Ifor Williams Trailers extra must haves.

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Hairy Horror

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I am looking at buying an ifor Williams double horse trailer, my horse is 15.1 so not bothered if it's the HB506 or 511. Just wanted to know the extras you have on yours and if they are worth it, i.e. High brake light or the haynet tie rack. Also the extra,s that are not worth it.
 
The hay net 'fix' is very good, but as it fixes a design flaw I do feel it should be included... maybe with asking the dealer. And a handy friend fixed mine, it may be worth asking about the cost of the kit, and the cost of fitting. The net that is glued in was a complete waste of money. If you get the haynet fix, don't bother with front windows grills , which was my workaround. I did have one of the very early 511, complete with mold problems. It's done well since.
 
I really like the high level brake light as I think it is much more noticeable. I found the dealers couldn't move much on price but would throw in extras, which is worth knowing if you are buying new. I'd like a tack box for mine cos I can't fit my tack and all the kids in my car! 511 is probably the better bet if you're likely to swap your horse or want to sell your trailer on.
 
Admittedly I bought mine second hand but these are necessities in my opinion:

1. A reversing mirror fitted to the front of the trailer, I had mine fitted later on and it is a lifesaver when hitching up.
2. Make sure you get a decent set of allen keys for removing the breech/breast bars in an emergency - one is not enough - my mechanic recommended a minimum of 4 but 6 for safety - he said that no matter how careful you are in a emergency situation the problems if you accidentally drop one can be very stressful - and in an emergency you don't really want to be undoing one at a time.
3. Wheel chocks - something I had to buy.
4. Depending on the discipline you will be using it for - water carrier cages on the outside - as we did Endurance they would have saved a lot of space and weight in the car - but you must factor them (when full) into your towing capacity figure/allowance
5. Rear light fitting covers (cages) the lights are a pain to replace if broken (by reversing badly - me or being double barrelled by a rogue horse) if you are not at home and may make it unsafe to travel if dark.
6. Set of spare light bulbs.

However with all these things you may be able to buy them cheaper after the fact than as an additional extra.

Not an item that IW provide but a decent tyre pump with good pressure gauge - there is nothing more irritating when needing to take your trailer out to the garage just to get a tyre pressure checked be aware that trailer tyre pressures are a lot higher than car ones
 
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After seeing a picture of a horse putting itself through the front window I would recommend the safety bar.
The Haynet problem is easy resolved by putting a ring in a better place.
 
Get a Trailer Aid Ramp, a plastic ramp that allows you to replace a flat tyre without a jack and without removing the horses. Apparently Ifor Wiliams do one but they are cheaper on Ebay.
 
If your just travelling one then get full length breast and breaching bars. Loads more room for the horse and is easier to tack up etc inside if it's raining
 
Thank you for all your replies, tonight I have bought a second hand hb511, and will get the front window grill and high brake light fitted when I have it serviced. The Allen keys are a great idea and the trailer aid ramp. It comes with full width breast bars. Just need to practice reversing it now��
 
Just a thought but a good idea to use the allen keys to undo the bar catches - just to make sure they are not seized - make sure you tighten then up enough afterwards though :) :)
 
Definitely get the Trailer Aid ramp, makes changing wheel very easy.

Don't bother with built in tack locker. I have a 16 1/2 inch saddle and it barely fits in! To be fair the dealer did warn me it was small but I bought it anyway.m
 
Hi i had read that the built in tack locker was not worth it. I did think about the tack pack but it does seem very expensive and a lot of faffing around, so I will do it the old fashioned way and chuck my tack in the back of the Landy.
 
Hairy Horror said:
Hi i had read that the built in tack locker was not worth it. I did think about the tack pack but it does seem very expensive and a lot of faffing around, so I will do it the old fashioned way and chuck my tack in the back of the Landy.
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I know some will disagree but I really like the tack pack (on wheels). I bought mine with the new trailer, but if you set up a search on ebay they often come up for sale at a better price!

Good luck with your new trailer - they're great!
 
When I bought my 511 it already had the tack locker on the back of the jockey door. I don't use it for my saddle but I stuff it full of grooming kit, horse boots, first aid kit and other bits. I put a water carrier in the nose of the trailer and when the door is closed the tack locker stops it from moving around. Perhaps IW should redesign it and market it as a storage cupboard.
 
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