Simon,

I have wanted to get a horse trailer for several years.   My husband said NOPE.   I'm not buying you a TRUCK so that you can pull a horse trailer.   Luckily for me........I heard about the BRENDERUP from a gal that I met at the barn!    YEP....I've got my horse trailer now--THE BRENDERUP-- and I take my horses with me whenever I want.   Hey.  People put their dogs in the car and take'em all over the place.   Before I got my BRENDERUP, I had never pulled a horse trailer.   Come to think of it.    I never even pulled any kind of trailer behind any vehicle.    The best part of it all, is that my husband loves the trailer too.   He was not convinced of the merits of the BRENDERUP becuz he had never seen one and I purchased ours from an out of state dealer.   We live in Michigan and there are no dealers or BRENDERUPS readily available in here.   Ours came from Fox Hunt Trailers in Wisconsin and the owners personally delivered it to us!   Showing us all the features etc...I've had it now for about 3 months and it is so awesome.   My favorite vet doesn't travel to where our horses live.   So I just tossed them in the BRENDERUP and brought them up to him for their fall/winter vacines & health check.   The day of their appointment, I hooked the trailer up and drove around to where I pick them up and one of my boys actually WHINNY'D when he saw me drop the loading ramp.   They're like...COOL.....where we going now Mom.   They love it.   It's all true.   THE BRENDERUP ROCKS!!!

J.
Troy, MI

---

Dear Lucas and Liebe Horse Trailers in Austin, Texas and Brenderup Trailers,

I recently purchased a Brenderup Royal TC from you and wanted to let you know how thrilled I am with it. I spent many hours researching on the Internet searching for a trailer and that is how I came upon the Brenderup in the first place.

I combed through forums, reading each post on the pros and cons of a Brenderup. I found it interesting that the cons mostly came from people whom had never hauled a Brenderup. The people that owned Brenderups were all very specific in what they liked and why the Brenderup was the right trailer for them.

I drive a 2007 Toyota Rav4 with a V6 269 hp engine and a 104" wheelbase. It came with a factory tow package. I use my vehicle on my part time sales rep job and good gas mileage is essential. I also am a wedding cake designer and deliver with the Rav4 so changing vehicles was really not an option for me. According to what I read, the Brenderup was the trailer for me.

I called you (many, many times!) and discussed the Brenderups with you and you were always so willing to help. I watched the DVD and read the literature. I finally made my decision and I arranged for financing.

I hauled my Brenderup Royal TC home on Good Friday from Austin in a stiff, gusting wind. I had never hauled a trailer more than a few miles and I did have a very experienced hauler with me and she was more than impressed with the way it handled. I drove it through Austin and Houston, Texas traffic on a holiday and I never felt nervous because the trailer did exactly what I was told it would do - follow my Rav4. I had no problems stopping it and never felt like it was tugging or pushing at my Rav4.

I had the opportunity recently to haul it to a trail ride 75 miles from here. It was highway for 50 miles and a winding country road through hills for about 8 or 9 miles and the remaining was dirt, gravel, shell, and compressed rock on dirt that was often washed out! This was the hilliest part of my drive and the Brenderup just followed right behind me. I was thrilled to see that even on the steepest hill and the climb back up was achieved with no problem whatsoever. I was hauling precious cargo - my 1250 lb gelding, Red.

I am thrilled that my trailer does exactly what I had been told. I can haul my horse by myself with the vehicle I already had. I had so many people say the price was so much more than an American brand. Yes it is - but this lady had to buy a truck on top of the car she had, so she could haul her less costly trailer. The way I look at it, I saved 10k by buying the Brenderup. I didn't have to buy another vehicle to haul it!

Thanks so much for all of your help. Even after the sale, when I call for help, you are right there for me, helping me to get it off the ball when I was jacking my car up (I am laughing at myself now) and helping with removing the center bars. Service after the sale seems to be the motto for Lucas and Liebe and that is so refreshing.

Again, thank you so much for all of your help. Pictures of our adventures in the Brenderup will be posted on my blog at DashingBigRed.blogspot.com

Kindest regards,

D.
Nederland, Texas

---

Dear Lucas and Liebe Horse Trailers in Austin, Texas and Brenderup Trailers,

Just wanted to say thanks; thanks for loving your animals enough to invest in their care which led you to being a Brenderup dealer which led me to being a Brenderup owner. And thank you for doing all that while being so nice and fun to talk to.

We left your place and went to Liberty Hill (the plant) to get 30 bags of Kool & Kalm and 20 bags of dog food (which weighs about the same as my two mares so it was a good test load). As soon as we pulled up to the feed store I got out and was asked what kind of trailer it was. The owner of the store knew (the Austrailian gentleman (Geoff Thomas)) but I had met him in the past when he came to Waco to talk to folks about Kool & Kalm. He knows my friend Kenda well because we buy so much feed from him, and we had a great visit while everyone at the store came to check out the trailer.

We drove through hills, curves, had to do two tight turns and through two good rain storms on the highway to get home. The trailer and my truck handled beautifully.

But the best part was yesterday when I let the mares check it out. Jesse, my paint mare who doesn't load well (I don't blame her; I've been in a moving metal horse trailer and it was scary!) loaded almost completely on the first try. Tina, my daughter's little mare who has only trailered twice and both times were rough rides, hesitated the first time but went halfway in with very little coaxing. I tied Tina at the rear of the trailer and she kept trying to go in again on her own. Neither mare was scared; neither mare spooked; they were just naturally curious and cautious.

The thing I most hoped for in buying the Brenderup is that the horses could travel in comfort and safety, without being afraid. I have already seen that beginning to happen and I'm so happy. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again,
E. in Waco

P.S. The customer at the feed store took home an info sheet and DVD!

---

Dear Lucas and Liebe Horse Trailers in Austin, Texas and Brenderup Trailers,

I got to try out my Brenderup this weekend. It worked out great! Everything went smoothly, making me very, very happy!

The conditions were about as non-routine as I like to get, unfamiliar trailer, very windy Okla. weather, a mare that had only been loaded once when she was shipped here as a weanling 3 years ago, an SUV instead of the usual dually truck, and two "are they really going to fit???" Friesians. The horses fit great with room to spare and the trailer pulled just fine, on the highway then on a very winding, windy road to the lake. I had a fun trail ride with the horses and they seemed happy with the trailer. No loading, fitting, equipment, or pulling problems. No swaying either, even with that wind! Added bonus was how quiet the trailer is, no clanging or banging.

I see what you mean by it needing only one Saddle Boss, that worked out just fine, too. The tack area is plenty big enough for all that "necessary" stuff.

I hope to go trail riding again before leaving for a vacation in CA for rest of June, and will get a pic then. My horses backsides are soooo broad, but there is plenty of room for them, no hip rubbing at all. Length was another concern, my gelding is long, and is too cramped in a conventional slant load, but the Baron L handles them just fine.

When I first got the trailer, you remember, the lock on the hitch stuck? It was a minor thing, the Brenderup rep. told us what to do to remedy the problem, just a tap with a hammer to get the key in. Well, yesterday I received a whole new lock from Brenderup! Great customer service!

Oh, I nearly forgot to mention, the pricing on these trailers is fantastic! I have owned at least three Sundowners over the years, a Sooner, and a 4-Star, bumper pulls and goosenecks, so it's not like I'm just starting out with nothing to compare the Brenderup to..... and I just can't stress enough how well the Brenderup stacks up, for a lot less money. I just love it!

I'm glad I took the plunge, it's so nice to be able to shed a "dedicated trailer vehicle" without sacrificing my horses comfort.

Thanks again for a great transaction (I gotta send you a picture of those two black butts in that trailer......you can't see them, tho., when the back is up, no tails or butts hanging out the back in this trailer!!!!)

A very Satisfied Brenderup Owner!!

S. in Oklahoma

---

Simon,

I bought my Brenderup Solo in April 2009. Prior to purchase, I researched for several months and one brand repeatedly returned in results for a highly-rated Solo horse trailer that could easily be pulled by a six cylinder vehicle - Brenderup.

I contacted Brenderup through the web site and promptly received a very informative DVD and information packet containing the name of a local retailer. From the word go, Brenderup and Virginina Trailer Sales in Lexington, VA have been a dream to work with.

Upon connecting the Brenderup Solo to my 2009 Rav4 Limited, I was impressed. The connection was amazingly simple and able to complete it by myself. On the three hour drive from the dealership to the barn, I barely knew the trailer was behind me. Just a slight noticeable loss in power and gas mileage on the extreme hills of I-81 through the Appalachian Mountains. When I arrived at the barn, the trailer once again showed the clever engineering and design in the ability to easily back up and disconnect by myself.

Two weeks ago (April 2009), the Brenderup Solo had its first real test. My 15.3hh 6 yo TWH/SSH gelding was loaded up and ferried four hours south to Southern Virginia. This included a trek across two major interstates - 95 and 85. The Solo was a dream to drive. My gas mileage on interstate 95 towing a full trailer and running the air conditioning was an impressive 17 mpg. My normal average is 23. Even stopping at a gas station to refill was no longer stressful. The Solo was easy to maneuver around the filling pumps.

We arrived at the hunt meet happy and relaxed. The Brenderup Solo caused quite a stir at the hunt meet as the smallest trailer there was a Featherlite 4 horse. Many people came to view my trailer and comment on the ingenuity of the design. I was even asked for the name and number of the dealership. I became a spokesman on the spot extolling the virtues of the Brenderup line.

The Brenderup Solo has given me the confidence to trailer my gelding effortlessly and without depending on another for help. I cannot thank you enough for an amazing product. I am a customer for life.

Thanks in advance,
Shannon
Nokesville, VA

---

Hi Simon,

Just wanted to let you know that yesterday for the first time I was forced to trailer my horse to the vet in a full blown blizzard complete with squalls and white outs and terrible, I mean TERRIBLE road conditions and my trailer just hummed along no problem, no slips, no slides. The worst thing that happened was when I was trying to turn the car/trailer around at the barn, I got the front tires of my car stuck in some deep snow and couldn't move. All I did was unhitch the trailer, push it way back and then back my car out. No fuss no muss. I love that trailer!!

E. B. NY

---

I have owned my two horse Brenderup since 1987. The first van I pulled it with was a Dodge Caravan with a 4 cylinder engine. I have hauled over 40K miles with my two different V6 Dodge Caravans. One trip was over the Rockies to California. I have had a 17 hand horse try to kick its way out of the trailer when the ramp was down and it was not successful and never did that again. I WOULD NOT OWN ANY OTHER TRAILER!!!! No doubt about it - it is the best on the market.

S. Q.

---

I have owned my Brenderup Prestige for almost two years now and I have to say it is the only trailer I will ever own. Recently, we were faced with high winds and fast moving wildfires that gave us little time to evacuate our horses. The Brenderup was hooked up in minutes and I was the first one out with our 15 hand Arabian mare. After dropping her off at a friend's house just two miles away, I decided to go back to help evacuate more horses. As I approached the main road to go back up into the canyon, the fire department was already putting up road blocks to stop all incoming traffic. I saw that an older canyon road that I have used many time in the past was still open, so I decided to take it. When I was about 1/2 mile up the road, I started seeing flames on either side of me. Because there was not a lot of growth, I wasn't too concerned. Well, that changed in the blink of an eye. As I rounded a bend, I saw fire trucks battling huge flames just a little further up the road and they weren't allowing any traffic through. Here I was on a narrow canyon road, surrounded by fire, and being told that I had to turn around and go back. If I hadn't had a Brenderup, there was no way that I could have turned around as quickly as I needed to and I would have had to abandon the truck and trailer. It handled like a charm and we were turned around and headed out in a matter of minutes....a little shaken up, but thankful for the remarkable little Brenderup! Not only is it the most versatile trailer that I have ever used, it is so easy to tow and amazingly maneuverable. Two days later, I helped transport horses back to the stable and was again amazed that I could take a 16.3 hand thoroughbred and 13.1 hand pony in the same trip! We arrived back with horse and pony calm and relaxed. A major difference from the horses that were being unloaded from traditional slant loads who were excited and prancing as they got off their trailers. Everyone was impressed. Thank you for building such an exceptional trailer. I always knew that I made the right decision by buying a Brenderup, but this experience made me realize why. Thank you again!

Sincerely, A.W.

---

Simon, A few months back I emailed you a few times & spoke on the phone with you as well while I was searching for a used Brenderup trailer. You and the DVD you sent me were MOST INFORMATIVE. I did end up finding an almost new solo & purchasing it. Well, I must tell you about my recent adventure. The Georgia Walking Horse Exhibitor's Association was hosting an extreme trail ride up in Toccoa, Ga & I had decided to go & take Elvis (my spoiled rotten & loved to death) favorite horse with me & challenge the mountain trails. Well, the challenge occured a couple of hours after I left home in Ft Walton Beach, Fl when I was driving along at about 70 mph on I-10 & the bolt on the bottom of my hitch came loose! The ball slipped out of the hitch & all 'heck' broke loose. Though the whole thing lasted only minutes it seemed to take longer. My Toyota FJ Cruiser was being pulled periously from R to L and a look in the rear view mirror showed the trailer taking the same path & going from 2 wheels to 2 wheels. The trailer looked to be tilted to a 45 degree angle each time it jerked from it's limit R&L. I knew that most likely either the trailer or the truck or both were about to flip. Somehow, instead of panicing I slowly but firmly started applying the brake & heading off the side of the expressway. In a few seconds (which seemed like hours) I was parked on the side of the road. I jumped out of the truck & opened the side door to see Elvis wild-eyed but with all 4 feet planted out as far from his body as possible. I quickly told him all was OK, then jumped back in the truck & backed a few inches to let slack in the chains, then lowered the wheel to steady the trailer. Five minutes later Elvis was happily munching hay & the 24 hr immergency protection crew from my insurance company has a new ball on the way to me. As God is my witness, there was not one scratch on me, Elvis, my truck or my Brenderup trailer. Thank Goodness I was hauling a Brenderup! And thank you for making such a fine trailer.

Sincerely,
M B

---

I’ve been towing my Brenderup Baron with a Chevy S-10 Blazer for about 5 years now. I love this trailer! It’s so superior to anything else I’ve seen.

When I bought it, I was so apprehensive because of all the anti-Brenderup sentiment on various websites. Now, I just laugh at those people. They have no idea what they are talking about. They use their domestic trailer as a frame of reference; but the Brenderup is an entirely different (read: better) animal.

And my horse loves it, too. When he sees the trailer, his ears perk up and he practically runs on to it.

Please keep building these wonderful trailers. I’m sure that one day the American horse-owning public will wake up and when they do, you won’t be able to keep up with the demand.

Best wishes,

B. B.

---

Mr. Barr,

Thank you for the follow-up. We reviewed the packet and video carefully - playing the video several times. It is a most impressive story. But the trailers are even more impressive.

We purchased a Royal TC from Lanchester Trailer after trying it behind our Land Rover. The trailer has been towed empty and with one horse. It's hard to realize we are towing. The Land Rover Brenderup Royal TC combination is smoother, stabler and easier to drive than my Dodge 350 Truck and old steel trailer. You have a first class product and we anticipate much more comfortable drives ( for us and our horses) to our riding activities.

Cordially, G. F.

It's too bad more people can't experience the Brenderup. The hardest part for me was spending so much money on a non-traditional trailer and not knowing how it would handle or how my horses would like it. This might be true for other potential customers. After I purchased it, I received rude comments from my horse friends about the trailer (regarding safety, tipping over) but I knew they hadn't researched the trailer. I could just smile at them and list all the safety features. I always mention how much I love it. I did practice driving it without my horse several times, and then like I mentioned in my earlier e-mail, finally took my horse in it a couple of weeks ago. It was like night and day from my previous hauling experiences. It handles so much better than my old trailer. We have many hills where I live and it just takes care of itself when we are descending. With my old trailer, I would have had to think about braking far in advance to get stopped at the bottom of a hill. With the Brenderup, I touch my brake and it stops smoothly. I'm sure it was much easier on my horse as well. I know it says it in the advertising but everything about the trailer has been easy. I like not having to be perfect when I backup my truck to get hitched up. I can be close to it and that's good enough. I'm glad I finally took the chance and bought it. I feel like it has opened up opportunities for me because I don't dread trailering any longer. It more than lives up to the advertising. Thanks again!

D.

I just bought a  '99 Royal Brenderup, and a '96 Toyota Tacoma, V-6, 3.4L engine, to tow it with, despite the hysterical admonitions of the anti-Brenderup people across the (internet) board. I've never hauled horses in my life, and I had to move my two average size beasties (15.3 and 16.1 TBs) about 45 miles through New Jersey highway traffic and back rural roads. High speeds and hills. I started out Sunday morning with my heart in my throat and ended up at the barn with the greatest elation I've felt in years.

Frankly, I can't tell you that the Brenderup handles better than other trailer because I've never towed another trailer. And never will. I CAN tell you that you forget it's back there, that the dreaded semis buzzing you at 80 MPH on the highway might as well not be there, for all the effect they have on the truck and trailer (my truck WILL get buffeted WITHOUT the trailer, so I consider the Brenderup an added safety device in windy situations). Certainly the trailer NEVER pushed me downhill, even on a very steep and muddy, rutted slope we had to negotiate as we left the first barn. I did try to remember to allow more braking distance before stops and turns, as I'd been cautioned to, but the difference was minimal. My husband, following behind me in his SUV, said the horses spent their journey looking out the window and nuzzling each other

...So, we are off to the races

Z.E.

I bought a Royal last December and have had plenty of experiences with it and wanted to give  you some feedback. I had never pulled a trailer, but have no problem hitching, loading, or unhitching the Royal. Horse ownership has become very liberating.

My Isuzu Rodeo pulls the trailer effortlessly, in fact, it is undetectable when empty. The trailer never pulls, tugs, weaves, or rattles. ... My notorious bad loaders have gotten very fond of traveling and need only to be lead to the ramp and  released. They load up on their own. ...

T.T.

We have our Brenderup Prestige for about five years. It sounds a little crazy to be in love with a horse trailer, but we are. It is a dream to pull and the horses love all the room inside. We have had the big trucks and big trailers in the past. After having our Brenderup, we'll never go back to those heavy, loud old fashioned horse trailers!

A.L.

Prior to purchasing my Brenderup, I left trailering to everyone else.  To tell you the truth, it terrified me!    Not so much the actual driving issues, but more the safety/comfort issues for the horses.  I'll now trailer almost anyone, anywhere!

L

I tow with a Grand Cherokee Jeep V-8.  I have a new Brenderup trailer that weighs 1900 lbs.  I have had no problems what so ever.   I have trailered in wind, rain and on hills.  My Brenderup doesn't require sway bars, and I don't even know the trailer is back there.  I always keep an eye on RPMS, and it has never gone above 3000, usually under 2000.  I have towed with two horses, although usually just one and have not had any problems.  The Grand Cherokee says the limit is 5000 lbs., which I always obey.  I realize this is not the ideal tow vehicle, due to its short wheelbase...that is why I bought the Brenderup.  It has inertia brakes that never push your vehicle.

L

I purchased a Brenderup this June and have been very impressed with it.  Our first significant haul was 9 hours and our 17hh 1/4 Belgian / Thoroughbred appeared as happy as a horse could be after nine hours on a hot day in a trailer.  One of the local old timers commented that is construction would favor the horse in an accident as if it were knocked over the top would probably come off and free the horse.  He advised us to use a long trailer to tie to the front rings so the horse would be able to get up after an accident, but still be attached to the trailer.   Chris Barr (the owner of Brenderup and the guy in the video) pointed out that it is better that the trailer get damaged than the horse.  Fortunately, I haven't been in an accident with the Brenderup, but a friend of ours had their aluminum trailer T-bone by a drunken kid.  The horses did OK, just lacerations, but the trailer was totaled.   The lesson to me was no matter what kind of accident, the trailer will not probably survive well.  The interior construction, however, will make a major difference in how well the horse does in the accident.  Brenderup seems to have paid a lot of attention to this issue.  I should point out that this is both my first horse and first trailer, so I would be the last person to hold myself out as an expert.  I will say that I enjoyed dealing with Chris Barr, believe that I received good value for my money, and my wife (5ft and just slightly over 100 lbs.) is able to manage the trailer in my absence. (BTW if you are importing a trailer into Canada e-mail me and I will share my experience...)

Well, we've had our trailer for a little more than a week now and I can honestly say it was a great buy! It took our horse about four different attempts to finally load with no problem with our 12 year old daughter taking him right in. He actually loads easier now than he did with our trainer's 4 horse trailer where I have to front load him and them back him in to a stall.  I've driven him around in it twice, the second time he was much quieter but the car does not feel any of that movement. I had my daughter watch him out the back window and he was fine. Connecting and disconnecting is very easy, it takes all of 3min or less, my daughter can do it.
Pulling the trailer back from the MD shore where we bought it through a windy rain storm was a cinch. I cruised at 60-65mph switching lanes with no sway or worry. I was nervous the first time I took the horse out so I kept the speed at no more than 45mph. The second time out I did 55mph on the Hwy, it took a while longer to get up to speed but I had that same experience with a truck and conventional trailer. On my second trip I took a road with a sharp right turn and a steep incline to see what would happen, it was so easy it gave me great  confidence. I was pleasantly surprised With the Lexus RX300 I just need to be sure that overdrive is turned off just as you mentioned. My husband is going to take the Lexus in for routine service next week to see if we should more  frequently have the transmission fluid looked at and to see from the mechanics perspective how the car is running, so far I see/feel no problems as I drive the Lexus more than my husband. 
At our barn the trailer has been a novelty. The kids love it because of the dressing/tack room, lots of envy. The women (moms) are impressed with the easy of use, no heavy items to lift or work with. The conventional trailer people have all been amazed and it seems to me that they are surprised with how sturdy and how safe they see it is. I've had people rethink that in an accident where their metal trailer might split or rupture with metal shards poking their animal mine will not have that issue. What is amazing is the balance and aerodynamics. Already I would never want a conventional trailer, I love this trailer. As I get older (and I'm no spring chicken), I know that I can handle this trailer on my own with my daughter as my husband is not a horse person.
We are very happy we made this decision and we are very happy with Tavel Lane Trailers. They took lots of time to show us how to use and care for our new trailer and said to call them anytime day or night.
Chris, thank you for your help as well and for sending us the DVD. We'll keep in touch.