New Horse Box....

[gussmith]

Thinking of buying a new horsebox.....

Usually just borrow one but I think its causing a bit of gripe between owner and someone else who sometimes borrows box!!! (why is life never simple!) So for a quite life would like to investigate the options...

Any suggestions?

What type (Make / Model) of horse box do people use / recommend?

[Teegee]

Well we have always found the Ifor Williams 510 to be excellent. We have a friend in the UK - who runs a large trailer rental company, and she says that the new 511's are not nearly as robust. She ordered 6 for her new fleet, 3 arrived initially and have given so much trouble with bits falling off, that she has cancelled the other 3 and decided to keep her older 510's. We haven't tried one - but that is her summing up. I am sure that they will sort out the problems at some stage.

[Alibear]

I have an Ifor 505 (have owned it for nearly 4 years now) and I've never had any problems with it - Except on two occasions when the wheels locked (but this was sorted by reversing and driving forward with it a couple of times). I really like the look of the new 506 and 511 models I have to say...

[Teegee]

A lot depends on the size of your horse. The 505 is designed to take 2 horses up to 16.2 and the 510 for 2 over 16.2.

The new trailers may look nice - but not much use if bits keep falling off. However she may have had the only 3 duff ones. The roofs leak, the fittings are falling off etc. She is not happy with them. However perhaps someone will have a more positive experience.

[Alibear]

A friend of mine has the 511 and she loves it, she might just have been lucky though! :p

Yes, Ali's 16.1hh and the headspace in my 505 is quite tight.

[Ashlingm]

jacks about 17.1 or 2 (tried measuring him the other night) and he fits in the 505 no problem. his ears touch the roof but it dosent bother him at all. he fits in it with the partition in....

ive only ever once had a problem and that was a wheel locking but the box had been outside unused for a few months..

[xxkarenxx]

I have a 505 too. It is great and really earns it's keep!

[Teegee]

We have to have a 7'6" minimum internal height on anything that we use, so we have to follow those regs. However only rarely use a trailer.

[High_Stepper]

I'm happy with my Ifor 505, I bought it second hand and it's 3 years old i think. It has an annoying rattle off the back ramp though.

[Teezer]

Ifor 510, you should find a very clean 2nd hand one for 4000-5000 euro thats needs nothing repaired/replaced. new boxes are selling for approx 6500-7500 i think. so save yourself a few quid.
I bought a 2nd hand 510 about 2 years ago for 4500euro and use it every weekend and have done trips of 180miles (with a break for an hour) and the box behaved brilliantly. It takes 2 17hh horses in comfort no problem.
if you go and look at a 2nd hand box, crawl underneath it to check it has a metal floor and have a general look at the chassis for any damage.
good luck!!

[storm]

We have a 510 too :nod: We bought it second hand about two years ago (I think)...great horse box :)

[Niamhy]

Or 3 years ago Storm? Jesus I cant remember?

Anyway.. great box the 510!

ETA - Just Checked a photo I have of it, in your driveway, bought in March 06!!

[storm]

Just over 2 years ago so...it seems like we've had it forever :nod:

[Red Rosette]

I have a 505 bought 2nd hand a few years ago, has given no problems and is very easy to tow. Equus has the 510 and loves it for Dakota who is much bigger that H. The two travel very happily in the 510.

[armargo]

My poor horse box is a good few years old, I've just put in a new wooden floor in it and repaired a hole at the bottom of the side by the jockey door ...... wiring is in place just to be connected to the new lights and then have to get the ramp done as it has a few crack lines starting to show and doesn't feel as sturdy as it should be ...... once all that has been done I suppose I should treat it to some newer tyres and you never know I may even give it a lick of paint.

Would love to be able to afford a new one or even a newer one, a front ramp would be nice too, maybe one day but at the moment I couldn't justify spending a couple of thousand on something that wasn't in regular use.

One can always dream but in the meantime I'll keep towing my heavy oldie around the place :)

Sheena

[Ebyss]

I have a 510 also, and love it. I liked the look of the new Ifor Williams, but after reading what Teegee said I would steer clear.

[Teegee]

Don't forget this is not our personal experience, but this person has been operating a large fleet of ifor Williams trailers for years.

Alibear says that she has a friend who has had no problems with hers.

[xxkarenxx]

A woman who works with my mum got a lovely red one and has had awful trouble with it. There is a problem with the ramp and it keeps jiggling a bit and the jockey door opens when she is driving. She is trying to get the company to take it back

[1whitesock]

Have a 505 since last october and it's getting lots of mileage - usually used at least 3 times a week over the summer, no problems at all with it - bought it from someone I know who buys in second hand and reconditions & sells on he does a really good job & a few friends of mine have bought off him - I bought from him because I was wary at buying from the buy & sell as so many trailers are stolen etc. - can pm you his details if u like (not working on commission I promise!)

[armargo]

bought it from someone I know who buys in second hand and reconditions & sells on he does a really good job & a few friends of mine have bought off him - can pm you his details if u like

What part of the country is he in as I know someone who may be interested ?

thanks, Sheena

[TexMex]

Hi Gussmith, We have a 505, no probs so far but early days yet. Have also heard good things about Cheval Liberte trailers. Was looking into that too. Lady I used to work with has one (and would definitely respect her opinion re horses) ad finds it great. Cheval lIberte are a lot lighter (750 kg unladen, as opposed to 905kg unladen for the 505) Depending on your towing vehicle this may not matter at all, but bear in mind that heavier trailer = higher diesel consumption, so if you're doing a lot of travelling, may be worth thinking about!!