Which horse trailer is best

Depends what you need to carry, what towing vehicle you have and what your budget is.

We have a 3 horse Fautras and it is very well designed, very sturdy and tows really smoothly. I'm not a fan of the other 3 to be honest - I find the Batesons a very lightweight trailer, have always hated IW and the build quality of the Equitreks is very disappointing for the money. The Fautras took a lot of finding - once people have one, they never seem to sell them!

We're gutted to be selling ours .
 
I'm downgrading soon and want a regular 2 forward facing trailer.
I also want a tack storage bit.

I like the equitrek design the best but the reviews on build quality and post sale customer service is pretty dire.

I'm leaning towards the Bateson Ascot at the moment, haven't come across a Bateson owner with anything bad to say about them (yet!)
 
ihatework said:
I'm downgrading soon and want a regular 2 forward facing trailer.
I also want a tack storage bit.

I like the equitrek design the best but the reviews on build quality and post sale customer service is pretty dire.

I'm leaning towards the Bateson Ascot at the moment, haven't come across a Bateson owner with anything bad to say about them (yet!)
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We had Bateson Deauville trailer for 12 years. Light to tow and light and inviting inside. Also had v good insulation so no condensation or overheated animals. Used several times a week with 4 different horses. No trouble with it at all (except some horse-inflicted damage)! Only sold it when buying a box and for almost purchase price. Used Batesons for service/spares and their customer service was excellent.
 
Bateson without a doubt! We had the Deauville which was great. It towed well, didn't rattle & followed the line of the towing vehicle. It was light & airy inside & very inviting to the horse when loading. It also had a double saddle rack in the front. The spares department at Bateson are very helpful & post out to you immediately.

I don't really know Fautras but I wouldn't touch an Equitrek, they are too flimsey. I saw a horse that was tied up to the side of one at a show gradually demolish it. In my eyes they aren't built strong enough & after a few years really show their age.
 
Bockmann is probably the best trailer around but are expensive and difficult to source. Fautras seem to give the horse an excellent ride too.

I don't have any experience of Bateson and don't like the build quality of the Equitrek.

An Ifor will always be easy to sell on but I understand that they don't have the best ride quality compared to the others.
 
When we were looking we went to see an Equi-Trek, it was only a few years old and I wasn't impressed with the build quality at all. Ended up buying a 20 year old Ifor, it's a bit spartan but it's solid as a rock.
 
We love our 20 yr old Rice. It's like a comfy armchair. It has the avonride suspension which is better for the horse than the leaf spring suspension system in Ifors.
 
I'm really pleased with my Bateson Ascot. It tows really well, (it's very smooth with no rattles) and the tack locker is great - no mucky tack in the back of the car! It also has lots of tie rings round the outside and inside so plenty of places to hang haynets and tie up. We had additional windows put in the front which make it even airier. I would recommend them.
 
I know someone who's selling a Fautras three, West Midlands if that's any use.

I love our Rice Beaufort, not that it gets used much but I would like to change back to a 505 simply for the lighter ramps!
 
I had a Bateson Ascot, only sold it as my Jeep died and I decided to get a 3.5t box. If I ever get a trailer again, I will definitely get another Bateson, couldn't fault it.
 
I have the Fautras Provan Club. Absolutely love it. Very light and airy inside and even the most unwilling of travellers will travel quietly in it.

I desperately want to upgrade to the Oblic but don't have the funds at the moment. Just feel that my old girl would be happier travelling herringbone style.
 
I bought a new Equitrek trailer and have had no end of problems with it since, mainly due to the poor quality of the fittings. And the customer service was so so bad. If I had my time and money again I would have gone for an Ifor Williams Eventa instead. Better design and infinitely better quality.
 
I tow with an IW505, sturdy and workmanlike. My friend (Cambridge) is selling her Fautras as she's bought a lorry. It's a lovely trailer, they travel heringbone, lots of windows, airy, spacious, step on board rather than ramp. I would buy it but it's wider than my 505 and my narrow driveway means a 505 is the widest trailer I can have.
 
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