Buying a trailer but too much choice! WWYD?

TotalMadgeness

TotalMadgeness

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I've just sold my beloved Bateson as sadly my big bummed IDx grew up and ended up being rather squished in it. Guys on here recommended a Richardson Supreme Ultra - but these are like hens teeth and the ones I find just haven't been cared for/serviced. So I started looking at Equitreks but husband viewed a couple of older ones with me and wasn't keen. Not that he is a trailer snob or anything he just felt they weren't in as good nick as my 2012 Bateson (one was 2006 the other 2010 - I did point out they were older). So this weekend I have a choice of viewings. Equitrek Trail Treka L (new), Equitrek Space Treka L (2014), HBX511 (new), or an Equitrek Show Treka L (2014). He prefers on paper the HBX but the stall length is 2.04m and I think my boy would be much less squished with at least 2.10 (he's 6'9" in rug size). All the equitreks (L versions) have the room he needs. Hubby is worried though about rear facing / single breast bars which can't be adjusted in height. Plus he's nervous about the rotting ramps stories he's seen on the internet. He simply thinks my boys would be happier in a front facing trailer with adjustable bars - because that is what they are used to and I must admit both my boys seem to travel happily that way even with the squish factor for the big guy. Its going to be an interesting weekend. As hubby quipped - wish we could take the horse with us to see if he fits!
 
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I have a new-ish (2016 model) EquiTrek Space Treka M, and my IDx big-bum-beast (6'9 rugs) has masses of room. She likes the rear-facing travel, can brace well around corners and stopping/starting, and the breast bar being fixed isn't an issue. I had read about the ramps rotting too, so when I took the trailer for it's first service after I bought it, I asked for a simple 'gutter' or 'lip' to be put across the top of the ramp opening, so that extra water didn't run directly into the top of the ramp when closed. It cost about £80 and has done the job nicely so far... I have never had a Bateson to compare to, but would highly recommend the Space Treka.
 
HeyMich said:
I have a new-ish (2016 model) EquiTrek Space Treka M, and my IDx big-bum-beast (6'9 rugs) has masses of room. She likes the rear-facing travel, can brace well around corners and stopping/starting, and the breast bar being fixed isn't an issue. I had read about the ramps rotting too, so when I took the trailer for it's first service after I bought it, I asked for a simple 'gutter' or 'lip' to be put across the top of the ramp opening, so that extra water didn't run directly into the top of the ramp when closed. It cost about £80 and has done the job nicely so far... I have never had a Bateson to compare to, but would highly recommend the Space Treka.
Click to expand...

I said that to my hubby last night! Why can't we just fit a lip like you get over windows? I'll let him know... Thank you.
 
I have nothing useful to say but will be watching with interest. I have a HB506 which I love but am ever so tempted by an Equitrek show trekka as my boy has loaded & travelled better in one in the past but I havent had the extra cash until recently. The anti Equitrek brigade put me off though so I'm still only toying with the idea!
 
I have an older Richardson for my two horses (16.1 and 16.2) both wear 6'9 rugs and have plenty of room. I was on a tight budget though so its old but its been looked after and we gave it a fresh paint job when I got it .. although im thinking of a different colour this year so might do it again :)
 
My two are 16.3 and 17hh and in 6'9" and 7' rugs respectively and they're fine on my Ifor 510. I think the the dimensions of the 511 are very similar.

A friend had an Equitrek and had issues with a rotting ramp but while the wood underneath went soft, the rubber on the top remained intact so it was frustrating but not a dangerous situation. Equitreks are a brilliant design, my two both travel so much better backwards but the workmanship and materials aren't great. I really wish they'd up their game as I tow with a short wheel base Defender 90 so could really do with some storage on the trailer.
 
Have 18mth old 511 and big mare who amply fills a 7ft rug has plenty of room, and use the “middle” rear slot for the back bar. She travels very very well in it. Can’t comment on how it compares to the other types mentioned, and not sure how the HBX compares to the standard HB.
 
I completely agree that EquiTrek design is great, but materials/workmanship less soo. I bought a new Show Treka L after owning a Brenderup Baron for 10 years solely because it's the only trailer I can get my 17.1 / 7' rug horse on. I would have happily paid a bit more for the same trailer with higher quality parts! So far I have had to replace the jockey wheel (they sent a new one) as it was much to difficult to wind up/down - turns out it was broken. I also had a bit of the plastic fender over the wheels on one side ground down, as it was within 1cm of the wheel and much too close I felt!

In retrospect I would NOT have got the extra tack locker so that my horse had more space in front of his front legs. He paws, so I had 1" thick rubber mat glued to the tack locker so he doesn't damage it. I also got one Flettner vent, and the trailer was MUCH too steamy - I ended up installing two pop up vents myself, which I highly recommend.
 
If you must have front unload don't read any further but THE quality trailers are Bockmanns. But, they are expensive and most come with a rear ramp only (they do offer front unload but they are rare in the UK). In 15 years of travelling our two in a rear unload only we have had no problems loading or unloading. The ride quality is excellent and they don't rattle. They are light inside and very well ventilated. https://www.essextrailerhire.co.uk/bockmann-trailers hire them out and sell them. They are near Ipswich. Also, https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/...s/trailers/for-sale/uk/bockmann+horse+trailer in Herefordshire I think. I don't work for them but we do have a Big Master and it is brilliant quality and a joy to tow.
 
Ive had a Richardson, Ifor and Equitrek Space Treka. The Ifor was the worst to tow, think it was the dated suspension, not sure if the newer ones have improved. The Richardson seemed to have bags more room, think the ramp on the opposite side helped but when my last horse had a dicky fit loading, he managed to bend the ramp! It towed great though! The Space Treker, I loved, towed fab, horse loaded me into it lol but the build quality isnt as good as the Ifor. It was an older one and I hear they are good years and bad years of manufacturing. A friend had an older Equitrek and replaced the ramp boarding twice as it did rot but Ive also heard putting the lip above seems to work well. They all seem to have their pros and cons but I have to say I loved the Equitrek, shame they cant improve the build quality.
 
My friend bought an equitrek and her husband rebuilt it. Not sure which model but he put supports in the roof and the sides, redid the ramp, resprayed it and a load of other jobs.

She got it cheap but the build quality is terrible.
 
I have a Ifor Williams 506, they are reliable plus tow nicely but after having to travel in it with a poorly horse I was shocked how horrible the suspension is for the horse. Really noisy and bangy, made me realise why he isn't keen on travelling for long.

I liked the idea of the Equitrek but having seen what issues they get it really put me off, they aren't made like the Ifor's. You often see them for sale as 'spares' and they are newer than mine! I wish I could find something with better, softer suspension but be as well build as a ifor.

I am going to look into the new Ifor Williams though, no side panels rotting now as they're made of aluminium I believe but they're still leaf spring suspension which is so uncomfortable.
Following with interest, as I really want to find a trailer mine like travelling in. Something with individual suspension.
 
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I changed from an old Rice/Richardson to a new to me Equitrek show trekka m last year and I'm loving it so far and my horse is much happier in it.
It had already had an extra vent fitted and so far seems to be all OK and I've done a lot of miles in it already. But I haven't slept in it yet!
I think you have to be a bit pragmatic as for the money its very good, if you want a better build quality then you have go for something more expensive like the Ifor Eventa.
Following a trailer repair man on line there seems to be week points with all makes one way or another.
 
I’ve had both equi trek (show trekka) and Ifor Williams. By far the equitrek was my favourite, it towed beautifully and anything that travelled in it travelled really well. The lay out was ideal, plenty of space and storage.
I’d read about poor build, ramp and axle problems. Off the top of my head, avoid 2006 models. The axle problems were resolved after this.
I would add extra ventilation to the horse area, they can get quite hot.
I think that you just need to maintain and monitor the ramp. And avoid jet washing too much.
 
Be careful with an equitrek, I had an older type & had to replace the rotten ramp. A friend had a modern one, her horse put his leg through the side where the side meets the floor, there was no sign of any damage to trailer, it was only about 2 yrs old.
 
Thanks everyone! I will look at the equitreks on Saturday and see what I think. I have a very good trailer man who can fit a 'lip' above the ramp (also fit extra vents) and/or I could invest in a cover (not ideal logistically but I did this for my Cheval and it protected the trailer beautifully).

We only jet wash occasionally - and the horses seldom pee in the trailer (I only think it happened once in 5 years!).

The suspension on the Ifor is putting me off (as well as lack of room) - I think after having the Cheval and the Bateson trailers I've been spoilt in this regard!
 
No-one's mentioned Pegasus, the Beta is an awesome trailer, Indespension suspension, and plenty of room for big horses. They might look a bit dated these days but if you can find a used one, or even refurb and old Sinclair (the previous incarnation) they are well worth it.
 
A friend of mine had an equitrek, she had to replace the flooring on it which I remember her saying was a real pain in the bum, something to do with the year and model (I don’t know what they were sorry) but otherwise she said she really liked them.
My dad is a retired agriculture Salesman and he won’t tow with anything but an Ifor, (horses, cattle, flatbeds etc), but says that the newest models aren’t as good as the 505 or the 510. I love our 510!
 
I have a 511 and it’s great - easy to use lovely to tow - there’s a reason that Ifors are the most common trailer in the uk
 
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