would like help with weights and hitches please

You could opt for an 8' TC and not need the extension.

The "right" 8' TC would keep you closer to the weight limits of a 250.

Thanks JumboJet, however, I am not sure if they make C/O that size that has a bathroom. I have only seen the longer ones with them.

Take a look at any used Lance 815s. They have a small wet bath and shower and you can use your factory hitch.

With the weight of your horse trailer, you will need a super hitch or a 2 1/2" model versus the standard 2" receiver. Most factory OEM receivers top out at around 10,000 lbs.

I recommend updating your truck and trailer, and leaving a couple horses at home. And I am not a member of the weight police. I would not try it with less than a 350/3500 dually and a newer light weight aluminum 2 horse trailer, and then I would add suspension upgrades, such as air bags or stabliloads, plus a good hitch with weight distribution, and still you will need one of the smaller campers. There is a lot of difference in pulling a static load like a boat or cargo trailer and a live one. 4,000 to even 5,000 pounds of horse flesh moving about will cause some sway when you go over weight limits. I have been dragging horses around for 50 years.

The best way to accomplish your goal is with a living quarters gooseneck.

We hauled a 3 horse slant LQ with a 10' short wall aluminum Featherlite with our 2500 Chevy Duramax with no problems. My daughters haul their two to six horses with their 2015 Dodge 3/4 tons as well to barrel races and rodeos. Traveling with multiple horses gets to be a lot of work. Depends on how many people are riding them to justify the hassles of extra horses. There's the feed, water, portable pens for places with none, poop cleaning tools, equipment, etc. The living quarters trailer is a much better option for horse camping since you can more easily use the truck for non horse excursions. Think you'd be much happier and be more economical for that route to camping experience. Especially if you're starting from scratch. Me, I'm down to one, one eyed trail horse and a one horse tandem axle trailer since DH doesn't ride, at all. And now that's even getting to be a bit much. It's horse or boat or Toyota FJ, or just the truck, us and the dogs.

Your truck is around 6000 lbs, trailer is 11000. That leaves 3k lbs that you can have as a camper. GCVW is 20k on that truck IIRC. Doesn't leave much for a camper.

That lance 815 would be the max I'd want on it.

Trailgranny,

We have been using collars and stake outs with a 15' tether for years with good results, after trying portable pens including electric fencing. Google it or PM me if interested. Tarpin Hill, my last source is out of business, but there other bird dog suppliers out there

It's doable with the right truck wheel, tire, and suspension modifications and a smaller camper than mine. The LQ route is not my cup of tea

My horse is 15 and never staked out in the past. Tried to educate him when I first got him but it was a disaster even tho I've trained plenty of others. He's just had some horrible experience before I got him that no amount of desensitizing can undo. If we'd had the financial option to keep our trailer when we first retired we would have and used it for the horse camping and added the TC to use as we do now just for the extra space but alas economics and Uncle Sam had other plans for those funds. So here we are and is all good after all. Each of us had to find what we're comfortable with.