

In accordance with European road regulations, European engineers design “self-balancing” horse trailers – bearing their weight over the wheels and “leaning” a maximum of 4% of the GVWR onto the tow vehicle. The tow vehicle guides the trailer along the road, rather than piggy-backing it.

Conventional flat roofed, box-style trailers create a vacuum when in tow, which requires a strong engine to break the vacuum. The aerodynamic roof line of Böckmann trailers eliminates the vacuum and sway, so no need for such a strong engine. By transferring the load back to the trailer itself, creating aerodynamic roof-lines, and using an overrun breaking system – a smaller vehicle can safely tow a Böckmann designed trailer.