Trailers: Bateson v. Fautra Provan

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Orangehorse

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I had just about decided to buy a Bateson Ascot and I went to look at one and thought there were lots of bits of metal sticking out where a headcollar could get caught - the spring on the back ramp, bits of metal surrounding the lights etc. and went away to think again.

There is a Fautra Provan for sale and I wondered if anyone has one of these? There is no loading ramp, which is OK, nor is there a front ramp, although it is possible to fit one. My horse is quite likely to either scrape the back of his leg or trip over (he is that sort!).

I thought the tack storage is better on the Bateson, but the back doors are better on the Fautra. Why isn't there the perfect trailer? I know the Batesons have a good reputation for towing, but also the Fautras have a very good reputation too, and I saw lots whizzing up and down the roads in France. Anyone got an experience of either? Thanks.

The trouble is, the one I have got is an excellent trailer, very well designed, but it has just got old and OH said I could get a new one!
 
Are the Fautras the ones without a front ramp? They step off? I looked at them and I that is what put me off. Had some horses exit a bit fast sometimes and I worried about the safety of it.

I have an Ascot with the doors at the back rather than the ramp. Excellent trailer. I can't picture what metal you saw that a headcollar would get trapped in? I certainly have never had any issues and I've had the trailer 3 years now.

Pic of the back

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Pic of 2 big horses tied up inside (trying to see what they metal you were refering to?)

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The Ascot I saw had the normal ramp with a metal spring assisting, so where the top of the spring was on the outside of the ramp was a metal hook - just right for catching the headcollar, I thought! I have always tied up on the back rather than the side. I can see from your trailer that there are no extra bits of metal to catch on the doors, which is the sort I wanted anyway. Thanks very much for the good photos - MUCH better than the brochure from Bateson.

I think I have decided!
 
A friend of ours has the big Fautras with living in it, and they love it...says that it tows really well (think they've got an old Disco) and horse travels well. They regularly go from Sussex to Cambs for shows in it.
I always wondered about the step but our trainer has had several different Fautras versions and horses have always loaded well into them...altho his have been the herringbone ones. If the horse has to step backwards and down, I'd just make sure he's got good boots on the first time.
All the trailers are like this in the USA and horses quickly get used to them.
We would have loved a Fautras but there was nothing available when we needed one at short notice!
 
On the model I am looking at, it is a front unload, but they have to step down at the front too there is no ramp. I don't mind the step up, I just wondered how he would cope with stepping out without damaging himself.
 
I have a Fautras Provan+ and I love it... mine has the ramp at the rear and one on the near side front door and a full size step down door on the offside too. I had no need for the barn doors as I have a great loader and didn't see the need to reverse right up to a gateway.
It is nice a bright and tows very well, one thing that sold it to me was the fact that in France trailers have to have a regular 'MOT' just as all vehicles with an engine... therefore the build quality has to be to the job. Maybe one day there will be trailer tests here too!?!
 
lol! you thought my photos were good? I was cross they were the clearest ones I had and had too many haynets and horses in the way!! ha ha!

I don't use my ramp for loading either. they just step straight up. I have only pulled it down a couple of times for youngsters so they don't get too deep to "step up" if you know what I mean, and they all have without exception just stepped straight over the ramp into the trailer. So easy! In fact with one particular pony I only open one door!! Very naughty!
 
Having looked at a number of different trailers I would go for the Fautras over any other.
 
When I sold my beloved but tatty looking (mechanically sound) 16 year old Ifor I did my homework and looked at all the trailers on the market including the Fautra ones but decided that they were too expensive, I bought a Batesons Ascot with the tack locker in front which I found invaluable when I was using my Defender as there is no room in the back of one of them and the door keeps slamming back on my elbows (that is if you can get it open enough to get a saddle out). I like my Batesons and a friend of mine has a Fautra which she loves so I think it is down to finances and personal opinion, personally I don't like the step up as my horse can be a stubbon b*****d to load and I think that the step up would be too much of an excuse to be even more b****y minded!! :mad:
 
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