Trailer Advice

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Trakehner92

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So I am currently searching for a nice little trailer. I don't have a massive budget but I have a sensible budget and it can go up depending on the trailer.

I always said it HAD to be an ifor Williams but now I am looking around I have seen lots of other makes of trailers. I don't really know much about a lot of them. I've always been in to Ifor's.

Does anyone have any recommendations on trailers? Any other makes that you've had? and any makes to avoid?

My horse is only 15.2 so I don't need anything huge :) Just something safe, comfortable and reliable.

Thanks in advance!
 
Any licence restrictions ? - if you have B+E then ignore that question

What is the max towing capacity of your vehicle ?
What weight do you need to put in the trailer ?
 
ROG said:
Any licence restrictions ? - if you have B+E then ignore that question

What is the max towing capacity of your vehicle ?
What weight do you need to put in the trailer ?
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I will be taking my B+E this summer but until then my step dad will be driving. He as no restrictions.

The car tows 2500kg and the horse inside it will be 500kg. Traveling on his own as I wont be taking other people.
 
I have 2 friends with different versions of equitrek trailors which they both love & are 10 times quieter than my ifor but with your budget it is unlikely you would get one
 
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Trakehner92 said:
I will be taking my B+E this summer but until then my step dad will be driving. He as no restrictions.

The car tows 2500kg and the horse inside it will be 500kg. Traveling on his own as I wont be taking other people.
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I would hope that other PEOPLE would not be in the trailer !!!!!

2500 is plenty as most trailers are max 1000 empty so with a 500 horse that makes 1500

Step dad does not need to drive it or be insured to drive it (unless they actually do so) - just sit next to you = its your trailer so you do the work and let the 'old boy' relax in the passenger seat = LOL
 
ROG said:
I would hope that other PEOPLE would not be in the trailer !!!!!

2500 is plenty as most trailers are max 1000 empty so with a 500 horse that makes 1500

Step dad does not need to drive it or be insured to drive it (unless they actually do so) - just sit next to you = its your trailer so you do the work and let the 'old boy' relax in the passenger seat = LOL
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Haha no of course not!

I plan on driving with him sat next to me so I can get the experience for my test but i'm just stuck at what make of a trailer to go for now! There are so many out there. All with different floors.... So stressful!
 
I'd suggest a Bateson Deauville with a plastic floor if you can get one. Not too heavy, nice to tow and well made.
Aluminium floors still corrode, especially if in contact with steel.
 
TheSylv007 said:
I'd suggest a Bateson Deauville with a plastic floor if you can get one. Not too heavy, nice to tow and well made.
Aluminium floors still corrode, especially if in contact with steel.
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Perfect. I'll have a look in to those ones. I just want a safe trailer that's nice to tow seen as though I'm new to towing. And of course I need my little monster to be safe in the back of it :)
 
You might be able to tow on your current B licence but I would need to know the GVW or max permissible mass of the current vehicle you are going to tow with ..... might save on doing the B+E test = IDEA ?
 
Well the kerb weight of the car alone is 1845 kg so it goes on plated weight doesn't it?

I'm pretty sure with the car and a 500kg horse it would take me over
 
Years ago I had a Bateson Deauville & it was magic. It was bright & airy & inviting for the horse to go in. The build quality is great & it's very quiet & smooth when towed.

Ifor Williams, strong & robust but a little noisier with the rattles.

I've always found Equitrek to be poorly built & prone to being damaged by the horses. Customer service has been mentioned on this forum as very poor as well.

Whatever you get have it looked at before you part with any cash. The mechanicals are pretty basic but you need to check the floor & also where the walls meet the floor for any rot. It's better to buy a good honest no frills trailer than may need a little work than one that's freshly painted & hiding filler & a poor refurbishment.

Good Luck in your search :)
 
So after lots of research i'm swaying more towards the Bateson Deauville. I may have to spend a little more than my budget which isn't an issue but I think I like these more than the Ifor's!
 
Bateson or Cheval. Modern, lightweight trailers. I have a cheval and it is inviting, well built, brilliant suspension and gives a nice ride.

I like the design of the equitreks but wouldn't buy due to the rep of their build quality and CS.

I don't think i'd buy an ifor - there are much better options out there.
 
Merlod said:
Bateson or Cheval. Modern, lightweight trailers. I have a cheval and it is inviting, well built, brilliant suspension and gives a nice ride.

I like the design of the equitreks but wouldn't buy due to the rep of their build quality and CS.

I don't think i'd buy an ifor - there are much better options out there.
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Thank you for the advice! I really really like the Chevals but I've heard they have wooden floors and everyone is putting me off of wooden floors.

I always thought I would only get an Ifor... but I think you can get a lot more for your money if you look at other brands. I'm really impressed with some of the other makes.
 
I have a Bateson , love it. Had to learn to tow as my other non horsey half was fed up and bored taking me to shows. I didn't need a test as im older. I had never towed anything before . It's easy really and the front mirror makes reversing on simple. I can even reverse down our drive now ( mostly straight) 😮
 
Magicmadge said:
I have a Bateson , love it. Had to learn to tow as my other non horsey half was fed up and bored taking me to shows. I didn't need a test as im older. I had never towed anything before . It's easy really and the front mirror makes reversing on simple. I can even reverse down our drive now ( mostly straight) ��
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What Bateson do you have if you don't mind me asking? I've seen a couple of different ones. The Bateson Deauville is lovely but I don't really need one quite so big. My horse is only 15.2. I wondered if some of the others take smaller horses but they don't really state what size they carry.
 
Hi all just me again.

I'm so stressed out with this trailer thing. I Just don't know what to go for...

Here's my dilemma... I originally wanted an ifor 505 with aluminium floor but I've seen other trailers which I really like.

People have told me not to get anything that doesn't have an aluminium floor.

But then people have also told me not to go for one with an aluminium floor as they still corrode.

I've seen a lovely Richarson Supreme which is in fab condition at a really reasonable price. I've been to view it but I'm put off that it has a wooden floor. After seeing a horse nearly fall through a trailer floor before I have a bit of paranoia about floors in trailers and wagons.

The floor is solid and in great condition.

I also really like the cheval liberte's but again they have wooden floors.

I even thought about just going for it and buying myself a brand new ifor 506 from my local dealer but I've heard they newer ifor's aren't as good and sturdy as the older ones.

Totally out of my depth here! :(
 
I have an ifor. The main reason I have an ifor is that I bought it new. No other trailer (or indeed anything in the world) appears to hold its value like an IW trailer. With your budget I probably wouldn't get an IW.

If this trailer is sound and a good price you could look at replacing the floor if you wanted to. I know nothing about those trailers so I'm not sure if it's feasible, you'd have to look into it.
 
FfionWinnie said:
I have an ifor. The main reason I have an ifor is that I bought it new. No other trailer (or indeed anything in the world) appears to hold its value like an IW trailer. With your budget I probably wouldn't get an IW.

If this trailer is sound and a good price you could look at replacing the floor if you wanted to. I know nothing about those trailers so I'm not sure if it's feasible, you'd have to look into it.
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Thanks for your reply FfionWinnie .

I've always been more torn to the Ifor's but I've never actually had much experience with others. I've seen a lovely Ifor which is a little over budget but it is more than affordable but I'm torn now.

I just wish someone would make the decision for me hehe!
 
With regards to the type of floor I think wooden is fine so long as it is checked thoroughly by someone who knows what they are doing before horses go in, and you make sure you are meticulous about getting it checked and serviced regularly thereafter. Most trailers used to have wooden floors not all that long ago and they were ok I think provided they were looked after.

Worth mentioning to check everything though - not just the floor. I know of a horse who fell in an equitrek and went through the side of it as it had obviously had water ingress at some point and the entire side panel was rotten. Fortunately horse was okay but could have been really nasty.

We have had an ifor 506 since new and it has been fab, nice and light and roomy enough for our two who are 15.1hh and 16hh. I like towing with it - it feels stable and easy on the back of anything I've used to tow it with and I love the big window at the front so you can see them as you're driving along. It is now the same age as the equitrek above and has never had any problems other than regular servicing/tyres etc.
 
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