Titan Trailers - experiences please. Also any trailer tips?

[kerilli]

I am very very seriously considering selling my lovely 7.5 tonne lorry and swapping to a big trailer (with small living) and a big meaty 4x4 instead of my mini (which only does tiny mileage anyway, so gas-guzzler not a problem). Only looking at things that are really man enough for the job - Toyota Landcruiser Amazon, big Isuzu Trooper, or big Land Rover (had test ride in 1 at Burghley, sooo impressed with it.)
Top of my list of possible trailers at the moment is the Titan Glacier, I've seen 1 'in the flesh' and am mega-impressed with the build quality, the thought that has gone into the design, etc etc. Really nice little living at the front, fridge, hob, microwave (iirc), water tank, horse shower, lots of well-thought-out storage etc etc. The horses travel herringbone in the back, as in my lorry, and the short low rock-solid ramp, totally sealed floor, tall roof height, lightness of interior - so many things about it really wowed me.
However... (big deep breath)
I've only ever had lorries (this is my 4th) and it's only finances that are causing this, my lorry's now A1 and running fab but it has cost such a fortune to get it like that again (through no fault of my own - moral of the story, do NOT loan your lovely expensive well-maintained just-service-and-plated lorry to someone unless you're happy to spend £12k to get it back on the road - that was this year's training and competing budget, and then some, hence my lack of action this year!)
So, thoughts/advice please. Are long journeys with a trailer more tiring for the horses? for the driver? any other info hugely appreciated. Thankyou.
Columbian coffee, Burghley's finest, and the muffin of your choice (banana and toffee in Members' was particularly memorable!) to anyone who got this far!

 

[TPO]

No personal experience but when I worked in Australia everyone had gooseneck trailers and the horse's were none the worse for the travelling. The local rodeo was 1.5hrs away and the next closest campdraft was 2.5hrs with everything else much further away.

The horses in the goosenecks travelled better than the ones in the lorry (although it wasn't a lorry like we have over here but can't find a picture of it).

Towing seemed no more tiring than driving the lorry. The goosenecks were towed with utes/traybacks so I'm not sure if having the trailer right at the back of the cab and over the tray made any difference compared to towing something that doesn't.

 

[ThePony]

Not seen the titan, but we have a trailer - OH drives it after having been used to a lorry. Ours travel v well in it and it tows beautifully, but OH struggles to feel confident having the horses 'seperate' if you see what I mean? Particularly motorway work he feels that having them seperate is worrying, and you are more prone to being wobbled by big coaches flying past. Our set up is new, safe and does the job, BUT when we have the cash, we intend to upgrade to a lorry as OH percieves it to be safer and it will save his stress and energy when driving. It is a personal thing really. Can you get one on loan/to rent for a weekend to see how you get on with it without getting rid of your lorry first?

 

[BigRed]

Have you seen how heavy they are ? The Glacier weighs in at 1800 kilos (empty). I have never seen one in the flesh, they certainly look smart, and I suspect they are very expensive, but you will be very limited as to what you can tow it with at that weight.

 

[kerilli]

Have you seen how heavy they are ? The Glacier weighs in at 1800 kilos (empty). I have never seen one in the flesh, they certainly look smart, and I suspect they are very expensive, but you will be very limited as to what you can tow it with at that weight.

Yes, I know... which is why there are very few towing vehicles on my list, and all are big powerful heavy beasts which can tow up to 3.5 tonnes.
I believe the Titans feel very solid and heavy on the road when towing, unlike smaller lighter trailers, which gives me lots of reassurance. but as i've never towed (other than things around the fields at home!) i'm not sure... good idea ThePony, thankyou.
TPO, i've looked into goosenecks but been told that they count as an 'articulated vehicle' in the U.K., which I guess might mean that you need an artic/HGV licence to drive one?!

 

[TPO]

No idea about UK rules although I'm pretty sure no one had any special licenses in Oz - not that that means much!

 

[painted ponies]

Sorry I cant help with the Titan but I have driven trailers a lot in the USA and drove 8hrs with out any issues and its really easy specially if the vehicle pulling is the same width as the trailer and the vehicle is big enough to pull safely (which it sounds like you may get). I find it much easier to tow a trailer than drive a 7.5t box but that being said is that because the roads in the USA were wider and quieter, who knows. + for trailers if you go to a show and stay overnight you just un hitch the trailer and you have a vehicle to nip to the shop or dinner in. Being in the USA there were lots and lots of goose neck trailers they take a little more getting used to as they cut in a little and are very sensitive when reversing but they give the horses a much much smoother ride so it is worth looking into licensing. My motto with a trailer and towing vehicle is the bigger and heavier the better!

 

[Shipley]

If you dont have a towing vehicle at the moment go for a towing lesson (not sure if you have anoyone local but we have a horse trailer towing company) and even if its not exact specs it will give you an idea. My OH is a transport manager bought a lorry as safer and didnt want me to tow but am thinking of going back to a trailer due to costs.

 

[OneInAMillion]

D travels well whether on trailer or lorry, he did a 4.5 hour journey in the trailer and stepped off at the end like he had been on there half an hour

 

[Badders]

Hi, this is Badders mum, just borrowing her identity to post!
We have had various Ifor W's and a Discovery to tow them with for many years, we've stuck with it for the relatively low running costs of the trailer, but have always had severe lorry envy, particularly when we are out competing and the weather is bad! Our seats in the disco reflect this, there is only so much mud and wet that cloth seats can take! However much we try to leave coats in the boot. Anyone can be more intelligent than me though and can buy decent covers! The disco tows the trailer very easily, but we usually only take one horse at a time anywhere. We have escaped quite a few competitions much earlier than our friends, who have had to wait to be towed off (and sometimes on!). Two of the geldings we have had travel perfectly in it, one however just couldn't stand up going around a corner no matter how slowly I crawled round, and our young mare travels well in it, but dislikes the thought and doesn't load well. We have looked at the Titans as an alternative, but they are 15k plus and it put me off. They looked the business though. I liked them a lot Sorry I have wittered on a bit!

 

[Badders]

P.S. Don't underestimate how expensive it may be to repair a Discovery. We have had a recurring problem with the electronic handbrake on ours. Which was fine but irritating when it went wrong under warranty, but over a grand the second time it went, when the warranty had run out!

 

[only_me]

Just another thing to factor in - the heavier the trailer the more it will drink diesel
Especially if you are considering a disco!

Dad has a disco and for the reason that on a good day not towing anything the jeep does 30mpg we went for a light but sturdy trailer - the cheval libertes

 

[idx]

No advice on Titan trailers but I appreciate your dilema!

I would be curious to know whether running a 7.5t is much more expensive than running a big 4x4? Dont know how you would work this out? Having just had my yearly account I can tell you I have spent £700 at Arnold clark keeping a polo on the road - just usual servicing, no major repairs I think you would double this for a 4x4? When I had a lorry the biggest bill for a plating was £1500 but this included a new clutch and batteries.

You have been very unlucky with your current lorry but equally you could get a 4x4 and find you get an unlucky run of bills?

Do you know anyone with a big 4x4 who could give you an idea of yearly costs?

 

[Leg_end]

I found towing to be far more stressful as I worried a lot about nasty things happening. I got a trailer cam which helped relieve my worries a bit but I feel much happier having them in a lorry TBH, esp if you are doing any motorway/dual carriageway driving or suffer with gusty winds as they really rock the unit and is v concerning. I towed an ifor 510 with a jeep Cherokee (which also tows up to 3.5t and is a fab little vehicle) so had plenty of oomph but still worried.

 

[lucemoose]

I adore the Titans, but at 10k +VAT for the smaller model it was a step too far for my finances. There are a few more older and wider (more US style? ) models knocking about for sale but they dont have all the features of the new UK builds. Was thinking about a Cheval Liberte for the herringbone aspect but IMO they appear too flimsy almost for being a diagonal transporter plus the resale value seems lower.
The Fautras oblic old style are too dark and small and again, the newer models with the summer windows are far far far too expensive .

I have just sold my 6 year old equitrek for a brill price and put a deposit in a Bateson- am not keen on forward travel or the lack of storage but they resell well and seem to hold value so hopefully in a few years can pick up a 2nd hand Fautras or Titan.

IMHO- i like towing, you learn to feel the horses through the car especially like with my ET as couldnt see them (but am getting trailer cam) and as you are used to the tow car you can easily relax in it to drive. Its great at stay away shows as you can unhitch then have a vehicle to use...

 

[seabsicuit2]

Ive always thought that a trailer will never be as smooth to travel in as a big horsebox is? All trailers must be pretty rocky for travelling, compared to a horsebox.

Also a 4x4 can be just as expensive to keep on the road, if you are unlucky.

 

[kerilli]

hmmm, well, only 1 motor insurance (far cheaper to insure trailer than my lorry), my lorries have always cost at least £1.5k a year to get through plating etc (even on 'normal' years), only 1 lot of road tax... saved about £2k a year already i think.
the appeal of the Titan is the weight and solidity of it, didn't feel at all like being in an Ifor etc.
i know it's expensive for a trailer but it's cheap compared to a lorry like mine!
OH has a Toyota Landcruiser that is built like a tank, and I think I'll prob go for 1 of those, or an Isuzu Trooper maybe... have heard too many horror stories about Land Rovers costing the earth to maintain...
trying to get my head around towing weights etc now though, god it's confusing.

 

[OneInAMillion]

So if the Titan weighs 1800kgs you will have 1700kgs left to play with. So for two 16.2's you need to allow at least 1000kgs of weight, I would probably allow 1200kgs. That gives you 600kgs to play with for people/tack/rugs/food/hay/water. That should be plenty

 

[*hic*]

Please, please, please have a good go at towing before you flog the lorry and plump for a trailer! If you can't borrow a heavy trailer more locally I have a cattle trailer you can try on my Landy or on your OH's Toy. Not the same as the Titan but damned heavy at around 3.5 tonnes fully laden with haylage!

Although I do own trailers and have driven plenty I loathe towing, having horses in the back just adds to the stress I feel and having seen a couple of overturned caravans in the wind today I'm feeling even more anti the activity.

And I know my Landy is an old one but you really don't want to know what it has cost me to keep it on the road for the past couple of years Even compared to having the lorry serviced twice a year, once by the chassis main dealer and once by the converter when it's test is due. Also the lorry costs me 330 quid for insurance, the Landy is nearly 500, and the road tax on the Landy is about 50 quid higher too.

 

[kerilli]

So if the Titan weighs 1800kgs you will have 1700kgs left to play with. So for two 16.2's you need to allow at least 1000kgs of weight, I would probably allow 1200kgs. That gives you 600kgs to play with for people/tack/rugs/food/hay/water. That should be plenty

ah, right... somewhere else it said that the TOTAL 'train weight' i think it was called (towing vehicle + trailer + load) couldn't be more than 3.5tonnes, which made no sense at all...


thanks, jemima_too, that's an immensely kind offer, may well take you up on it. have driven the Cruiser quite a bit and am happy with that.
must admit the horses' safety in the trailer is a huge consideration... the Titans have a 'roll cage' but obv i'd rather never have to use it...

 

[DarkHorseB]

To me a 7.5T lorry has to give a horse a smoother ride largely due to the cushioning they will get from travellling a few feet up rather than the 18 inches or so you get in a trailer (or the van type 3.5T - so I would include them in same category as trailer in smoothness of ride).
Travel in the back of both (ok so know you are not meant to ) and see what it feels like.
Having had both my horse is certainly less comfortable with a trailer - though he may have been ok with partition out which I would have had to try if not switched.

 

[perfect11s]

No advice on Titan trailers but I appreciate your dilema!

I would be curious to know whether running a 7.5t is much more expensive than running a big 4x4? Dont know how you would work this out? Having just had my yearly account I can tell you I have spent £700 at Arnold clark keeping a polo on the road - just usual servicing, no major repairs I think you would double this for a 4x4? When I had a lorry the biggest bill for a plating was £1500 but this included a new clutch and batteries.

You have been very unlucky with your current lorry but equally you could get a 4x4 and find you get an unlucky run of bills?

Do you know anyone with a big 4x4 who could give you an idea of yearly costs?

I think if you have a well maintained late model lorry it could be cheaper than a 4x4 to run , but its only a horse transporter so you need another vehicle to run along with it to go to work shopping etc so depending on the miles you do if its only a few each week then running a 4x4 isnt so bad, but start doing 100s a week and the fuel, tyres and serviceing soon clock up to ouch teritory!!!! and if you buy a new or nearly new 4x4 then depriciation is a major cost ie £1000s a year road tax over £400 and the people who are spending upwards of £1000 each year to have a lorry tested and serviced are either running a heap or being ripped off!! maybe tyres once and brakes once but not a huge bill year after year sorry but there is little reason it should cost more than a big car to service....

 

[kit279]

I think I'd go for a Jeep Cherokee if I were buying a 4x4 again - we have one that is a total workhorse of a car and every mechanic I've been to says they are a built to last. They're up to weight as well. I've had a lorry this summer and while that has been brilliant for taking 4 horses out and about, I don't feel any less safe towing the trailer. The only advantage has been being able to take lots of horses out and about and make the journey worth while. I have an Equitrek FWIW - it's an older style but very solid and the horses are great in it.

 

[perfect11s]

Yes, I know... which is why there are very few towing vehicles on my list, and all are big powerful heavy beasts which can tow up to 3.5 tonnes.
I believe the Titans feel very solid and heavy on the road when towing, unlike smaller lighter trailers, which gives me lots of reassurance. but as i've never towed (other than things around the fields at home!) i'm not sure... good idea ThePony, thankyou.
TPO, i've looked into goosenecks but been told that they count as an 'articulated vehicle' in the U.K., which I guess might mean that you need an artic/HGV licence to drive one?!

Im one hundred percent sure you dont need a artic licence to tow a gooseneck so long as the tow vehicle and trailer is less than 8200kg combined.. there a lot of fifth wheel caravans about now!! and you only need trailer intithment or a pre 1997 car licence to tow them... and now the uk trailer law has changed to allow wider trailers I think it would be possible to get a small us gooseneck horse trailer complyant
with uk law that is the replacement for a lorry not a huge normal trailer swaying about behind a 4x4....

 

[Llanali]

Just a quick reply as off to bed, but do consider a shogun lwb if you choose thid route. I have a 2.8 td with chain not belt, and is fab. The super select 4wd is excellent, tow 3.3 ton or more I'm the bigger engines, and comfortable reliable drives.

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

From friends experiences down here, unless you can get an older, proven to be reliable, Land Rover stay WELL AWAY!!! Electrics failures in all the later models seems to be a common theme. Toyota Landcruisers are the vehicle of choice here, Troopies aren't so popular due to fuel use.

As TPO said most people here have trailers, not lorries. Horses seem to travel well in them, longest trip I have done with Beau was 4 hours and apart from being a tad stiff was fine at the other end.
Things to consider - there are different (3 I think) types of trailer suspension available, one is not very good (sorry I can't remeber names), but definetly worth looking into as standing in the trailers you can feel the difference. And make a difference to the horses.
Might also be worth trying your horses in a trailer before you make the switch as Beau has always been 100% fine in lorries (ok only been in 2), but can not stand up in a straight load trailer even round the mildest of corners, and in an angle load you have to corner very carefully

From talking to people at events, bigger trailers are better as goosenecks becasue of the weight distribution in/on the tow car. Not sure how big the trailer your looking at is.

If by fitting horses 'herringbone' you mean at an angle look and measure distances very carefully. From trailers I have seen here, even the ones that claim to fit 3 x16.2hh horses easily - they would have to be some of the most compact 16.2's I've ever met! Particularly for long trips if you want them to be able to get their heads down a bit. Most people here by a 3-horse-angle to travel 2 big horses.

I tow with a Nissan Partol (4.2L) which has a towing capacity of 3.5ton. My trailer weigths 810kg, horse 650 kg, gear 100kg for an over night trip, and you don't really notice that it is there except up really steep hills. But I can imagine that if I put another Beau sized horse in, while I would still be legal you'd really feel it.
Friends have a deisel Patrol 4.2L Turbo Charged and tow a 3 horse angle load (no living) with 3 chunky 15.2hh, it copes but they do end up coming up long steep hills in 2nd and in very hot weather (~35C) have to becareful of over heating.

Costs - I don't know how it will compare, but in the last 9 mnths I've spent $1950AUD on car and trailer (including road tax). Car in the near furture will need about $1000SUD of work doing on it. But I bought a car and trailer that had been very well looked after and had a fair bit of work done on them recently.

 

[Jnhuk]

I think I'd go for a Jeep Cherokee if I were buying a 4x4 again - we have one that is a total workhorse of a car and every mechanic I've been to says they are a built to last. They're up to weight as well. I've had a lorry this summer and while that has been brilliant for taking 4 horses out and about, I don't feel any less safe towing the trailer. The only advantage has been being able to take lots of horses out and about and make the journey worth while. I have an Equitrek FWIW - it's an older style but very solid and the horses are great in it.

We towed with a Jeep Grand Cherokee for many years before deciding to get a no frills 7.5 box to run. The lorry so far is cheaper but only had it over a year.

However, the Jeep was great to tow with two BIG horses but very expensive to keep on the road. We towed a Bateson Deuville and Equitrek trailer with it. Various electrical gizmos started to fail early on and also expensive to repair. We had continual problems with brake discs on the Jeep but I think that is a recognised weak point with them. If we were lucky we would get about 23 miles to the gallon diesel when both horses on board.

Other thing to consider is that 4x4s depreciate like lead, at least horseboxes keep some of their value.

The other thing to weigh up about horsebox vs trailer is what type of show you go to/how long for/if lots of motorway travelling. I much prefer driving my lorry especially on motorway with lorries overtaking. I did at the time have no problems with towing in my 4x4 and enjoyed it. I had to tow a trailer recently and that made me appreciate my lorry more!

The end result is that you'll get on with whatever you choose

PS My horses travelled brilliantly in both so no real difference there!

 

[wench]

I think eventing with a lorry is far easier than a trailer...

 

[JessandCharlie]

Titan sounds great from what you describe!

The only thing I can say is that we recently sold our Trooper, and can't say how we wish we never had. Selling current car soon to replace with another Trooper. Super reliable, towed out of any mud, got us to the yard easily in any snow. A proper workhorse.
The man who bought it off us got his tractor stuck the other day and towed it out with the Trooper!

Having never had a lorry, I can't really comment on the comparison

J&C

 

[JessandCharlie]

Just read replies, can you actually get gooseneck horse trailers over here?

I've been keeping an eye out waiting for them to come over, but not seen any yet, anyone got a link?

J&C