Month: May 2026

Spring is very much in bloom, and for many in the agricultural sector, it is all systems go to ensure that you make the most of the season before summer and autumn change everything.

In many livestock sectors, particularly those involving cattle, March to May is the time when cash prices are at their seasonal high, with the summer season often also proving lucrative to farmers and shepherds who are prepared to take full advantage.

What this also means is that most in the sector have absolutely no time to waste with tools that are not suited for safely, securely and efficiently caring for and transporting livestock to market.

With our partners at Ifor Williams, we can offer the best livestock trailers for your business, with a decades-long reputation for versatility, robustness and durability. But how do you know which one is right for you?

The best way to choose is to examine your needs, your budget and whether you require specialisation or versatility more in livestock transportation.

With all of that in mind, here are some questions to ask yourself and ask an expert in agricultural equipment in order to steer you in the right direction.

 

What Do You Need From Your Trailer?

Ultimately, your animals will come first when choosing a livestock trailer, and any trailer you choose will need to ensure they are comfortable and safe when attached to your towing vehicle and driven to the local market, auction or trading location.

However, exactly which trailer you need for this role will depend on a wide range of factors. The Ifor Williams DP120, for example, is ideal for transporting a large number of sheep or other medium-sized livestock but may not be as useful for transporting fully-grown cattle.

With that in mind, here are five of the biggest considerations to make with your trailer.

 

What Animals Do You Expect To Transport?

Ultimately, animals come first in any livestock business, and you need to ensure that your trailer is suitable for the needs of any animal you need to transport. A horsebox, such as a HB Range, is very different from a trailer used to transport goats.

Some livestock need proper ventilation and high roofs to be comfortable, whilst others need tighter slats and secure canopies to stop any animal breaking free.

As well as this, bigger animals require larger capacities and weight limits for your trailer.

 

How Many Animals Are You Transporting?

The more animals you have to move at a time, the larger and more robust a trailer you need. The worst possible choice you can make is choosing a trailer that is not big enough for the purpose.

There are options available to make the most of your space, however; the DP range comes with Ifor Williams’ signature EasyLoad ramp and folding deck, perfect for carrying smaller livestock such as calves, sheep and goats.

 

How Far Are You Travelling?

The further you intend to travel, the more important the driving experience is not only for the driver but for the livestock themselves. Longer journeys on motorways and busy dual carriageways can lead to conditions that can potentially stress animals in the wrong circumstances.

In terms of controllability, this not only affects the type of suspension and brakes on your trailer but also the type of connection your trailer has, the ventilation in your trailer and whether you need to consider features such as easy access to water.

Similarly, if you are making frequent journeys, an easy-to-load, install and attach trailer is vital to ensure you avoid spending too much time getting ready to travel.

 

What Are The Road And Terrain Conditions?

Farms and agricultural businesses often have to deal with varying types of terrain, and anything your off-road towing vehicle has to handle, so too does your trailer.

Whilst most farms will ensure that the amount of time a trailer spends in mud, dirt or difficult gravel is at a medium, it could require you to choose a trailer with stronger suspension springs or higher ground clearance.

 

What Is Your Budget?

Trailers vary considerably in size, features, technology, design and materials, and choosing the right one for your business often means avoiding the extremes in terms of price. 

Set a realistic budget, considering the total cost of ownership, remembering that great value is not always seen with the upfront price.

Sometimes a cheap trailer is the right choice, sometimes the most expensive top-of-the-range model is the right option, but look for the best value for money based on how you actually intend to use your trailer.

Regardless of what kind of trailer you will be towing behind your vehicle, it is your responsibility to ensure that it is in a roadworthy condition. 

While trailers don’t have to undergo the same kind of annual MOT like other vehicles do, they are required to have an annual test if they have an unladen weight of over 1,020kg with powered braking systems.

Similarly, any horsebox with a gross weight of 3,500kg or more will need to be inspected each year.

Even if your trailer doesn’t require an official annual test, it is still best practice to ensure it is roadworthy and to regularly carry out checks on its condition. This is both for your safety and that of other road users.

In addition, if you are pulled over because your trailer is not in a roadworthy condition, you could receive a substantial fine and even points on your driving licence. 

This is why it’s advisable to pay for trailer servicing at regular intervals, as this can help you keep on top of your trailer maintenance, catch potential issues early and ensure you do not fall foul of the law. 

With that in mind, what should you be looking out for when you assess the condition of your trailer? 

 

What to look for when checking your trailer’s condition

There are several key elements to look at when inspecting your trailer to ensure it is roadworthy and safe to use. 

 

Trailer connection

First and foremost, you should look at the connection between the trailer and the vehicle to ensure there are no signs of damage and that the trailer can be hitched according to the manufacturer’s specifications. 

 

Breakaway cable

The breakaway cable also needs to be checked to ensure it is in good working order, as this is what will apply the brakes on your trailer should it become disconnected from your vehicle while you are on the road.

It is also essential that this cable has the correct amount of slack, so that it can’t accidentally apply the brakes while you’re towing the trailer. 

 

Tyres and wheels

As with any vehicle, you need to ensure that your tyres have the correct tread depth and that there are no signs of damage to the walls of the tyre or any indications of a puncture. 

Also make sure that the tyres are inflated to meet the specification based on the load you’ll be carrying in your trailer. Before you carry out any journey, it’s important to ensure your tyre pressure is correct for both safety reasons and to keep your trailer and tyres in peak condition.

This is also when you should check that the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct level of torque. 

 

Indicators and lights

Finally, make sure your lights and indicators are working as they should. This is crucial because other road users will be unable to see the lights on your vehicle clearly when you are towing a trailer. 

This means turning or overtaking could be dangerous if your signals aren’t clear to others. Checking these before you set off is essential, because you have no way of noticing if one of your indicators isn’t working while you’re on the road – unless another driver tells you. 

 

What you need to know about brake testing for trailers

When you take your trailer or horsebox for its annual test, it’s essential that it is laden to an appropriate level. 

This has been a requirement of the DVLA since 2023, because it is difficult for inspectors to check that a trailer’s brakes are working as intended when they are not carrying enough weight. 

You don’t have to bring your trailer laden with what you usually carry. Instead it needs to be ballast that hits the right weight for your trailer to be loaded to 65 per cent of its capacity. 

Since a focus on brake testing for both trailers and heavy goods vehicles was introduced in 2014, the DVLA noted that the number of vehicles failing their annual test due to brake issues has fallen to less than two per cent. 

 

How to prepare for an annual test

The best way to prepare for an annual test for your trailer is to take it to a dedicated service technician for Iford Williams trailers. These experienced mechanics know exactly what to look for to ensure the safety of any trailer they service.

They can highlight potential issues ahead of your test and ensure that these are rectified before you spend the money and take the time to go for the annual test. 

By planning ahead, you give yourself peace of mind that your trailer is in a safe, roadworthy condition and you save yourself the unnecessary expenses associated with a failed annual road safety test.

Summer is on its way and many will be thinking about where to go on holiday. With flight prices on the rise, taking to the UK’s roads this season for a staycation or perhaps a road trip across Europe.

Spending on domestic tourism is rising year-on-year, and in the 2024 Great Britain Tourism Survey 2024, 5.8 million camping trips were taken. 

While in the EU, over 413 million nights were spent in camping and caravan parks in 2025. If your preference is for camping rather than cottages, you might want to consider a domestic car trailer. 

 

What are the advantages of a trailer for camping trips?

 

Extra space

Camping requires a great deal more kit than a hotel or resort holiday. Everything needs to come with you, from tents and sleeping bags to cooking facilities and even a washing-up bowl. 

Having extra space means you don’t have to leave anything behind or play 3D Tetris when packing the car. There will also be more space for passengers, making the ride far more comfortable. 

 

Adventure and activity equipment

With a trailer, there will be room to bring the bikes, the volleyball net and the surfboards, or any outdoor gear, without the need to strap anything to the roof. Top boxes and equipment on roof racks create drag and increase fuel consumption on motorways.

 

Expanding families

Extra people mean extra luggage, food and equipment needed for your trip. If your family is growing, a trailer can free up some extra seats in the back of the car so all the kids can come camping. 

 

Storage 

Once you have arrived at your destination, when the tent is up and the barbecue is on, you can use your trailer for storing equipment and other items so they don’t clutter your living space.

 

What type of trailer should you choose?

Trailers for domestic use are usually compact and lightweight. Perfectly-sized for camping trips, they are usually up to 750kg, although larger Ifor Williams domestic trailers are available. 

 

Open 

An open trailer has no sides and is essentially a flat platform on a frame. This may not be the best option for carrying luggage and camping gear, but it can be useful for loading up motorbikes and equipment such as kayaks.

 

Closed

These are trailers with panelled or mesh sides that can be dropped down for access. They can be protected from the weather with a trailer tarpaulin or cover. The tarp can also prevent wind drag and loss of any contents while driving. 

 

Box

These trailers have sides and a closed roof, usually with access to the rear or side of the trailer. The contents are more secure when travelling, although the trailers themselves weigh more than open-platform trailers. 

They are also useful if you have equipment you want to keep dry and secure once you have pitched your tent. 

 

What do you need to know about towing capacity?

The towing capacity is the amount of weight your car can safely tow. This usually depends on how big and heavy the car is and how powerful the engine is. 

You can find out how much your car can tow by checking the VIN plate under the bonnet, checking your car’s handbook or V5C logbook.

On the VIN plate, there are usually two numbers: the maximum allowable mass (MAM) and the maximum train mass, which is the maximum combined weight given by the manufacturer of the vehicle and what it is towing. 

A little simple maths will give you the weight your car can tow when fully laden. 

However, advice for beginners to towing is to start with a lower weight trailer that is 85 per cent of the kerbweight of the car (found on your V5C under Mass In Service). This makes it easier to drive and safer to manoeuvre on the road and when parking.

 

What kind of driver’s licence do you need to tow a trailer?

When you passed your driver’s test will determine what you are allowed to tow. You’ll need to have passed your full driving licence, but currently, there are no additional mandatory tests for towing trailers. However, you can do safe towing courses to learn how to pull a trailer.

If you got your licence before 1 January 1997, then you are automatically able to drive a car towing a trailer with a combined weight of up to 8,250kg. This is the MAM when the vehicle and the trailer are fully loaded. 

For those who got their licence after 1 January 1997, you will need a Category BE valid on your licence to tow anything over a 750kg trailer and tow up to a 3,500kg MAM, with a combined weight of up to 7,000kg. 

Should you choose to spend your summer holiday under canvas, a small domestic trailer could make your travels easier and your getaway unforgettable.