HBX506 with fitted tack box rather than front ramp - thoughts please!

Jjv1990

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I’m really close to buying a Hbx506 that has the built in tack box but that comes at the expenses of the front ramp. I don’t think it’ll be an issue but and feedback from anyone or thoughts would be great

Also what are they like to tow?


Thanks!
 
I’ve just bought a hbx511 and had the tack box fitted.
Firstly it’s fabulous to tow. Nowhere near as rattly as the older Ifors.

Do you mean a tack box or partitioned tack room? I have the tack box but also a ramp. It’s tricky getting my saddle in it and as it doesn’t have a front it’s not particularly secure if you leave the trailer.
It’s still quite handy though but I would stick with a ramp if I had to chose.
 
I’ve just bought a hbx511 and had the tack box fitted.
Firstly it’s fabulous to tow. Nowhere near as rattly as the older Ifors.

Do you mean a tack box or partitioned tack room? I have the tack box but also a ramp. It’s tricky getting my saddle in it and as it doesn’t have a front it’s not particularly secure if you leave the trailer.
It’s still quite handy though but I would stick with a ramp if I had to chose.
The fitted tack room 😊
 
I have a HBX511. Absolute dream!

Never used the front ramp as I teach all my horses to back off! Easy easy
 
My front ramp must had had some wear on the brackets. I loaded my horse at home, a stone must have wedged between the ramp and the body (gravel driveway). When I got to the yard I open the ramp and the ramp was stuck and snapped off its hinge.

I had to back my horse out of the trailer to get him off. The next time I loaded him, he reversed straight out of the trailer again very fast. It took a couple of goes out before he would settle- I now wouldn’t ever get a rear loading ramp because of this experience!

I am sure some horses would be fine but I didn’t like it
 
Whereas we've used our front ramp sooo many times, we wouldn't be without it. Tack can go in the car and out of sight.
Whereas we've used our front ramp sooo many times, we wouldn't be without it. Tack can go in the car and out of sight.
Excuse me, I’ve never written that about not using a front ramp and backing horses off, easy or otherwise :
a) never owned one of these trailers,
b) usually use front unload if one is available, altho I do think teaching horses to back up is a good idea,
So no idea how that attribution to me, has occurred?! Be interested to know how....
 
I've never towed a HBX (I'm not that fancy, mine is an older 506) but I have never used my front ramp. I'm not too sure why, I guess I've just always reversed them off since before front ramps were a thing. I travel them by myself a lot so all mine have to self load from the bottom of the ramp and unload in a civilised manner. To unload I untie them and put the rope over their necks then go and put the back down/remove back bar and depending on the horse either go back to the front and ask them to reverse down the ramp or give them a little nudge to tell them to unload and wait for them at the bottom of the ramp - never had a problem or an issue with anything rushing out but maybe I've been lucky!
So short answer is I wouldn't miss the front ramp and would personally take the tack room over the ramp, but as most people seem to prefer the front ramp you may want to consider resale potential if that could be a factor at some stage.
 
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