Equitrek or Fautras

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Mickeymoo

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My horse has been going down in the 'forward facing trailer with metal floor' and Saturday was the last straw, so I sold it yesterday after 5 weeks of him getting worse every time we went out.

Dilema now is, do I go for an Equitrek which I am favouring at the moment - or Fautras with herringbone standing?

Im just hoping horsey isn't too traumatised to travel at all, but I am told the Equitreks are the best travelling position.

Please help.
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I believe the Fautras are the better in build quality, but the Equitrek tick more boxes.

Just be aware that there have been a fair few problems with the Equitreks - i.e ramps falling off.
 
I think that some research suggests that horses travel best facing backwards however I would see if you can try both arrangments before deciding. A friend has had similar problems with her horse and he will only travel herringbone and will not travel rear facing.

Good luck with it - I hope he is OK. On a positive the horse I am refering to above is now happy to travel - just doesn't do trailers!
 
Thank you. yes, he is ok. I had chap look at him yesterday and he said he was only slightly out of line and his good conformation had saved him from injury.
 
I have a fautras but its a forward facing one, I love it, so much easier without ramps and it is finished off really well. Friend has an equitrek and my horse travels well in that too. Only thing I would say is check weights as the equitrek is really heavy (not sure about big fautras) and not many vehicles can tow it plus two horses. She has a range rover and it does cope well though.
 
Equitrek for me - more for your money. I liked Fautras but they're ridiculously expensive for what they are
 
I am in the same position as you - one of mine hates loading onto a forward facing trailer (takes 2 hours) but will load himself onto a lorry or rear/herringbone trailer.

I have narrowed the choice down to either the Fautras Oblic 3+ or the Equitrek Multitrekka. I have heard that the build quality is better on the Fautras but you get more options with the Equitrek, including living etc but have heard that the quality is not brilliant. I have also heard that they have poor after service so you have to go with a good dealer.

I posted a thread in old new lounge about a month ago and lots of people replied with their experiences. Fortunately I can hire both models from a nearby dealer, so will see which one my horse prefers.

The Equitrek is also generally much heavier - my towing vehicle can pull 3.5T.
 
CBAnglo - I have just looked at your thread, I thought I saw one a while ago.

The dealer I am using is letting me hire whatever he gets me for a weekend to make sure its all ok. I just hope it all goes well.
 
I'm very happy with my Equitrek Showtrekka. All my horses are fine in in, and have stayed in it many times.

Can;t say I've had any probs with it at all. I've had it for 4 years.
 
From someone who has had the exact experience as you, get an Equitrek.

Grey horse just didn't travel well in the forward facing Bateson that I used to have. He got worse and worse and then he didn't want to load and would lean horribly, standing on 2 legs and scrabbling with the others. I made the decision to get an Equitrek before something awful happened - best decision I ever made. Horse loads beautifully, travels beautifully and arrives happy at destination. I know there have been issues with build quality but the one I have is safe and I consider it money very well spent. The key thing is the rear facing. Don't get a Fautras unless it's rear facing. Plus the Fautras are very heavy for their size.
 

I have a Fautras Olympic (2 Horse)

In support of Fautras

I open the barn doors and the horses just walk in (simple). They travel herringbone. I can choose heads forward or rearward or a combination of both. I always travel heads facing forward.

On arrival I turn them one at a time inside the trailer and lead them off forward (just like a box)

Its an amazing trailer and built to last. Just go to you tube and check out the promotion vids.

I would not agree that all Fautras are heavy. I carry two 16.2 and the trailer is rated to 2500kgs which leaves plenty of capacity to fill up the groom room.

Consider, weight can be a by product of a better robust build (ie larger wheels and tyres, stronger fittings).

For sure Equitrek & Ivor have the market wrapped up and are a safe bet. Look outside the box and the French trailer makers are building some serious kit with much better specs.

My experience with Fautras is the sceptics always find fault in the trailer and before you know it (once they seen it used) they are singing its praises to their friends.
 
had an equitrek, they all travelled well in it, but build quality very poor, and lots of annoying things went wrong/fell off.
friend has a fautras, and have to say, quality is much better!
 
Be very careful checking the weight on the Fautras trailers. I seriously considered one but none of their models except the 4 horse trailer could take the weight of my two horses, let alone any grooming supplies or tack. Also, if you want living, the Olympus Voyager can't take big horses.

So, despite the issues with build quality, I have ordered another Equi-Trek. I was very limited in the trailers I could consider as I wanted one with living.

This has proven a lucky choice as I've since discovered that one of my horses won't travel forward facing. She has never had a problem in the Equi-Trek.
 
WHen purchasing ANY horse trailer do research rather than fall in love with its looks! - Check the weight of your horses and their body length as ALL trailers offer different sizes and unladen weight to suit various 4x4's - its not the trailers fault if it wont carry your horse - its the end purchaser!

The Fautras are a fantastic build far superior to the Equi-trek, and tow brilliantly - very understated trailer!
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Just to add that two horses I know who have back problems both loth backward facing travel, whether in a trailer or a little lorry.
Both are happiest herringbone and ok forward facing.
So you have to take your horses personl preference into account as well.
 
Wow, this post seems like a lifetime ago.

I haven't said anywhere that I fell in love with the 'looks' of any trailer.

My horses are 15.1 & 16h both compact animals and I am aware of their weight.

We tow with a Landrover TD5.

Strange comment about it being the 'end purchasers' fault about trailer not carrying horse.. I know more about Towing, loading and travelling than most after starting my travelling experience with a disgusting loader / traveller and having a 'professional' out to help me with my problems.

Have bought an Equitrek L model - brand new. Am really pleased with it and guess what - my horses load and travel brilliantly thankyou.. So not much wrong with the 'end purchaser' now is there!!

Strange.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I believe the Fautras are the better in build quality, but the Equitrek tick more boxes.

Just be aware that there have been a fair few problems with the Equitreks - i.e ramps falling off.

[/ QUOTE ]

and wheels. when you are driving down the road
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a 3 year old could have built a better trailer out of lego than the one i bought
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customer service has been shocking in my experience too
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