Trailers...

[HufflyPuffly]

So the darling, dainty, wee thing that is Beryl, is outgrowing my trailer... This combined with the car getting more expensive to run as it gets older and the fact it has a max tow limit of 2t has meant both car and trailer need changing!

I've decided on the car and will get a new tow limit of 3-3.5t depending on the model I end up with, so the world is now my oyster of trailers! For the trailer it will probably be second hand and the budget hasn't been completely set yet but under 8k.

Apart form it needing to be big enough to fit Beryl in, I quite like the idea of a nice bit of space for me to sit in, have a brew, get changed etc, but why is it only seemingly Equitreks that cater for this? Are there really no others out there (asides from the Ifor Eventa, which is massive and massively outside my budget!) that have a bit of living space?

I'm not really keen on getting an Equitrek as for my budget it will be older and we've all heard the horror build quality stories about panels rotting... I do like the Cheval Liberte but the touring looks small and I'm not keen on traveling them herringbone for the bigger ones Cheval do, (they all travel super forwards and backwards).

I saw the Fautras trailers at Badminton and they looked lovely though not sure I'll get one for my budget, same with Bockmann. Not sure what else is out there?

Picture of the pest in question that has meant lots of money needing spending ??‍

 

[MagicMelon]

I think Ifor do an Eventa type model which has a little sitting bit in it? Personally I love my Bateson Ascot, we're onto our 3rd one now and doubt I'll ever buy anything else. It doesnt have a seating bit obviously but we simply put our camping chairs in the front part with the front section of partition across to give more room - works fine!

*EDIT* sorry see you mentioned the Eventa! I think really your only option is the Equitrek. I cant think of any others that would work for what you want unless you went down the small lorry route!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I think Ifor do an Eventa type model which has a little sitting bit in it? Personally I love my Bateson Ascot, we're onto our 3rd one now and doubt I'll ever buy anything else. It doesnt have a seating bit obviously but we simply put our camping chairs in the front part with the front section of partition across to give more room - works fine!

*EDIT* sorry see you mentioned the Eventa! I think really your only option is the Equitrek. I cant think of any others that would work for what you want unless you went down the small lorry route!

I have heard good things for the Bateson's, so if I have to give up the living idea I'll be keeping an eye out! What size horses do you travel in yours? I'm slightly in denial about Beryls end size!

I don't really want to run a second vehicle, I had a little box for years which I loved but I'd be back to payload restraints or spending yet more money for a lorry test!

Just can't believe there are no others out there doing a trailer with a bit of living! I'm happy for it to be basic but just separate from getting covered in hay would be nice lol!

 

[Annagain]

I've looked into this lots and Equitrek is your only option for living unfortunately. Another way to do it could be something like a VW camper van to tow with. They don't have masses of tow capacity (I think they vary depending on model and engine but are in the 2.5T area) but they have more than you have now, would be handy for other trips and are still of a size that means you can use them day to day.

I'm sure I read somewhere that Equitrek's patent on side load trailers has expired so other companies are free to design something similar now. I don't know why nobody has yet as they're a great design, just not brilliantly made. That's not to say you shouldn't get one, just be careful to research all the known problems and to check any box out carefully. One that has had good remedial work done already would be a good buy.

I've decided my next trailer will be a Bockmann - the build quality and design seems far superior to other makes (Cheval is close but they don't make a big version in the one I'd like so I think it would be too small for me)

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I've looked into this lots and Equitrek is your only option for living unfortunately. Another way to do it could be something like a VW camper van to tow with. They don't have masses of tow capacity (I think they vary depending on model and engine but are in the 2.5T area) but they have more than you have now, would be handy for other trips and are still of a size that means you can use them day to day.

I'm sure I read somewhere that Equitrek's patent on side load trailers has expired so other companies are free to design something similar now. I don't know why nobody has yet as they're a great design, just not brilliantly made. That's not to say you shouldn't get one, just be careful to research all the known problems and to check any box out carefully. One that has had good remedial work done already would be a good buy.

I've decided my next trailer will be a Bockmann - the build quality and design seems far superior to other makes (Cheval is close but they don't make a big version in the one I'd like so I think it would be too small for me)

I have done my years of watching payloads, so I'm going for something that can tow everything lol! All I wanted was somewhere to sit out of the rain and getting covered in hay, I hadn't thought this was a big ask...

Good news on the patent, hopefully that means the market will open up a bit more. the Bockmanns are lovely but it would have to be second hand and they so rarely come up and I would want a front ramp too if its not a side unload. The size of the Cheval is whats putting me off too, not sure Beryl will fit in the touring.

Think it will have to be a Equitrek and just hope I can find a good one... Or accept getting covered in hay!

 

[Annagain]

I have done my years of watching payloads, so I'm going for something that can tow everything lol! All I wanted was somewhere to sit out of the rain and getting covered in hay, I hadn't thought this was a big ask...

Good news on the patent, hopefully that means the market will open up a bit more. the Bockmanns are lovely but it would have to be second hand and they so rarely come up and I would want a front ramp too if its not a side unload. The size of the Cheval is whats putting me off too, not sure Beryl will fit in the touring.

Think it will have to be a Equitrek and just hope I can find a good one... Or accept getting covered in hay!

Find a reliable trailer mechanic with experience of Equitreks and get them to check any potential purchases out. I know one in S.Wales and one in the Midlands if any come up in those areas. Or buy from a dealer who will offer a warranty, get it checked out asap and then go back to them if any work needs doing.

P.S. you seem to have a habit of buying horses who grow too big ?

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Find a reliable trailer mechanic with experience of Equitreks and get them to check any potential purchases out. I know one in S.Wales and one in the Midlands if any come up in those areas. Or buy from a dealer who will offer a warranty, get it checked out asap and then go back to them if any work needs doing.

P.S. you seem to have a habit of buying horses who grow too big ?

Good advice, I've got some good contacts for N. Wales but if I find something in those areas I'd love to know who you recommend, I'll see what I can find once I've sorted out my budget!

Don't! ? I was promised she would make 'about' 15.2hh, which normally means 15hh is you're lucky and she is half Arab. What sort of PBA who was only suppose to make 'about' 15.2hh, ends up taller than the 15.2hh at 3! She's already in 6'3" rugs and her bum is higher than Skyllas , good job she doesn't ride big!