Buying a trailer - advice and suggestions for a numpty

Kat

Kat

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Please make this simple for a complete novice to trailers and towing!

I've got a vehicle with a maximum towing capacity of 2.6t, I have a B+E licence and I want to get a trailer to transport my horse. I only have one horse but would like room to take a friend if I want to, although that isn't essential. The horse is a WBx fairly lightweight type standing about 15.3hh, but still with some maturing to do.

I don't want to spend mega bucks on a trailer as I have no idea how much we will use it, but I would like to be able to have the freedom to trailer out for hacks in the country etc as well as doing shows, pleasure rides and maybe hunting so I'm thinking I would be better buying rather than hiring a trailer.

Please give me some advice and suggestions on makes and models to look for or avoid, what kind of budget I need, what to look for when viewing trailers, whether there are any good dealers or whether private sales are best, any advice really!

But in particular give me an idea of how much will I need to save to get something safe (doesn't need to be smart or luxurious). Should I try to get something good or get something a bit older and cheaper and get any work done myself?

Is it possible to get lessons in towing as a one off for people who don't need to do the test? If so where do I find an instructor?

Any/all sensible advice appreciated!
 
I have a new Ifor HB506 and love it. The older style ones hold thier money but are good. we had one from when they first came out and were good.
 
Kat said:
Please make this simple for a complete novice to trailers and towing!

I've got a vehicle with a maximum towing capacity of 2.6t, I have a B+E licence and I want to get a trailer to transport my horse. I only have one horse but would like room to take a friend if I want to, although that isn't essential.

what to look for when viewing trailers, whether there are any good dealers or whether private sales are best, any advice really!


Is it possible to get lessons in towing as a one off for people who don't need to do the test? If so where do I find an instructor?
Click to expand...
VIDEO - CHECKING OUT A TRAILER

As you may not have done the B+E test -
VIDEO - Reversing a trailer
VIDEO - Uncouple/couple up

If you have your own vehicle and trailer then simply get an experienced trailer towing driver to give you a few pointers - much cheaper than using an instructor - if you were near Leicester LE4 then I would help for FREE
If you really want an expensive instructor then simply google - B+E trailer towing lessons Leicester - or whever you live

You can get a trailer up to 3500 plated MAM on a B+E and as long as the actual weight when its loaded does not go above 2600 then its legal

I cannot help with what trailer to get as I am not 'horsey'
 
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Thanks ROG will see whether YM might help me out with pointers etc. Will check out the videos too.

Scribble - a friend is selling an Ifor 505 but is being coy about how much she wants for it, what would you think would be reasonable for a relatively new 505 in good nick?
 
Bearing in mind IWT's of about 10 years old are going for £2,000/£2,500 if it's much newer it will be worth more I think they retail around £4,000/£4,500 so for one up to 5 years old you're probably going to pay £3,000/£3,500. I would go to a nearby dealer and have a look at some trailers, look at how doors open close and what they're like inside. Work out size of horse, if he's 15.3 now and has some growing to do I might be tempted to go for a bigger trailer that will take over 16.2's then do the weight sums and make sure you're tow vehicle is up to pulling the weight.

Things you need to check are the floor - and that goes for any trailer, personally I would also be interested in where the trailer has been stored, if on grass condensation can pool underneath and cause the floor to rot, so lift the matting in several places or crawl underneath with a small headed screwdriver to poke around, check the side panels and internal panelling/partition, put ramps up/down and check how solid they are. Check the tyres, tread depth and cuts bulges are crucial on a trailer - dont forget to check the spare.

I have only owned an IWT so can only really comment on them but one thing to remember that most parts are very easily available and the newer ones are more airy as they have more windows. You also need to check the hitch and personally I would ask if you can hitch it up and tow it, any clunky noises then the chances are there's something wrong with it. Check handbrake, electrics - do they look in good condition and check the lights all work when you hitch up - not an expensive job if they dont but a negotiating point for price. Also check the break away cable, again easy to replace but do you want a trailer you can go straight out it or do some work on it?

Think I've covered most of it, but am sure there's more. Lesson wise either ask someone you know that tows what to do, or as Rog said you could pay to have a lesson or two, you should be able to cover the basics inside 2 hours so not hideously expensive but could save you making a costly mistake.
 
I had a Bateson Deauville Trailer & it was great. The build quality was good, it had a low ride height so was extremely stable, smooth & rattle free. It was very light, airy & inviting & the horses loaded very well up the fairly shallow ramp. The floor was a composite material that was anti rot so the floor was really sound. It even had a couple of saddle racks in the front that were handy. They hold their prices well, when I sold mine I had used it for 3 years & only lost around £200 on what I bought it for, but I got it at a really good price.

There are plenty of older trailers out there & at fairly cheap prices, some are good & some are 'lemons'. If you are not sure what you are looking at take someone with some knowledge so you don't end up with a 'wrong un' :)
 
Kat do you know how old it is? The 505s must be at least 5 years old now I would think.

We bought our 510 new. We had intended getting a second hand one, but the new one was about £3500 and a second hand one was £3100.. They are great trailers, easy to look after and strong. Hubby (mechanic) says the floors are fantastic and not much could go wrong with them.

I reckon £2500 to £3000 if in good condition. My friend sold his 8yr old 505 for £2000, which was in good condition.
 
I've just sold my lorry and bought a trailer. I thought it would be easier to find a 4x4 rather than a trailer, but it seems to be the other way round! There seem to be loads for sale at the moment.

My advice would be to take your time, look at the prices they are going for on ebay in your area, and then go and look at several. We have been looking for an IW505 with an aluminium floor, and went to see a couple last weekend. One was 9 years old, but it was in really poor condition. Very rusty outside, very scratched inside, and the padded panels seemed to bulge out, so I was a bit suspicious that the padding had got wet at some point. Also the interior padding was burgundy which made it look very dark inside and not at all inviting.

We then viewed one about 3 miles away that was a 1999 model and that was in much better condition - really clean and tidy, and not as much rust. And it was £350 cheaper!

This website is great - and there is a video on trailer servicing which gives you pointers to check when buying a used trailer. Scroll down to the Trailer Medic video at the bottom of the page. Good luck! :)

http://www.towinghorsetrailers.co.uk/horse_trailer_maintenance.htm
 
Honey08 said:
Kat do you know how old it is? The 505s must be at least 5 years old now I would think.

We bought our 510 new. We had intended getting a second hand one, but the new one was about £3500 and a second hand one was £3100.. They are great trailers, easy to look after and strong. Hubby (mechanic) says the floors are fantastic and not much could go wrong with them.

I reckon £2500 to £3000 if in good condition. My friend sold his 8yr old 505 for £2000, which was in good condition.
Click to expand...

I don't know exactly how old it is, I understand that it is one of the later 505s just before they changed to the 506. My friend has had it less than a year and has used it once, maybe twice due to lack of a tow vehicle. I understand that the previous owners had it from new and didn't use it much either.
 
Thanks Bangagin and Toby-Zaphod! Will check out Batesons too, I understand that they are lighter, is that right? Will check out the link too.

Bangagin, can sympathise with your difficulty finding a 4x4, we had a nightmare getting one and had to return the first under warranty. Decided not to look at trailers until we had bought the 4x4 though. Unfortunately we ended up spending more than we originally planned on the 4x4 due to the problems we had so the budget for a trailer will have to be tighter!
 
If buying a trailer second hand ask to see their service records. I always got my trailers serviced annually and got the floor checked. If one that you are interested in hasn't been done, then ask if the seller would do that before you buy.

I have had a Bateson Deauville in the past - brilliant trailer and horses loved it. Slightly lighter in weight than the IW trailers which may be an issue for you when towing two - check the weights out of your horse and friends horse and work out if you would be legal towing them with your 4x4 with the weight of your trailer
 
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Kat said:
Thanks ROG will see whether YM might help me out with pointers etc. Will check out the videos too.

Scribble - a friend is selling an Ifor 505 but is being coy about how much she wants for it, what would you think would be reasonable for a relatively new 505 in good nick?
Click to expand...

Just for reference, a 505 in good condition with new tyres etc (doesn't say age) has just been advertised on our PC newsletter for £2000.
 
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