Ifor Williams 401/403

Identityincrisis

Identityincrisis

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I have looked into buying my own transport and the 401/403 looks like the most viable option. I'm concerned that they look quite wide internally. I have a 3yr old Anglo Arab who has only been on a trailer to arrive at my yard, I've been doing as much practicing as not having my own trailer has allowed, We're slowly getting there. My concern is, is there too much room in these trailers therefore do the horses struggle to find their balance?

Advice/experiences sought! Thanks
 
I have a new 403 and love it. Yes they are wide, in fact only 6" shorter in width than a 506 trailer. My horses have never found it hard with their balance. They tend to stand on a slight angle and with the stall being roomy, it allows them to get their balance better if anything.

You won't regret buying one, everyone I know with one loves theirs and they rarely come onto the market because people keep hold of them. Tha's my experience anyway. Good luck.
 
I have a mare and foal bockmann which is the same size internally as the 403, contrary to what you are thinking I find my horse balances easier than in a partitioned double trailer as can find his own balance, he usually stands quite far over to the right but not right up against the wall.
 
Horses will balance BETTER in a wider trailer; the extra space allows them to spread their legs out and find the easiest place to travel.
 
Identityincrisis said:
Thanks all.

ROG, yes I am. Dad has looked into it and he's pretty good at understanding things but if you have any advice, it is welcome :)
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Find GVW of vehicle - on a plate usually hidden under bonnet or in a door frame - also listed as maximum permissible weight on the V5 keepers form

Get plated MAM weight of trailer which is usually on the silver weight plate on the A frame part between the main box and the tow ball connector

Add those two weights together - if they total no more than 3500 then its ok for B towing

There are other things to consider such as vehicle max towing capacity etc but the 3500 is the law for the B licence

The 401/403 MAM at manufacture is 1600 so if that is still on the trailer weight plate then the max GVW for the vehicle is 1900
The 401/403 can be down plated to lower than 1600 by contacting Ifor williams and I think the cost is now about £50
 
I have a 401. My horse seems more balanced and travels better in it than she does in half of a double trailer. She tends to stand diagonally in it if that makes sense. Its also much more welcoming for loading, as she sometimes wont load onto a double with the partition in - I think she doesn't think she has enough space.

On a separate note, the lady I bought mine from did say she had heard of a horse turning round in a single trailer, and so recommended that I always cross tie.
 
I have a 403 and love it too. I have a chunky highland, though. But I have transported friends horses in it who are less well built and they travel very happily in it. I think it's because only having one horse, the weight sits central to your vehicle so the whole thing just feels more balanced. Also, because the stall width is a bit more generous, I can get into it to tack up on wet days, even with my chunk of a pony! I'd get one if i were you.
 
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