Trailers

Latest Articles

Trailers
Page 1, 2 Next

Downsizer Forum Index -> Livestock and Pets

Author

Message

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 16 11:05 pm Post subject: Trailers

I could do with one. I mainly want it for hauling the astonishing collection of someone else's junk off the land (you wouldn't believe the junk!) and carrying green waste, straw, compost, wood etc about. A reasonable box trailer would do for that, but as I'm dithering about small livestock this spring or next I'm wondering about getting something that can shift them about as well.

I'm reasonably confident towing, and my 1.9 Skoda Octavia tows the caravan well. It would be helpful to have something lil ol me can handle alone (the current caravan is just slightly too heavy for me shift, which is a pain, requiring extremely precise reversing!) The previous one was manageable) and that I don't need additional licence/tests for on my post 2000 licence. I don't plan on replacing the car anytime soon, so I wouldn't want anything larger than it could sensibly handle.

What should I look for or beware of, at what sort of prices? Do trailers need any sort of MOT type test? I'm sure they were thinking of bringing them in for caravans at one point.

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 9:22 am Post subject:
no mot yet.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 9:26 am Post subject:
What livestock are you planning on getting? Go from there.

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 10:39 am Post subject:
A 6 x 4 Ifor Williams with top removable and fold down sides seems to fit your bill.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 11:20 am Post subject:

Ty Gwyn wrote:

A 6 x 4 Ifor Williams with top removable and fold down sides seems to fit your bill.

The only reason I'd disagree is because she said she might be getting alpacas. You'd have to joint them carefully to get them in.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 2:34 pm Post subject:

Yes, sheep, goats, alpacas. Something like that, nothing bigger.

I've been borrowing a 5x3 and half box trailer, which is nice to handle, it is a bit small for hay, straw and logs though.

Looking a sheep trailer prices, they seem to be three times the price of anything else. I'm not sure that's really worth it for the little I might need to move stock. Except then I'd have no means of moving stock in an emergency, which doesn't seem wise (I can't think of anyone I know locally who has one I can borrow either)

I wonder if you can hire them occasionally?

I've been looking at 8x5 trailers with mesh sides this morning, which fall in between price wise, but I'm wondering whether it would end up being neither one thing or the other - not manageable for yours truly, not suitable for stock. It's about the right size, and perfect if I could secure a lid for emergency stock transfer.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 2:46 pm Post subject:
Big enough for an alpaca? Sheep and pigs, I'd agree with Ty. It's what I have. With a sheet of mesh for a lid when I needed to ship pigs. Dead light to move by hand, plenty big enough for baling in the summer. You can certainly hire a horse box if you needed to. But in an emergency that might not be fast enough. Emergencies tend to happen on a Sunday of bank holiday weekends.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 2:49 pm Post subject:
It's just another argument against alpacas really.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 2:52 pm Post subject:

sean wrote:

It's just another argument against alpacas really.

We are in the post truth economy.

Brexit means alpacas.
Making camelids great again.
Experts schmexperts.

She already owns a caravan. Common sense has left the building.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 4:00 pm Post subject:

Good point. In a real emergency, I could always put an alpaca in the caravan. I've got those special mirrors now, too.

I haven't made any decisions. But I need something that eats grass and poos. Chez is trying to persuade me to get emus. I think building the perches would be a pain.

How many small bales can you get in a 6x4 trailer? I'd reckoned the 4 foot width would limit you to three per layer. Although that's better than one in the skoda.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 4:11 pm Post subject:
16. But four are resting on top, beyond the wire frames sides. I wouldn't take it on the road without strapping them on.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 4:16 pm Post subject:
Thanks.

Nick

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 16 4:26 pm Post subject:
It means I do a lot of driving between field and barn but this means I get a lot of rest when baking. I'm not a real farmer. It also fits the eight bale sledge the baler drags so it's very tidy in that sense.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Sun Nov 20, 16 7:40 pm Post subject:

As you do not have BE on your licence you do have to watch what you tow.

Whats is your cars MAM? (Maximum Authorised Mass)
For reference what is your caravans MLPM? (Maximum Legally Permitted Mass)

You will be allowed to tow any unbraked trailer as it will be under 750kg MAM.

Then you can drive a combination of up to 3500kg GTW (Gross Train Weight). GTW is the sum of the cars MAM & the trailers MAM/ MLPM.

All weights for non BE licence holders are the plated weights not the real weights so you can not tow an empty heavier type trailer even if its real weight is below your limits.

Be extra careful borrowing trailers. Any faults they have are your problem if stopped & its likely they are plated to suit the owners car not yours.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Sun Nov 20, 16 9:07 pm Post subject:
Nicky Colour it Green has one to sell.

	Downsizer Forum Index -> Livestock and Pets	All times are GMT Page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2

View Latest Posts