Trailer

[Barton Bounty]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a lightweight trailer for Orbi?

Don’t want to rush in and get a 511 if there is something better out there?

Needs to take up to a 17.2 no idea where he will end up

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a lightweight trailer for Orbi?

Don’t want to rush in and get a 511 if there is something better out there?

Needs to take up to a 17.2 not idea where he will end up

TBH I love my Ifor Williams it’s lasted me since 2002 however my friend has a Cheval Liberte that she has had also for a long time and has just done it up and she loves hers. It’s pretty tall as well

Welcome Back

 

[Barton Bounty]

TBH I love my Ifor Williams it’s lasted me since 2002 however my friend has a Cheval Liberte that she has had also for a long time and has just done it up and she loves hers. It’s pretty tall as well

Welcome Back

Thank you! I have been looking at the cheval ones and I wasnt sure about the height.
I had a rice before but too heavy to lug about..

I don’t need brand new as its just to get out and have fun.

Ive seen a few nice Ifors

 

[Reacher]

I love my Bateson, I don’t know the internal height.
I travel my horse with a full width chest and breech bar.
It has a rot proof floor. Also I like the central window

 

[blitznbobs]

I do like an Ifor tbh

 

[Time for Tea]

I have had an Ifor, a Bateson Ascot, a Fautras and an Equitrek! The Ifor and Bateson were both in the early noughties, so they may have both changed. But back then the Bateson was a much more comfortable ride for the horse with a better suspension system. I don’t know how tall it was, I had a 16.00hh ID/TB then. Front ramp let’s horse out onto verge, not onto road, like Ifor, if I remember correctly . Fautras travelled like a dream but it was an American door entrance and a narrow front ramp exit and my then mare hated both. She would leap up to get in and then leap out avoiding the ramp. She accepted an Equitrek and travelled well in it, which is why I had one. I think pros and cons of Equitrek have been well examined in other threads! I now have a 3.5 tonne Movano little lorry, in which all the ponies travel well.

 

[LJF0664]

I have a cheval 2003 XL, which is their larger version. I don’t know the exact dimensions, but my 16.3 has plenty of space. From memory I believe it’s about 200kg lighter than the ifor equivalent.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have had an Ifor, a Bateson Ascot, a Fautras and an Equitrek! The Ifor and Bateson were both in the early noughties, so they may have both changed. But back then the Bateson was a much more comfortable ride for the horse with a better suspension system. I don’t know how tall it was, I had a 16.00hh ID/TB then. Front ramp let’s horse out onto verge, not onto road, like Ifor, if I remember correctly . Fautras travelled like a dream but it was an American door entrance and a narrow front ramp exit and my then mare hated both. She would leap up to get in and then leap out avoiding the ramp. She accepted an Equitrek and travelled well in it, which is why I had one. I think pros and cons of Equitrek have been well examined in other threads! I now have a 3.5 tonne Movano little lorry, in which all the ponies travel well.

Orbi came off a side loading 3.5t, when he was being delivered. I am just wondering size wise how the equitrek would fair with him. How was the side loading when you went places? Was it easier?

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have a cheval 2003 XL, which is their larger version. I don’t know the exact dimensions, but my 16.3 has plenty of space. From memory I believe it’s about 200kg lighter than the ifor equivalent.

I will have a look for that, its good to know from other people for head space etc

Just saw one on ebay

 

[JBM]

I have a ifor but an older version
I heard the newer ones aren’t made as well
But can’t confirm!
Mine only holds up to 16.2hh tho as it’s an old 505
Sturdy stuff tho!!

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have a ifor but an older version
I heard the newer ones aren’t made as well
But can’t confirm!
Mine only holds up to 16.2hh tho as it’s an old 505
Sturdy stuff tho!!

I don’t think Orbi will fit in a 505. But I have been looking at the 510 as well, if someone has looked after it well it will be worth it.

I am not doing anything other than beach , forest etc dont need anything fancy.

 

[JBM]

I don’t think Orbi will fit in a 505. But I have been looking at the 510 as well, if someone has looked after it well it will be worth it.

I am not doing anything other than beach , forest etc dont need anything fancy.

Actually
My friend had a beautifully light trailer for her mare I must ask what it was!

 

[Britestar]

I have an Equitrek night trekka.
My 16.3hh super chunky TB fits in it just fine, even sharing with a chonky cob.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have an Equitrek night trekka.
My 16.3hh super chunky TB fits in it just fine, even sharing with a chonky cob.

I think im scared of the side loading never had a trailer that was side loading. One rice and sinclair. But there is a few equitrek in my price range just now

 

[tda]

I had an Ifor Williams 505, 2007 model, aluminium floor, very sturdy. I don't think I'd buy a newer one as the fastenings are all plastic now rather than metal.
They do hold their value well

 

[Time for Tea]

Orbi came off a side loading 3.5t, when he was being delivered. I am just wondering size wise how the equitrek would fair with him. How was the side loading when you went places? Was it easier?

It depends. There are different size Equitreks, so you would find one big enough. You need a bit more space for a side loader, when you are parking. Fine in a big field at a show, can be tricky in a small yard squeezing in for a clinic, say. I had extra tie rings put in at the back so I could tie behind the trailer, as otherwise you do take up a lot of space with the horse tied on one side and the open ramp on the other.
I think the Equitreks have improved the quality of their axles, frames underneath and their hitches, which I have seen on a friends are more heavy duty now. Panels not very thick though. I never had a kicking or panicky traveller. and I never opened the grooms door, so the horse never knew that was an exit. Perhaps hiring one to test might be an idea.

 

[holeymoley]

I have a single Ifor 403 which is fab, can tack up inside. My guys are no bigger than 14.1 hh at the moment(albeit not sure what youngster will make) and it’s got loads of height space. My friends 16.2hh’s been in it for an emergency trip to vet school and traveled comfortably.

That said, I really like the idea of the double cheval with the tack cupboard in it. And they don’t weigh much more than single ifor. That does concern me though as they are very thin in comparison to ifor.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I have a single Ifor 403 which is fab, can tack up inside. My guys are no bigger than 14.1 hh at the moment(albeit not sure what youngster will make) and it’s got loads of height space. My friends 16.2hh’s been in it for an emergency trip to vet school and traveled comfortably.

That said, I really like the idea of the double cheval with the tack cupboard in it. And they don’t weigh much more than single ifor. That does concern me though as they are very thin in comparison to ifor.

Thats the thing that concerns me too. I am scared if he kicks out his leg is through.

My 17.2 travelled fine in an Ifor 510 years and years ago. I rented it to pick him up. He kicked a panel, dented it but not right through but I heard it from the truck so it was quite a clatter

 

[Britestar]

I think im scared of the side loading never had a trailer that was side loading. One rice and sinclair. But there is a few equitrek in my price range just now

Side loading is much easier..
Of the 10 horses on my yard not 1 has ever refused to go in it.

5 have only ever known side loading, I'd be worried to put them in an Ifor.

I have travelled them 100's of miles at a time and they come off fresh and raring to go.

 

[ycbm]

That said, I really like the idea of the double cheval with the tack cupboard in it. And they don’t weigh much more than single ifor. That does concern me though as they are very thin in comparison to ifor.

There are some very clever materials around these days, thin and light doesn't need to mean weak any more. They use a lot in jet aircaft manufacture.

Horses kicking out when travelling is common. Any manufacturer making trailers that won't withstand kicks would be sued into administration pretty quickly, so I'd they've been around for a little while with no adverse incidents reported they're almost certainly safe.
.
.

 

[Nudibranch]

Cheval, Bockmann, Fautras...continental all the way imo!

 

[Bobthecob15]

We have a cheval tourer standard (up to 16hh ish) but they have just launched a new XL larger version which is able to take bigger, 17.2 I think? They are fabulous trailers they are fantastic to drive and not rattly at all! The tack room bit is a total godsend… new isn’t a lot less than a second hand ifor. Do have a look round one they are fantastic trailers and give a very smooth ride, ideal for tricky loaders and travellers.

Touring Country Two Horse Trailer | Cheval Liberté

The Cheval Liberté Touring XL is the upscaled version of the Cheval Liberté best-selling Touring Country Two Horse Trailer.

www.chevaltrailers.co.uk

There are lots of distributors and there is a facebook group if you want advice etc on them x

 

[P.forpony]

I've travelled my lad in an ifor, a richardson, and a brand new Equitrek apollo. He booted the back doors at regular intervals in all of them, assumed it was just something we would have to work on...
Then I bought a bateson, kicking stopped immediately.
He makes his preference clear!

 

[irishdraft]

I've been looking at the cheval XL touring as opposed to Ifor 511. The main selling point of the cheval is it has a much better suspension as opposed to the Ifor which was why I was looking at it but to me it seemed very flimsy and the front ramp seemed very narrow. My mare is not the best of travellers so although I wanted a better suspension I think the Ifor is a much stronger construction.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I've been looking at the cheval XL touring as opposed to Ifor 511. The main selling point of the cheval is it has a much better suspension as opposed to the Ifor which was why I was looking at it but to me it seemed very flimsy and the front ramp seemed very narrow. My mare is not the best of travellers so although I wanted a better suspension I think the Ifor is a much stronger construction.

They do look really good!

 

[Barton Bounty]

I've travelled my lad in an ifor, a richardson, and a brand new Equitrek apollo. He booted the back doors at regular intervals in all of them, assumed it was just something we would have to work on...
Then I bought a bateson, kicking stopped immediately.
He makes his preference clear!

Got to keep them happy

 

[Barton Bounty]

We have a cheval tourer standard (up to 16hh ish) but they have just launched a new XL larger version which is able to take bigger, 17.2 I think? They are fabulous trailers they are fantastic to drive and not rattly at all! The tack room bit is a total godsend… new isn’t a lot less than a second hand ifor. Do have a look round one they are fantastic trailers and give a very smooth ride, ideal for tricky loaders and travellers.

Touring Country Two Horse Trailer | Cheval Liberté

The Cheval Liberté Touring XL is the upscaled version of the Cheval Liberté best-selling Touring Country Two Horse Trailer.

www.chevaltrailers.co.uk

There are lots of distributors and there is a facebook group if you want advice etc on them x

I have been researching them this morning, there is a company 110 miles away i think and I think it will be worth a look

 

[Goldenstar]

IMO it’s would be hard to beat a good condition 510 for what you want .
I have a 511 but think the 510s were great trailers .
I hope you find one soon.

 

[Birker2020]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a lightweight trailer for Orbi?

Don’t want to rush in and get a 511 if there is something better out there?

Needs to take up to a 17.2 no idea where he will end up

Second hand Cheval Liberte, Bateson and Richardson trailers are all light weight. I have a Richardson, I finally traced it when I saw one for sale on ebay, that was 630kg unladen and in 1996 was the lightest we could find to tow one 16.2hh horse weighing in at around 650kg. That model I believe is called The Eventer.

Go onto: horsetrailersales.co.uk as they have all the old trailers with a full specification of internal measurements and you can see heights, weights, width, lengths and tyre sizes.
This gives you a good idea in order to compare trailer weights. Sorry I haven't got the full link, IT department prevents me opening it (haven't a clue why )

 

[Barton Bounty]

Second hand Cheval Liberte, Bateson and Richardson trailers are all light weight. I have a Richardson, I finally traced it when I saw one for sale on ebay, that was 630kg unladen and in 1996 was the lightest we could find to tow one 16.2hh horse weighing in at around 650kg. That model I believe is called The Eventer.

Go onto: horsetrailersales.co.uk as they have all the old trailers with a full specification of internal measurements and you can see heights, weights, width, lengths and tyre sizes.
This gives you a good idea in order to compare trailer weights.

I have seen a couple of richardson ones actually!