Trailers, which is best

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lachlanandmarcus

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OK currently have ancient lovely 7.5T lorry but really struggling to find anyone to do servicing and plating up where we have moved in Scotland. Advantage of this lorry was our 17hh heavy hunter much preferred to a trailer.

Hes now semi retired and not going out and about so now would only need to travel if going to horspital. The transport now would be for that but also for the 14.2 Haflinger to go out and about to endurance rides etc (some venues for which dont have lorry parking anyway).

So looking at trailers that are tall enough for big 17 handerIDxTB emergency but primarily day to day for Haffie girl.

Am considering

Ifor Williams 510 (not 511 due to recent build problems?) but concerned at ride quality/suspension
Bateson Deauville
Equitrek L models (but not the new cheaper flimsier
Equitrek)

What would you recommend? One of these or something completely different? I want something substantial as haflinger girlie hasnt trailered before, only lorry so I will be trying to hire one of whatever we choose before taking the plunge.

Many thanks and scones with jam n cream for reading this!
 
I have a Bateson Ascot. Realy happy with it.

- prefer unloading onto kerb rather than road
-the floor mats lift out really easily (they are in 2 pieces one on each side where horse stands) so great for lifting and airing floor
-Boston Doors are great and so much easier to get a tricky loader in
-tack locker is sooo useful!
-really light, quiet and easy to tow
-easy to get spares from Bateson (had a youngster go down in it and break a few bits that are bolted in rather than integrated so didn't damage actual trailer so just replaced)

As standard it would fit your big boy in.
 
Ditto the above. Mine is great and I wouldn't have an equitrek if it was free. Do a search on here for them!! Ifor trailers are very 'rattly'.
 
I am considering a new trailer too. Don't like the Ivor Williams (even if you go to a show and 90% are IW). I think they are rattley and I want something with very good suspension for motorway driving.

I am considering the Bateson - nice, but they haven't made any alterations to design for ages (why change something that is good?).
The Chevel Liberte range looks quite good too, although I haven't seen enough of them to decide on a model.

I think the Equitrek are rather large - although at Badminton they had a new front facing trailer with the enclosed back, side door loading which looked quite interesting.
It would protect the horse from lorries coming too close up the back and has a large loading ramp.
 
Have a look at Rice and their cheeper cousin Richardson trailers, both very well built and nice and sturdy for your big lad if needs be.

I have a Richardson LW 16.2 and have owned it for 10 years, never given me a days worry and has been cheep to maintain in that time. Mine has had the floor replaced by one of their main dealers and it now had a wooden sleeper/plank style floor which is very thick and sturdy and doesn't have the vibration issues that some of the newer plastic/aluminium thinner floors have.
 
Bateson Deauville every time. They're well built, don't rattle, tow beautifully, have a shallower ramp than most & are light & airy so are very welcoming so horses load well. They will also carry up to 17h horses. Additionally they have a couple of useful saddle racks at the front. A real plus point is that the after sales service is great. I needed a part & after a really helpful phone call to them the part was with me within 48 hours. That's worth a lot these days.

They also retain their value really well :)
 
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