| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Nichole Waller |
Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 2:13:08 PM
I think i've finally persuaded OH to buy me a trailer... It's only taken me 10 years of constant nagging (never give up girls....!)
Budget is £3000 and i was looking at Ifor Williams 505. ( although i really like the Equi Trech but budget won't stretch  ) I have a friend with a IW 505 which both mine have travelled in fine. Also a friend with a new IW 506 which is nice but doesn't seam as sturdy... (too much plastic...)
Before i go out and spend (cos this money is really burning a whole in my pocket now...) What would you recommend? Any hidden problems i should be looking out for?
What would you say is reasonable price to pay for an IW 505 that is no more than 4 years old (2006). They seam to vary quite a bit. I saw one that was 2008 and it sold for less than a 2006..? The only difference i could see was the colour...
All advice welcome
A very excited Nichole |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Gemma |
Posted - 28 Apr 2010 : 10:00:42 AM
I have a Bateson Ascot. It's HUGE - my two 14.2, 14.3s positively swim in it! It's stable, it's light and airy. The ramp's on the LHS so better from a safety POV. And the tack locker in the front is very handy. My endurance saddle doesn't fit in it, but I took the saddle rack out and use it to store water and the electric fencing supplies for coralling which means the posts are safely out of harm's way.
Absolutely love my trailer. |
| arabianrio |
Posted - 28 Apr 2010 : 09:55:51 AM
Mine is an Ifor Williams 510. Bought a really good one hardly used privately, secondhand 3 years ago.
If you can stretch to the 510, they have front and side (above ramp )windows which makes it nice and light for horses and just that bit extra room and height.It is also an aluminium frame so light and no rust!
My horse always travelled well. My trailer service man says the newer ones (for the last couple of years) seem to have slightly different design features that are are not quite as robust as the ones a bit older. |
| marionpack |
Posted - 28 Apr 2010 : 09:46:31 AM
I think I prefer the sound of the Batesman trailers now, always preferred Ifor Williams but have heard quite bad reports about the new ones 506/511, the mould (even when it has been fixed it grows back) and I think there are a couple of other issues that have been recalled google Ifor Williams 506 and they come up, they are also heavier than the the 505/510 |
| Nichole Waller |
Posted - 27 Apr 2010 : 3:40:06 PM
Thanks for all your replies
Caryn - i've looked the one up in Blackmore and have sent hubby the link... They don't appear to have any second hand ones in at the moment but i'm going to phone and leave my details.
I prefer the 505 model to the new equivalent (506) as it seams much sturdier. My friend has a new 506 and it has been re-called twice due to mould growing on the inside of the roof. Although it tows well and has more head room than the 505, it doesn't seam as sturdy (a lot more plastic on it..) Although if hubby insists on a new one i won't complain...
Hubby gone to China today on business for 10 days so i'll be doing a lot of Internet searching to see what i can find.
Thanks for your help |
| jasjmm |
Posted - 27 Apr 2010 : 12:11:58 PM
Yes, that happened to someone I know. She bought a stolen Ivor Williams (completely unknowingly), the police seized it, and she had absolutely no comeback. |
| cmj |
Posted - 27 Apr 2010 : 11:53:50 AM
Hi, I have the single Ifor Williams and it is absolutely great. My youngsters will go up back ramp, through, out front ramp completely unled and on their own when I train them. Love the way the top front door opens out and they can look out at showground etc. I only ever travel one and so am legal behind a decent estate car. I would strongly recommend you to try to buy a new double if you can, dealers can be won over by cash waved at them. There is a good dealer outside Banbury, towards Stratford (name escapes me).
Be really careful you don't buy a secondhand stolen one 
Regards |
| shanaz |
Posted - 27 Apr 2010 : 11:14:40 AM
I also have heard several things about IW trailers, the weight being one of them, and of course the front ramp being on the off side as mentioned by karon. I would hate to have to unload my horses onto the road. Saying that, they can't be that bad as most people i know have one!
I opted for a Richardson trailer and personally, can't fault it. |
| Karon |
Posted - 27 Apr 2010 : 11:03:15 AM
I've heard of a few issues with the IW, but not sure what off the top of my head.
One thing I really don't like is the ramp on the off side - I hate the idea of unloading onto the road. |
| Misshana |
Posted - 27 Apr 2010 : 08:24:25 AM
I just sold my 1995 IW which I had had from new (15 years trouble free towing) and I only lost £1000 from purchase price. Bought second hand this time, 3.5 years old HB505 hardly used, bought new from local dealer, so all paperwork available. Paid £2500. Would have liked new again but couldn't afford to lose the VAT! |
| jamie |
Posted - 27 Apr 2010 : 05:57:41 AM
I bought an IW last year and think it's great After looking at second hand we bought new as there wasn't actually much difference in cost? They really do seem to hold their value (unlike the disco we bought to tow it...) |
| littlearabians |
Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 10:37:06 PM
Kimzi you're right Cheval Liberte are very good trailers... but whether you like the design or not is a different ballgame...
As I'm used to trailers looking like Cheval Liberte, Bökmann, Humbaur, Brenderup, Mustang ect... I find the IW being ugly... but I too must admit, IW are VERY good quality, and if you can tow a trailer that heavy, and live with the design, I think you have a trailer for life. |
| kimzi |
Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 10:15:12 PM
Don't knock the cheval trailers they are very good and with a great price,have'nt heard of any accidents with them yet. |
| taranstorm |
Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 9:11:22 PM
Ifor williams DEFINALTY the best as best market for trailers,tough and so safe! tried lot trailers but all didn't feel safe especially cheval Liberte trailers as so lightweight,so plastic! But again we all got different taste,all mine comfotable with my trailer which is 510 classic |
| kimzi |
Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 8:57:38 PM
Its all about personal preferance, go with what you really want after all it is possible to buy a lemon no matter what make it is. |
| jillandlomond |
Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 8:47:28 PM
Ifor Williams have been in the business of making trailers for many many years for a very good reason.....they're the best!
Well built, great to tow, fairly priced and hold their value.
I really like them and my horses travel in them no problem whatsoever
|
| mogwai |
Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 8:42:49 PM
Would have loved a Bateson. They're great trailers. Ended up with a 505 because i couldn't find a good second hand betson in my budget. The only one i saw was with a wooden floor.
My 505 cost me about 2400 (i think) last summer and is a 2006 model with one owner (who didn't use it all all by the looks of it!)
Good luck. I was so excited when i got mine!
x |
| leiat8 |
Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 8:35:56 PM
we've just got our first ever trailer we were looking at the 505 and the 510 but ended up with a lovely bateson deauvalle. 6 years old with one owner from new £2700. its in lovely condition and its nice and light inside so the horses are happy. also it takes 2 17hh but iisn'tthat heavy. good luck with which ever one you choose |
| Kharidian |
Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 8:21:11 PM
I like the IW. You're in Essex, aren't you. There is a very friendly IW dealer in Blackmore, (just down the road from an Equine Vet practice) who I use and who services the trailer regularly too. You can pm me if you can't find which dealer I'm talking about.
Caryn |
| Karon |
Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 8:10:49 PM
I really don't like the IW trailers - two good loaders of mine refused to go in any trailer at all after travelling in a brand new IW a few years ago which has put me off them a fair bit! I like the Cheval Liberte trailers and, for a budget of £3k, you could get a really nice 2nd hand one. For about £300 more you'd get a new one, too. |
| Suelin |
Posted - 26 Apr 2010 : 2:32:12 PM
Personally, I would go to a dealer and see what deal you can do for a new one. IW's really hold their money and buying secondhand is a bit hit and miss in view of the fact that you can't know for sure how far they've been towed and what wear and tear is likely because of that. Also the 2nd hand ones are sometimes almost as expensive as a new one so I think I would go down the "new" route first.
I sold my IW in part/x for an Equi-Trek and only lost about £100 on what I paid for it new. If you consider that I had it for 3 years from new that wasn't a bad deal for 3 years trouble free travelling. |
