Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms IFOR Williams HB511 - first season experience

Well,

just one year ago I consulted the community and got very positive feedback on this horse trailer, and I bought one new from the German dealership. I promised to report my experience after one year, so here it is:

First of all the trailer is extremely solid. Very well built. And what is even more important: the horse loves it. After struggling to make the horse feel comfortable in other trailers, it does not make any trouble entering the trailer. I assume that the trailer has a lto of light inside due to windows, white interior panels and a large front access ramp. Also the sides are vertical up to the roof and the inside doesn´t look like a dark cave from the outside. Sometimes during a tournament we leave him (the horse) for two hours in the trailer and he does not show any signs of anxiousness at all.

The build quality is very good. After one year the trailer does nardly show any signs of use, no corrosion, nothing broken or torn. Everything works like new. There are especially no issues with the plastic attachments like hinges etc. which are easy to operate and not sticking.

The only point is that lifting the ramps is quite a heavy work because the gas springs do not support the first meter of the lifting action too much. It seems that the kinematics of the springs is still subject to development. Apart from that, the handling is very pleasant. Sometimes it feels more like rugged agricultural equipment and not like any high-tech sophisticated gadget, but that is just what I need for that purpose.

Cleaning the trailer after use is easy, driving is always safe. Remember that it is a bit more heavy (total max. weight 2.8 tons) and bulky than other streamlined trailers, so that a big tow car really helps moving it.

So far we are very happy with the trailer. Best buy 2015.

Andreas

Glad you're happy, Andreas. In my view Ifor Williams make the best trailers around, of whatever type.

Many thanks for the update. Our Rice Beaufort (10 years old) will be traded in on an HB511 and your review is the final piece of the jigsaw in persuading Mrs F that this is an essential change.

I have an Ifor Williams 8x4 foot trailer I bought years ago, it lives outside and is still in excellent condition, thoroughly recommend them.

Paul, I have ordered the HB511 with the option of the "split rear ramp", which I find convenient. It allows to open the rear ramp in a lorry-style, i.e. like two doors.
This has some advantages in use, namely we can clean the interior without having to wash all the stuff ("apples" that is) over the ramp. The ramp has some kind of mesh as a non slippery surface and that part doesn´t clean well. Furthermore we can, before unloading the horse, clean the apples so that the horse does not walk through them, which again makes cleaning easier and prevents slippery stuff from depositing on the ramp. Finally, wehne the trailer sits in the barn, we need less space at the rear end to get in, because the ramp needs about 1.50 m to open, while one door can just be open a bit to let you slip in.
Hope that helps.
Best,
Andreas

Helps very much - thank you Andreas.