1 horse or 2-horse Ifor Williams

[Tooster]

Hello there

We're looking to get a second hand trailer soon and we've been looking at a 1 horse or 2 horse Ifor Williams.

We've worked out the weights and we can do either trailer but we can only carry one horse with our 4x4.

Are there any pros/cons to 1 horse or 2 horse trailers that we should think about? We know the 1 horse will be easier to tow as it's lighter and a bit more streamlined ... but is there anything else (using it rather then towing it and also from horse perspective)?

Thanks

 

[Clippy]

It might be just me, but I don't think single trailers look very safe. I'd go for a 2 horse anyday! Wider and more stable, definately more horse friendly too!

 

[be positive]

A friend has a single it tows really well, the horse has more space than in a double with the partition in and there is space to get to it if you want to tack up inside. Only problem is there is not the spare section for your kit.

 

[s4sugar]

I think legally you have to have towing capacity for the trailer at full load so if you get a double you have to get it re-labelled (or whatever it is called).

How about a mare & foal box? A bit wider than a standard single.

 

[smellsofhorse]

What 4 x4 do you have?

I think both types are good, its what you would prefers.
Can you take a look inside a single and double and see what you like?

 

[rockysmum]

I had a Rice (or similar) single years ago and didn't like it. It felt narrow and claustrophobic, even though the horse travelled well in it. It was easy to tow as it was narrower than my land rover so if the car went through a gap the trailer did.

I have a 510 now and like it for the extra space and lighter roomier feel. But its wider than the car and I find I think about it all the time when towing. Makes it more stressful if you know what I mean.

I have always thought the Ifor single trailer would be good as it has the best of both worlds. Its a mare and foal trailer so wider than the old singles but still narrower than most towing vehicles. Its also lighter than my trailer which cant be a bad thing.

The resale prices seem to be good as second ones are quite hard to get hold of, I was looking for one for a friend and there weren't many about.

Only downside I can see is not being able to take two if you need to. When I had a single I often regretted it when friends wanted to go somewhere with me. Cant have one now as I have 3 horses

 

[Fools Motto]

I love my ifor 401!
Can't fault it.

 

[magichorse]

I'd definately go for the single. I bought a single Ifor a couple of years ago, and I love it. The fact that it is not wider than the car is a real bonus to me, much easier to tow. Also as someone else mentioned legally your car needs to be able to tow the full laden weight whether you travel one horse or two. I find mine very stable and horse has more room than in half a double trailer.

Only problem I had was I couldn't find a reasonably priced second hand one. I ended up buying new as I was only saving a few hundred by buying a 5 year old one. Seems they hold their value well.

 

[ROG]

I think legally you have to have towing capacity for the trailer at full load so if you get a double you have to get it re-labelled (or whatever it is called).

How about a mare & foal box? A bit wider than a standard single.

The towing capacity and the trailer MAM are seperate issues

On a B+E licence the vehicle can have a towing capacity of say 2000 and oull a trailer with a MAM of 3500
As long as the trailer is not actually loaded to more than 2000 (Empty trailer + load) then it is legal

 

[Tooster]

Thanks for all your comments and help ... we're going to look at some next weekend so it'll be interesting to see how much room is in the Ifor 1 horse (mare and foal) ...

Thanks again ...