Older trailers ?

[Love]

I bought my 2004 ifor 510 a couple of years ago from a horsebox dealer - got a really good price on it. It had been stood for a while by the looks of things before he got it. I had 4 new tires put on straight away and a service and other than small cosmetic things it was in great shape. Still had original panels which were starting ever so slightly to go at the bottom but we knew this and knew they would need doing in a couple of years. I'm having them done this summer. Floor is sound and it tows like a dream. A friend at the yard bought a 2001 510 last year and although the panels were worse on hers (they had them replaced straight away) the rest, like mine, was in really good condition

 

[spacefaer]

There are plenty of Rice boxes still doing good service that were built in the 1970s. Some still have a sound original oak floor! Depends how they were built, stored and used

Pedantic point but the floors were iroko hardwood, not oak!
Still heavy and incredibly hard-wearing

 

[scruffyponies]

Pedantic point but the floors were iroko hardwood, not oak!
Still heavy and incredibly hard-wearing

Later ones, yes, but some of the really REALLY old ones were a single layer of 2" oak. My first trailer was one of them, and the floor was as good as the day it was made. Must have been near 50 years old!

 

[SilverLinings]

Unfortunately I'm in the south West so probably wouldn't be my first call but thanks for the recommendation. I did go up there to view a horse so it's not impossible!

I've bought from Boulter Meade (2mins from the M5 Bridgewater exit) in the past and also used them for servicing and they seem very professional and have always been very helpful. I bought new but they certainly used to sell second hand, and I expect would be happy to point you towards another reputable dealer in the SW if they can't help.

Boulter Mead Trailer Centres Ltd: 0800 678 5999 – Boulter Mead Trailer Centres are Ifor Williams trailers distributors in Somerset we supply and service all types of trailers including Horsebox, Livestock, Plant, Tippers, Car Transporters, Flatbed,

boultermead.co.uk

 

[Sossigpoker]

Update- my local Ifor Williams dealer is rebuilding a 2008 505 for me! So it will be a brand new trailer on the original chassis. I've seem so many dodgy trailers out there that I couldn't take the risk so this is ideal for me. Cost is about the same as buying a used 505 and having to put new panels and ramps on it.

 

[Birker2020]

Mine was bought almost new in 1996. Think its a Europa but not entirely sure. It has the appearance of a Rice Richardson but doesn't have the same spec. It weighs in at the weighbridge at 630kg which was one of the lightest we vould find and has been serviced every year until the death of my Father in 2017 and repainted/touched up every 4 or 5 years.

It was resprayed in 2021 and a small patch of rust was found on the roof, above the jockey door and around the front window, all of which were fixed. The door seals were replaced. The floor checked - it has a double floor. It needs a couple of hardwood boards replacing inside and then painting inside so we plan to do this, this year.

As it happens, its going to a chap we know who us a mechanic to carry out a service on it next week.

Its been a labour of love, but its sturdy, safe and familar and I love it and all my horses have travelled well in it.

It would probably sell for £3500 - £4000 now judging by previous ebay ads I've seen.

Sorry just realised I replied back in Feb on reply 19.

 

[Birker2020]

Update- my local Ifor Williams dealer is rebuilding a 2008 505 for me! So it will be a brand new trailer on the original chassis. I've seem so many dodgy trailers out there that I couldn't take the risk so this is ideal for me. Cost is about the same as buying a used 505 and having to put new panels and ramps on it.

Great news. I assume you checked that your towing vehicle can tow the weight of the trailer legally?

Many of the Ifor Willians are quite heavy.

I'm glad you got sorted in the end!

 

[Tiddlypom]

That's a good call, OP. You'll know that your new to you trailer will be in excellent order and safe. The older Ifors may be very common but that's for a reason - they are good sturdy trailers.

A 505 weighs 905kg unladen, which is not especially heavy. I'm sure that the OP has done her due research re towing vehicles .

 

[Sossigpoker]

My car tows 3.5T so no worries there.

The 505s are now getting to about 20 years old so will need rebuilding - panels might look OK on the outside but will be starting to rot or indeed rotted inside. It's scary how people think trailers and boxes are OK if they look OK on the outside.

 

[AandK]

I did similar to you OP. I bought a 2004 Bateson Ascot privately 5yrs ago and then took it to a Bateson dealer and had it refurbed, new floor, decals, tyres etc. It's been a great trailer. Recommend getting DataTag if you haven't already!

 

[Sossigpoker]

I did similar to you OP. I bought a 2004 Bateson Ascot privately 5yrs ago and then took it to a Bateson dealer and had it refurbed, new floor, decals, tyres etc. It's been a great trailer. Recommend getting DataTag if you haven't already!

Thanks , I need to look into all that still : what is the data tag , what does it do ?

 

[AandK]

Thanks , I need to look into all that still : what is the data tag , what does it do ?

It's extra security basically. You get a sticker which is like a number plate to go on a visible part of the chassis, then there are some transponder things and then microdots which are in a liquid which you put on various parts of the chassis. More info here: https://www.datatag.co.uk/trailers.php

 

[Fleece Navidad]

My car tows 3.5T so no worries there.

The 505s are now getting to about 20 years old so will need rebuilding - panels might look OK on the outside but will be starting to rot or indeed rotted inside. It's scary how people think trailers and boxes are OK if they look OK on the outside.

This. I'd had mine looked at last autumn and was told they'd need to be done this year, he said I'd be ok until after our spring outings. A friend noticed a loose bolt on hers which turned out to be due to the panel softening, and when I was chatting to my mechanic he said they'd seen a few recently, so knowing mine was due soon I sent it in. Really grateful I did as the panels were completely rotten.

 

[Sossigpoker]

This. I'd had mine looked at last autumn and was told they'd need to be done this year, he said I'd be ok until after our spring outings. A friend noticed a loose bolt on hers which turned out to be due to the panel softening, and when I was chatting to my mechanic he said they'd seen a few recently, so knowing mine was due soon I sent it in. Really grateful I did as the panels were completely rotten.

The dealer showed me some panels they had removed. The skin on the outside looked perfect ...but peel it back a bit and it's just soft mush inside. So dangerous! Your horse gives it a knock and will come through the side - or the floor !!

 

[Fleece Navidad]

The dealer showed me some panels they had removed. The skin on the outside looked perfect ...but peel it back a bit and it's just soft mush inside. So dangerous! Your horse gives it a knock and will come through the side - or the floor !!

It's scary. And scary how quickly it deteriorated, he patched my ramp last autumn, patched a section and said he'd do the full ramp when I was getting the panels done, and it had one corner that was completely rotten, which he wouldn't have let out of the workshop if it had been like that in the autumn.

 

[Sossigpoker]

It's scary. And scary how quickly it deteriorated, he patched my ramp last autumn, patched a section and said he'd do the full ramp when I was getting the panels done, and it had one corner that was completely rotten, which he wouldn't have let out of the workshop if it had been like that in the autumn.

It does worry me a bit as mine has to be stored outside as no barn storage available.

 

[Annagain]

That sounds like an excellent outcome. My trailer servicing man is keeping a close eye on my panels, the right hand one is going to need changing soon but he said in October it's good for another year yet.

 

[sunnyone]

If you do plan a trip to Wimborne you could take in Toller Trailers at the same time. They aren't a big company but have been in business at'least 10; years, probably 20. Maybe worth giving them a ring to see what they have before you go.

 

[Sossigpoker]

If you do plan a trip to Wimborne you could take in Toller Trailers at the same time. They aren't a big company but have been in business at'least 10; years, probably 20. Maybe worth giving them a ring to see what they have before you go.

Thanks I've bought one now