Should I change my Ifor 505 for an Equitrek?

[now_loves_mares]

As per the title really. I have an Ifor Williams 505. I have two horses, neither over 15.2hh, so the size isn't officially an issue. However, firstly one can be very stubborn to load, and it's a pain if the other is already in, as then I can't swing the partitions. Secondly, the same stubborn one rushes out at a thousand miles an hour, particularly if the other one is there and has already been unloaded. If I swap sides, then because she's the bigger one, it's just as hard to get her out as then I can't swing the central partition over.
Thirdly, they tend to fight, so I have to keep putting the head partition up, but I don't like to leave it up all the time as I think it's too easy for them to get headcollars caught.

Anyway - normally I'd just go for it. But at some point probably later this year, my Dad should finally have put my lorry on to it's new chassis, so the trailer will be sold. My questions, for those with experience are:

Would the equitreka be easier/safer for loading and particularly unloading?
Will it hold it's value as well as in ifor?
Are they any wider than an ifor? My trailer fits perfectly down behind the stables, there is some extra room, but are they really any wider - does anyone know the dimensions?
How are the horses heads separated - if they are?

Sorry for the questions! Just finding it a bit dangerous taking the two of them in the box. Unfortunately I have to do this loads over the summer as their field is some way from the stables and it's a bit dangerous to lead the two down the road

Any thoughts welcome!

 

[sea_view]

Is the Equitrek not quite a bit heavier so u'd need to check ur towing vehicle was still ok to tow it. My friend has an Equitrek and loves it.

 

[now_loves_mares]

I have a discovery, which has a 3.5t limit I think? Anyway I'm fairly sure they are one of the best, so should be ok.

My Dad the mechanic will know though

Maybe when I tell him about this plan he will feel guilty and get on with my lorry instead. Can't really push him though, seen as I'm paying "Rellies rates". (These are even better than mates rates, as are free

)

 

[sea_view]

Ur dad will defo know - my brother is a truck mechanic and 'Rellies Rates' are great but timescales not so - sounds like you and I are in the same boat!

 

[now_loves_mares]

That's why I ended up buying the trailer in the first place, he had been promising to do this for soooo long! Anyway I now have splashed out the cash for the chassis so at least it's sitting there staring at him.

I asked him the other day if it was "worth putting a new stereo in the Discovery" as a subtle hint to hurry up. Didn't work....

 

[Bay_Beasty]

I think the only issue I have seen with these trailers (I don't own one this is just observations while at shows) is some horses struggle with, when the first horse is in and the partition is over, it can look like a brick wall to them and they can't see where they can go, if that makes sense. Don't know how you would do it, big horse in first or second. Could you borrow one and see how they go?

 

[now_loves_mares]

That's a fair point - but wouldn't it just be the same as going into the back partition in a lorry? Would be very annoying though if that were the case!

I'd have to be able to do it both ways. Eg - if I was away riding the younger (smaller) one, then on returning to the yard I'd just chuck the bigger one on to take them both down to the field, and vice versa. So it would def have to work both ways.

I don't think I know anyone who has one, but will pay more attention next time I'm out!

I have just had a look on horsequest. Every single Ifor says Sold - even those without pics, but the Equitrek are all still for sale (and a lot more expensive!!). Given that I'm going to be (hopefully!) selling in a few months, it would be a bit of a nightmare to have an expensive trailer that I couldn't sell

 

[Divasmum]

From experience with a difficult loader he prefered a rear ramp to a side ramp. Also some animals find it difficult to see they have enough space when they load into a side load. The trailer you have is a good make and solid. I would stick with it rather than spend money on a different towing vehicle plus a different trailer.

 

[now_loves_mares]

Thanks - she's not a difficult loader as such- can just be very stubborn, and she's better when I can move the partitions to give her the width, hence why I thought the side load would be easier? TBH though, it's the unloading that bothers me more, as the Ifor 505 isn't brilliantly designed in this respect. She loads and unloads relatively well in the lorry so my thinking was that the Equitrek was more similar to that layout. All very confusing!

I don't need a towing vehicle at least, the Disco will be fine!

 

[hellspells]

Right this may turn into a bit of a essay!

I came over to the UK this weekend to deliever a pony - I borrowed my YO's equitrek and left her my IFOR (mainly as I had a lot of tack etc to bring so put it all in front of equitrek). I've towed my IFOR in the UK before and it was like a dream - the equitrek on the other hand nearly made me cry on about 3 occasions. It snakes all over the place and was quite terrifying (no not my driving - lol). my ifor has always been fab.

As I said left my YO with my ifor (510) one of hers is usually a baggage to load into the ET - but walked up the ramp of mind as good as you like. Also like baybeasty said in regards to the secind horse to load is so true - fine if they are use to going last in a lorry though. The ramps are also considerably higher then the ifor. The build quality isn't great on them either.

If you *should* be getting your lorry sorted soon i think i'd be inclined to wait - but that could just be me

 

[SJGeeGee]

We've got an Equitrek and I must say I prefer it to the ordinary Rice/Ifor trailers.

My 17.2 loads ok into the trailer, which ever side you put her in...she can be a pain to load at times, just stands at the bottom and doesn't move! But she has only been out about 4 times as she is a baby and she gets better each time, so I don't think its an issue with seeing where she is going, but more getting used to the travelling. My other horses which are used to travelling have no probs loading at all.

I do understand why some horses might not like it though because it looks like there isn't anywhere to go!! But as you said before, its just like the last particition of a lorry, but I think because its smaller in height it could cause a problem for some loaders. The benefit of the side loading is if you do have a bad loader it can go on first so there is heaps of room, compared to a back loader where there is limited extra room.

Apparantly (I've no idea personally!) horses prefer to travel backwards, so Equitreks give a better ride for them. Plus as they are heavier they tow very well and don't move around. Its also lovely to have a small living area when you are at those cold, wet shows!!!
They have the usual head partition bit that can be moved so you can seperate them if you wish. They also hold their value well too.

I'd take a look at their website (equi-trek.com), they have lots of different trailers and lorries now, so dimensions will depend largely on which style you wanted, plus they do each style in in different sizes...either up to 16.2, or if you pay a tad extra up to 18.0hns.

Just watch out for the extra height of the Equitrek though...they don't fit under the same bridges as the Ifor...(as my mum discovered when she scraped the roof of ours!!)

I sound like I work for them, I promise I don't... I'm only a student!!

Its a good idea that someone earlier had to borrow one for a bit!

Take care x

 

[diggerbez]

well...i would say to wait given that you do have a lorry on the way. my difficult loader will not entertain an ifor (he's claustrophobic) but loves equitrek as he thinks its a horsebox...which he's used to from his racing days...BUT i have found build quality poor on equitreks so could be a problem in terms of selling on...

 

[now_loves_mares]

Thanks everyone, lots of very useful info! I think that the general consensus, reading between the lines, is that my Ifor will be easier to sell on, so I think I will stick with that. It does tow incredibly easily, I'll just need to teach Her Majesty that she doesn't have to throw herself out of it like a woman possessed

Plus I hadn't realised quite HOW much more expensive the Equitrek was going to be

The thought of the wee changing area is still kind of tempting - but given right now both horses are off-games, it's not exactly urgent