Best trailer?

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Victoria25

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Hi guys

Im looking to get a trailer sometime around Christmas ...

is there a certain 'one' thats better than the others?

I need something to go on the back of a Mitsubish L200 and that will be suitable for x 2 16.2's

Budget wise - around £2,500

:D
 
THIS SITE is good for looking at the different specifications for many types of makes
Just click on the make and then click on the more info link

PS - I assume you have a B+E licence or will be towing under B+E provisional rules?
 
Thanks, I'll look into those later :D

No not as yet ... arranging my test before the end of the year (just in middle of getting a few prices) and hopefully getting trailer @ Xmas ready for next year :D
 
Victoria25 said:
Thanks, I'll look into those later :D

No not as yet ... arranging my test before the end of the year (just in middle of getting a few prices) and hopefully getting trailer @ Xmas ready for next year :D
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Depending in which part of th UK you are I might be able to give a recommendation for a B+E trainer

I noticed that you are needing to tow 2 horses so trying to figure a way to do that by towing on a B only licence is really a non starter

If you have the option of getting the trailer early and have a B+E supervising driver in with you then this may be useful -

SUPERVISING A B+E LEARNER
In April 2010 new rules were introduced for those supervising certain learner drivers but they only affected those supervising VOCATIONAL categories such as C1 C1+E D1 & D1+E where the supervising driver had those categories given to them for free when they passed a pre 1997 car test.
They do not affect those with a pre 1997 B+E licence who wish to supervise a B+E learner.
All B licence holders have B+E provisional on the paper part of their licence and can tow an empty or loaded trailer on all roads including motorways.
The usual rules apply when a learner is driving -
The supervising driver must be aged over 21
The supervising driver must have held a B+E licence for at least 3 years
L plates must be fitted to the front of the vehicle and the rear of the trailer
Correct insurance for a B+E learner

Many will find that passing the once in a lifetime B+E test is their best option so here is some info on that test:-

The B+E test
No medical or theory test required
Read a number plate from a certain distance
VIDEO - Show Me Tell Me Questions - usually 5
The next three can be in any order:-
VIDEO - Reversing Exercise - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up - done in test centre grounds if test conducted from practical test centre - some tests are now being done from training school grounds
One hour road drive - includes the independent drive and is done virtually the same as the basic car test

DISCLAIMER - I have no connection to any companies which may be featured in those videos
 
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I tow a Bateson Deauville with my Nissan Navara. It is that bit lighter than other trailers of its size and has enough headroom for two 17hh (mine isn't that big though) I can also move it around unhitched which is essential when your tow vehicle is a pickup as they are so long they make reversing manouveres very tough!

ETA: Your L200 will be too big to enable you to tow horses on a B licence I would have thought, and you certainly wouldn't be able to tow two, but you could drive on L-plates. I have B+E but DH doesn't and he is planning to get lots of towing practice in with L-plates on and me in the passenger seat, he also drives the trailer when we are on private land (getting it out and putting it away on the yard etc). If you have someone who could supervise you then I would get the trailer first.
 
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Hi guys

Im looking at the B&E course/test so Im assuming that if I pass, I will then be able to tow a two horse trailer with my L200 unsupervised? :confused:

Also, will I need to change my license card for a B&E provisional before I take the course/test?

Yes, deffo want something lightweight - Kat, can you move yours on your own?
 
I have a classic 505. Though ideal for one horse, I don't think I'd be happy with two 16.2's in it, unless skinny TB types. It's not overly generous in width I find. However VERY happy with the trailer itself, we had a real bit of luck finding it as it's as new and has only been used by us a handful of times (and very lovingly cleaned every time by me :D)

We tow with an L200.
 
I'd never actually be taking two large horses in the trailer at any one time O just wanted the option in an emergency.

Ive got two horses:

16.2 TB who Ive just started showing locally this year but touch wood, we'll be doing a bit more next year.

I also have a 16hh arab who's in foal and we're wanting to do youngstock classes next year/year after ...

Only be ever taking one of the other (TB or arab) x
 
Victoria25 said:
Hi guys

Im looking at the B&E course/test so Im assuming that if I pass, I will then be able to tow a two horse trailer with my L200 unsupervised? :confused: Yes, just suggesting that it would be worth buying the trailer before you do the course so you can practice with supervision

Also, will I need to change my license card for a B&E provisional before I take the course/test?
I think you have that automatically
Yes, deffo want something lightweight - Kat, can you move yours on your own? I can if it is on the flat in a fairly straight line, but we park on a hill so I normally need help
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:D :D :D
 
Ah well in that case, I'd recommend the 505 classic. It's a lovely box. However you'd never move it alone. My OH can just about, but he's very fit. That said, I don't find the L200 unmanouverable at all, then again we use it to tow everything here, tractor, sheep trailers, livestock trailer and the horse trailer so maybe we just have perfected the art now :D
 
I would if we could but husband has agreed to buy me the trailer as a joint birthday/xmas pressie so cant get any sooner - plus husband also missed out on B&E by two months so he cant help :(
 
BoolavogueDC said:
Ah well in that case, I'd recommend the 505 classic. It's a lovely box. However you'd never move it alone. My OH can just about, but he's very fit. That said, I don't find the L200 unmanouverable at all, then again we use it to tow everything here, tractor, sheep trailers, livestock trailer and the horse trailer so maybe we just have perfected the art now :D
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Well husband will be there on show days etc and he's 6ft 5 and lives in the gym so that's OK but just want something I could maye move about myself for the evenings he's at work and I fancy popping out all alllooone :o
 
The only time I manually move my trailer is for hitching and then we're talking a wiggle just in case I haven't put the car in the right place exactly. That's do able.

My OH can actually move my trailer, albeit not far - ie if he needed to push it back a few feet etc, which I'd never be able to do.

IWs on average weight in at just under a tonne, whereas some of the lighter models weigh in 600-800kgs.
 
If positioned perfectly lowering the whole trailer will drop it onto the ball of your tow hitch. This is done by twizzling (technical term) the handle by the jockey wheel. You'll see the locking mechanism pop back as it attaches onto your ball hitch and then you pull up the jockey wheel and twizzle it locked up off the ground.

This will all become clear to you once you look at it :D promise!!

But yes, you can wiggle an ifor onto a ball hitch if you're not quite right, but believe you start getting it right after having to wiggle it a few times :D
 
Victoria25 said:
Q1 - Im looking at the B&E course/test so Im assuming that if I pass, I will then be able to tow a two horse trailer with my L200 unsupervised? :confused:

Q2 - Also, will I need to change my license card for a B&E provisional before I take the course/test?
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A1 - Correct - all on your own :)
A2 - NO because you already have B+E provisional on the paper part of your licence :D

Provisionals are usually put on the paper part of the licence leaving the photocard with the categories which you already have a full licence for
 
REMEMBER - when hitching up to a trailer and you need to move it a little - PUT THE BREAKAWAY CABLE ON FIRST - that way if it starts to roll away for whatever reason it aint gonna go far
 
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OP because of where we have to park our trailer it isn't easy to reverse up close to hitch up or to reverse the trailer back into its space so we tend to reverse the truck up near ish then pull the trailer out of its space and onto the tow ball by hand. Then when we get back we drive forwards so we are level with our space, then unhitch and push the trailer into its space. This is quicker, easier and saves wearing the clutch with lots of back and forth on a slope. The people who reverse their trailers in tend to have very big engined but shorter wheelbased 4x4s compared to ours (3.5 shogun, 3.2 trooper etc).

As I said I can move my Bateson on my own providing I'm not trying to push it up hill. I can certainly shove it about a bit to get it to line up on my own. They are much lighter than an IW at about 800kg. They also have better suspension giving the horse a smoother ride.
 
Yes IW's are very rattly trailers, it's one thing I would change if I could - the rattly bumpyness, even with a very careful experienced tower!
Luckilly my horse is absolutely disinterested in travelling so doesn't care about the ride, but if you had one that did, IW might not be my first choice!
 
Thanks again for all your replies and sorry not been on sooner :D

Update - Im using a friends trailer and doing a bit of practising on private land - to get a feel of it - see how many lessons we're going to need ;)

To the people that have the L200's ... how do you enable the indicators etc to work on the trailer through your vehicle? is there a switch somewhere or a connection I have to buy?? It's a 2007 plate 4 work (animal) if that helps?
 
Kat said:
OP because of where we have to park our trailer it isn't easy to reverse up close to hitch up or to reverse the trailer back into its space so we tend to reverse the truck up near ish then pull the trailer out of its space and onto the tow ball by hand. Then when we get back we drive forwards so we are level with our space, then unhitch and push the trailer into its space. This is quicker, easier and saves wearing the clutch with lots of back and forth on a slope. The people who reverse their trailers in tend to have very big engined but shorter wheelbased 4x4s compared to ours (3.5 shogun, 3.2 trooper etc).

As I said I can move my Bateson on my own providing I'm not trying to push it up hill. I can certainly shove it about a bit to get it to line up on my own. They are much lighter than an IW at about 800kg. They also have better suspension giving the horse a smoother ride.
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I defof this this is what we're going to have to do Kat as Im not 100% sure where Im going to keep the trailer at the moment ... hmmm need to figure that one out! :confused: I could keep in the field but a bit hilly ... ? x
 
There is a black plug, with brassish looking connectors, which hangs on the ifor - that plugs into the back of our truck. Then when you use all the indicators etc - you can go back and check them on the trailer (or if you have a helper, get them to :D)
 
BoolavogueDC said:
There is a black plug, with brassish looking connectors, which hangs on the ifor - that plugs into the back of our truck. Then when you use all the indicators etc - you can go back and check them on the trailer (or if you have a helper, get them to :D)
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Ah I see, yes there's a plug on the tow bar ... brilliant thanks x
 
Changed from a Rice to a Bateson last year and absolutely LOVE it. I spent quite a long time looking at different trailers and specs (not just online - I actually visited the dealers and spent time fiddling around with ramps and doors.)

I can easily move the Bateson by myself; it has a super smooth ride (smoother than an IW) because of difference in suspension. I have the double doors rather than a ramp and this is fantastic for loading - all horses, even difficult loaders have happily stepped up into it and as I have the Ascot I have a lovely big tack locker that takes both my saddles comfotably (although I did have it adjusted slightly be Bateson when I bought it to make sure) and it locks which means that I can put saddles which is very handy. It is super easy to hitch and pull brilliantly with my land rover discovery or defender.

My mare was a difficult loader and traveler with the Rice but now loads and travels like a dream. I can hitch and load her by myself in about 15 minutes now which is fab.

(I too have had a horse go through the floor of a trailer and I am perfectly happy with the floor of the Bateson - having said that I did hear they recently had some problems with a new floor material but I think that has been resolved)

Good luck!
 
Is there any chance I could tow a trailer (before I pass my test) on a provisional license say with L plates etc if I have someone who has their license in the vehicle with me so I can practise with a trailer? Or can I only practise on private land? x
 
Yes you can practice on the road with L plates and a supervising driver who has B+E or who has done a trailer test.
 
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