Talk trailers to me- please!

[Emilieu]

I’ve been offered first refusal on an Ifor Williams HB506 and I am in a quandary. It’s an older trailer but very low usage and at a fair price. I know the owner well. Horse is a 15hh cob (that won’t change), car is a Discovery and I would take towing lessons. However, I have never owned a trailer, never driven a trailer, never travelled the horse in a trailer, would love transport but not in a rush for it. As I understand it the market is at a high (and obviously prices for everything are shooting through the roof) so I’m just not sure it’s the right time to buy.
Anyone any thoughts to sway me yay or nay? Anything I haven’t considered?

 

[lannerch]

Have you checked the Panals for any softness , or have any of them been replaced as they do rot. My 510 I’ve had from nearly new, which I’ve always looked after has had to have 2 panals and both ramps replaced, and there’s a 3rd panel that will need replacing in the not too distant future.
Well worth doing though as the chassis has nothing wrong with it even though it’s a 2004 trailer.

The older trailers are better made though , so some people prefer them, hence another they reason cost to buy but they keep their value well. Yes they are a premium at the moment my trailer is worth what I paid in 2006 .

 

[Emilieu]

I wouldn’t feel confident that I knew what I was looking for, but I have a knowledgeable friend who would look it over for me before I committed. That’s good to know that older doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.

 

[tallyho!]

Yes the older 505 are still more expensive. Those things were made to last! Can you keep it dry undercover of a barn or something? That'll help preserve it.

Driving with a trailer is easy once you get used to it. You will be fine. Reversing is tricky but not impossible ...

 

[Widgeon]

When I went to buy an Ifor single trailer a couple of years ago, the second hand trailer dealers had two in. An older 401 and an almost new 403. I said I couldn't consider the 403 because I couldn't really afford it (it was £1000 more, if I remember rightly). The dealer said I wasn't really missing out as in his opinion the build quality of the older ones was much higher, and this particular 401 had a full paper trail from new, so it had been well maintained (they'd serviced it and checked). The new ones apparently have a lot of plastic components and although they look nice and airy, they don't last as well. This was a trustworthy dealer that does trailer repairs as their bread and butter so he's seen enough to know.

 

[Annagain]

You're never going to lose much on an IW, especially a second hand one. My 510 is 17 years old. I paid £3,600 brand new and see used ones of the same age for sale for £2800+.

I'd definitely get someone experienced, if not professional, to look at it. Apart from anything, if you're friendly with the seller, it helps to have an independent valuation so neither feels the other is taking advantage of you being friends (I'm not saying either of you is, just that it can feel that way sometimes).

Do you know what year it is? The early 506/511s (2008-2011) weren't great. If it's 2012 or later, you'll be grand. If it's earlier than that, it's not the end of the world as the issues should have been sorted on recall but it may have slipped through the net so needs checking over carefully. The ramp (particularly the front) hinges / springs are one thing to look at as well as the roof. The early ones went mouldy. That's unsightly rather than a big issue but it gives you an idea that it's the right age to have problems. The mark 1 506/511 has a fibre glass nose which is a bit flimsy, the mark 2 has an aluminium one that's much stronger so that's another thing to check.

If it's old enough to be a 505 rather than a 506 - especially a later model - bite their hand off.

 

[asmp]

Just wanted to say I bought a trailer from a friend once (not an Ifor
williams). She had looked after it well but probably too well as I found out she used to power wash it down inside after use! Needless to say it was rotting inside, including the floor and walls.

 

[mutley75]

If your towing with a Discovery don’t trust their detachable tow bars. Just puta proper one on.

 

[Fransurrey]

Get it checked over, but agree that the older types are better made. I think mine is a 2002 505R (anybody know what the R means??). Mine has actually increased in value. I got it for £1650 in 2019 (needed new tyres, but that was it and it came with full width bars as an extra). I see them up for sale for nearly £3000 now. Bonkers! I would also ask the trailer towing instructor to look it over, as they're often knowledgeable with regards to wear and tear, too.

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Get it checked over, but agree that the older types are better made. I think mine is a 2002 505R (anybody know what the R means??). Mine has actually increased in value. I got it for £1650 in 2019 (needed new tyres, but that was it and it came with full width bars as an extra). I see them up for sale for nearly £3000 now. Bonkers! I would also ask the trailer towing instructor to look it over, as they're often knowledgeable with regards to wear and tear, too.

I was told the “R” is for the classic, you get extras like a locking jockey door and things. I have a 505R and it’s got sliding windows too.

 

[Annagain]

I think mine is a 2002 505R (anybody know what the R means??).

I'm not certain but I think it means that the ramp is on the right - i.e. it's been made for the British market (so that if you park on the side of the road you can still open the front ramp).

 

[Ownedby4horses]

Get someone knowledgable to look over it, if it’s ok I would buy it, see how you go and if you don’t get on with towing then you can re-sell as you won’t lose money on it. I have a 2008 505R and it’s fabulous.

 

[palo1]

My 505 is 'vintage' as it was registered in 1993 but it is wonderful. I had an aluminium floor put in but the panels are still solid (and can be replaced) and the chassis is in great condition. I do get it checked and maintained regularly but it will probably last years more yet! I haven't had a horse have a problem with it either; even our big chap is very happy to load and travels well in it though I wouldn't drive him for hours. The other two at just shy of 16hh are perfectly accommodated. A good trailer is a simple, rugged and hugely useful thing though I wish horses could more easily travel backwards in them as the science suggests they find that easier.

 

[Emilieu]

This is great folks, thank you so much. It’s either 2009 or 2011, she can’t remember, but either way it sounds like that is not ideal. OH’s pal Who Knows About Stuff has found a 2019 one for only 500 more so he is thinking it’s maybe not such a bargain.

 

[Emilieu]

Oh, it has been kept inside a barn until now and could potentially be kept under cover if we bought it. Tow bar is a proper tow bar.