single horse trailers carry 'up to 16.2hh'

Bustalot

Bustalot

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I'm looking at different trailers. Only towing one horse so the single trailers would be fantastic, plus keep down the weight ratio to the car. But my boy is 16.2hh. The ifor williams website states the 403 can take 'up to 16.2hh' so does this mean a 16.2hh horse with room or will his ears be on the ceiling! lol. :p Which wouldn't be ideal!! :rolleyes:

Anybody travel bigger horses in the single trailers?
 
I dont know about the ifor single horse trailers, but i did have a 505 which my previous mare (16.1hh) travelled in quite comfortably but when i bought my present horse (also 16.1hh) her ears touched the roof so i had to buy a 511 so i should only take what they say as a rough guide as i think a lot depends on the individial horse if its the maximum height the trailer will take.
 
*Spider* said:
No offence, but I HATE those horrible single horse trailers. They look as if they're about to tip over. They're too small inside in my opinion too. I'm sure a double isn't that much heavier and I *think* you'd have more issue selling it in the future as they're rather undesirable.
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I totally disagree with this, i used to have a large 510 and i find the single much easier to tow with much less movement on motorways etc. The horse also have more room inside a single trailer than a single stall in a double.
 
*Spider* said:
No offence, but I HATE those horrible single horse trailers. They look as if they're about to tip over. They're too small inside in my opinion too. I'm sure a double isn't that much heavier and I *think* you'd have more issue selling it in the future as they're rather undesirable.
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Single horse trailers are hard to come by these days compared to larger ones and the reason is that those who passed the car test after 1996 do not have the free B+E that was given to those prior to 1997

This means that those with only a B licence are limited to a maximum MAM weight of 3500 kgs which requires a vehicle and trailer that conforms to those B licence towing rules

The lighter the unladen weight of the trailer means it is easier to make that happen which in turn means having a single horse trailer as they are the lightest

I'll give examples - The vehicle will stay the same for both

Vehicle
GVW 2200
Kerb 1600
Towing capacity 1600

Single horse trailer
unladen 700
MAM 1300 (1300+2200=3500) perhaps downplated from 1600
Max load/horse = 600 (1300-700=600)

Double horse trailer
unladen 900
MAM 1300 (1300+2200=3500) perhaps downplated from 2000
Max load/horse = 400 (1300-900=400)

As most horses are over 400 then it becomes clear why single horse trailers are so popular these days for B licence drivers
 
I have my horse (17.1hh WB) in an old 1995 Rice Richardson double horse trailer. Think the headroom is 7ft 4. It isn't as big as the modern trailers for head room but all four of mine (16.3hh - 17.2hh) have travelled fine in it over the years.

It only weighs 650 KG unladen, the horse is about 700KG and my car will tow 1600 KG so I am fine and under the max towing weight limit even with all my gear (one saddle, one bridle, two hay nets and a bootful of cr*p).

I wouldn't mind towing a single horse trailer to be honest, but Dads changed the partition in the trailer in 1997 to make it 3/4 / 1/4 so the horse has 3/4 of the width, the other 1/4 is taken up with buckets, a broom, rug rail, step ladder, etc. Works fine for us.
 
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My first trailer was a Ifor Williams HB401 and I LOVED it! It sadly got stolen and I bought a 505 in its place. It felt very safe on the roads, easy to move around and hitch up etc (when hubby wasn't around) and my horse had loads of room in it. I know several people looking for one now, so the demand is there and I think once you get one you're gonna keep it!

In fact, I'm now selling my double and I'm going to treat myself to a brand new single.....loved it that much! Good luck, i'd definitely recommend one and your 16.2hh neddy will be fine in there! Happy towing!
 
Wow, I'm so shocked at everyone's love for single horse trailers! My horse is extremely claustrophobic and I know for a fact I wouldn't get him anywhere in a single one.
I'd have no use for it anyway as I'd want to take more than one at a time.

'ROG', that's very interesting reading that you can tow up to 3,500kg! I, once again am quite shocked, and can understand the need in the market for a lower weighted trailer, however, 200kg for me, personally that wouldn't be much of a difference to purchase one.
 
I've got a cheval xxl (it's a mate and foal trailer) I LOVE it :D

Carries my lanky horse 17hh easily and have extra room than a single- plenty to tack up/boot up etc in.

Its MAM is 1500kg and I tow it legally with a BMW 320d.
 
Horses24-7 said:
I've got a cheval xxl (it's a mate and foal trailer) I LOVE it :D

Carries my lanky horse 17hh easily and have extra room than a single- plenty to tack up/boot up etc in.

Its MAM is 1500kg and I tow it legally with a BMW 320d.
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I think a B+E might be needed for that set up
 
I'm also confused about the sizes ifor williams can take.
They used to advise the 401 could take up to 16h, but now state its replacement can take up to 16.2h. Is the new model bigger than previous?
 
Interesting that the mare & foal trailer is by Cheval. Known as 1.5 horse trailers on the continent where they are really popular but not that prolific here.

I'm another one who doesn't like 1 horse trailers; actually don't like trailers at all but that's just me as I can never turn the bl**dy things around :o
 
Horses24-7 said:
With a GVW of 1900?
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And a kerbweight of ???? kgs

It might be within the first rule which is not to be more than 3500 so in your case that is 1900+1500=3400 ... BUT ... is it within the second rule which is that the trailer MAM of 1500 must not be more than the vehicle kerbweight ?
 
My 16.3 hh travelled happily in an Ifor single for several years. We upgraded to a 510 last year as we now need to tow two, had that not been the case we'd have stuck with the single. The horse gets more width in a single than it does in 1/2 a double. The only issue we had with the single was loading. The big fella was an inconsistent loader with the single and we think it was because of the ramp width - he's a more consistent loader now we've got the double.
 
*Spider* said:
No offence, but I HATE those horrible single horse trailers. They look as if they're about to tip over. They're too small inside in my opinion too. I'm sure a double isn't that much heavier and I *think* you'd have more issue selling it in the future as they're rather undesirable.
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????????????amazing trailers and certainly not undesirable, have you actually looked at one!!
 
I love my Cheval Liberte 103XL. I have travelled a 17.2hhWB and a 17hh HW ID in it (obv on separate occassions!) and both went really well. It gives a smooth ride and is much wider than a single partition on a double trailer.

I'm sadly looking to sell it as I appear to be incapable of passing my trailer test but they are fab trailers and I'd recommend them to anyone :)
 
comparing the new single ifor 403 to the 510 (so not the newest double) the 403 looks taller. I don't just think its an illusion but side by side they look the same height.
 
wellsat said:
I love my Cheval Liberte 103XL. I have travelled a 17.2hhWB and a 17hh HW ID in it (obv on separate occassions!) and both went really well. It gives a smooth ride and is much wider than a single partition on a double trailer.

I'm sadly looking to sell it as I appear to be incapable of passing my trailer test but they are fab trailers and I'd recommend them to anyone :)
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As many with only B licences use them for towing on their own legally then I assume its your towing vehicle which is too big weight wise ???? :confused:
 
*Spider* said:
No offence, but I HATE those horrible single horse trailers. They look as if they're about to tip over. They're too small inside in my opinion too. I'm sure a double isn't that much heavier and I *think* you'd have more issue selling it in the future as they're rather undesirable.
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Hmmmmm..........I take it you haven't tried to find a second hand one lately then!

They are also wider inside than half of a double trailer.
 
I think the old style singles were too narrow but the new ones are huge, give the horse plenty of space and a steady journey. Much easier to tow as only width of car and horse is travelled with weight centrally. I've got a 403 and I think it's fab I only have a 14hh pony but he looks tiny in it!!
 
*Spider* said:
No offence, but I HATE those horrible single horse trailers. They look as if they're about to tip over. They're too small inside in my opinion too. I'm sure a double isn't that much heavier and I *think* you'd have more issue selling it in the future as they're rather undesirable.
Click to expand...

The only reason the second hand ones might be undesirable is that they cost almost as much as a new one. I've resigned myself to needing to buy a new one.

Paula
 
Have now trawled internet and found the 403 is 2 inches taller than the older 401. Seems to be some reasonable prices ones on ebay just now...
 
We travel our 17.2hh DWB mare in a seven year old IW 505 - not a problem, initially in one side of the trailer, but now travels without the partition. It makes it a lot easier for tacking up etc if it's raining at a show. Headroom does not appear to be an issue, probably because she spends most of her time travelling either looking out of the windows or eating hay. :)
 
coss said:
comparing the new single ifor 403 to the 510 (so not the newest double) the 403 looks taller. I don't just think its an illusion but side by side they look the same height.
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If you go on the manufacturers web sites it will give the dimensions and towing weights of each of its trailers.
 
I found the 401 to be a great trailer to tow, wish I could have found a reasonably priced second hand one. Loads of room inside, even for a wellbuilt 16.3 Shire X. She is a very good traveller though - unless you want to travel her rear facing or cramped in either of which cases she lets her feelings be known!
 
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