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When it comes to choosing the right trailer, whether you need to transport bulk materials for a small business, tow a horsebox or require a trailer to fit a typical car for additional carrying capacity, there are a range of factors to consider.

Beyond the trailers themselves, of which we have an extensive selection manufactured by Ifor Williams and your particular needs, one essential factor to keep in mind is ensuring you are legally able to tow a particular trailer.

This can be somewhat complex, as the law surrounding towing trailers varies depending on when you passed your driving test, the type of car you are using and the overall combinations of weight classifications for both the car and trailer.

What Can You Tow With A Standard Car License?

There are a lot of different types of vehicle categories that can be part of your driver’s license, and passing your driving test gives you access to several of these that you can legally drive without additional training.

Typically, anyone who has passed their driving test will have the ability to drive cars that have a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) or Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of up to 3,500kg. 

This is roughly the weight of a Range Rover or a Ford Transit van and includes the weight of the car itself and how much it can legally carry inside or securely on top of it.

A car driving license is officially known as a category B license and allows you to also tow a trailer up to the maximum rated weight of the vehicle itself, which is officially known as category BE.

Where it becomes confusing is that the exact towing limits vary depending on when you passed your driving test.

Why Are The Weight Limits Different?

If you passed your test before New Year’s Day 1997, you can tow a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg in most cases, with varying combinations allowed for heavier cars and lighter towing vehicles.

However, a modern driving license separates the car and trailer weights, so you are allowed to drive any vehicle with up to eight seats that weighs up to 3,500kg, and tow a trailer that weighs up to the same, for a total towing capacity of 7,000kg.

This has changed since 2021, when the limit was just 750kg unless you took the additional B+E test.

The reason why this is different is largely the result of the grandfather clause; to avoid disruption to businesses, sole traders and minibus drivers who relied on the original weight limits as written, anyone who passed their test before 1997 could still use the old regulations and clauses for as long as they could use their license.

What Happens If You Need A Bigger Trailer?

For the most part, our horseboxes, trailers, and even our larger Transporta have a gross weight on or under the limit, so the standard limit provides a lot of options, as long as you have a vehicle which has the required towing capacity.

However, if you need either a larger towing vehicle or require a specialised vehicle, you can apply to upgrade your license to increase the capacity of the vehicle you can legally drive.

There was previously a trailer MAM limit of 750 kg on a category BE license unless you took an additional test for a B+E license, but whilst that requirement has been removed, there are still several schemes, such as the Safe Towing Scheme, that will train drivers to tow safely.

However, if you need a substantially bigger trailer or need to use a heavier vehicle, then you can apply for a Category C1+E license, which will allow you to drive any vehicle up to 7,500kg, which would be the size of a medium-sized box van, and any trailer as long as the combination is no heavier than 12,000kg.

If you need any more than this, such as to tow our StockMaster trailer, you will need a category CE license.

Are There Any Other Limitations Surrounding Trailers?

Almost all of our range of trailers that we supply are specifically designed to keep within the 3,500kg MAM limit to give you peace of mind; as long as you have the right towing vehicle and a full driving license, you can use any of our trailers.

We also keep within the width and length limits for trailers with the vast majority of the trailers we supply, so they are no wider than 2.55 metres and no longer than seven metres.

If you run an equestrian business, have a passion for polo or horse racing, or own horses yourself, transportation is a major welfare consideration.

Part of this is a matter of legality; there are animal welfare laws concerning the transportation of horses, and you must use a vehicle designed to avoid causing “injury and suffering”.

This should not be new to any horse owner, but it does mean that choosing the right horse trailer matters a lot, and there is a reason why we supply a wide range to suit every owner and every need.

We are the primary distributor for Ifor Williams in Yorkshire, and since they produce more horse trailers than any other company in the United Kingdom, here are some top tips for choosing the right trailer for your needs.

Think About How Much You Plan To Carry

The first and most crucial step when it comes to choosing a trailer is to think about carrying capacity, something so important that it is affixed to the chassis of your trailer.

To calculate the carrying capacity, subtract the maximum gross weight of your trailer from its unladen weight to get its overall capacity

For example, the incredibly versatile HBX range has carrying capacities that range from 880kg for the single-horse HBX403 to 1755kg for the double-horse HBX511, with an extended capacity suitable for horses up to 17.2hh (70 inches) each.

The standard HB511 is not far from this mark either with its 1700kg capacity for storing two horses in its partitioned space.

It is important to note that the carrying capacity includes everything that you need, not just the horse. If you need to carry additional equipment in the trailer as opposed to the boot of your towing vehicle, make sure to factor that into your trailer decision.

At the uppermost end is the Eventa L, which has a similar carrying capacity, but also has additional space for your living needs as well as the horse’s.

Check Your Driving License

Something that is essential to keep in mind is not only the size of the trailer needed for your horse, but also what you are legally allowed to drive.

The maximum authorised mass (MAM) that you are allowed to drive includes not only the horse trailer’s gross weight but also the towing vehicle’s as well.

Exactly how much you can carry depends on when you passed your driving test, as the two sets of rules diverge somewhat.

Before 1997, someone with a standard driving license could tow a vehicle with a combined MAM of 8,250kg. After this, the rules were changed so that you can drive a car with an MAM of up to 3,500kg with a trailer rated for an additional 3,500kg.

This is what makes the Eventa range perfectly sized; with a gross maximum weight of 3,500kg, it can be towed by someone using a suitable towing vehicle that holds a category BE license.

If you need to tow more horses or have significantly more equipment to carry than this, you may need to apply for a category C1+E license.

Look Into Loading Options

An important part of choosing the right trailer is ensuring that your horse can get into and out of it comfortably, and different trailers provide a variety of options.

The Eventa range has a rear loading ramp, which fits with the trailer’s versatile and safe herringbone angle, whilst the HB511 and HBX trailers have a rear ramp as standard, as well as left and right front ramp options completely with stable-style top doors.

Every step of a horse’s journey in a trailer should be as comfortable and safe as possible, and the more options available, the less stressful the loading experience will be.

Check Which Direction Your Horse Likes To Travel

Most trailers, including the double-horse HBX options, tend to be designed around a horse travelling forwards in the same direction as the towing vehicle. This is why the large front windows are at the front rather than the back; it makes the journey more comfortable and enjoyable.

However, much like people, horses are different, and when you travel to enough events and appointments, you start to get a feeling for which way the horse prefers to ride in the trailer.

Some prefer to face forward, others would rather face backwards, whilst many more prefer a diagonal herringbone setup. It all depends on what they are used to and what they enjoy.

Check Which Features And Extras You Need

The big question when it comes to trailers is whether it is just for your horses or whether you need additional living space as well.

In the case of the latter, the spacious, comfortable Eventa range is ideal, whilst the HB and HBX trailers are designed to be lightweight, aerodynamic and built around the needs of your horses.

Look into storage options as well, such as lockers, tack boxes and awnings.

For many farms, the growing season is well and truly underway, but if you are looking for a new trailer to upgrade your operation, it is never too late to explore a range of excellent choices.

Whilst the start of spring is not always the start of the planting and growing season, for many farmers in Yorkshire it is the time when the preparations made over winter turn into action, even if for some crops it may not be until late spring or the start of summer before planting and harvesting begin.

Choosing the right trailer, therefore, is essential, and as the main distributor of trailers for one of the UK’s leading trailer brands, Ifor Williams, we are perfectly placed to guide you towards the best trailer for your particular needs.

This buyer’s guide aims to do exactly that, and here are our top five trailers for farmers and other people working in the agricultural sector today.

Livestock Trailer

A common site in farmers’ markets and parked around farmhouses, Ifor Williams have specialised in livestock trailers for over half a century.

Because of this experience, they are the most trusted livestock trailers in the country, and the versatile design allows us to provide you with trailers to move any kind of livestock, from heifers to lambs.

Part of this is because of the corrosion-resistant drawbar and chassis thanks to the use of galvanized steel and strong aluminium panels, as well as Ifor Williams’ unique EasyLoad ramp system, which allows for both decks of the trailer to be loaded easily and effectively.

Plant Trailer

Aside from moving livestock, the other major heavy goods that need to be moved around many 

farms is plant machinery, and the Ifor Williams Plant trailer range has become the standard for many in the agricultural sector for decades.

Fitted with a resin-coated plywood platform for added grip and stability, our range of plant trailers are fitted with skid supports or an integrated ramp as required, which means that you do not need to deploy any prop stands to keep the trailer supported whilst loading.

From compact skid-steer loaders to full-scale excavators, there is a heavy-duty trailer to fit the needs of every farm.

General Duty Trailer

A lot of the jobs and duties on a typical farm require a trailer that can do anything, and Ifor Williams’ GD trailer range is designed to do just that for a very long time.

Featuring a particularly sturdy, hard-wearing and corrosion-resistant body made from galvanized steel, a non-slip floor made with a textured resin coating, and featuring either a tailboard or full-width ramp as required, a general duty trailer can be used to carry a wide variety of loads. 

We offer general duty trailers with either a single or twin-axle, both with leaf-sprung suspension for added protection of your loaded goods, and can offer trailers which can carry up to 2700 kg with no issues.

Tipper Trailer

Farmers need trailers with the ability to tip bulk loads with ease, and Ifor Williams’ range of tipper trailers is suitable for a wider range of applications than a dedicated dumper truck.

Whether they are needed to load a harvest, dump bulk goods into a silo or make it easier to clear rubble and debris, there is a tipper trailer available for your needs, even if those needs might differ.

Part of how this is possible is thanks to a wide range of accessories that help you to customise your tipper for any use you may have, with ladder racks, mesh sides and tarpaulins available as needed.

The biggest advantage, however, is that you can access all of these purposes without having to buy or lease a dedicated machine that might be too large and expensive for the jobs you have for it on the farm.

Our tipper trailer range is available as a small, lightweight single-axle trailer for carrying loads of up to a tonne, whilst our twin-axle tipper with its longer, strengthened aluminium floor can carry loads as heavy as 2700kg.

Q Range Trailers

Every job on the farm is important, but not every job is physically big. Sometimes a small but very powerful trailer is needed, and that is exactly what Ifor Williams offers with the Q Range.

Designed to be pulled by a quad bike, the Q Range is designed to work as effectively on the road as off it, with the treadplate metal floor able to carry a tonne thanks to the use of a durable, galvanised chassis.

It can be pulled by a typical family car whilst on the road, ensuring that you have heavy-duty capacity regardless of your needs.

If you’re in the market for a trailer of some kind, whether it’s for equestrian needs, livestock, machinery transportation, for your mobile business or something else entirely, you probably already know that it’s something of a minefield out there, with many different brands and companies offering – at first glance – the same level of service.

It can be tempting to simply go with the first brand you come across, but it always pays to do due diligence and research the different options, reading reviews and testimonials, so you can see if they’re above board and able to deliver the sturdy and reliable trailers that you need.

One such brand, of course, is Ifor Williams, a name that has become synonymous with versatility, quality and durability over the last 65 years or so, no matter what you need your trailer for.

Get to know Ifor Williams

Ifor Williams itself was founded in North Wales in 1958 and has curried favour ever since for its brand values, ensuring that all its trailers are well manufactured and designed to last, developed with the knowledge that they’ll be put through their paces regularly. 

As such, you can trust that they’ll successfully withstand tough conditions in the real world, no matter where you use them… so don’t be afraid to take them off-road, as they’ll certainly be able to handle the pressure of rough and ready terrain!

It’s also definitely worth noting that Ifor Williams’ approach to trailers is an incredibly versatile one and they have a wide range of different trailers to suit practically every job imaginable. 

Livestock trailers, for example, come complete with strong partitions and easy-loading ramps, while horseboxes have been properly designed to ensure that your animals travel safely and in comfort.

But no matter how you intend to use these trailers, what you’ll find is that every make and model comes complete with customisable options so you can tailor your investment, depending on your own specific requirements.

Versatility aside, you also need to make sure that your trailers are durable and built to last… which is exactly what you get with Ifor Williams. These trailers are made from strong galvanised steel, so they’re resistant to rust and corrosion (perfect!) and you’ll find that they serve you well over the years, representing an excellent return on investment.

As well as being low maintenance and easy to look after, this durability and strength of manufacturing means you can enjoy greater peace of mind that your trailers will be up to the task and won’t crumble under the pressure. 

That being said, it’s likely that some parts may need to be replaced at some point in the future, particularly if your trailers see regular heavy use, but there’s no need to worry here either, since Ifor Williams spare parts are also readily available.

And if, for any reason, you decide to part ways with your trailer, you’ll be pleased to hear that this equipment holds its value incredibly well and you won’t have any problems selling it on elsewhere… testament to just how renowned the brand is for quality manufacturing.

If you’d like to find out more about these trailers or the Ifor Williams brand, get in touch with the Yorkshire Trailers team today.