| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
|
Judith S
Platinum Member
 Wales
15686 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 6:49:22 PM
|
I'm sure this has been asked before - but who has them, are you happy, what extras did you have... etc?
Asking because considering changing our 2 fairly new 2 horse rear facing lorry for a rear facing trailer (horse lorry not getting enough use to justify the expense of keeping it).
We also have the big IW trailer - but having seen how well the neds travel rear facing - think a rear facing trailer is the way to go.
The Show Treka is the model I'm interested in. Want basic living as OH will also use it as trade stand for our saddles to stay away in at multi-day endurance rides. Towing no prob as we have a Range Rover, Discovery & a Trooper.
Awaiting your replies
|
    |
|
Report to moderator
|
|
|
Suelin
Platinum Member
England
2514 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 7:40:26 PM
|
We bought one this year. The show trekka M. We are very pleased with it. The horses travel well in it and there is plenty of room to carry stuff. There are in my opinion a few things which could be improved upon. The breast bar is fixed which is fine except when you need to get neddy out really, then you have to duck under the bar in order to lead him out which is okay if you have a steady horse but if you don't you do wind up with your head between his chest and the bar. Potential nasty accident I think. The partition is very heavy to move and needs at least two people if you want to open the space up which we do as we sleep in the horse part at shows. ( I think most people do actually) We are getting used to it and it is getting easier but still heavy and awkward. However that said I would have another one, it tows really well and we find it very easy for loading as the ramp is wide and low. The horses seem to travel well although it blew Ollie's mind the first time as he had only ever travelled forward and herringbone, however once he'd sussed it he was completely relaxed about it.
We had a couple of teething troubles with ours. The rubber on the ramp split after 3 journeys and we had to have it replaced and the chassis between the horse and the living parts was unfinished which gave us a flood the first time I hosed it out after a show. The company tried to wriggle but we had none of it and our dealership put it all right for us at no cost. It's worth checking them out thoroughly before you buy.
All in all I think it's a good trailer and we have had great fun with ours. |
Report to Moderator  |
|
|
Emagetic
Bronze Member
England
126 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 7:41:24 PM
|
| I'm glad you asked this Judith as I was wondering if these trailers were any good. Previously we've used Ifor W's as they are solid so it will be good to hear how people find them. |
     |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
nicolanapper
Platinum Member
England
4247 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 8:23:23 PM
|
Judith, Lyndilou has one, I know she is pleased with hers. Ask her yourself!
Nicky |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Pashon2001
Platinum Member
3575 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2008 : 8:36:14 PM
|
I've got one, its brill!! I don't use mine to live in so bought the Space Treka L (18 hand version). Much higher roof so less damage to rearing neddies! Also wider and longer horse area. Tows brilliantly. Mine doesnt have posh live in, the same sort of area but just saddle racks and seating in the jockey room. I prefer the breast bar fixed as I wouldnt want horse trying to walk forward over me to get out the grooms door! Warning though, absolutely everything is an extra with Equitrek, so check how much more you will be spending to have everything you want. Even the loading doors are extra, I also bought the head divider, although thats not essential I have stallions so don't want a squabble!
I have an Ifor Williams too, I just wanted to go for the 'lorry on a tow hitch' type trailer. |
     
www.jarvastud.com http://hocon.webs.com/ |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
KtP
New Member
8 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2008 : 1:54:30 PM
|
Hi Judith
I have an equi trek and I use it to go all over the country for Endurance. I also have the head divider as an optional extra as in my opinion it is too easy for the horse to get its head round the wrong way/ get tangled round the post without it. I have it facing backwards though.
I also opted to have the roof ventilater as it gets quite hot (even with all windows open) as there is no where for the hot air to go. We travelled down to mid france without one and had a very sweaty horse throughout the journey. There are 2 types of ventilater - we went for the cheaper 'skylight' type one and had no problems whilst travelling round the uk this season. Definitely recommend this extra!!
Katie
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Linette
Bronze Member
Scotland
103 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2008 : 5:02:02 PM
|
I have a triaxle big one with the full living in the front. I love my equitrek, horses travel so well in them and the living is handy for hanging around at shows and changing in.
Even though mine is the biggie one, it tows excellent (although I need a Disco to tow with and diesel costs a fortune).
Would definitely recommend but if buying secondhand, would suggest nothing older than 3 years as the earlier ones seem to have had a lot of minor problems, such as windows leaking, bolts coming out etc.
I bought mine as the 3 star ie without any living fitted as I was not impressed with equitreks quality of furniture and got a joiner to fit mine so its individual and very smart. But saw the latest Star trekka recently and the quality seems much better now (got my one 3 years ago). Have not been inside a show-trekka so can't comment on what the fittings are like.
They do seem to hold value well and getting much more common.
Good luck. |
   |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Diane Latham
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
151 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2008 : 10:13:58 PM
|
Hi Judith
Sorry to be a party pooper! We had one of the earlier ones the three axle top of the range with everything job. We saved hard because I really wanted one. It was a nightmare and the worst purchase I think I have ever made. We were so disappointed. I still don't know how they can justify the price, even with the more modern ones which I believe are of a better standard. The paint finish is not brilliant and the standard of workmanship leaves a lot to be desired - even on the more recent ones. Some of the older ones I have seen look tatty now.
Just a few of the problems we had in 2 short years:-
The trailer had to go back to the manufacturers twice and we had to really fight for customer service.
. The roof came unstuck and fell down inside the horse part - twice!
. The partition severed during a journey. You could see where the bad welding just gave way. The horse we had in at the time was fortunately very quiet and didn't add to the problem. We had insufficient faith in the Company to put that problem right so my Husband made a much better permanent job of it.
. The front window (in the living) flew out on a journey. To this day we don't know where it went! When we got home it wasn't there any more. The Company would not take responsibility for that and the dealer replaced it at their expense.
. The back door flew open on two occasions on a journey. Most disconcerting. We ended up locking the door in the end. Something that really worried me as it took longer to get to the horse(s) having to unlock each time.
. The jockey wheel severered.
. Everytime we hitched up if it had been raining we got soaked. Design fault.
. The Portaloo didn't work and had to go back.
. The door to the toilet area was warped and didn't close.
. The grips on the ramp holding the rubber in place came unfixed and bent (very flimsy).
Plus points. It was a delight to tow - we have a 4.2 Range Rover Auto.
The living area, although somewhat cramped was well thought out and on the whole reasonably designed.
The horses on the whole liked the travelling experience, but they didn't travel that much better to justify the price!
The horse area is too long and wide(on the model we had)for small Arabs and ponies. We have a pony who has always travelled well in a forward facing trailer and foward and herringbone horsebox and since a baby has loaded herself. She hated the Equitrek as she could not balance. Eventually, although she would always load, the minute we set off (even at crawling pace) she would throw herself on the floor. It was all too distressing so we sold it back to the dealer at a substantial loss as we didn't want any comebacks. We could't sell it privately at anywhere near the price it should have been worth. Incidentally, we have never had another problem with that pony since in any other form of transport.
The Dealer from whom we bought no longer sells Equitrek.
Just my thoughts. I really wish it had worked for us as it still makes me cross to think of the money we threw away and it really was my dream trailer.
We now have an old box that we had re-modelled to our own specification. It is sound and sturdy and the horses travel like a dream. We have an Ifor Williams Trailer, which we also use for other things, for taking one horse out and for shorter journeys. Both together cost us less than the Equitrek!!
As will be seen on earlier posts, many people are happy. Perhaps we just had a bad one.
If I were buying now I would do more research with the Company and the Dealer and would also look at and talk to people who have had their trailer for some years just to see how they wear and to get some feedback. If you had spoken to me in the first 6 months of ownerhsip I would have told you it was the bees knees!
Good Luck!
Di
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Joto
Gold Member
855 Posts |
Posted - 09 Oct 2008 : 10:28:34 PM
|
| Di a friend at a neighbouring yard to me had similar problems. I dont want to go into details but the whole thing was a nightmare for her . |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2008 : 6:00:34 PM
|
Thank you all for your interesting replies!
Well today we went to have a look at EQ trailers at dealers in S Wales.
I can report that we will NOT be changing our lorry or trailer for an ET!!!!
Their build quality/finish is not a patch on our present lorry/trailer!
Rather disappointed
Going to have a look at a Titan Trailer (American) - agent not far away.
|
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
jillandlomond
Platinum Member
Scotland
3586 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2008 : 7:09:00 PM
|
Glad you decided that Judith! I didn't want to sound like a party pooper either....BUT I've heard lots of negative comments about these trailers |
    
Borders, Scotland |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Diane Latham
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
151 Posts |
Posted - 10 Oct 2008 : 10:09:47 PM
|
Hi Judith
I didn't think you would like the ET having seen your lorry!
The Titan looks good and sturdy. They use the Goosenecks in America mostly. The Fautras is also one I would look at if I was about to buy again.
Di
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
firstlady
Gold Member
Wales
767 Posts |
|
|
garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 4:20:06 PM
|
We had horrendous problems with our Equitrek which resulted in a badly injured Red and eventually an out of court settlement (to make a very long story short). The engineer appointed by the court was all over it like Miss Marple and she produced quite a substantial dossier on its faults, fully illustrated with photos of damaged trailer, skin hanging off horse's leg and generally poor construction. We looked at an Equitrek at a show this year and they do seem to have smartened them up since our experience 4 years ago, and I know some people are perfectly happy with them, but you have probably made the right decision. They are often for sale in H&H (seemed like every week when we had our problems) and they are invariably used once - 6 months old - buying arena - getting divorced - or similar unlikely reasons for sale.
We bought a lorry after the Equitrek fiasco but this year, having taken up driving, we bought a Fautras 4 horse trailer and are very pleased with it. We take a Red, over 16hh, or Jim the Irish cob, standing herringbone, and the carriage, and they travel really well. There is a version with living but ours just has a tack area at the front in which we have fitted the Portaloo. Even OH is impressed with it and believe me that takes some doing! |
      |
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 4:23:58 PM
|
| Forgot to say - ours was the all-singing all-dancing 5 star tri-axle model with everything built in. People I have met who are satisfied tend to be those with the twin axle day living ones. |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 11 Oct 2008 : 8:46:05 PM
|
| Firstlady - couldn't remember the make - we need to talk!!! |
|
| Report to Moderator |
|
|
firstlady
Gold Member
Wales
767 Posts |
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked 