Opinions on HB511 pleaaaaase

[Cash]

Sorry, know this has probably been debated before.
Dad is now considering buying a new 511 instead of a secondhand 510 (good ones seem few and far between

) as if it keeps its value it will be worth it. But i keep hearing a lot of conficting opinions!
I have heard people say they dislike the 'plasticky' appearance of it, but i trust i'll be able to make up my own mind on that one.

Would like to hear what people think of theirs etc please.

 

[xena_wales]

I bought one to replace my '94 505. The horses love it - it's very bright and airy, and the huge front window is great for checking them in your rear view mirror!!

Negatives on mine (it's just over a month old):
- the interior side panels have gone mouldy
- the padding on the partitions and the trailer side walls has distorted and bows out a little.
- some of the finishing, e.g. the sealant on the outside looks like it's been put on by a 12yo.

Generally though, I like it a lot. The quick release catches on the top doors are fab, there's lots of nice little touches like the catch to hold the jockey door back, the sliding front windows etc. They've also (apparently) redesigned the floor to make it even stronger.

There's no brilliant place to tie the haynet though - at the front is too far away, and off the tie ring is too close.

 

[Maesfen]

I checked one out with OH at Bolesworth last year and we both came to the same conclusion.

They look incredibly tacky as in cheap!
Neither of us liked the plastic look and feel to it at all, did not look as if it would stand up to the same amount of work as the older models. Someone near the stand did say 'but this is the throwaway age' and nobody disagreed with him!

On the good side, it did look nice and airy but I'm used to an old 505 with a solid partition so it would!

If we were upgrading, we'd go for a newer 505 or 510 but not this newest design at all, I'd rather look at different makes than have one of those but that is purely personal; I don't expect everyone to be the same and I'm sure you'll find good reports from on here too.

 

[kibob]

I've just had this dilema.

I dislike the new Ifor Williams, they just seem cheap and plasticky compared to the older models. The price hasn't reduced but imo the quality of materials used has. I really don't think they will stand up to the test of time as well as the previous models.

I've been looking into this loads and have now ordered a Bateson Deuville. Really like the simplicity of everything (catches, partition etc) and the workmanship seems good too. These also hold their value really well. Can't wait for it to arrive - hope my horses like it too,,, they'd better

 

[Angelbones]

Ive just bought one, but haven't used it yet for horses -just for lugging around a lot of jumps. It towed well and didn't bounce around as much as my old 505 did when it wasn't fully loaded.

I agree it looks plasticky, and doesn't seem as substantial but the reasons i went for it are that I got back nearly what I paid for my 4 yr old 505 and got a good deal on the new one (not much more than I was going to pay for a good 510). I couldn't find decent 510s easily that were anywhere near me, and what was available was normally between 3 and 6 years old so by my reckoning I was going to keep the new trailer for probably 5 years (when the kids have moved onto boys) and by that time any 510 I had would be approx 10 years old and would be considerably worth less than a well looked after 5 year old 511 (which of course by then would be readily available second hand). So I plumped for the 511 in the hope that I would recoup more when I sold it.

PS if you do buy a 511 don't get sucked into wheel trims etc - I got mine thrown in for free but didn't want them, and have taken them off already - you have to remove one to put a wheel lock bar on and that's just a pain. They are flimsy and pointless! And do specify that you want sliding windows etc - they aren't necessarily fitted as standard.

 

[CastleMouse]

I have an Ifor 511 - I bought it in March. I absolutely love it, and Ali travels very well in it too. I had a 505 before, and I MUCH prefer the 511!