Muddywellies
Well-Known Member
Does anyone know the difference in mk1 and mk2 and what year mk1 became mk2? Which is better?
Ifor Williams 506 mk1 / mk2?
- Thread starter Muddywellies
- Start date
Muddywellies
Well-Known Member
Anyone able to help?
Annagain
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure when the mk1 became the mk 2 but I know the mk1 had a lot of problems that were ironed out by the time the mk2 was launched so I'd go for a mk2 if you can - if you can't, go for the latest 505/ 510 you can find. My trailer service man (whom I trust implicitly) says the very late 505/510 is the best trailer IW ever made - especially the classic as it has features the standard one doesn't.
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
Mark 1 506/511s launched 2008. Substandard build quality and many problems, so avoid. Mark 2s are much improved, were launched late 2011/early 2012 (not sure on exact date).
But agree with Annagain‘s trailer service bod, look for a good regularly serviced late 505/510 classic - excellent trailers, I still have my 2006 510 classic, owned from new.
But agree with Annagain‘s trailer service bod, look for a good regularly serviced late 505/510 classic - excellent trailers, I still have my 2006 510 classic, owned from new.
marmalade88
Well-Known Member
Not sure when they changed but you could always ring Ifor and ask?
I got a MK2 in 2015, my mum was impressed when we went to look as she’s had Ifors since the 80’s (don’t tell her i said that !). I definitely didn’t want a mk1 as there were some real troubles with the builds as Tiddlypom has mentioned. Mine has lived outside the whole time and has only cost me a new set of tyres.
I got a MK2 in 2015, my mum was impressed when we went to look as she’s had Ifors since the 80’s (don’t tell her i said that !). I definitely didn’t want a mk1 as there were some real troubles with the builds as Tiddlypom has mentioned. Mine has lived outside the whole time and has only cost me a new set of tyres.
LegOn
Well-Known Member
The Mark 2 was first manufactured in 2008 and the problems were many! Some had an issue with a mould reaction due to a coating reacting with the material on the roof and they were taken back in by Ifor Williams and the coating had to be stripped and replaced. Also the front of them was made of a thinner fiberglass without steel reinforcements, there was a few reports in accidents of horses going through the front of them or if a horse lashed out in the box, legs going through it! This has now been replaced with an aluminum front panel.
The steel rollcage in them was missing across parts of the roof and this made the box more unstable and unsafe in an accident aswell - this has been changed and improved. And as far as I'm aware the suspension was improved alot in the later Mark 2 models aswell.
I recently upgraded from a 2000 505 to a 2018 506 so did my research. Also the 506 is a slightly bigger box, slightly wider and longer and I find it much nicer to tow with aswell. The biggest issue with them still is the amount of plastic on the hinges and catches - the middle is metal and casing is plastic, this is never a good mix so they will wear out. I've read keeping them well oiled is a good solution so I've been doing that! They are a lovely box but as someone else mentioned above - the build of the 506 is still 2nd to none, especially the classics but you are still buying a 12 year old box as they stopped making them in 2008... so unless you find one that has been very well kept and serviced, it is still a much older box!
The steel rollcage in them was missing across parts of the roof and this made the box more unstable and unsafe in an accident aswell - this has been changed and improved. And as far as I'm aware the suspension was improved alot in the later Mark 2 models aswell.
I recently upgraded from a 2000 505 to a 2018 506 so did my research. Also the 506 is a slightly bigger box, slightly wider and longer and I find it much nicer to tow with aswell. The biggest issue with them still is the amount of plastic on the hinges and catches - the middle is metal and casing is plastic, this is never a good mix so they will wear out. I've read keeping them well oiled is a good solution so I've been doing that! They are a lovely box but as someone else mentioned above - the build of the 506 is still 2nd to none, especially the classics but you are still buying a 12 year old box as they stopped making them in 2008... so unless you find one that has been very well kept and serviced, it is still a much older box!
Hormonal Filly
Well-Known Member
Apologies to bring up a old thread. Do you still have your classic?
I have a 2010 506 and although it tows nicely, it hasn’t aged well!
The front jockey door is impossible to open as the locks gone and it’s totally corroded at the bottom of the jokey door. Needs manually fixing as the jokey panel is so so expensive. The front of the box doesn’t seem solid to me either, they just look so flimsy. My YO has a 2016 506 and it seems much better made.
Im going to view a 505 Classic this week, 2008.. it looks immaculate, they’ve owned it for years and they seem better made than my shape?!
Annagain
Well-Known Member
I don't have a classic, just a standard 2005 510. It's been well looked after (seviced annually and it's on its third set of tyres and second complete set of brakes although the pads have been replaced more frequently) and it's still in excellent condition for its age. We're keeping an eye on the one side panel as it's starting to soften but 17 years in, that's not bad at all.
Last edited:
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
I still have my yr 2006 owned-from-new 510 classic, it's aged very well. It's only needed routine servicing to date. The classics are really good, sturdy trailers ?.
GoldenWillow
Well-Known Member
I sold my owned from new 2006 505 classic in 2019. Buyers couldn't believe the condition of it, in a good way. I can remember them going round checking things and saying to each other this bit/the springs etc look like new.