Cheval Liberte 2003 or Bateson Deauville

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BeckyD

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I know this has been talked about before but now the blooming search is gone I can't find it.

Please could anyone who has either of the above tell me how they find them/any niggles or concerns with them? Would you buy one again? I can't choose! I think I'd rather have the CL2003 as it's cheaper and lighter in weight. But I'm worried that it may be poorer quality.
 
I have the Bateson and love it. Easy to hitch great to tow and the horses travel very well in it. Looked at the Chevals when I was looking to buy and didnt like them.
 
Bateson Deauville for me. I have one and find the horse loads and travels well. I am an English person living in France, so buying the Cheval Liberte may have been the automatic choice, but I still went for the Bateson.
 
Haven't seen the Bateson but HATE the Cheval Liberte. My friend bought one new and it looks so flimsy. Had to make right noises and say it was lovely but really did NOT like it at all!
 
I have a Bateson Deauville & I think they're possibly the best trailers around. They tow well, build quality is high & they retain their re-sale value. Cheval Liberte appear a little cheaply made & flimsy to me. I could be wrong but I'm not impressed by them
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Thanks for all the replies. It looks like Bateson is the transport of choice! I think that I may just have to wait a bit longer so that I can save up enough for the extra. I'll have towing capacity of 1,770 kg, so if I get the Bateson it'll be Ronnie only in there, rather than giving anyone else a lift (but then at least I'm not tied down to waiting for other people!).

Thanks again everyone. xx
 
There is b*gger all wrong with the Chevals - you will find anyone who owns them loves them!

Lightweight yes, flimsy no. Ivy has had a few kicking fits and tantrums in ours and there isn't a mark on it. It tows very well, is roomy and light, and you get a very good spec with the 2003xl.

The pullman suspension means you get a smooth ride in it, there is plenty of room, and its airy and bright. It has a head divider as standard so you don't have them biting each other, the full size grooms door is really handy, and the gas assisted ramps mean I can manage on my own with it - I can move it, hitch it, load and do all of it without dragging people along to help.

The chest and rear bars have 2 heights and 3 length settings and the partition is really easy to move, and the front head part moves independantly of the back. Fully sealed rubber floor. The tack box is a nuisance though, we took ours off, though would be OK for pony saddles it was awkward for full ones.

And the biggest plus for us - our trailerphobe neurotic TB (3+ hours to get her in an ifor) walks straight in.

Oh and it has the quick release chest bars that can be undone from outside, is supplied with a hitch lock, and the little wheel at the front is really easy to use and secure and self locks so you don't have to faff with it.

Much as I would have loved a Bateson - I can't see the point of paying so much more to get things that are standard in the Cheval, and there is the advantage of it being so light meaning a bigger choice of towing vehicle.

Everywhere I've taken ours, I've had people come up and admire it and ask about it!
 
I'm very encouraged by your reply, thank you. My best friend has one of the smaller ones and loves it, so I didn't think they would be too bad (she has high standards).

The thing that worried me about the 2003XL would be Ronnie trying to get out the groom's door. Has that ever happened?

Thank you, I do want to hear from people who own and use the CL's so that I can make informed decision.
 
Because its continental, the grooms door is as big as the nearside ramp - so that the ramp can be fitted to either side. I tend to have the door shut when we unload so I've never had a problem, but the worst that could happen is the horse has to step down if it does go out that way - which is nothing major - there is tons of room.

Having heard horror stories of horses getting stuck in tiny grooms doors trying to escape, I'm actually happier having a full sized door as that wouldn't be an issue and its not that much of a step down!

I am a total convert with mine, a friend of mine has one of (I think) the Bockmann ones and I can't really see a difference except in the price tag, and the fact that is has a canvas flappy thing as the top of the ramp at the back, whereas ours has top proper doors.
 
Ok that's a good point about the groom's door. Nothing bad will happen as you say it's just a step effectively.

My friend with the CL is going to give me the guided tour of hers (which I'm very excited about). Have to say for some reason I just prefer them, but am worried about letting my preferences rule the roost. (I'm not known for exercising great judgment).

I'm glad that people who have them have good things to say about them.

Thanks so much xx
 
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