How to Use a Hay Rack Horse Trailer

When you travel with your horses it can be challenging to make sure that you pack adequate feed. To help with this, some companies have created modular hay racks that can be installed on the roof of horse trailers. These hay racks are constructed of aluminum and bolt to horse trailer for a secure fit. Hay racks for a horse trailer are manufactured in an open-top design or a closed-top ̵6;pod̵7; design.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope
  • Winch
  • Tractor
  • Front-end loader
  • Bale buckler
  • Bungee cord
  • Tarp
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Instructions

  1. Hooking Up the Trailer

    • 1

      Check that your trailer is elevated so that the trailer hitch is further from the ground than the ball of your truck hitch. Most trailers are elevated through the use of a trailer jack. If your trailer hitch is not elevated high enough, turn the jack handle clockwise until the hitch is in the correct position.

    • 2

      Back your truck up to the point that the truck hitch is beneath the trailer hitch. If your hitch is a bumper-style hitch, raise the tail gate of the truck to keep it out of the way. If your hitch is a goose-neck-style hitch, lower the tail gate of the truck to keep it out of the way.

    • 3

      Lower the trailer hitch over the truck hitch attachment by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.

    • 4

      Lock the trailer hitch in place by inserting the locking pin.

    • 5

      Hook the trailer̵7;s electrical lights into the truck̵7;s electrical lighting system. Connect the two using the wire-connecting plugs that are attached to the truck and to the hitches of the trailer.

    Using the Hay Rack

    • 6

      Lift hay from the ground to the roof of the horse trailer. You can do this by tying a rope to a bail of hay and hoisting it up to the roof of the trailer with a winch, lifting the hay using a tractor with a front-end-loader, or using a device built for lifting hay onto the roof of your trailer, such as a bale buckler.

    • 7

      Stack the bales side-by-side or end-to-end to fill the rack. Place a second row of bales over the first.

    • 8

      Tie the bales to the rack with bungee cords.

    • 9

      Cover open hay racks with a tarp to prevent hay particles from blowing out of the rack as you drive. Tie the tarp in place.