Buying a horse trailer... what to look out for/ask.

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WHWMo

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Hi all,

As per the title really. I am looking at buying my first trailer (HB505 or equivalent) and have been a bit left behind by how quickly they sell online and by word of mouth- especially the Ifor Williams ones. What I don’t want to do is buy one too quickly in a panic without having researched it and then end up with a lemon!

What should I look for in the photos and/or ask the sellers? I would ideally like an Ifor Williams but that’s only really based on familiarity with the brand. I know you should ask about the floor but what do you look for in the floor when you go and view it?

I also have no idea how old is too old for a trailer- immaculate looking Ifor Williams’ 2003 for instance- is that too old to buy in the hope it will continue for another 5 or so years?

And with the chassis number- I know you should check if the trailer has been stolen via the chassis number but is there a database to check this against or do you just have to check it corresponds with the log books etc?

Thanks in advance for any help given :)
 
Check tyres for tread level and perishing

Do a test drive and slam on brakes and reverse, usually shows up major stuff.

Take a pen knife and run into the floor and walls, particularly at joints and the back corners.

Hook it up to your electrics and make sure everything works.

Ask about service history, you should be able to see receipts for work done. For older trailers you might expect them to have a replacement floor - if they haven’t factor that into the purchase price.

Serial number - I generally ask them for it then do nothing with the info, working in the assumption that if they give it willingly the likelihood is it unlikely to be dodgy.
 
Copied from a recent FB post by a well respected trailer dealer:

Buying a trailer check list

When looking for a second hand trailer its important to actually know what your looking at.

1. Trailer overall condition. Is it clean inside and out has someone spent time looking after it. If the mudguards are held on with baler band and checker plate covers the lower half and the roof is green with algae the inside still has horse muck in it then be aware. An unloved outside is unlikely to be mechanically good.

2 Tyres: the trailer tyres are essential to you and your horse arriving alive at the end of your journey. The sidewall on tyres contains lots of information two important ones are i.e 165 13c , 175 13t these tell you the width (165 mm) and the wheel diameter (13 inch) the C or T or occasionally LT stands for commercial, truck and light truck which means they are designed to take more weight than standard car tyres. The other numbers will appear such as 4516 and this translates as the 45 week of 2016 or 1209 the 12th week of 2009. If someone tells you the trailer is a 2014 model but all the tyres are 2009 ask questions. When looking at tyres check for cracking in between the treads and on the sides. Any cracking is a sign of deterioration.

3. Floors: Thoroughly check any wooden floor as many have been replaced with marine ply which contrary to popular belief is not suitable for this purpose. Any rot you can see will be a lot greater when actually taken out.
Aluminium floors should be relatively maintenance free and safe however get underneath and check that someone hasn't just put checker plate over a rotten wood floor.

4. Side Panels: press, push and poke all the way around the edges anywhere you can depress a side panel is an indication of rot in the wooden core. On trailers such as Cheval Pullman the side panels are structural to the trailer and should have no rot in them.

5. Ramps: jump on them, your horse will, use your eyes and your heel to push in in around the edges to find any soft spots. Make sure the ramps are reasonably light to lift up and down.

6. Underneath. Take a mat and get on your knees and look under the trailer at the brake cables, are they rusty, bent, missing? Look at the back of each wheel is it very rusty and also are the electric cables all secure.

7. Tow head. Try the handbrake if it is the type without a release button how high does it come up. If nearly vertical or beyond likely to be either badly adjusted or worse non existent brakes. Try pushing the tow head back if it moves easily then the damper may be on its last legs.

8. Electrics: plug them in and try them on your car if possible. If not ask the seller to plug in.

Finally dont get hung up on age a well maintained older trailer with lots of paperwork is likely to be a long term better buy than something newer but unloved.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of problems but make a check list, look carefully and if not sure be prepared to walk away.

Get to know your local trailer supplier/dealer and always ask advice. They may offer a trailer pre purchase inspection for better peace of mind.
 
Don't get too hung up on aluminium floors. They can fail, and with less warning than a wooden floor. A well maintained wooden floor in good condition (take a screwdriver for prodding and make sure you can lift all the rubber) isn't an issue.
 
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