Rear facing trailers vs front ....

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silverghost

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Having just sold my horsebox I am now looking for a trailer. I previous had a Gooch one, like a Rice, made locally to me, but the chap is no longer making them.

My horse is a 15.1hh cob and will not travel in an Ifor so they're out of the equation.
He travelled on my friends Ifor years ago, which was only 4yrs old, and due to them sealing it wrong during manufacture the water was running off the sides and into the floor. My horse felt it giving and travelled really badly ... not surprisingly!!! Also saved her horse as she didn't know til then as was hidden under the rubber, had been barn stored so unexpected. My horse will load on one but as soon as the ramp shuts he goes beserk.

I have been looking at the Richardson as before selling the lorry I needed to check he'd travel on a trailer again. He was fine in a friends forward facing Richardson. They think it was the 'Hunter' range but the names have changed now so not sure which model this equates to now ..????

I am also considering the rear facing Richardson or an Equitrek Spacetreka. The local dealership which handles both has advised against the older shape Equitrek, but my friend has one which is ok. Has anone on here experienced any problems? Also as there is only £600 between the Richardson & Equitrek what would you go for?

The Richardson has this new plastic floor .... is it safe ... how do you get on with yours if you have one? The Equitrek has a lorry floor so would seem stronger / safer but is it?

Also my horse has never been in a rear facing trailer. He is 17 yrs old so I want the best for him, I've owned him for over 13 yrs and he's never been a problem to load or travel except for the Ifor incident so do you think he'd adapt to a rear facing one, or, as he may only compete for a few more years should I stick to a traditional forward facing one?

I can travel up to 3-4hr journeys ... and am looking to get a Landrover Discovery TD5 to tow with. Previously had a Fourtrak but as they don't make them anymore think parts may be hard to get in the future.

Sorry to go on, but you're opiions would be welcome.
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I know some people with an old style Equitrek, that they have had from new. Some build quality issues, but I think these are better now. They like it a lot, horses travel well.

I think the horses look an awful long way from the driver!
I fancy one, but would want a camera so I could check on the horses while travelling. They do seem to be quite a lot of metal to tow around. I suppose it depends on where you are going and how much you are likely to use it. I would fancy one for motorway travelling, as they are like little lorries.
 
I have an equitrek space trekka(2 years old) and tow with a fourtrak. I did have an ifor 510 when first got transport and as got a big 17.1hh chap, he wasn't keen about going in. I couldnt afford a lorry, so got the equitrek as is basically the same as a renault master. He loves facing backwards. if you read the bumf, it is less stressfull for them as well. In the ifor he would always have his legs apart as using to balance, yet in the equitrek he stands at the end of the joureny as when he first went in. I have CCtv so can see him(would recommend this), and he loves looking out the rear window. There is also a bit at the front to put yout tack in etc. Also reversing an Ifor is soooo difficult, the equitrek just goes exactly where you want to. Also equitrek hold their value so much better. You would only need the smaller one, I think is an M model as mine is an L and I have have two massive horses and there is loads of room. Highly recommed Equitrek. If you look on horsequest there are usually second hand ones in v good condition. Not too sure i would like a plastic floor either, what if it needed replacing, how much might that cost. Re fourtrak, mine is a 96 model and it tows the equitrek and horse like they are as light as air! Love them
 
Thanks for this. What mpg do you get from your fourtrak and do you have problems getting parts? Also, I have recently looked at a 96 N reg one and there is rusting in the bottom back windows, is yours going there too?

Thanks.
 
My boy panicked in our Ifor & wouldn't travel in it again. We bought a lorry but he also travels perfectly well in my friends Equitrek.
 
the fourtrak is is v good condition. No rust rear windows, although my rear number plate dropped off as the bit at the back had rusted through. To pass the MOT the garage did a special arm, they could have bought the part for £80,but I said no, bodge it the best you can! The engine and body work are very good for age, but has a full service history from new(I bought it 3 years ago and passed every MOT without any major work, just number plate think and wiper blades!)
Touch wood I have not needed any parts. If you look on ebay, people sell fourtraks for breaking. Give the seller an email saying what you want and they will do a buy now. You dont have to buy the whole truck just the bits you want. I think if you have cash the shogun is the equivilant. MPG, I have no idea!! I would say 250/300 miles on 30 quid? A friend borrowed it for doing school runs as her car was in garage and she thought was very economical(i have a company car as well) Mine is the LWB, still looks like a SWB but a fraction longer and better towing power. 3.5 tonnes and not even new 4x4's offer that.
 
We have 3 litre V6 Shogun to tow with, I love it, will pull anything but MPG is poor but then it is a J reg, still, only cost £1100 so happy to spend a little extra in fuel and planning to convert to LPG for when not towing so that'll make a difference.
 
We used to have an Ifor Williams but now have the Equitrek 5* my mare definately travels better in the Equitrek and has the added advantage of a bit of living. Would recommend highly if you dont want the running costs of a lorry
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