European Engineering and Experience

In 2005, after in-depth research I purchased a Brenderup Baron two horse trailer.   It was easily towed with a variety of V6 vehicles.  Now I wonder why I hesitated!  The European brands are the perfect horse trailer for those equestrians who do NOT want to drive a full size V8 truck.  You may be able to enjoy the freedom of trailering your own horse(s) on your schedule, using your current vehicle.
Since the beginning, the European’s have manufactured horse trailers for big horses and small tow vehicles that maneuver on narrow, windy roads and operate in tight quarters.  The high cost of fuel in Europe necessitated horse trailers to be designed and engineered for smaller tow vehicles.  Large European warmblood sport horses are trailered frequently, safely and calmly without a truck.
European’s have at least 10 brands of horse trailers to select from.  The European horse trailer brands North Americans are most familiar with are Brenderup, Bockmann, Fautras and soon St. Georges.
The Fautras manufacturer offers the widest range of lightweight horse trailers sizes: one horse, two horse (angle haul & straight haul), three horse and four horse models.
Save gas or diesel and lower your carbon footprint by towing a European, lightweight horse trailer with a V6 vehicle.  Owning a large truck for daily errands and commuting in order to tow a North American horse trailer occasionally, is now unnecessary. 
Contact me with any questions.  Patti

Stopping the Trailer:

The mechanical Inertia TM braking system which is standard in Europe creates the excellent stopping ability while towing with a smaller vehicle.  The Inertia TM braking system is speed and load sensitive and anti-locking, therefore providing just the right amount of brake needed every time - - regardless of load.  This breaking system is not reliant on a battery and an in-vehicle brake controller is not needed.  The exact amount of pressure to safely stop or slow the trailer is always there, starting as soon as your foot comes off the gas pedal!  The Inertia TM braking system is simple to maintain and the wheel bearings rarely need repacking. 

Low Tongue Weights:

Chassis designs of the Fautras, St. Georges and Brenderup horse trailers limits the amount of weight the trailer puts on the tow vehicle (< 4% of trailer weight).  North American horse trailers tongue weight is 10 -15%.  The Fautras tongue weights range; for the one horse, 132 lbs. to 308 lbs. for the four horse trailer.  The two horse trailers tongue weights are 154 lbs. & 220 lbs.  Having low tongue weights makes the required wheel-base-length of the tow vehicle less important, thereby allowing you the freedom to choose from a very wide range of suitable vehicles.  Euro horse trailers are designed to control the horse’s position within the trailer, thus not changing the tongue weight.   
Tow vehicle requirements for European one or two horse trailers are: a wheelbase 93 inches or longer and an engine developing a minimum of 125 horse power.

Horse Comfort and Safety Features:

Fautras horse trailers are airy & roomy inside with 7’4” high ceilings.  Inside headspace for the horse is cool and quite.  Trailers feature height adjustable chest and butt bars, with self-releasing chest bars upon horse weight bearing.  Rear and side windows adjust in both the Fautras angle and slant haul two, three and four horse trailers, providing lots of room for horses to 18 hh.    Flexible stall dividers provide movement to stop scrambling & horse panic.  Fautras trailers all have a lowered rear step-up entrance, making it very easy to load any horse.  Front horse exits offer choices for horses.

Jean-Luc Fautras founder & designer of Fautras Horse Trailers with his 6 year old - Rital des Caulins