Buying trailers

[Winters100]

Hi,
Quick question for those who are good with trailers.

I am looking at buying 2 trailers, each for 2 horses. I don't need anything special, but what brands would you recommend? What checks do you do when buying? What are the essentials? I know nothing about buying trailers, do you have them 'vetted'?

They are needed for transporting small horses who all travel well, 2 would travel in one and 1 would travel alone.

Thanks

 

[HappyHollyDays]

You can’t go wrong with an Ifor Williams. Make sure the floor is aluminium but always check under the rubber matting for signs of rust. Also check ramp hinges and electrics and that the hand brake hasn’t been left on as it can seize up. Panels on older models can warp but are replaceable. Obviously tires need to be in good working order and not perished.

 

[nagblagger]

If you are only travelling 3, why not get a trailer that carries 3.. I have a rice beaufort treble, I know they don't exist any more but other manufacturers do them.

 

[Winters100]

Well I have a specific reason for wanting 2, and I would also like to buy them quite quickly, ideally in the next few days, and I think that 2 horse trailers will be more readily available.

Where I am it seems that there is a huge number of Cheval Liberte for sale. Any opinions?

 

[I'm Dun]

Well I have a specific reason for wanting 2, and I would also like to buy them quite quickly, ideally in the next few days, and I think that 2 horse trailers will be more readily available.

Where I am it seems that there is a huge number of Cheval Liberte for sale. Any opinions?

Yes, buy one! I absolutely love mine. Lovely to tow and gives the horses a really nice quiet ride. Light and easy to maneuver by hand, and I had the barn door ramp which is genius! They also get nicked less than Ifors.

 

[Nudibranch]

If you have the budget then I'd go for Bockmann. Or the hardly known but similar (shares parts) Dutch Hotra.
I'd go for a newer CL for the reasons above but I've seen a few older ones which haven't aged well.

 

[rabatsa]

Go with the CL trailers. I have one. Henra are the other make I would go for, not readily available in the UK but I had one before the CL I have now and loved it.

 

[Tiddlypom]

CL are not strongly built, so I would avoid. They are light in weight for a reason (flimsy). The shiny black front plastic nose cone section is not even strong enough to take a small cctc camera bolted to it - we were told this by the main UK dealer. You'd have to stick one on with glue.

Ifor Williams are well built.

 

[I'm Dun]

CL are not strongly built, so I would avoid. They are light in weight for a reason (flimsy). The shiny black front plastic nose cone section is not even strong enough to take a small cctc camera bolted to it - we were told this by the main UK dealer. You'd have to stick one on with glue.

Ifor Williams are well built.

Plastic isnt designed to have things bolted through it though. The constant movement of a bolt in a hole drilled in plastic isnt going to do it any favours. Mines older and doesnt have the same nose cone but its definitely not flimsy.

 

[littleshetland]

Ifors every time. They're really robust and well made, and if cared for properly last forever and always seem to hold their value well incase of re sale.

 

[brighteyes]

Well I have a specific reason for wanting 2, and I would also like to buy them quite quickly, ideally in the next few days, and I think that 2 horse trailers will be more readily available.

Where I am it seems that there is a huge number of Cheval Liberte for sale. Any opinions?

I'm very happy with my double with tackroom, as is my friend and hers. Another has a mare and foal model and is very happy. We are all ex IW owners and prefer the towing experience. The ride is smoother and ease of operation is much better than the older IW models.
Build quality so far seems fine.

 

[Rowreach]

IWs are very popular with people, but horses prefer Richardson or CL or Henra.

I would always buy the make that’s most popular in your area or country, because it will be far easier to get the parts and find someone who knows how to fix them.

To answer the actual question, all trailers need regular servicing, so ask for a service record/receipts. Have a good look round for soundness, wear and tear, flooring, does everything move and function like it should. Take the hub caps off, check the wheel nuts, check the tyre walls for perishing, not just the tread. Get on the ground and look underneath. Check the electrics work. Don’t be afraid to open the whole thing up, test ramps, doors and partitions. The trailer should be pulled out in a clear space for full inspection, not up against a wall with grass growing round it.

And then factor in the cost of servicing to be sure it’s done.

 

[Annagain]

I'd go for a Bockmann if I had the budget / they were readily available in this part of the world.

 

[rabatsa]

Not all CL have a plastic nose cone. Mine is aluminium planked, along with the sides and floor. It is not a new trailer but is far superior to any IW trailer. Mr R would not let me buy IW which is why we went with a Henra. We even went Graham Edwards for sheep trailer over IW.