Bateson Trailers - tell me everything I need to know!

[tobiano1984]

Currently shopping for my first trailer, and I *think* I'm set on a Bateson Deauville or Ascot, although still open to ideas. I really want one with American doors at the back but it's not a deal breaker.

I've found quite a few online, but wondered if anyone can advise on what to look for - they vary from 20 to 3 years old, but all seem to look the same! I've seen varieties of floors - steel, aluminium, plastic - so if you can advise on any years/ages to avoid, what floor to look for and any other pointers for a trailer-buying newby that would be great. A lot of them are miles away (I'm in Kent, they're up north) so would like to ask all the right questions first so I can just go and check it and pick it up, rather than finding out that something isn't right after a 4 hour drive.

Thanks! And if anyone knows of one for sale let me know!!

 

[Charlie77]

Brilliant trailers I have the deuvil. Only advice if you need any thing for them go direct to bateson they are so helpfull I have had silly things like a full breast bar on my trailer n new wheel arch on my dads sheep trailer sent direct. Got mine second hand and had it about four years now. Its perfect I guess about 8 years old in total by now. I chose bateson for the independent suspension and I wanted a big box this is same as a ifor williams hb10 size wize. i look forwad to seeing another bateson on the roads of kent, lol. good luck

 

[MyDogIsAnIdiot]

I think you're in direct competition with me for one!

It's worth giving Bateson a ring to find out if they'll convert a ramp to Boston doors as you then open yourself up to more trailers. There's one on eBay at the moment for £2600 with a new floor, tyres, and brakes.

Best of luck with the search!

 

[tobiano1984]

I think you're in direct competition with me for one!

It's worth giving Bateson a ring to find out if they'll convert a ramp to Boston doors as you then open yourself up to more trailers. There's one on eBay at the moment for £2600 with a new floor, tyres, and brakes.

Best of luck with the search!

Uh oh!

I just have and no they can't as the back frame is completely different.

 

[ROG]

I have contacted Bateson many times and they are so helpful



I must admit that the Bateson Derby is my preferred trailer to recommend to drivers for B licence towing
Bateson Derby trailer
Empty 675 kg
MAM 1700 but can be down plated*

* Contact Bateson on 0161 4260 500 and send them the 1700 plate off the trailer with £10
On receipt they will make up the new plate and send it to you to fix onto the trailer

These links may help
http://www.towinghorsetrailers.co.uk/trailer/1014
http://www.batesontrailers.com/contact-us/

 

[MyDogIsAnIdiot]

Uh oh!

I just have and no they can't as the back frame is completely different.

Noooooooooooooo, damn . There goes that plan! I'm half considering just getting a new one with all the bits I want as ones with Boston doors just don't come up for sale second hand.

 

[DJ]

I have contacted Bateson many times and they are so helpful



I must admit that the Bateson Derby is my preferred trailer to recommend to drivers for B licence towing
Bateson Derby trailer
Empty 675 kg
MAM 1700 but can be down plated*

* Contact Bateson on 0161 4260 500 and send them the 1700 plate off the trailer with £10
On receipt they will make up the new plate and send it to you to fix onto the trailer

These links may help
http://www.towinghorsetrailers.co.uk/trailer/1014
http://www.batesontrailers.com/contact-us/

Super massive **LIKE**

 

[chocolategirl]

Have the ascot and it's FAB FAB FAB! Would never go back to an ifor now, it's not that I have anything against them I've had 2 from new over the years, but after having the bateson, for me there is no competition. Highly recommend and they hold there value well because there aren't many of them for sale second hand ( I know from when I got mine) I guess because people buy them and are so happy with them they keep Hold of them? unlike ifors which are ten a penny so to speak.

 

[Jnhuk]

Loved my Deauville when I had it years ago and certainly would look at Bateson again if went back to a trailer

 

[Doublethyme]

My sister had a Deauville, lovely trailer and now well loved by a friend. We now have an Ascot with Boston doors and love love love it!!!

Its 10 years old but we picked it up cheaper and got the parts direct from Bateson to fit new composite floor and decal stickers.

Horses love the trailer, load and travel well. Tows beautifully. Highly recommend. Only improvement for me would be able to have a brand new one.

Really like the Boston doors, so easy to use.

 

[CrazyMare]

I have an Ascot. Think its about 14years old now.

Replaced the floor at 10years. Bateson sent all thd parts by courier. They suggest the floor is good for 10 years. They told us they weren't fans of ali floors as the horses didn't travel so well

Would have another Bateson no question

 

[Doublethyme]

Have to say much prefer the softer feel that I get walking in my Bateson with the plastic composite floor than walking acriss friends' Ifor trailers with Ali floors. The suspension is superior for the horses too in my experience.

 

[holt889]

I love my ascot with barn doors. Such an easy trailer to hitch up on your own, easy to move about and the barn doors make loading quick and hassle free. I've not had a horse/pony that won't go in .... Even bad loaders, as they step in before they realise what they're doing !!! The small ramp is there if needed but I hardly ever use it. If you call Bateson direct I believe they may still knock some money off so worth a call. The ride for the horses is far better than Ifors too.

 

[lucemoose]

I bought an Ascot with the Boston doors brand new. Got Mr bateson as the delivery driver so he had a good laugh at me bouncing around in excitement. I loved it and sold it as left the country boo

 

[celticdiamond]

I bought a Bateson Ascot ex demo about 4 years ago, sold last year due to sale of horse. Held it's value well and was a pleasure to use and tow, horses all travelled well. Great with the added tack locker in the front!

 

[Shazzababs]

I'm on my second Ascot with the American Doors.

I sold the first to move to a lorry, and then bought a second when I had to go back to a trailer. The one I sold held its value really well and still looked like new when I sold it.

I'd never have anything else.

The American doors are so much better than a ramp, for loading and being able to shut one half while you load the second horse. Also no heavy lifting or danger or getting crushed. Most horses hop quite happily up the step, I've rarely had to pull out the ramp.

My horse travels really well, and the tack locker at the front is really useful (I use mine for the poo bucket and spade rather than tack as it keeps the smell out of the Landy!)

It also has the advantage of being loaded with a forklift when we need to get other things.

It took me 6 months to find a secondhand one with American doors and had to do an 8hr round trip to pick it up. So be prepared to be patient.

 

[tobiano1984]

Great to hear lots of positive reports - as I'm off to pick up a trailer (with Boston doors) tomorrow night!! Only a 500 mile round trip....but will hopefully be worth it and I think they hold their value from what I've seen.

 

[MagicMelon]

I absolutely love our Ascot, although it is rather old now and looking a bit tatty round the edges but it's been very well used, we've just got new replacement decals for it to freshen it up. Wish I could afford a new one and I'd definately go for the same again. I have the usual doors but I wish I'd got the barn doors now - mainly because the barn doors when closed have less of a gap at the top but still enough for ventilation. It is a little annoying just having one big top door which folds up so if Im travelling a new or anxious horse ideally I'd like to close one door (the one behind it - which you can do with Ifors) but you have to either have it down which leaves a massive gap or put it up and the gap at the top isnt very wide for enough ventilation so it does get hot.

Bateson are also generally very good on customer service. We reported one issue to them and they sent us parts free of charge to fix the problem.

 

[Kat]

I have a second hand bateson deauville bought from someone on here and I love it!

The people at Bateson are very helpful if you need parts etc as is our local dealer/servicing place.

I have been out in other peoples much newer Ifor trailers and I wouldn't swap! The best feature is the weight, I can push mine around on my own which is great for someone who is a bit rubbish at reversing!

I have taken the decals off as they were a bit scruffy and I am still deciding whether to keep it plain white or get new decals to match my tow car.......

 

[Rhubarb]

I've also got an Ascot with the boston doors and two side windows. It's fantastic and very easy to tow and use on your own. I don't use the ramp and my horse strolls in even with one door shut. The tack locker is very handy and holds 2 saddles and a tray for bits and pieces. The little shelf above it is handy too! The front unload ramp is really very light. You don't see many down south, maybe because they are made up north. I bought mine 2nd hand from the midlands. I hope you enjoy your new trailer!

 

[tobiano1984]

Argh after all that, got all my money out, OH booked the afternoon off work and the lady sold the trailer this morning just before we started our journey up...! Very irritating.

So...once more, if anyone hears of a Bateson Ascot or Deauville for sale, preferably with the Boston doors, PLEASE put them in touch...!

 

[MyDogIsAnIdiot]

Ah, that's such a shame . Fingers crossed you manage to find one local to you. There's an Ascot with ramp on eBay for about £2.7k at the moment if that's any good to you?

I've admitted defeat and am just going to get a new one with all the bits I want on it. Will hopefully be ordering around Jan/Feb time so I'm stuck with a hire trailer (Ifor, ugh) until then.

 

[tobiano1984]

Ah, that's such a shame . Fingers crossed you manage to find one local to you. There's an Ascot with ramp on eBay for about £2.7k at the moment if that's any good to you?

I've admitted defeat and am just going to get a new one with all the bits I want on it. Will hopefully be ordering around Jan/Feb time so I'm stuck with a hire trailer (Ifor, ugh) until then.

I'm watching it...I may end up getting one with a ramp in the short term and then order a new one like you, when I have some more funds!