Trailer Advice

EBHouse said:
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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Thanks for the advice. I do really like the IFor 506's. I could afford one I just didn't want to take too much money out of my house savings lol. I am tempted though.

I just keep changing my mind all of the time. I'll never get one at this rate! :(
 
Well I would decide and get on with it as this is premium time of year for being a seller not a buyer and it will only get worse til the Autumn now ;)
 
FfionWinnie said:
Well I would decide and get on with it as this is premium time of year for being a seller not a buyer and it will only get worse til the Autumn now ;)
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I'm so indecisive when it comes to the safety of my horse haha! I'm useless. I will of decided by the weekend ... I hope!
 
I thought newer Chevals didnt have ply floors? There was a problem with Chevals of certain years so if you go that route, research carefully. Saying that I had one and loved it, everything loaded and travelled perfectly in it and I could have sold it several times over as they are sought after secondhand.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
I thought newer Chevals didnt have ply floors? There was a problem with Chevals of certain years so if you go that route, research carefully. Saying that I had one and loved it, everything loaded and travelled perfectly in it and I could have sold it several times over as they are sought after secondhand.
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Oh really. I thought they all did have? I am probably completely wrong lol! I have done so much research on different trailers that I've confused myself.

My friend has a Cheval and my horse travels in it like a donkey. He loves it. They are just a little bit like gold dust second hand aren't they?
 
Trakehner92 said:
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! :(
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It can be a minefield. I had a richardson supreme rosette, my horse managed to split a wooden plank just by stomping - it was the original floor and it wasn't rotten but it just wasn't sturdy enough. I had the timber floor replaced with a hardwood floor and it was fine.

With the chevals I think the wooden floors may be similar to the richardson, not a hard enough wood. My cheval is 2006 and has the plastic floor. I was cautious at first but I have it serviced by a cheval dealer and i'ts fine.

I think anything you buy you need to ask if it's the original floor, if it is and it's wood then it probably needs replacing. If it's not ask to see the receipt of fitting to make sure it was done by a reputable company who know what they are doing re fitting as I think any corroding issues are to do with the fitting correctly to avoid corrosion between the chasis and aluminium floor. If you see a trailer you like and are dubious about the floor just offer them a price that allows you to have a floor profesionally fitted - it will give you peice of mind at the end of the day.

If you are looking for a sound cheval trailer I would def. recommend tally-ho trailers - they do new and 2nd hand.
 
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Another thing to worry about, sorry.
If it's to be stored inside, no worries. If outside, you need one that is properly weather proofed, or can be.
Our big Ifor has a roof vent that leaks a little so hay once purchased has to be removed promptly. It's fine for the horses though.
Our 5 year old Cheval only has a rear end fly curtain so lets in driving rain from the back.We made a tail end top gate to fit when it is not in use. It does not have a wooden floor, by the way.
Good luck in your search.
 
Ah great thanks for pointing that out :)

I think I've seen the one I want... need to go and view this weekend. Fingers crossed !!!
 
I was in your situation last year, looking for a trailer with a similar budget and very indecisive! I was really analysing whether I should get an ifor or a Bateson and I hadn't towed before so I had nothing to compare it to.

In the end, there were just so many ifors around to choose from plus I decided an aluminium floor was very important. I found a fab 505 on preloved, it went on late on a Saturday night and I went to see it first thing Sunday with the cash (great for negotiations!) and took it there and then!

I'm very happy with it, it tows superbly. It's a 2006 model so quite a late 505. I had 4 new tyres put on it as it was still on its original ones and they were slightly perished. I've been out in it nearly every week since I bought it! I had it serviced last week and the mechanic said it was the best condition 505 they'd had in to service in a long while. It cost £2150 plus £180 on the tyres so I think I got a bargain.

I think basically you won't go wrong with any of the main makes but I'm really happy with my ifor. It's really solid and strong and everything just works. My horse had never been in a trailer before and she is totally at home in there.

Good luck!
 
Thanks furrycat. I too have seen an Ifor 505. It's in fab condition from a reputable dealer in my area. I have lots of friends who have purchased their trailers off of him too so I trust him. I'm going to see it this weekend. It has an aluminium floor and is fully serviced. Hopefully it will be the one!

LovesCobs - I really love the Chevals I just seem to think they are like gold dust to find second hand!
 
Whatever you get would suggest you get it checked over by a mechanic. My friend just had to have the brakes on her 510 replaced and it cost £600. I have a 505 which my horse likes but recently have travelled in Bateson deuville and have to say prefer 505 as it feels bigger, especially the ramps
 
Myloubylou said:
Whatever you get would suggest you get it checked over by a mechanic. My friend just had to have the brakes on her 510 replaced and it cost £600. I have a 505 which my horse likes but recently have travelled in Bateson deuville and have to say prefer 505 as it feels bigger, especially the ramps
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Oh really! I'm surprised as I thought the Batesons would feel bigger. I will have to beta that in mind thank you :).

I'm very lucky that my brother is a mechanic so he will be coming to inspect with me :) I wont take any risks with anything that my horse will be going in... i'm literally such a worrier haha!
 
I did it ..... I paid a deposit on s trailer tonight. Ifor 505 Aliminium floor, lovely condition. Just perfect for me and my boy. Thank you for everyone's advice!
 
I've got a Wessex Olympian which is big enough for two very large horses and is very stable to toe. I prefer it to the IWs I've towed. I also prefer a left fro t ramp as it gives the bigger horse on the right more room to get out.
I had the floor replaced recently for a plastic floor which won't rot. It's slatted rather than a single piece which I like and a good option over wood or metal. It cost me £600 to replace. I'm hoping to get £2000 for mine when my lorry arrives so you should find one in your price range.
 
Trakehner92 said:
Thank you everyone. Can anyone recommend a good insurance company for it?
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Mine is insured on the same policy as my car, through NFU. I struggled to find anywhere else that would cover towing a trailer with animals that wasn't extortionate because of my age (22 when I took out the policy).
 
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