Navigating the backcountry around San Diego can be a challenge for drivers of trucks with trailers. Even with the difficulty of maneuvering his trailer rig up and down these snaking roads, Ramona, Calif., farrier Chris Richter says his setup is a good one.

His 35-foot rig consists of a 6-by8-foot 1998 Callen Camper trailer towed by a 2006 3/4-ton Dodge Diesel quad-cab, long-bed pickup.

“It’s a definite step up from the smaller Ford Ranger I had when I started shoeing 5 years ago,” he says. Richter has actually saved money by upgrading to the larger vehicle, despite the difference in the size of the trucks. “The maintenance costs were killing me,” he explains. “Everywhere you go out of Ramona includes a trip up or down a steep, winding road. The Ranger just wasn’t cut out for it.”

He pulls a four-horse stock-bumper trailer, carries a fifth wheel almost every week and needs the utility of his truck to do more than transport his shoeing business.

His trailer holds a 250-capacity shoe rack, 135-pound anvil, welder, drill press, propane forge and supplies like pads, nails and other standard shoeing gear.

When it came time to replace his Ford Ranger, Richter specifically went looking for a trailer rig and larger truck.

He purchased the Dodge to haul his fifth wheel and spent several months shoeing out of the back of it using a roll…