Trailer advice (would you buy new or old?)

[ditsyponies]

Hey everyone!

I was wondering if anyone has any advice on whether it is better to buy a new or older trailer? The trailer market is crazy right now and 10+ yr old ifor williams range at around 5k.

Currently I have been looking at the cheval liberte touring country trailer instead of ifor and it seems the 2021/22 used trailers are selling for around £6.5/7k, however a new one is £8.5K inc VAT. So my question is, what would you do? Get something brand new and spend 1.5-2k more OR one that is 2/3 years old to save the cash. I know trailers re-sell well and even a 10yr old cheval is selling for 4/5k but curious on what you think is better value for money?

I know with buying anything new it immediatley looses value the second you drive it away, but a 1.5/2k drop over 3 years doesn't seem that drastic either, especially when you then have warranty and will then know all the history too.

Thank you!

 

[Orangehorse]

If you can afford it, buy new I would say. Although trailers are made of metal rather than wood in the past, you never know how it has been stored or used.

If you do buy second hand make sure it isn't stolen! And have a thorough check of the floor, ramp, brakes, suspension.

 

[Fransurrey]

I'm giving my Ifor 505R a bit of TLC at the mo and when speaking to the dealer (to get a new ramp panel), he did comment that these are still the best trailers and most robust. I love the look of newer designs, but they don't seem so robust. That horrific crash involving the Easytrek on the M25 has put me off those (and any fibreglass trailer) for life.

 

[DeliaRides]

I've heard the same so many times @Fransurrey about our Ifor 505R. Ours is a 2007 and it just keeps going and going. It is serviced every year but very little needs to be spent on it usually, and it gets moderate to heavy use, as in it is used most weekends.

If I were buying a trailer again I would get the same model, or a brand new, but not a nearly new/newer version as it does feel like you pay almost new prices without the benefit of dealer warranty etc.

 

[mustardsmum]

I had all the panels replaced on my 20 year old Ifor 505 last year. Dealer told me they were still the best trailers, and that I was better to replace new panels than buy a new model! Like @Fransurrey's dealer, he also said they were better made that the later models. It was cheaper for me to replace panels and ramps than it was to buy new. So I would def look at older trailers, just make sure the panels are sound - tap them and if they sound at all hollow or move at all if you press them and there is a gap between the aluminium coating and the wood, they will need replacing. Also make sure that they have a service history and that they have an aluminium floor. But they are good solid trailers and they will keep their value if you maintain them.

 

[irishdraft]

I'm looking at buying a trailer at the moment and put my old 510 on marketplace at 9pm in the evening & it had sold by 8am next day, must have had 50 odd enquiries ,it had so many things wrong including both side panels needing doing plus a host of other things i actually felt quite guilty when the chap took it away. I got the feeling he was selling them in France cos it certainly wasn't economically viable to do all the work required & sell here even if you could get the parts .

 

[ditsyponies]

I had all the panels replaced on my 20 year old Ifor 505 last year. Dealer told me they were still the best trailers, and that I was better to replace new panels than buy a new model! Like @Fransurrey's dealer, he also said they were better made that the later models. It was cheaper for me to replace panels and ramps than it was to buy new. So I would def look at older trailers, just make sure the panels are sound - tap them and if they sound at all hollow or move at all if you press them and there is a gap between the aluminium coating and the wood, they will need replacing. Also make sure that they have a service history and that they have an aluminium floor. But they are good solid trailers and they will keep their value if you maintain them.

Definitely agree, although the problem is they are still not that cheap to buy. Looking at 2k+ for a 505, 20 years old and then if they need all the work doing that gets pricey quick!

 

[Fransurrey]

I had all the panels replaced on my 20 year old Ifor 505 last year. Dealer told me they were still the best trailers, and that I was better to replace new panels than buy a new model! Like @Fransurrey's dealer, he also said they were better made that the later models. It was cheaper for me to replace panels and ramps than it was to buy new. So I would def look at older trailers, just make sure the panels are sound - tap them and if they sound at all hollow or move at all if you press them and there is a gap between the aluminium coating and the wood, they will need replacing. Also make sure that they have a service history and that they have an aluminium floor. But they are good solid trailers and they will keep their value if you maintain them.

Mine has actually increased in value! It's a 2002, bought 4 years ago for £1650. I've seen them for sale at twice that! I did have to replace all tyres, but that was it!

 

[ditsyponies]

Mine has actually increased in value! It's a 2002, bought 4 years ago for £1650. I've seen them for sale at twice that! I did have to replace all tyres, but that was it!

Ooh interesting, although I think the trailer market is now so expensive as anyone can tow since 2021 as you don’t need a license! Will have a look at some older ones.

 

[mustardsmum]

Definitely agree, although the problem is they are still not that cheap to buy. Looking at 2k+ for a 505, 20 years old and then if they need all the work doing that gets pricey quick!

Yes this is true, I was lucky as I paid under 2K for mine, as did Fransurrey, so we have probably done quite well should we ever decide to sell! I agree that taking away the towing license has made prices rocket over the last few years.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I've just found a cheap second hand trailer. It's just had a new floor & it may need someother things I don't know. It needs a new tyre. At the price they are asking you should easily be able to afford to replace what you need.

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[Green Bean]

I bought a IW511 2010 model in 2018 for £4k - it was basically brand new as it was hardly used and barn stored (saw it in the evening, contacted seller and drove at speed 150 miles the next morning to collect it, no waiting around as it was one of those hard to find sorts being in such good condition). Sold it in 2022 for £4.5K and could have gotten more. I am not a huge fan of Cheval Liberte purely because the back just has a roll up cover at the top which worries if it is stored outside.
New is always nicer if you can afford it though, although I would check materials it is made of before going for it. I used to like the look of the EquiTrek rear facing trailer, but they just seem so feebly built, but I am sure they must have passed safety checks (I would hope)

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I've just bought a relatively new Equi-Trek (less than three years old) and love it, it has some well thought out details and definitely seems sturdy enough to me. I think a lot of the new trailers are all using more lightweight (though strong) materials, which gives an appearance as not being as 'strong' as older models but I think that's just how technology evolves. I'm glad I don't have to worry about panels rotting (all wooden sided trailers will rot in the end, and my previous Equi-Trek was just short of 20 years old before anything looked like it needed attention so I really cannot knock it!).

In the end the horses made my choice of trailer, as all of them travel better backwards and one is very claustrophobic so a front ramp was a no and although I like the Chevals, it just seemed very tight, (though I've not seen the new XL version yet), so it only left the Equi-Treks and so it was either fix up or buy newer.

 

[PeterNatt]

I would definately buy brand new as you will get a warrenty with it and you know that it will be in first class condition. You don't know what you are buying second hand especially with trailers as they stand around and just corrode and rust. If you buy knew get the windows etched with your post code and also get the roof postcoded so that it can be identified more easily if stolen. Make sure that it is insured and get it serviced every 12 months. Good luck.