Minimize Environmental Impact
Additionally, altering your driving habits will help save fuel:
- Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving such as speeding and rapid acceleration and braking, can lower your fuel mileage by one-third. Sensible driving is also safer for you and your horse(s).
- Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage usually decreases significantly at speeds above 60 mpg. The Department of Energy says that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 for each gallon of fuel. Driving the speed limit has the added benefit of increasing safety.
- Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas idling than do cars with smaller engines.
- Use cruise control. Using this feature (where applicable) helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save fuel. Do not use cruise control if you are tired or fatigued. In fact, if you are tired or fatigued, you shouldn’t be trailering horses.
- Use overdrive gears. When you use overdrive gearing, your vehicle’s engine speed decreases, which increases your mileage. An added benefit is that using overdrive gears reduces engine wear.
- Lighten the load. Remove unnecessary weight from the vehicle. According to the Department of Energy, an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. Excess weight affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
- Do not use the tow vehicle as a passenger car. When not towing, drive a smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle.
If your tow vehicle is an older model, consider purchasing a new tow vehicle. New vehicles have more power but use less fuel. Another item worth considering is to switch from a tow vehicle that uses gasoline to one that uses diesel, as current diesel technology is more fuel efficient.
Cole cautions against purchasing any of the fuel-saving gimmicks being marketed. “Horse owners should be wary of ‘magic bullets,’ horse power in a bottle, or other weird devices being sold on late night television,” said Cole. “[They should] stick to the basics and drive as late a model vehicle as possible.”
In addition to maintaining your tow vehicle, USRider offers vehicle operation tips that will help reduce the impact on the environment:
USRider offers several suggestions for conserving fuel while traveling. These tips work for most vehicles..
In addition to maintaining your tow vehicle, USRider offers vehicle operation tips that will help reduce the impact on the environment:
For more information about USRider and more equine trailer safety tips, visit the USRider website at www.usrider.org, or call (800) 844-1409 or visit www.usrider.org.
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