Sorry - lots of trailer questions

C

Chumsmum

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I'm hoping to buy my first trailer soon and would appreciated some advice. I am seriously considering buying a 2nd hand one as I am tight with money
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Also thinking of Ivor Williams HB505 as they are well recommended though would consider others. It would just be for my 14HH cob though there might be the occasional pal tagging along.
1. What do you think of older trailers that have had the wooden floor replaced with aluminium - as good as new?
2. Anything else in particular I need to look out for on 2nd hand models?
3. Does anyone buy second-hand due to the relatively small difference in price compared to a new one?
4. Do prices vary across the year i.e am I looking to buy at the most expensive time....
5. Any ideas on convincing OH that buying a trailer would be of great benefit to him too
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I really appreciate any advice.
C x
 
I recently brought a new Ifor Williams 510 Classic as the second hand prices were not that different to new!

Previously I have had a Rice Europa with a wooden floor - my boy always travelled well in it and had no loading problems, however, he is not at all keen on the Ifor Williams (I think it might be the new smell?)

Apart from the obvious things like the floor - second hand trailers that haven't been used much i.e. been sitting around could throw up a few problems... I would check brakes, lights etc and all the fixtures and fittings to make sure they're not worn out or weak
 
There's nothing wrong with buying second hand trailers, my first was a very old one which I did up & my current one was 12 months old when I bought it.

Main thing to look at is the floor, is it solid? Don't get tricked when someone say's 'double floor', it normally means that they've laid a new one over the top of the old rotten one. There's nothing wrong with it but ideally total replacement is better.

General soundness of the metalwork, no holes, if there's rust it can only be surface rust.

Tyres, as a trailer stands for long periods of time the action of the sun on the tyre tends to perish them & the walls start cracking....then they need replacing.

The brakes need to work well, if not when your car brakes the trailer will probably push you along... not nice at all.

Electrics, check that they all work. If they don't very often it is cheaper to buy a trailer baord & fit that rather than try & sort out old electrics.

Don't be too bothered about paintwork, that is easy to fix, as long as the trailer is sound you should be alright. They always say it's not the trailer it's what comes out of it that matters.

Oh yes, it's cheaper to buy trailers in the autumn, more people sell them then & prices are a little lower that this time of the year when they go for a premium.

Good Luck with your search
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Personally I prefer trailers with wooden floors , just make sure you can lift up mats and have a good check especially around the edges.

Good luck.
 
I bought my trailer when I sold my lorry and it just so happened the new lorry owner was looking to sell her Ifor 505 which eventually we did a part exchange, the trailer was second hand and had an aluminium floor fitted, as long as they've been looked after then second hand is no problem I'm currently selling my Ifor 505 and, no this is not an advert, I have been suprised at the over pricing of some second hand trailers which are quite old and not in brilliant condition.
There are bargains out there but be careful!
 
Thanks for all info - still working on the OH but I think a well checked over second hand will be fine - will give the floor a real good look over considering the recent post on trailer accident
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I agree that there is some over-pricing and I'm not in a massive rush so I'm determined to bag myself a bargain
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Anyone with anything they consider suitable please feel free to PM me (if this is within the rules??)
Thanks again everyone.
 
If buying a 2nd hand Ifor - would suggest paying to put an aluminium floor.

The composite laminated floors have a real problem that is not easily spotted. Ifor were installing aluminium floors for £150 at one point.
 
Was just reading your post re: Trailer Accident out loud to my OH - we really feel for you, it must have been awful and makes me want to wrap them up in cotton wool and not take them anywhere. Thank you for info on composite floor - will ensure that anything I buy has a good aluminium floor. I presume they have stopped making the composite floor? How long ago did your accident happen?
Thank you.
C x
 
Had a new alu floor put in my IW505 last August. Shop around for prices between the dealers - I ended up taking mine down to Wales to be done and I saved almost £400 on all the work I had done (service & side panel as well) compared to what it would have cost me if I'd used the local IW dealer even allowing for 2 tanks of petrol. IW made a "contribution" to the cost of my replacement floor, but I don't know how much it was. Can't find the bill, but I think I paid £250 fitted. I understand it is only certain models affected. Mine was made around 1998. There is a date stamped onto the wheels eg. 11-97 which will give a rough idea of its age.

Also check the side panels where the breech bars go. My Right hand one had rotted through and I only realised when the outside parts slipped down. There had obviously been a leak for a while - it was all soaking wet inside once I took it apart. That cost more to fix than the floor did.
 
I was going to buy a second hand trailer, but they were so expensive I ended up buying a new Bateson Derby, its dinky and rear unload, but takes my 14.1 cob fine. Tell OH the trailer comes in handy for moving furniture, getting larger items from DIY stores, etc - saves on delivery costs!
 
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