Best Trailer Make Poll...(Are Ifor Williams really the best?)

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Forget_Me_Not

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I'm thinking of using the money I have from selling Parker on buying a decent trailer, I wish it was a stinking great big sparkly lorry but as I'm paying for it myself and transport has alway been a dream to me I just want the best for my money and some thing I'm not going to regret. Ideally something that keep its a value well too.

Sorry if I've forgot any other big names.
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youve forgotten Equitrek grrr - only joking
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Ive got an Equitrek. I would never have another Ifor even if it were given to me. Had too many issues with mine and my mare, however saying that the first Ifor I got was lovely (till some git nicked it) the replacement one caused the problems but after getting the Equitrek i wouldnt go back.
Shortlist for me was the Bateson and Equitrek, so personally if i had the money but not enough to buy an Equitrek i would go for the Bateson.
 
there are some 2nd hand ones knocking about, and they sill look good even if they are a good few years old. we sold ours back to the dealer as all the people who wanted it were down south and didnt want to travel up north for it
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I would like an Equitrek or a Fautra, but in third place would be a Bateson and probably the only one I could afford.

I have an old, large Richardson at the moment. Horse travels well and it is OK, and I got it because when he was young he tended to kick a bit and he would have kiced my old wooden trailer to bits, but I think the suspension is a bit old fashioned for travelling long distances, or on the motorway as it starts to bounce a bit over 40 mph.

As I only go about 30-35 on local B roads it is OK for normal every day use.
 
There really is no 'best', it is all personal preference. We looked at all sorts, including Batesons and Cheval Liberte, before deciding on an Ifor Williams. We liked the finish of the interior (didn't like the metal in the Bateson) and the quality of the overall product. You get a lot of extras on a CL, but they aren't very well built or finished. The Equitreks are just too big for what we need, and very heavy. We found the IW were best value for money, nicely made and very easy to tow. Also, nice and airy inside, and not too heavy.
 
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Make the Ifor's look flimsy.


[/ QUOTE ] When Parker went we followed behind them as didn't know where thier yard was and thats just what I thought seeing it., it didn't like all that sturdy. We have a IforWilliams shop thats pretty local so will go check them out this weekend, no doubt buy one, ha!
 
I've just been in the same position as you, my previous trailer was an Ifor Williams hb401 single trailer. I updated to an Ifor Williams hb505 purley because IW have a such a good reputation of being very well made.

However, if money wasn't an issue I would love to have a full spec equetrek with the big living area!
 
Depends what your priorities are! Mine was comfort for Ronnie, so I went for the trailer that gives the best ride - Cheval Liberte (well, it has the best suspension!). It's a lovely solid trailer and although some of them aren't very well finished there's only a couple of rough bits on the inside of mine, and it's well-planned out if you like and very easy to use - my only niggles are that the ramp do-ups protrude when the ramp is down and that I can't remove the grille from the partition.

I didn't like Ifors, found them rattly and awkward (but I LOVE the new ones and would have one like a shot, cr&p wishbone suspension or not
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). Batesons lovely, but quite expensive and "extras" are usually essential so I think they should just be included. Fautras ok but CL similar and much much cheaper. Equitreks nice but you need hefty towing power!

I didn't look at Richardson Rice or any others.

It comes down to taste in the end. Someone said they didn't like the CL as it's too lightweight, but mine weighs the same as the middle Bateson?! I have a dislike of old Ifors that I can't seem to get over
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Indespension Emperor Takes 2 x 18 h.h has lorry bottom so no wooden floors, solid, painted in a special paint on hot days leave shut up and lovely and cool in side for horses. Shame they don't make them anymore I had one of the last one's made and you don't see them advertised second hand people just hand on to them. Three way locking for security on towbar. Its lovely oh! you also get 30% less sway/wave than all or most other makes.
 
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Richardson Rice - fantastic, sturdily built, nice to tow, and hold their money. Make the Ifor's look flimsy.

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Exactly what she said, my Rice is now 13 years old and going strong. Never had a fault with it apart from a new floor which cost £300.
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My Rice is ANCIENT! (Literally, it's pre 1964!!!!
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), but it is so sturdy. In the last few years since I've had it I have replaced the floor and the hitch because I wanted to be extra careful. I regularly have it checked over by a mechanic and he can't find anything wrong with it. Properly built and built to last! Haven't had a horse yet that has refused to load into it or travel badly in it (mainly I think because it has a solid partition to the floor unlike the new ones you get). I would like it resprayed but sadly money doesn't grow on trees!
 
I have the little Bateson - exactly what I needed - very light, easy to tow, gives a lovely ride and can be towed by my car.

Chancer travels well in it and the fact that it is only rear load is not a problem. To be honest, even when I had front load I used to reverse them out as they don't rush out and less hassle having to undo another end of the trailer.

Batesons are well made, mine is now 10 years old and in excellent condition, though the floor was replaced just before I bought it 2 years ago. They also seem to be less attractive to thieves.
 
Rice trailers are fantastic and I have always had them. They are robust and the front unload comes down onto the lt hand side which I think is much safer if you need to unload on the road, god forbid.
 
Ifor Williams, we decided we liked their flooring and partitioning the best, and we have always had them, never had any reason to change, plus the Ifor services are really great.
 
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Richardson Rice - fantastic, sturdily built, nice to tow, and hold their money. Make the Ifor's look flimsy.

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Hmmm we had a Rice, could not get rid of it fast enough as we had endless problems.

Bought the very first 505 Classic in Scotland (when they were still supposed to be a limited edition) and love it so much we've just bought a 510 Classic as well while we can.

Friends have Equi Treks and love them.
 
I have a Pegasus Huntsman and it is great!! Tows really well, really good dual catch / handle on the ramps (only think i dont really like about the handle/release catch is that it is in the middle of the trailer, so hard to stand to the side if a problem horse inside, but spooks is an angel to travel so no worries!!)
 
liked my Ifor - trouble is so do alot of dishonest people and it got NICKED. (Was 'secured' and in 'secure' place behind locked gates too.) Now have a Bateson and am as happy as was with the Ifor and it is easier to spot at shows. Personally, it is more stable to tow,.(Have to try to clean it...) (Now is kept locked up in a locked up barn!) Bateson locking on towbar is an art form; Ifor was easier to lock up and Bateson Deauville is couple of cm less in width than comparitive Ifor - horses do notice this at first.
But choice really down to available funds and personal preference and towing vehichle.
 
I love my Bateson deauville which I got 2 months ago.
Looked at Ifor's, CL's and Bateson's and have to say it was no contest for me. My horse doesn't travel well, so I decided the independant suspension was a must (that ruled at IW) and he can kick out a bit and was worried that the CL might end up trashed as they seemed a bit flimsy! (although I think he likes it cos he doesn't kick it like he used to my old one). With van doors and windows as extra, it worked out about the same as an Ifor as you get a manufacturers discount if you go to them direct, Bonus!! Should hold it's value pretty well too by all accounts. Horses for course though, I'm sure
 
Richardson / Rice

The new ones are superb and will last forever! Ifor's are very flimsy and I think the suspension gives a bumpy ride for the passengers.
 
I had a Bayhill Sportsman Double Horse Trailer, from brand new, just sold it a few months back (boo hoo) loved it. Solid, light weight, easy hook up, easy to push about. Not one thing broke or cracked, just the floor (wear and tear as it was about 12 year old they only put wooden floors in) which I had replaced a couple of years ago which did set me back £400 pound but well worth it if you used them alot, the coachbuilder said was all in excellent condition and would last a good 20 years to come! My friend bought a brand new Rice Richardson trailer (the biggest they do) and her horse was only in it 5 seconds and it trashed the divider and broke the pivot and the chest bar in two!

Only sold it because I need a horse box
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Think someone told by Bayhill went into administration years ago...don't quote me on it though.
 
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