Equitrek trailers - The good and the bad?

[Pegasus5531]

Looking at getting a new trailer and had originally planned to just go for an Ifor as I've had them in the past and they're generally reliable. However I do quite often stay away at training camps and competitions so wondering if anyone has any experience of the Equitrek trailers with living? What's the build quality like compared to the Ifors, how do they fair stored outside? Are they more bother than they're worth? Good or bad experiences would be much appreciated

 

[Fluffypiglet]

I’ve heard bad things from many people but they are a really nice lay out so was briefly tempted when buying a trailer but the price put me off. I don’t think they’re terribly strong so I wouldn’t put anything that’s a bad traveller in one just from a safety point of view. But if you like them and your horse is good then I think many people do like them? Someone at my yard has one and it is fine being neglected with little use. Just gets an annual inspection and wash and she’s happy with it. I have been warned of them by several people incl a tranporter and more than one horsebox builder (in general discussion and they did advise on makes that we’re not their own but good). So I would be cautious. there are a lot for sale second hand….

 

[ApolloStorm]

I know two different equitreks, one a very old very heavy one - which the horse quite liked and was decent to tow if long! but it didn’t cope well with being stood unused and is now quietly rotting away on the yard of the person I borrowed it from.
The second a newer one which had been refurbed and the finish is APPALLING, not sure how much of that is the refurbers and how much is equitreks poor build quality as it seems the whole thing is like a plastic clip/ riveted together and it seems there has been a large amount of silicone used to put it back together. The plastic trims just snap at the smallest of pot holes - the jockey wheel has caused a few problems. And the horse has stopped loaded so well in it!

My opinion is that they don’t call them equi-wrecks for nothing!

 

[Esmae]

We had one. Layout was great but the finish and build was poor in places and we had a few problems right from the start which were difficult to resolve as ET were diabolical to deal with. Horses loaded and travelled well. However ours was very heavy so hitching up had to be spot on or you couldn't shift the thing an inch by woman power to align the hitch and ball up. We enjoyed it for a few seasons but sold it on and bought an Ifor. I wouldn't have another ET for quality or customer service and the weight issue.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

My friend bought a new one, long story short sold it and bought a 506. Said they’re much better made.. but I do like the look of the living area!

 

[Britestar]

I have a night treka, bought in late 2019.
Its easy to tow, light and a pleasure to tow. The horses travel very well in it.
I sleep in it fairly regularly and its cosy enough.
Prior to this I had a showtrekka from new (2005). It also never missed a beat and I did nearly 90,000 miles with it.

I service on a yearly basis with a man who knows them inside out.

They get plenty of hate but I can't fault it.

 

[Jambarissa]

I wanted one, researched on social media and found plenty of 'you couldn't give me one' comments, reports of poor build quality and in particular rain getting into the ramp and rotting it close to where it joins the truck. But none of these comments from actual owners.

So I went looking, only 3 within a reasonable distance of me. Saw them all, 2 did indeed have softness in the ramp and the 3rd had a recent ramp replacement but lots of other little issues.

I gave up and bought an iwt. It's a hood trailer. I'd have preferred a bateson but they were few and far between.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Try the cheval liberte ones! They are fabulous trailers!!! No living but they are awesome trailers, have a search on here there are lots of fab reviews (newer models) x

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

After spending weekends with a friend in hers, both older and newer models, I wouldn't put mine in one. I feel its like putting your horse in a fibreglass caravan!

When your looking into the grooms area you can read the equitrek sticker on the outside when the sun's out - its that thin!

I'll stick to my aluminium sided IW. If by some chance we had an accident, I know what I'd rather them in.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

So for some balance, I know plenty of really crappy build issues on ifors built in the last few years…

I bought a 2007 equitrek end of last year, the ramp had already been replaced but otherwise it seems spot on. Horses travel well in it and everything works…

Would have liked a Cheval but the touring was too small and didn’t fancy travelling them herringbone.

 

[Impu1sion]

I bought a new Equitrek as I liked the side ramp and layout. Biggest mistake ever! Within 6 months, I had the ramp replaced due to water ingress and also it had to be stripped and go back in the 'oven' to dry out as water would build up on the window ledges and run down the walls, making them soggy. Sold at a big loss and gone back to Ifor Williams.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

They are known as Equi-Trash for a reason.

 

[Red-1]

I went to the factory many years back to view with the intention of buying. They were really flimsy.

I also hate the breast bar and narrow back door that they seem to still have. If a horse goes over the bar, you need the fire brigade to extract them as they will likely get wedged in the door.

I love the idea and asked my current small box's makers why no one else does them as I think they are the design most people would want. Apparently there is a patent on the design, so the better manufacturers are not allowed to do them.

 

[AnShanDan]

For a bit of balance, I have one and I like it. It's a show treka 2009 I think, it had been refurbished by an equitrek dealer before I got it, so new living, new ramp and a few other things.

The ramp feels good and I love the shallowness of it, so inviting, When you are inside with the horses it feels solid. and it tows really well too.

Mine is kept outside mostly and is totally dry inside.

I used to have a 7.5t lorry and I have had ifor williams trailers (still got a 505) but the equitrek is my favourite.

Having said all that, a friend bought one new from et and the sides were starting to loosen on the mountings at the floor. So I make sure mine is checked by a mechanic really regularly.

If I was still doing a lot of long journeys eventing all season up and down the country I would go back to a 7.5t lorry but for local stuff it's great.

 

[YourValentine]

I have one, as its the only thing the bugger would load in, and I like it. All the essentials - floor, ramp walls etc seem solid and it's nice amd stable when loading and towing.
But all the plastic trims are shit and crack/break easily. But as they are largely decorative this doesn't bother me.

I've a Trail-Trekker L, bought second hand.

 

[Pegasus5531]

I have a night treka, bought in late 2019.
Its easy to tow, light and a pleasure to tow. The horses travel very well in it.
I sleep in it fairly regularly and its cosy enough.
Prior to this I had a showtrekka from new (2005). It also never missed a beat and I did nearly 90,000 miles with it.

I service on a yearly basis with a man who knows them inside out.

They get plenty of hate but I can't fault it.

Do you mind if I ask how big the horses you travel in it are? Got a 17hh one at the moment so would be travelling him alone anyway most likely but concerned if it would be roomy enough for him. Although the negative responses are making me apprehensive and thinking maybe best to stick with the Ifor.

 

[Annagain]

Brilliant design, not so brilliant build quality. A friend had one, it towed like a dream, the horses loved it, my boy who wasn't the best traveller in my IW510 (he was ok but would struggle round left hand corners) stood like a rock on it but the ramp rotted and there were other issues too.

If you can find a 2nd hand one that's been well looked after, with all the remedial work already done to it, I wouldn't rule it out completely but I'd get someone very experienced to give it a thorough examination first.

I believe the patent has expired now Red so maybe we'll see some of the other manufacturers making similar trailers. The IW Eventa has a tiny horse area in comparison which could be improved by a side ramp (which would allow them to stand facing backwards so the lack of width is less of an issue) so I hope so.

 

[Annagain]

Do you mind if I ask how big the horses you travel in it are? Got a 17hh one at the moment so would be travelling him alone anyway most likely but concerned if it would be roomy enough for him. Although the negative responses are making me apprehensive and thinking maybe best to stick with the Ifor.

My friend's horse was 17hh and long, mine was 16.3 and a bit more compact but wider. They both fitted on it easily, even together.

 

[Melody Grey]

Not had one personally but a friend did and they had problems with the height of their tow bar and the trailer, so much so they got rid- might be worth checking out your vehicle to see if others have had this issue?

I can’t believe the price they command given the build quality and reputation.

 

[Britestar]

Do you mind if I ask how big the horses you travel in it are? Got a 17hh one at the moment so would be travelling him alone anyway most likely but concerned if it would be roomy enough for him. Although the negative responses are making me apprehensive and thinking maybe best to stick with the Ifor.

There would be plenty room for him. I have a 16.3hh and he's shared with a 15.2hh cob no problem.

 

[HeyMich]

We have a 2016 Space Treka and I love it! Not had to do any major repairs but it does get serviced yearly. It's nice to tow, the horses travel well, and I absolutely love the wee tack room - I think if I ever swapped to a 'normal' trailer I'd really struggle. All positive feedback here!

 

[Alibear]

I've got a 2012 showtrekka, and it's great. I had a new ramp put on shortly after I brought it, and it had new brake pads, but that's been it. It has a yearly service, and it's at least a 70-mile trip each way when we go out, and we average once a month. I've had it for 5 years.
The only other trailer with living is an ifor, but they're a lot bigger and more expensive, plus the herringbone travel can be tight for larger horses. A friend has one, which is lovely but out of my price range.
My only challenge is the bunk beds in the showtrekkas are quite narrow. I'd perhaps change for the version with just a big empty space at the front instead of a fitted living. I could then put my own camp bed etc. in it. Or I'd want to go up to the largest one with a bigger bed and a shower room. This is just because I'm getting older; 10 years ago, the showtrekka living would have been fine.
I like the security of my horse being fully enclosed when we're on the motorways etc. I don't use the back door, which stays locked, and you can drop the breast bar from the outside in an emergency. Hitching up does require precision, but I've worked out where to align the trailer sticker in my car's rear window, so it's OK. I love having the tack locker, although I think that's probably the next thing that will rot/need repairing. I also like the side loading; my horses seem to find that easy, and having ramp gates so you can drop the ramp whilst at the show for airflow is a bonus.

I think they're marmite; people either love them or hate them. I had an old (Circa 1995) rice before this, which was great, but it was noisy, and I worried about the motorway /longer trips with it and needed some living, so I made the switch. The suspension is also better on the equitrek.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I've got a 2012 showtrekka, and it's great. I had a new ramp put on shortly after I brought it, and it had new brake pads, but that's been it. It has a yearly service, and it's at least a 70-mile trip each way when we go out, and we average once a month. I've had it for 5 years.
The only other trailer with living is an ifor, but they're a lot bigger and more expensive, plus the herringbone travel can be tight for larger horses. A friend has one, which is lovely but out of my price range.
My only challenge is the bunk beds in the showtrekkas are quite narrow. I'd perhaps change for the version with just a big empty space at the front instead of a fitted living. I could then put my own camp bed etc. in it. Or I'd want to go up to the largest one with a bigger bed and a shower room. This is just because I'm getting older; 10 years ago, the showtrekka living would have been fine.
I like the security of my horse being fully enclosed when we're on the motorways etc. I don't use the back door, which stays locked, and you can drop the breast bar from the outside in an emergency. Hitching up does require precision, but I've worked out where to align the trailer sticker in my car's rear window, so it's OK. I love having the tack locker, although I think that's probably the next thing that will rot/need repairing. I also like the side loading; my horses seem to find that easy, and having ramp gates so you can drop the ramp whilst at the show for airflow is a bonus.

I think they're marmite; people either love them or hate them. I had an old (Circa 1995) rice before this, which was great, but it was noisy, and I worried about the motorway /longer trips with it and needed some living, so I made the switch. The suspension is also better on the equitrek.

My showtrekka has been altered so there is also the option to pull the beds out to make a double bed across the living area, I wonder if that could be an option?

 

[claracanter]

Do you mind if I ask how big the horses you travel in it are? Got a 17hh one at the moment so would be travelling him alone anyway most likely but concerned if it would be roomy enough for him. Although the negative responses are making me apprehensive and thinking maybe best to stick with the Ifor.

We travel a 17.1hh in our show Treka. Had no problems. Brought it news last year.

 

[McFluff]

I had a 2008 show trekka. Loved the design, it was so easy to use. I loved that I didn’t need to put anything in the car, it was all in the trailer. It towed lovely, horse travelled well in it, very light and airy.
I did a lot of maintenance on mine - It lived out and had done a lot of miles before I got it. I replaced the side wall, the ramp, one of the lockers (I didn’t do this myself, I got a local horsebox builder to do for me, it was much better after). After doing that though it was super. Just needed annual servicing, and no issues.
I sold mine to get a box, which is so much easier (I’m old and grumpy, so not having to hitch suits me!).

 

[FitzyFitz]

I've got an old daytrekka, bought it for the kitchenette and storage which are absolute lifesavers. All my food/drink/show stuff/horse water just stays on board 24/7 so it's less to pack for trips. The horses load and travel well in it and it's lasted us years stored outside with very few issues.
The rubber matting inside was a bit thin so we replaced it, and the ramp surface isn't good in the wet. It does have a few bits of wear and tear these days but structurally sound.
Family friend got a brand new full living showtrekka in ~2016 and broke 3 axles on it in a year. They do drive like a maniac but that still seems like rather a lot.

If you like Ifors, they do a trailer with living now which looks nice.

 

[monte1]

My showtrekka has been altered so there is also the option to pull the beds out to make a double bed across the living area, I wonder if that could be an option?

Hi, I have a Show Treka and also find the bed a little narrow can i ask how you did the conversion please?

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Hi, I have a Show Treka and also find the bed a little narrow can i ask how you did the conversion please?

Ah it was done before I bought it sorry! But I think it was just a matter of putting some wooden blocks onto the opposite cupboards so it can be pulled out into a double rather than making two bunk beds.

 

[Time for Tea]

I had one new from 2012. My mare found front loading trailers claustrophobic. She travelled in the Spacetreka very well, so have my NF ponies. It tows well and I liked it, however as others have said its build quality is poor. Mine have all been very civilised in it, but I wouldn’t want a serious kicker in there! They do get very hot unless you have extra roof vents. I never opened the grooms door when a horse was in there. Never. So they never knew they could get out that way. I had the ramp refloored after 6 years, which was quite good as it was kept outside with the full force of the south westerlies lashing the ramp side of the trailer. And we live on an exposed hilltop!

 

[Melody Grey]

if anyone follows Equine Rescue Services on f/book, there’s an Equitrek trailer related post shared on there that should be good for thought for anyone considering buying a second hand one!