Sinclair? Rice? Ifor ? advice please...

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Beatrice5

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Having never been fortunate enough to buy a trailer before I need advice from those of you who have and do own and have owned different trailers.

So with my limited budget I am looking for a secondhand trailer. Whatever I buy will first go to a trailer dealer for a full service and check over before my horses go anywhere near it just to be safe.

What are the pro's and cons of the following makes of trailer all will be over 10 years old at what age is it not worth concidering a trailer - you hear of some old Rice trailers approx 30 years old can they still be safe and road worthy by todays standards? I am looking at Sinclair, Rice and Ifor Williams but would be guided as to what else to consider.

So I am interested in the quality of ride for the horses, the safetly of the trailer in ( god forbid ) an accident, the towing stability of the trailer should you be in adverse weather or on the motorway with lorries overtaking and the maintenance costs and ease of finding spares etc.
 
We have recently bought a Rice Richardson Rossette as it will accomodate a 17hh giraffe. It was cheaper and newer than the comparable Ifor Williams model.

I find it easy to tow, stable when driving - even with nothing in it - horse travels well in it and its quite smart.

When you see a trailer you like its worth checking with The Equipment Register online to see that its not stolen, its fast and costs a bit, but better than buying a nicked one. You need the chasis number to do this.

Good luck, have fun looking, it took us a while to find one, but I just put that down to needing such a tall one!
 
I had an old rice trailer that i fully refurbed and painted etc - it was very nice, light and roomy.

However I now have an ifor 505 and must admit i prefer it to the rice. Travels and tows well and horse is very happy in it. They also hold their value better too so if i ever need to sell it i will probably get back what i paid :)
 
Depending on the size of your horse & your budget - I like the quality & ease of use of ifor williams 505's - my mare doesn't like the suspension :( I now have an older Equitrek sports trekka, both me & my mare love it :D Im hoping its old enough to be better made than some of the newer Equitreks. Tows very smoothly :)
 
Before we bought our own ifor we borrowed others.

1st we borrowed an old Rice - we got there and back in one piece (and were so thankful as we were desperate) but not great travelling experience. A very rough ride, trailer pushed the pickup all the time therefore had to brake constantly.
2 nd was a 10 ish yr old Bateson - very nice ride, trailer had own braking system.
3rd was an old iw - nice ride, comfortable, no issues, own braking system.
We bought a brand new iw 506 - love it to bits.
 
Our trailer is an old Rice Beaufort Double. And when I say old - it's still got the original full length solid wood partition :-) Horses have travelled very well in it and it's still sound, although it needs some cosmetic stuff doing (mudguards, coir matting on ramps is a bit worn). We are looking at replacing it and will probably go with an Ifor, but I will be sad to see the Rice go. It's lasted incredibly well and although it's old and heavy it's still fit for purpose - they built them to last in those days!
 
I've recently bought a new Wessex trailer. (They also build Pegasus trailers) It's very similar in type to the Ifor Williams trailers, but better I thought, more agricultural like than coach like. I'm very pleased with it, built in Dorset so I'd assume there may be a few around your part of the world? Would be worth you having a look at them?
 
Love my ifor 510 - easy to tow, spacious enough to take my 17.2hh (and my friend borrowed it last week to travel a 16.2 and 18hh together in it - both travelled well and comfortably).

Parts are easy to come by and it tows well in all weathers. I only travel one at a time since I have a freelander and the ifor feels secure and solid over short and long journeys.
 
I'll buck the trend, I can't stand Ifors! Especially new ones, they shake rattle and roll in a shocking manner. They're heavy and feel like they're pulling you back all the time. And that's empty.

I have a Sinclair, it's the smoothest ride for a horse I've ever known, it's a really smooth tow and the horses love it.
 
What is your budget? I'm looking to get a 2nd hand bateson next year for about 2500. They seem the far best quality of all the trailers I've seen, and are light, spacious and a great ride for the horse.
 
I got really lucky and found an Indespension for sale. It is the quietest thing to tow I have ever come across. Great ride for the horses too. Don't know it's there, even when empty! They don't make the horse ones anymore but I can get all the parts from Indespension as they still make flat beds etc. It's the same size as a 505 but a little bit lighter and I love it. Cheaper than an Ifor to buy as well. :)

ETS: I learnt to tow with an Ifor. Horrible, noisy, heavy thing.

If I needed to change I'd go for a Bateson but hopefully I won't for years and years!
 
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9tails said:
I'll buck the trend, I can't stand Ifors! Especially new ones, they shake rattle and roll in a shocking manner. They're heavy and feel like they're pulling you back all the time. And that's empty.

I have a Sinclair, it's the smoothest ride for a horse I've ever known, it's a really smooth tow and the horses love it.
Click to expand...

I also hate IW's, never had a horse travel well in one. Rattles, suspension is rubbish!

Currently have a Bateson Ascot and it's so much better than an IW.
I've got the Boston doors so horses can walk straight on, no need for a ramp :)
 
Another ifor hater I'm afraid, very rattely with old fashioned suspension, mare physically shakes when traveling and then won't load - don't blame her if it is that scary! Fortunately we found this out when hiring an ifor so we didn't have the expense of buying one to find out it scared her silly.

I heard bateson have had a recall on some trailers, worth looking into incase it affects any you are looking at.

We have a Wessex now and are absolutely thrilled to bits with it. Both mares load and travel as cool as you like in it, no nerves at all. We have the larger one (Olympian) so they have plenty of space. Lovely and light so is encouraging for loading, leather padded partitions and sides too! The quality of work is really excellent and it is still looking brand new. Tows like an absolute dream whether empty or with both on, doesn't even have a wibble on the motorway with coaches whooshing past! Would 110% recommend. You can hire them http://www.wessex-trailers.co.uk/trailer-hire.asp so might be an idea to see how you get on with one?
 
My Mum used to own an Ifor and I once travelled from the bottom yard to the top yard of the livery yard we were in and was amazed at how rattly and bumpy it was and we didn't get out of first gear.

As I have a very noise sensitive mare that may be a problem.

The Sinclair I looked at today was immaculate on the outside no rust at all but the fixings on the inside for the partition and breach bars were really rusty and not confidence inspiring.

The underneath was in really good order to again with no signs of rust. It was advertised for £500 so I would still have money to do the floor and tidy up but wonder how easy it is to source replacement parts?

I do like the look of the bateson and Wessex by don't see many secondhand advertised or maybe I am looking in the wrong places.....?

I have a 15hh big barelled Arab x Cob and her giant 16hh at 2 years daughter as well as a 13.2 pony whom I would like to take out to the odd PC thing with my son. The Sinclair only had one setting for the breach bar which would have been too high for the pony.

My search continues..... Things I would like are a central swivel partition. multi height and depth breach bars, front ramp, light and airy and rear shutting top doors......... make and model suggestions welcome :D
 
I have a Richardson Supreme - the partition swings in the middle, both breast and breech bars can be set at different heights. I've carried 13hh and 16.3hh and can adjust to fit. Front unload onto the left side (ie not into the traffic in case of a breakdown) and has doors at the top of the rear ramp which can be closed although mine are always open when travelling. Find it very easy to tow and I don't have a big vehicle. Mine is older with a wooden floor covered in rubber matting but just had it serviced by someone the Somerset side of Bristol and it was fine. He also checks trailers for people buying if you want his name.
 
Beatrice5 said:
My search continues..... Things I would like are a central swivel partition. multi height and depth breach bars, front ramp, light and airy and rear shutting top doors......... make and model suggestions welcome :D
Click to expand...

Definitely keep your eyes peeled for an Indespension then. It has all of those! :) I don't have any interior pics of mine but it's all fitted mats with a gas assist front ramp and swivelling partitions etc.

Mine could do with some new vinyl and I'll sort that out over the summer but all in all I really can't rate it highly enough. The guy who services it for me also says they're lovely trailers and rates them over Ifors :)

Hard to come by but if you happen to see one bear it in mind :)

ETS: front onload is on the left as well and the jockey door is really big so you can actually fit through it!

They look like this (tatty vinyl and all!)
IMG00012.jpg
 
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