IW HB505 or HB506?

mairiwick

mairiwick

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Hi All

Looking for a bit of advice for my first trailer... starting to look at what is on the market while I wait to take the training and test over the next few weeks.

I'm trying to be sensible budget wise but I also don't want to compromise on safety/longevity.... most of the 505's I've seen for sale are from 2004, but a lot of the 506's are between 2008-2014.

A friend recently traded her 505 (2008) for a 506 - the dealer told her that hers was about to start costing a lot more money in terms of upkeep.

I'm not desperate to have a brand new trailer- although appreciate the warrently would help cover. But I'm not sure if a 505 now would be sensbile or better to pay more for a slightly newer 506?

I know I'm now at the overthinking/procastinating stage and some forum feedback would be really helpful!

Thanks!!
 
I had a similar conversation recently with my (very reliable, knowledgeable and trustworthy) trailer servicing man about replacing my 2005 510. He said that the 2005-07 510/505 were the best trailers IW made. There were lots of teething issues with the 506/511 but they have now been sorted out and the newer (2014 onwards) models are as good as the 505/510 now.

If your budget can stretch to a post 2014 506 I'd go for one of those (simply because, being newer, it should last longer) otherwise I'd go for a very well looked after, late 505. (e.g. mine has been serviced every year, has a full service history and records of any work done to it, only keeping it in a barn would make it a better cared for). Either way, I'd get somebody reliable to check out any trailer you're serious about buying.
 
annagain said:
I had a similar conversation recently with my (very reliable, knowledgeable and trustworthy) trailer servicing man about replacing my 2005 510. He said that the 2005-07 510/505 were the best trailers IW made. There were lots of teething issues with the 506/511 but they have now been sorted out and the newer (2014 onwards) models are as good as the 505/510 now.

If your budget can stretch to a post 2014 506 I'd go for one of those (simply because, being newer, it should last longer) otherwise I'd go for a very well looked after, late 505. (e.g. mine has been serviced every year, has a full service history and records of any work done to it, only keeping it in a barn would make it a better cared for). Either way, I'd get somebody reliable to check out any trailer you're serious about buying.
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good advice annagain, thank you. I'm lacking in anyone that I know that would have experience that I could take with me... will get asking around friends for some contacts! 2014 onwards probably a stretch but a good suggestion. Not a huge amount of difference re price between some of them and buying new though - at least I guess it will hold it's value well!
 
Totally agree with annagain.
I have a 2003 505 (from new), so not the very late version. It was kept in a barn for 5 years, then against a wall, serviced every year, used twice a month on ave. Mine will need new ramp panels in about 2-3 years (cost iro £300).
My servicing chap said similar to annagain (505s good, later the better), but he'd still be selling mine for £2500 right now (cost £3k new!) so they really hold their value.
The early 506s are really flimsy, and aren't lasting as well.

Go for a late 505 and keep it serviced (and ideally sheltered)
 
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I spent the summer taking my two lumps out and about in the 505 .. it was a bit like getting toothpaste back into the tube. 16.2 ISH and a 16.1 cob x tank. Not sure what you are transporting but when I buy my trailer this year (we are in the same boat, yippeee) I will be going for a 510 for the extra size as they really didnt fit in the 505 well!
 
mairiwick said:
good advice annagain, thank you. I'm lacking in anyone that I know that would have experience that I could take with me... will get asking around friends for some contacts! 2014 onwards probably a stretch but a good suggestion. Not a huge amount of difference re price between some of them and buying new though - at least I guess it will hold it's value well!
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Ask friends with trailers who services theirs and whether they're happy with them. I always took mine to the dealers where we bought it from but stumbled across my trailer man when he came to do a pre-purchase inspection on a friend's Equitrek. He was totally honest with both the buyer and her. He told the buyer to snap it up and told my friend she was advertising it way too cheaply! For some strange reason the buyer didn't and my friend later sold it for £1000 more than she originally had it advertised for! It was obvious from that that he was a very honest guy so we switched to him and have heard nothing but good stuff from him ever since then. All my friends use him now and we're all really happy with his work. He's mobile too which is so much easier than dropping trailers off for servicing. This is the sort of person you need to find.
 
Ant - a 16hh tb.... potentially with small pony shaped thing at some point in the next year or so for my daughter (holding off deperately at the moment!!). She's travelled well in a 505 before, thanks to generous friends getting us out, so I've got no height concerns to take into account thankfully!
 
mairiwick said:
Ant - a 16hh tb.... potentially with small pony shaped thing at some point in the next year or so for my daughter (holding off deperately at the moment!!). She's travelled well in a 505 before, thanks to generous friends getting us out, so I've got no height concerns to take into account thankfully!
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You'll be fine with a TB i'd well imagine. My two are rather well built especially through summer with muscle and grass babies, lol!
 
Hi AnnaAgain.
Where in South Wales is your man based? Am after someone to service my later model 505 and am in Swansea.
 
Bridgend. I'm in Cardiff so I'd imagine he'd go to Swansea too. Have a search for Harvest Choice on Facebook. Lovely guy called Justin. Tell him Anna from Riders 2000 recommended him - he sponsors our club so offers members a discount. You might get one too!
 
mairiwick said:
Ant - a 16hh tb.... potentially with small pony shaped thing at some point in the next year or so for my daughter (holding off deperately at the moment!!). She's travelled well in a 505 before, thanks to generous friends getting us out, so I've got no height concerns to take into account thankfully!
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I've got a 510 as that was my mare's trailer of choice, she was only 15.3hh on a good day! (She was a bit of an awkward loader) but to be fair I think I would always go for the bigger option -f you can find a good one for a reasonable price why not? Good job I did go big as sadly she's now passed on but my 4yr old is currently 16.3hh....
 
A 505 every time over a 506. (Or a 510 every time over a 511).

Reason being the 505/510 series is built with an metal roof (so when a horse rears up and hits its poll, you get a dent in the roof) whereas 506/511 have plastic or GRP roofs (so when a horse rears up and hits its poll, you get a shattered roof).

And the 505/510 series are built with galvanised metal hinges and clamps and clasps whereas the 506/511 series has a lot of plastic, and over time plastic tends to get brittle and breaks, whereas galvanised metal stays strong.

The 505/510 are built to last.
 
Suechoccy said:
A 505 every time over a 506. (Or a 510 every time over a 511).

Reason being the 505/510 series is built with an metal roof (so when a horse rears up and hits its poll, you get a dent in the roof) whereas 506/511 have plastic or GRP roofs (so when a horse rears up and hits its poll, you get a shattered roof).

And the 505/510 series are built with galvanised metal hinges and clamps and clasps whereas the 506/511 series has a lot of plastic, and over time plastic tends to get brittle and breaks, whereas galvanised metal stays strong.

The 505/510 are built to last.
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Actually good point - friend that exchanged for 506 picked up her new boy who promptly came through the front and the roof as he panicked in the trailer. No injuries thankfully other than scrapes but the trailer needed a lot of repair work.

I'd almost discounted the 510's for the extra weight but for the fact I won't be taking two big ones out together I don't suppose that matters massively in my case.

The search and research continues - thanks all for the advice so far, much appreciated!
 
Suechoccy said:
A 505 every time over a 506. (Or a 510 every time over a 511).

Reason being the 505/510 series is built with an metal roof (so when a horse rears up and hits its poll, you get a dent in the roof) whereas 506/511 have plastic or GRP roofs (so when a horse rears up and hits its poll, you get a shattered roof).

And the 505/510 series are built with galvanised metal hinges and clamps and clasps whereas the 506/511 series has a lot of plastic, and over time plastic tends to get brittle and breaks, whereas galvanised metal stays strong.

The 505/510 are built to last.
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Must admit, the amount of plastic on a friend's 506 concerns me. It cannot possibly last as long as metal? I wouldn't be buying one in a hurry.
 
annagain said:
Bridgend. I'm in Cardiff so I'd imagine he'd go to Swansea too. Have a search for Harvest Choice on Facebook. Lovely guy called Justin. Tell him Anna from Riders 2000 recommended him - he sponsors our club so offers members a discount. You might get one too!
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THANK YOU🌟🌟🌟🌟. I'll look those details up and get in touch with him. It's great to have such a glowing recommendation.
 
I like the sleek look of the newer models but in all honesty, I wouldn't trade it for the sturdiness, reliability, simplicity and ease of the 505. I wouldn't mind going bigger but it would have to be a 510. It's pretty versatile too.

The safety features are much more logical as well. Don't forget your Alan key though! I keep mine in the car.
 
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