HELP How old is old for an ifor williams trailer

[OwnedbyChanter]

OH and I have been looking for weeks for a Ifor 505 with no luck. They are either under 5 years old and around £2500, between 5-9 for arounf £2000 of over 10 for under £1500.

Now we don't mind paying out but I really want an alloy floor and not te ones with the wooden sides. I have seen one for £1500 that is about 10 years old is this to much??? Is a 10 years old trailer to old? HELP

 

[Kc Mac]

Sorry just seen this

The 505 I have sole use of is about 12years old now and still in great working order. It has been owned from new and the floor was replaced about 5 years ago as it had started to rot, which I believe is the only real issues it has had.

It had been stood for a few years without being moved and went for a service and was fine

So older ones can be good and I would expect anything over 10years should probably have a new floor. No idea on prices although they do seem to hold their value!

 

[Skippys Mum]

Thats a reasonable price for them. They really do hold their value. Currently, the most recent old style ones (they brought out a new model a couple of years ago) are actually selling around here for more than they originally cost. The very new style doesnt seem to be nearly as good - a few design faults and poor build quality means the most recent older style are being snapped up as fast as they come on the market!

 

[Demson]

I have an Ifor Williams and your right not to buy one unless it has an alluminium floor and a factory fitted one at that. Not one that was put in later as these too have been known to brake.

Some people have no problems with wooden floors but there are risks especially with second hand trailers that the floor has not been looked after and rots making the floor unsafe. Personnally I would always be afraid of my horse going through a wooden floor or a replacement alluminium floor coming away and sustaining a serious injury

I would never buy a trailer more than 5 years old and it must have its service history. The good thing with Ifor Williams is that they last years and looked after still look as new even at 5years +

The going price for an IW max 5yrs old with a service history is around £2600 - £3000 but then you know your getting trailer and if you are lucky like I was you could pick one up cheaper. (Mine was £2450)

You probably already know but just a tip. Check underneath that all is okay, check brakes, wiring etc.

 

[fjordlady]

Ifor Williams trailers tend to really hold their value. If you get the serial number off the trailer a local dealer can tell you the age and run a check to see if it has been reported stolen. Our local dealer did that for free for us. We bought an old trailer but then had a new floor fitted by the dealer, brake cables renewed and a service. Would add I have taken each year since for a service too. I would always get the floor of a trailer checked by a dealership - the risk is just too great.

 

[Wally]

Ours has to be about 8 years old now, clean as a whistle, it gets a good going over at the dealers every 2 years or so. A really good investment.

 

[Demson]

Also don't skimp on wheel locks, thieves can and will get into them. The good ones are expensive but they do the job. wheel locks need to go on the back wheels as well as I have heard how those trailers with the locks on the front wheels the thieves have just raised the front end and took it away.

A lock for the hitch is a good idea as well.

 

[Niv2]

I've just bought a 4.5 year old 505 after looking at a number of 505s of varying ages. Most of the older trailers I looked at needed some work doing to them, mainly to side panels. Furthermore, Ifor Williams put galvanized door fittings on the older trailers and these rust...more modern trailers have stainless steel fittings. I figured it was better to pay a little bit more for a newer trailer rather than buy an older trailer and have to do some work to it ( I was quoted about £300 per side to supply and fit panels by a dealer)

The only thing that really annoys me is that, despite using Stainless steel fittings on my trailer, Ifor Williams fixed them all using ordinary steel bolts and nuts; these are rusting and I have spent a further £30 buying replacements in stainless steel. Also the paint coating on the steel wheels is poor, as is the paint finish to the two axles. You would have thought that Ifor Williams would have done a better job of finishing the trailers in these areas; after all, the costs involved would have been minimal at the time of construction.

Apart from those matters, the trailer looks like new and I am pleased with it.