If you were going to buy a new trailer....

chickeninabun

chickeninabun

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If you were going to buy a new trailer.... which would be your first choice??

I would like a two horse trailer, nothing fancy, although would love a Show-Treka but I don't do enough to justify one of those! I would say something lightweight but anything is lighter than my current trailer which i can't move an inch on my own.

Thinking no more than £5-6000.

What would you choose??
 
For me, I'd buy what I have - an Ifor classic. Ours is in immaculate condition and although infrequently used, has never caused a moments problems. Horse liked it, we like it, looks smart, parts easilly sourced. I don't know what more you'd ask for, though perhaps seen as your budget is pretty healthy, maybe the extra room some new fangled ones offer is worth having.
 
Thanks. The Ifor's do look nice.

Do you think it's worth buying new, or is second-hand better? Do you get more for your money? Or could that lead to more problems? Suppose you get the manufacturers warranty as well with new ones.
 
Personally, we bought second hand. We'd not heard anything good about the newer placcy type ifors. So ours is older, bit sure the exact age but its the metal one.
You could always leave some of the money you save aside for repairs perhaps-that said we've had no problems with ours in 2 years.
 
I would love one of the Richardson rear facing ones - so many horses prefer bums to the engine and that one is made for the purpose. And more room (and looks better made) than the Equitreks
 
I already know the trailer I want next. It's a bigger version of the trailer I have right now. It has 3 box-stalls, so can take 3 mares (+ foals) loose, or 8 horses tied. It has weekend living space at the front. I just can't afford it yet and there are no used ones available on the market that I can find lol!
 
chickeninabun said:
Are these generally considered a "better" trailer than an Ifor/Richardson/Rice?
Click to expand...

I have a bockmann comfort after previously having had both Ifor Williams and Richardson and in my personal opinion and that of my horse, the bockmann is far superior. Better suspension and much better brakes :).

I wouldn't go back to Ifor or Richardson now unless it was absolutely necessary
 
I'd buy what we already have - a Wessex Olympian. Absolutely super trailer to tow and the horses love traveling in it (one was a nervous wreck traveling in the ifor and eventually stopped loading in it). Fab quality, and a wonderfully smooth ride, can't fault it and we have had ours nearly 4 years now. Would buy another in a flash if we had to make the decision again. Smart to look at, safe and sturdy construction without being heavier than an equivalent ifor, nice leather padded horse area (washes down easily to clean if it gets dusty and is lovely and smart, comfy too for the horses!). Lots of space for our two hunter types. Could go on, wouldn't pick anything else!
 
I have a new style 511 I bought second hand. Mine doesn't get a lot of use so I can't comment on it lasting compared to my old 505. I like it to tow, the horses load and travel well and it is user friendly. I only sold my 505 as my horses are so big, if I was still with 16.2hh and under I would have kept it for ever.
 
Without a doubt I would buy a Bateson Deauville. They are brilliantly engineered, the ride is really smooth & there isn't the rattle that you always get with Ifors. There is an inbuilt double saddle rack which is useful. I had one before I changed over to a 7.5 ton lorry with living & it was a fantastic trailer. It maintains its value better than any other horse trailer also. If you ever need a part or advice then you'll find their company extremely helpful. :)
 
Having seen a horse going crazy - and I mean crazy yesterday in a new Ifor I'd go for that. I seriously don't know how it didn't turn the trailer over or kick out the side. It ended up over the front breast bar, luckily we managed to undo the bar from the outside and release it but I was very impressed with how the trailer coped. I wasn't impressed with them before knowing a couple of people who had bought them and had nothing but trouble.
 
Hubby always said Ifors are really well made. They are trailer specialists and make them for all types of jobs, not just a horse trailer company..

I would argue that there seem to be more Ifors on the road around here than anything else. We initially were intending to get a second hand one, but a four year old one was only £300 cheaper than a new one, so we bought new and it has been superb. I think the new types had issues initially, but seem to be fine now they've been around a few years.
 
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