Some of the benefits include:
-If your tow vehicle cannot be driven, your vehicle plus trailer will be hauled up to 100 miles
one way at no charge. (They use the same equipment used to haul 18-wheelers.)
-If your vehicle can be repaired at the roadside so that a tow is not necessary, USRider will
pay up to $200 per incident excluding parts and fluids.
- Battery charging, lockout service, fuel and fluids delivery.
-If your trip is interrupted and you need lodging for you and your horses, USRider will help
you locate a stable and hotel. (Charges for the hotel and stable are your responsibility.)
-If your horse needs farrier care while you’re traveling, USRider will help provide you with
contact information for a farrier in your area.
-If you are in an accident which results in the injury of a horse you’re transporting, USRider
will reimburse you for the unexpected veterinary expenses. Covered items include:
veterinary care, overnight boarding, lodging and meals, and rental vehicle. (Reimbursement
limited to the first 72 hours following accident and up to US $1,000 maximum.)
-If you need emergency transportation as a result of a breakdown or accident, USRider will
arrange for taxi service.
-Discounts on various equestrian related products and services.
Here is their website: http://www.usrider.org/ They also have some helpful articles and free
forms (limited power of attorney, etc.) available for free.
(Tip: Know the length of your vehicle and your vehicle plus trailer. It makes it easier for
them to arrange for the proper sized equipment to help you.)
Make sure to keep your cell phone fully charged, although it’s possible you will be in an
area that does not have cell service and will have to walk for help.
If you choose not to enroll in a roadside assistance plan, there are still some things you can
do to help prepare for a breakdown or accident. Keep your tow vehicle and trailer well-
maintained and in good mechanical condition at all times to help prevent breakdowns and
accidents. Drive defensively and carefully to help avoid accidents. Before you travel,
research overnight stables, veterinarians, farriers, mechanics, and towing services in the
areas you’ll be hauling.
Some important things to always carry with you in your tow vehicle or trailer are a spare tire
for both your trailer and tow vehicle, a jack for your tow vehicle, a drive on jack--such as a
Jiffy Jack--for your trailer, a lug nut wrench for both your trailer and tow vehicle tires,
jumper cables, and a basic tool kit that will allow you to make minor repairs if needed. An
air compressor that runs off your tow vehicle's cigarette lighter/power point and goes high
enough to inflate all of your tires is good, too. Make sure you have long enough extension
cords to get the compressor all the way back to your rear trailer tires. An orange traffic
cone or reflective triangle is required by law in some states, and is always a good idea to
help warn approaching motorists that you're stopped and may be working on or around
your rig.
If you will be traveling here in Missouri , I have to plug the book that Laura sells on this
site. She has most of this information compiled for you already and has it listed by trail.
Although you can get it off her individual trail pages on her website, it’s a great idea to keep
the book in your tow vehicle. Then you don’t have to remember to print the page out, you
change your destination once you’ve already left, or if your internet connection isn’t working
properly you will still have the information you need. Please note that I do not get any
compensation for any of my articles or from her book sales, from her or anyone else. I just
genuinely believe in her book and the various products and services about which I write.
One last thing to think about regardless of whether or not you enroll in a roadside assistance
plan is giving limited power of attorney to someone you trust to make medical decisions for
your horses on your behalf. I sincerely hope it never happens to me, or to any of you, but if
you become injured or worse in an accident, someone needs to make decisions for your
horses. If they are injured, you want someone to be able to make the decision to get
veterinary care for them. Make sure to carry a copy of the power of attorney and contact
information for the person. Carry emergency contact information for yourself and
information on any medical conditions, allergies, etc. that you have, and for your horses.
Hopefully you never need to deal with any of these situations but if you do, I hope this
information helps and feel free to contact me with any questions. My contact information is
on the Contributing Authors page of this site. Happy Trailering!
-If your tow vehicle cannot be driven, your vehicle plus trailer will be hauled up to 100 miles
one way at no charge. (They use the same equipment used to haul 18-wheelers.)
-If your vehicle can be repaired at the roadside so that a tow is not necessary, USRider will
pay up to $200 per incident excluding parts and fluids.
- Battery charging, lockout service, fuel and fluids delivery.
-If your trip is interrupted and you need lodging for you and your horses, USRider will help
you locate a stable and hotel. (Charges for the hotel and stable are your responsibility.)
-If your horse needs farrier care while you’re traveling, USRider will help provide you with
contact information for a farrier in your area.
-If you are in an accident which results in the injury of a horse you’re transporting, USRider
will reimburse you for the unexpected veterinary expenses. Covered items include:
veterinary care, overnight boarding, lodging and meals, and rental vehicle. (Reimbursement
limited to the first 72 hours following accident and up to US $1,000 maximum.)
-If you need emergency transportation as a result of a breakdown or accident, USRider will
arrange for taxi service.
-Discounts on various equestrian related products and services.
Here is their website: http://www.usrider.org/ They also have some helpful articles and free
forms (limited power of attorney, etc.) available for free.
(Tip: Know the length of your vehicle and your vehicle plus trailer. It makes it easier for
them to arrange for the proper sized equipment to help you.)
Make sure to keep your cell phone fully charged, although it’s possible you will be in an
area that does not have cell service and will have to walk for help.
If you choose not to enroll in a roadside assistance plan, there are still some things you can
do to help prepare for a breakdown or accident. Keep your tow vehicle and trailer well-
maintained and in good mechanical condition at all times to help prevent breakdowns and
accidents. Drive defensively and carefully to help avoid accidents. Before you travel,
research overnight stables, veterinarians, farriers, mechanics, and towing services in the
areas you’ll be hauling.
Some important things to always carry with you in your tow vehicle or trailer are a spare tire
for both your trailer and tow vehicle, a jack for your tow vehicle, a drive on jack--such as a
Jiffy Jack--for your trailer, a lug nut wrench for both your trailer and tow vehicle tires,
jumper cables, and a basic tool kit that will allow you to make minor repairs if needed. An
air compressor that runs off your tow vehicle's cigarette lighter/power point and goes high
enough to inflate all of your tires is good, too. Make sure you have long enough extension
cords to get the compressor all the way back to your rear trailer tires. An orange traffic
cone or reflective triangle is required by law in some states, and is always a good idea to
help warn approaching motorists that you're stopped and may be working on or around
your rig.
If you will be traveling here in Missouri , I have to plug the book that Laura sells on this
site. She has most of this information compiled for you already and has it listed by trail.
Although you can get it off her individual trail pages on her website, it’s a great idea to keep
the book in your tow vehicle. Then you don’t have to remember to print the page out, you
change your destination once you’ve already left, or if your internet connection isn’t working
properly you will still have the information you need. Please note that I do not get any
compensation for any of my articles or from her book sales, from her or anyone else. I just
genuinely believe in her book and the various products and services about which I write.
One last thing to think about regardless of whether or not you enroll in a roadside assistance
plan is giving limited power of attorney to someone you trust to make medical decisions for
your horses on your behalf. I sincerely hope it never happens to me, or to any of you, but if
you become injured or worse in an accident, someone needs to make decisions for your
horses. If they are injured, you want someone to be able to make the decision to get
veterinary care for them. Make sure to carry a copy of the power of attorney and contact
information for the person. Carry emergency contact information for yourself and
information on any medical conditions, allergies, etc. that you have, and for your horses.
Hopefully you never need to deal with any of these situations but if you do, I hope this
information helps and feel free to contact me with any questions. My contact information is
on the Contributing Authors page of this site. Happy Trailering!
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| How To Handle Towing Emergencies By Lalita Creighton |
It’s never fun having a car or truck break down or being in an accident while you’re on the
road. It’s a lot worse if you are towing a trailer, and worse yet if you have your horses (or
other livestock) loaded in your trailer. Most roadside assistance plans don’t cover trailers,
particularly with livestock in them. However, there is a roadside assistance company called
USRider which offers a comprehensive roadside assistance plan. The cost is some-what
higher than a traditional plan, around $110 per year, but for me it’s worth it for peace of
mind.
road. It’s a lot worse if you are towing a trailer, and worse yet if you have your horses (or
other livestock) loaded in your trailer. Most roadside assistance plans don’t cover trailers,
particularly with livestock in them. However, there is a roadside assistance company called
USRider which offers a comprehensive roadside assistance plan. The cost is some-what
higher than a traditional plan, around $110 per year, but for me it’s worth it for peace of
mind.
I am a customer and have needed to use their
service one time. Fortunately, my truck
broke down just as I was pulling it out of my
driveway to go hook it to the trailer, so I didn’
t have to worry about my trailer or my horses
since I hadn’t hooked up yet. The USRider
people were very helpful, and repeatedly
checked that my horses were ok and did not
need water or hay. They also arranged for
the tow and everything was as easy as could
be expected. Being at home made it much
easier, but I have a lot more peace of mind
knowing that I have USRider Equestrian
Motor Plan.
service one time. Fortunately, my truck
broke down just as I was pulling it out of my
driveway to go hook it to the trailer, so I didn’
t have to worry about my trailer or my horses
since I hadn’t hooked up yet. The USRider
people were very helpful, and repeatedly
checked that my horses were ok and did not
need water or hay. They also arranged for
the tow and everything was as easy as could
be expected. Being at home made it much
easier, but I have a lot more peace of mind
knowing that I have USRider Equestrian
Motor Plan.