Equi Trek ramp problems

[kal40]

Hi there

I love my ET trailer and horse travels really well in it. Unfortunately, despite very light usage, it seems as if the ramp is starting to rot at one side. Trailer is only 7 years old and like I said, really lightly used so I am a bit disappointed.

I'm debating about what to do - has anyone had a new ramp fitted on a Space Trekka L or perhaps had it repaired? Just wondering ball park figures of how much it would cost.

Places to get it seen to are few and far between near me so even getting a quote would be a full day's outing.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Red-1]

Hi, I don't have one myself, but I have seen people write about similar problems on forums before. Maybe search on here?

 

[Red-1]

I have had a rummage on old threads and found this about a ramp.

nikkiw21
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Re: Equi Trek problems
hi,

I know its been a few years since this last posting about Equitrek trailers but we are having a nightmare with ours....faulty matting on the ramp that bubbled after a few months of use (trailer brand new when we bought it in 2011). Equitrek refused to repair/replace. Now, with the same 4.5 year old trailer we have had a severe ramp issue. As I unloaded my 16.2hh v calm horse, as he placed his foot at the top of the trailer to unload, there was a very loud cracking and the wood underneath the matting gave way. Thankfully the matting held in one place but we were left with a huge dip in it. The ramp floor has given way. Equitrek are saying that it will cost £450 to replace the ramp, that it must somehow by my fault and that it is no longer covered by its warranty (that is only one year). For those of us who own Equitrek trailers, we know that they are a huge investment to buy and I am shocked by their reaction to this potentially very dangerous situation. they seem so keen to blame the owner. Now their one and only repair guy has left the company and I have a trailer sitting in the yard, totally unusable and at the busiest time with the eventing season now underway. please can anyone share their problems and how they resolved them??? I'd be so grateful.

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...-Equi-Trek-problems/page2#q2kmU5Yap7blfsdT.99


Also...

I had an Equitrek trailer Space Trekker L and had to replace the ramp as it rotted. I was advised by the trailer repair company this was a common known fault as water seeps in at the top of the ramp unless the trailer is stored under cover and needs replacing every 3 years. I see that roof covers are now available for sale to protect this area. I now have a Super Sonic lorry and as yet no major issues apart from a gripe about the poor wheel arch design in the box.
Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...-Equi-Trek-problems/page2#q2kmU5Yap7blfsdT.99

And...

When you say the ramp failed do you mean the whole ramp or the wooden top section, just under the rubber? My friend's horese cracked the wooden section of the ramp (or crumbled it rather as it was rotten) but the ramp itself was fine. She had the wooden section replaced but it happened again fairly soon after. Apparently where the ramp closes onto the trailer it can leak and the water drips down between the rubber top and the wood, hence the wood rotting. After it happened the second time, the garage that fixed it the first time replaced it free of charge and made sure they sealed between the rubber and the wood really well. It's not happened again in 3 or 4 years.

Apart from this, I really like Equitreks. I've towed my friend's big one with living (can't remember the name!) which is heavy but you barely notice you're towing it even with 2 big horses on board. My horse who can stumble now and again on my IWT doesn't move on it and loads much better onto it as well. The storage is really useful.

The only thing that would annoy me in terms of managing it on a daily basis is the tyre pressures are really high (on the big one anyway, not sure about the space/show trekas, and most garages' air machines don't go that high. I had to take it to a tyre place and put a few quid in their tips pot for them to pump them up for me. I suppose you could get your own compressor but I imagine it would need to be a pretty hefty one to get the pressures you need.

I still want to replace my 510 with a Space Trekka though....when I have the money.
Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...hts-on-equi-trek-trailers#lPeOaCplsUwlBumf.99

There were other reported problems with a floor and a horse ending up in the kitchen as well as some axle issues and a breast bar bolt pulled through the wall.

 

[Britestar]

I'm away to replace the ramp on mine (12yrs old) and have been told approx £400 including new rubber.

 

[Louby]

My friends had hers reboarded twice in a short period of time, hers is a 2006 I think... and I think it was something to do with what Red-1 found, as in the water getting in somehow at the top and rotting it. They smothered it in some water repellent treatment on the 2nd fix and its been fine since. Ive just bought a 2006 from a dealership that looks practically unused, even smells new, looks like the ramp has definately been redone recently too.

 

[turnbuckle]

Easier approach would be to re-board in buffalo board and top with heavy and hairy contract carpet...

Springs might need easing off as will be lighter without rubber.

 

[Identityincrisis]

If you have a handy person around you can do them yourself, my dad and I replaced my ramp (twice &#128545 on my ifor, fairly straight forward for a fairly competent diy'er

 

[BimboMare]

A couple of years ago my EquiTrek Space Treka L ramp rotted and I had it repaired. Although the floor in the horse area of these trailers is aluminium, the tack room floor is plywood. In mine, that was rotten too. I lost confidence in the trailer and although it was only 8 years old I was too worried to sell it on to someone unsuspecting. I traded it in with a dealer for an Ifor Williams Eventa.
From experience I can confirm that although the the design of these trailers is clever, EquiTrek are very poor at maintaining customer relations.
If you're buying one second hand, please check the ramp and tack room floor - they're made of plywood which rots and you could fall through!

 

[kal40]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Red-1 - From the posts you found, it sounds like I am having the same problems. I think it is the wood under the rubber matting that has gone soft. My Dad said he thought it would have been water getting in and it would appear it is the same problem.

I've read other posts about ET not being helpful but I really like the trailer and my horse travels really well in it. She is a big cob and although she went in to my sisters IW 511 on Sunday when we tried her, getting her out wan't as easy - the ramp is a lot narrower.

I rang ET and asked about repair centres in my area and it took a week for them to call me back. Customer service really isn't their strong point!

I expected the cost of repairs to be much higher so I think I will get it repaired and perhaps get a cover for it.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Annagain]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Red-1 - From the posts you found, it sounds like I am having the same problems. I think it is the wood under the rubber matting that has gone soft. My Dad said he thought it would have been water getting in and it would appear it is the same problem.

I've read other posts about ET not being helpful but I really like the trailer and my horse travels really well in it. She is a big cob and although she went in to my sisters IW 511 on Sunday when we tried her, getting her out wan't as easy - the ramp is a lot narrower.

I rang ET and asked about repair centres in my area and it took a week for them to call me back. Customer service really isn't their strong point!

I expected the cost of repairs to be much higher so I think I will get it repaired and perhaps get a cover for it.

Thanks again everyone.

I was one of those whose posts were quoted by Red-1. My friend just got a local garage to replace the ramp. I'd ask locally for a recommended trailer servicing company / person rather than wait for ET to contact you with names.

 

[Flyermc]

if its just the boarding (under the rubber) its a very simple fix that took us about 2 hrs to do (we are not amazing DIY'er) and about £60 is external ply wood. its really straightforward.

 

[Auslander]

[Content removed]

I'm sorry that you have an issue with Equitrek, but do you really have to dredge up every single post you can find about them, and clog up the whole new posts page with Equitrek posts. It's really irritating.

 

[Zero00000]

Oh I am sorry (not) .... forgive me for trying to warn people so they don't make the same mistake. You clearly don't have a heart!

Bit harsh!

A simple new post would have been sufficient!

 

[Auslander]

Oh I am sorry (not) .... forgive me for trying to warn people so they don't make the same mistake. You clearly don't have a heart!

Grow up. Spamming an entire forum is not the way to get your point across.

 

[HJE]

I have an Equitrek trailer which had it’s ramp replaced 3 1/2 years ago. The ramp is now rotting and needs to be repaired or replaced. Equitrek told me that this was due to either excessive wear and tear or water damage either way I would have to pay for it. I don’t know what their definition of excessive wear and tear is but I wouldn’t expect the ramp to deteriorate so quickly requiring substantial repair or replacement in 3 1/2 years. This suggests very poor materials and poor build quality. I have since discovered they use 12mm plywood on the ramp which seems completely inadequate. In fact I would argue that it is not fit for purpose. If the damage is due to water then again it suggests poor build quality allowing water in. Equitrek again except no responsibility and would expect me to pay for this. It is very disappointing to look at posts going back to 2007 on this site with the same complaints and problems and still Equitrek are not listening or changing their practice.

 

[Esmae]

We had very poor responses from Equitrek when we had our Showtrekka. It was brand new at the time, been out once, and they tried to claim it was our problem. The Dealer sorted it for us as their expense but we traded it for an Ifor very soon afterwards. We found that whoever was on the end of their phone was extremely rude and absolutely would not be told that there was a problem.

 

[Onlywayisup]

HHas anyone had experience of

 

[Onlywayisup]

HHas anyone had experience of

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

They aren't known as Equi-Trash for no reason ...

 

[McFluff]

I have a show trekka. It has had a lot of use over the years (I think it’s 2008). I get it serviced annually, and replaced the ramp two years ago. I went to a local Horseboxes maker and got them to do it. They fully sealed the new ramp and it looks like new still. From memory it was £300. The next bit I need to watch is the flooring in the living, but so far it’s holding up.
because I bought it as an older second hand one, I’ve not tried their customer service, and just used local people. I’m pleased with mine, and really don’t feel it has any more issues than any other make of similar age and use.

 

[Annagain]

I have an Equitrek trailer which had it’s ramp replaced 3 1/2 years ago. The ramp is now rotting and needs to be repaired or replaced. Equitrek told me that this was due to either excessive wear and tear or water damage either way I would have to pay for it. I don’t know what their definition of excessive wear and tear is but I wouldn’t expect the ramp to deteriorate so quickly requiring substantial repair or replacement in 3 1/2 years. This suggests very poor materials and poor build quality. I have since discovered they use 12mm plywood on the ramp which seems completely inadequate. In fact I would argue that it is not fit for purpose. If the damage is due to water then again it suggests poor build quality allowing water in. Equitrek again except no responsibility and would expect me to pay for this. It is very disappointing to look at posts going back to 2007 on this site with the same complaints and problems and still Equitrek are not listening or changing their practice.

A friend had one and her ramp rotted twice. According to the garage that replaced it (the second time free of charge) the seal where the ramp closes onto the trailer is rubbish so water gets in between the ramp and the rubber on the top and rots the ply wood. The first time the garage simply copied what was there (they weren't that familiar with Equitreks) but the second time they made their own seal and it never happened again. My friend had bought it second hand so didn't deal with Equitrek at all but judging by other reports, that's no bad thing.

 

[HJE]

Good to hear that you have had it successfully repaired. An independent garage is repairing mine by replacing the plywood with aluminiu. I shouldn’t have any problems.?