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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Has anyone got a single trailer?

39 replies

Greyhorses · 26/12/2017 09:43

Dreaming of options to get pony out one day Smile

I have a small 4x4 but have never towed.

Can't afford the outlay of a 3.5t unless I buy one that's older than time itself.

Has anyone ever had an ifor 401 or similar? How did you find it to use especially if you go on your own?

Don't really have a use for a double trailer and I also think it may be easier to have the narrower one?

Thanks!

OP posts:
TheWitchAndTrevor · 26/12/2017 15:24

We had one when I was a teen, so I didn't drive but my mum pulled it with her family sized car.

Only thing I remember that was important when looking for one, was it had to be twin axle for stability.

They may all be twin axle now anyway.

DonkeyNuts · 26/12/2017 19:34

I have one. A Cheval Liberte mare & foal trailer i.e. a single. I tow it with a 4*4 that can pull max 2.5 tonnes. I have a big horse so couldn't get the Ifor single.

I've never towed anything else so can't comment on how it compares to a double, but mine is slightly narrower than my car so visibility all round is good. Haven't been out on my own yet though.

Original poster
Greyhorses · 26/12/2017 20:08

Donkey did you do the trailer test or are you towing on a B?

I have a small pony and a 4x4 that can tow 2200kg so should be plenty!

OP posts:
Original poster
Greyhorses · 26/12/2017 20:09

Donkey did you do the trailer test or are you towing on a B?

I have a small pony and a 4x4 that can tow 2200kg so should be plenty!

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DonkeyNuts · 26/12/2017 20:48

I'm old enough not to need to do the test. Still not great at reversing it though! The place I bought it from showed me how to hitch and unhitch and I used YouTube for the rest.

A girl at my yard has the Ifor single and goes out with it on her own. Provided your pony loads without help it'd be fine.

MammaAgata · 26/12/2017 20:54

I too am old enough not to have done the test. I had an Ifor single which I bought in 2015 and sold earlier this year as my mare passed away. Sad It was fabulous, lovely and wide for s single horse and it’s the same width as an average vehicle so I knew which gaps I could fit through. It was lovely and light but felt sturdy. Really easy to use. Also I bought new, sold it 2 years later and what I ‘lost’ in depreciation was the equivalent of what I would have spent in that time frame hiring trailers or horse transport, for moving yards and a vet visit. Loved it! It was the HB403 from memory.

MammaAgata · 26/12/2017 20:56

I had a Honda CRV diesel which can tow 2000kg and I worked it all out and the weight of single ifor and horse I was well under the weight limit.

Original poster
Greyhorses · 27/12/2017 07:43

Sorry to hear about your horse Mamma Sad

They seem to be like gold dust to find second hand but my budget would be around £2000 so I couldn't afford new.

I've seen some Bateson ones that are really light at 670kg but they only have rear unload which I don't think mare will like!

I have a small 4x4 which can tow 2200kg. Horse is no more than 500kg and trailer at 750kg should leave me well within the limits Smile

OP posts:
DonkeyNuts · 27/12/2017 11:28

I also bought mine new. There was only one second hand one for sale in the entire country at the time, 3 yrs old and only £1k cheaper than buying new! I think used Ifors are a bit easier to find though. You'll probably be better off buying a double for that budget.

MammaAgata · 27/12/2017 13:42

@donkey, I bought my ifor new for 4K ant sold it for £3.5k so in reality it cost me £500 for 2 years use.. in that 2 years i uses it about 10-12 times. So on average £50 per trip. And must less hassle than hiring a trailer or booking horse transport. They are indeed like hens teeth though and really keep their price. As soon as I went to sell mine, it went immediately and a lady bought it from miles away (and became friends on FB!).

marialuisa · 27/12/2017 17:13

I used to tow a single Cheval Liberte, went from north Derbyshire to Somerset with it no problems. I used it for a pony and towed with a Passat estate before buying a 4x4. All quite legal without having to do dreaded test. I could cry that I sold it, especially as had to do so in a hurry so only charged £1k (it was immaculateSad)

marialuisa · 27/12/2017 17:16

And when I started towing with it, DD was 9 so fine to load her pony but useless with reversing support. I did go down a dead end in North Yorkshire and couldn't manoeuvre. We unloaded dpony, unhitched, moved the car, rehitched and reloaded. I was very glad it was so light!

MammaAgata · 27/12/2017 18:24

I would add for any one else reading this out of interest.. I had a reversing camera in my 9 year old CRV.. made hitching up kids work. Took me oh! About 3 mins instead of the 45 mins it took my friend without the camera. If you’re looking to buy a car to tow with, get one with a reversing camera, I didn’t know I needed it until I needed it.

Original poster
Greyhorses · 27/12/2017 21:44

Thankyou all.

How did you all find towing? The thought is pretty scary but then again if others can I'm sure I can give it a go Blush

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DonkeyNuts · 27/12/2017 22:54

Towing is fine. Practice with the empty trailer first. The general rule is to drive like and old granny but I'm comfortable at 55ish on the motorway now. Just take it easy on corners and accept that you might never master reversing!

GreyMorning · 27/12/2017 23:49

I have a small 4x4 which can tow 2200kg. Horse is no more than 500kg and trailer at 750kg should leave me well within the limits

Don't you have to use the max weight of the trailer, so for the 401 that's 1600kg, so that only leaves you with 100kg for passengers, fuel, tack, water and hay.

A small 4x4 is going to be underpowered up hill and more likely to be pushed downhill than a decent 4x4. It would be a safer set up to buy a bigger 4x4 and take your trailer test.

Original poster
Greyhorses · 28/12/2017 06:30

I couldn't afford to run a huge 4x4 Grey, not for the sake of towing once per month Blush
It's the same reason it's not worth running a lorry...I would use it monthly and its not worth the costs!

Ive had the weights etc checked by the dvla and a towing instructor who both assured me that it was the actual weight being towed that counts not the max weight but I'll check that again thanks!

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DonkeyNuts · 28/12/2017 09:26

My 44 has a 2.2l engine and costs a bloody fortune in diesel each week. For the sake of towing a couple of times a month it was a foolhardy purchase and I'd have been better off buying a very old discovery to use just for towing, keeping a non 44 for daily use.

Original poster
Greyhorses · 28/12/2017 11:58

Donkey mine isn't too bad thankfully Grin
It averages about 40mpg and I originally got it as I have stupidly large and dirty dogs that I wanted a big boot for plus we live on a rubbish road that is terrible in winter.
It's not a large 4x4 at all more of an SUV with 4x4.

Positive side it can tow though and does it well which is something I didn't actually buy it for!

I really would rather a lorry but I can't justify the outlay for the sake of once a month trip to the local riding school or beach. Tax and insurance alone per month would be more than the trailer would cost over a year!

OP posts:
GreyMorning · 28/12/2017 15:01

GreyHorses: Taken from the DVLA website

If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can: drive a car or van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass ( MAM ) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.

GreyMorning · 28/12/2017 15:02

You may also find that your insurance would be invalid.

If you are only going out once a month why not hire a 3.5t self drive lorry?

GreyMorning · 28/12/2017 15:06

The other advantage of doing your test is that someone teaches you the safety aspect.

DH has been towing for years and is a very competent tower but recently did his test and he says he learnt an awful lot from it

Original poster
Greyhorses · 28/12/2017 15:34

Greymorning the whole combination would be less than 3500kg if I downplate the trailer as the dvla have advised however I am considering the test. The thing that puts me off is the fact it took me 4 attempts to pass the first one due to nerves! I would definitely have lessons regardless as ive never towed in my life!

Hiring is an option however it's rediculouslg expensive here and also very limited, there are 2 companies which book months in advance and always for the good events Confused

OP posts:
DonkeyNuts · 28/12/2017 20:10

Just seen this...

Has anyone got a single trailer?
Original poster
Greyhorses · 28/12/2017 20:17

Thankyou donkey that's the sort of thing I'm looking for! Shame I need a year or two to save for it Grin

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