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For many in the agricultural sector, late summer and early autumn is beyond the peak of the growing and cultivating season, which means some types of trailers will start to wind down their operations and owners will be mindful of future maintenance and storage needs.

In most ideal circumstances, this means taking your Ifor Williams trailer to an official distributor, who can provide a comprehensive service, make any repairs or tweaks that you need, and can make tailored recommendations based on what you use the trailer for.

They can also offer advice on when to replace your trailer and what with, in order to avoid any surprise breakdowns that cannot be easily or safely fixed to make them road legal.

If you are worried about your trailer’s longevity, here are some of the biggest telltale signs that your trailer is on the cusp of being beyond repair, what to look out for and what to do next.

 

Are Trailer Repairs Getting Too Expensive?

If you arrange your repairs through an official distributor, you will get the highest quality repairs for the best prices, but there is a tipping point where the number of repairs or breakdowns you experience costs more than the cost of a suitable replacement trailer.

As Benjamin Franklin once advised the young tradesman in 1748, time is money, and if you are losing time with your trailer constantly being repaired, then a replacement can become the only financially viable option.

In particular, if your trailer is dealing with structural issues that affect its maximum load and are not easily fixed through reinforcement, it is time to consider upgrading your trailer to one of our many high-quality alternatives.

 

Does Your Trailer Have A Lot Of Rust?

Most cars and trailers will have a small amount of rust, as a combination of wet or humid conditions and damage to galvanised coatings can cause oxidation and corrosion to develop. At an early stage, it can be cleaned off and protective coatings can be applied.

However, rust can also spread, which is a far greater concern as it means that the weight and forces that your trailer can typically manage on a daily basis can cause structural weaknesses and potential collapse.

Whilst they can occur anywhere made of iron or steel, you should be particularly mindful of:

• Rust holes, especially those on the floor or sidewalls
• Corrosion which affects the welds and metal joins
• Oxidation on the frame, which could affect structural integrity the most.

If any of these are the case, it is best to get in touch with experts in trailer servicing, particularly if they can offer a much better replacement.

 

Is Your Trailer Still Suitable For Your Business?

Your equipment needs to grow in lockstep with your business, which means that you may need a larger trailer, one that is more feature-filled or one that can better withstand the rigours of constant travel.

Our huge range of Ifor Williams trailers is designed around a broad spectrum of businesses. Whether you need a single all-purpose flatbed trailer for moving heavy goods around your worksite or a complete business in a box, we have you covered.

The most important question to ask is simple: would your job be a lot easier if you had a better trailer?

 

Is Using Your Trailer Costing You More?

A remarkable telltale sign that your trailer needs replacing could actually be found in your running costs beyond maintenance and repairs.

Much like how an older car can cost you more money due to additional fuel consumption, an older trailer is often less efficient at hauling goods around due to drag, weight distribution issues or suboptimal design of the storage bed.

Sometimes they are not designed for modern business needs, whilst in other cases it is a matter of simple wear and tear taking its toll.

It can be a silent frustration, but if you notice your towing vehicle suffering from low fuel economy or the trailer feels less comfortable at cruising speeds, it might be the case that the trailer itself is to blame.

Even worse, if you do not feel you can trust your trailer to steer and brake the way you expect, it may be time for a replacement.

 

Are You Constantly Having Trouble With Your Trailer’s Lights?

It is always essential to connect and test the lights, brake lights and indicators before setting off, to ensure that everything is connected properly.

However, if the lights are unreliable despite knowing they are fully connected, it could be a sign of worn-out electrical systems, and whilst in many cases this can be repaired, replacement can be necessary in other cases.

Whilst a heatwave can be extremely troublesome for your trailer if you have not bought the right model and prepared yourself as much as you can for the elements, the weather following a period of extreme heat can be particularly troublesome.

Some of these issues can be fixed by choosing the right model from a local, trusted, official distributor of Ifor Williams trailers, as they can point you in the right direction, answer any questions you may have and even provide essential summer servicing and advice.

If you have the time to plan, then you can typically weatherproof your trailer, regardless of whether it is a HBX horsebox, a Beavertail trailer or anything in between. But what happens if you do not have any advance warning?

Extreme weather phenomena can often lead to other types of extreme weather, and the end of a heatwave is often followed by sudden thunderstorms and flash flooding, as well as strong winds and sudden drops in temperature that can affect the ride of your trailer.

Proaction is better than reaction, but if your only choice is to react, here are some top tips to keep yourself safe when the conditions suddenly turn harsh but are unavoidable.

 

Should You Stop To Inspect Your Trailer?

Bad weather exploits the weaknesses of your towing setup, from a trailer’s brakes to its connection to your towing vehicle, so if the weather suddenly gets out of control whilst you are on the road, look for somewhere where you can safely stop and have a look at it.

Specifically, make sure that the hitch is secure, all of the electrical links between trailer and towing vehicle are securely in place and that your tyres, brakes and lights are all functioning properly.

In extreme weather, be it extreme heat, thunderstorms or a series of adverse environments, the tolerances for your trailer setup will be reduced, and small problems can become huge if you do not prepare.

Stopping also gives you a chance to check the weather forecast. If it appears like the storm is only temporary, it may save you time, money and stress waiting for the bad weather to be more manageable before continuing your journey, especially with live cargo.

 

Should You Slow Down In Extreme Weather?

The most important tip when driving in extreme weather conditions is to reduce your speed considerably, whether you are dealing with a heatwave or the rain that often arrives in its aftermath.

The faster you go, the longer it takes to slow down, and both your thinking and braking distances are significantly increased when driving in adverse weather or at night.

Ultimately, slowing down to save driving speeds is by far the fastest way to travel in adverse weather. It is far better to take your time and ensure your load gets to your destination in the best possible condition than risk not making it at all.

 

Should You Avoid Sharp Turns In Extreme Weather?

When you are towing a trailer, you should adopt an anticipatory, defensive driving style regardless of the conditions, but it is especially important during very hot, very cold, very wet and very windy weather to avoid any reflexive actions or sharp turns as much as possible.

Avoid emergency braking situations unless they are unavoidable, do not put your foot down to accelerate from a standstill and avoid sudden swerves to change lanes or make harder turns.

All of these manoeuvres risk jackknifing the trailer at the best of times, but with less traction due to ice, snow, wet tarmac or issues caused by extreme heat, they can potentially lead to accidents.

 

Do You Need To Use Your Lights And Indicators More In Extreme Weather?

Whether due to heat haze, fog, snow or rain showers, your visibility is naturally significantly worse in poor weather, which means that you need to be as clear as possible when it comes to your position relative to other road users.

Make sure your lights and indicators work on the back of your trailer and turn on your fog lights to ensure other drivers can see you as clearly as possible.

Indicate a lane change or turn as soon as you can, as this will give other motorists a chance to see you and react accordingly.

Keep in mind that even if you have a relatively visible trailer, drivers will work on where your lights are to determine your road position and whether it is safe to change lanes or overtake, so make yourself as easy to see as possible.

If you are in the market for a new trailer for your construction business, you will need to think carefully about what kind of trailer you buy. 

In fact, our top tip is to think about all the potential use cases for your trailer before you begin browsing the options available to you. 

This is because there are several kinds of trailers available for those working in construction and you don’t want to invest in a trailer that doesn’t meet your needs.

The main options are:

• General duty trailers
• Plant trailers
• Tipper trailers

Each of these types of trailer has merit in a construction environment, which is why you need to be clear about what you need a trailer for. Let’s look at each in turn. 

 

General duty trailers

General duty trailers are designed to be versatile. They have sturdy, stainless steel sides to protect whatever you’re transporting and will normally come with a tailboard or rear ramp to assist with loading and unloading.

This type of trailer is available in both single axle and double axle models, providing options to suit many types of loads and making it a good all-round construction trailer. 

 

Plant trailers

As their name suggests, plant trailers are designed specifically to transport compact plant machinery, such as excavators, skid steer loaders and telehandlers. 

For a construction business, being able to easily and securely transport equipment from one site to the next is essential. Easy loading of equipment is obviously vital, which is why all plant trailers are equipped with a ramp. 

When you’re choosing a plant trailer, make sure you consider what load it needs to be able to carry so that you can purchase a plant trailer that works for your stock of equipment. 

 

Tipper trailers

Tipper trailers are a staple piece of equipment in the construction industry, allowing you to transport materials to your site and offload them by tipping the trailer up at one end. Such trailers are available in single axle and double axle configurations.

Think carefully about how large a stock of materials you often need to transport to or from your building sites when making your selection.

A twin axle tipper trailer will typically be able to carry heavier loads safely than a single axle model. 

 

What to look at when evaluating construction trailers

There are several specifications to pay attention to when you are choosing a construction trailer, regardless of what type of trailer you decide to buy.

The most important are:

• Ease of use
• Load capacity
• Materials it’s made from
• Safety features

Ease of use

None of us want to invest in equipment that is hard to use. Trailers are supposed to facilitate the delivery of your work, so make sure you look for features like ramps and removable tailboards to make loading and unloading simple.

How quick and easy it is to hook your trailer up to a towing vehicle is also worth considering. 

 

Load capacity 

Arguably the most important factor to consider. Make sure that any trailer you buy is able to carry more than the heaviest load you anticipate needing to transport. This will ensure you are always able to use it safely.

As well as the gross weight rating of the trailer, look at its shape and size. Is it long enough to fit the materials or machinery you need to transport? 

 

Materials it’s made from

Trailers that operate in construction environments can take a beating. They will be driven over uneven terrain and the loads they carry are often heavy and potentially sharp or awkward shapes.

You want to invest in a trailer that stands the test of time. This is why Ifor Williams trailers stand out, because they are renowned for their quality and durability. 

The materials you want to look for are galvanised steel or aluminium, because these metals can withstand heavy loads and are suitable for use whatever the weather. But don’t stop at the material the trailer is made from. Also look at the quality of its construction. 

Does it look sturdy? Is there extra support for the sections that will be carrying the load? What coating does the platform have to ensure it will last? 

 

Safety features

Safety is a key consideration, so make sure you look for not only basic safety features like lights and reflectors, but also brakes (if applicable) and breakaway cables. 

Although designed for checks once you’ve bought a trailer, the government’s advice about how to tow safely are a useful starting point to make sure you cover all the safety basics. 

The summer months are often the peak period for trailer use, particularly in the agricultural sector, but this also coincides with some of the most punishing and brutal conditions your trailer is likely to face all year.

This means that ensuring that your trailer has undergone a service and had any small issues repaired is key, as these weaknesses will be stressed further by the summer heat.

Most businesses do not stop during heatwaves, and many journeys with trailers still need to take place even on the hottest days. This makes it essential that you know how to safely tow your trailer.

Here are some of our top tips and most critical pieces of advice to ensure you tow safely, your trailer avoids damage, and you do not experience any extra hidden costs.

 

How Are Your Trailer’s Tyres Affected By The Heat?

Heat causes air to expand, and this, in combination with a heavy load, can cause tyres to end up under such intense pressure that they can start wearing or cracking very quickly. A trailer tyre blowout on a motorway is a highly dangerous situation.

Make sure to check that both the trailer and towing vehicle are at the right pressure before you start driving, and check the condition of your tyres in case there are signs of degradation. 

A trip to a trailer specialist is far cheaper than a trip to an emergency garage.

 

Is Your Towing Vehicle’s Cooling System Sufficient For Towing?

Your car naturally runs hotter when towing a vehicle due to the additional weight, but this effect is magnified when under the blazing hot sun.

Make sure your trailer is being towed in such a way that it is not blocking airflow in and out of the towing vehicle, check the coolant has been topped up, the radiator is working fine and that there are no obvious issues with the cooling system.

Towing on a motorway, particularly uphill and in a traffic jam, can potentially cause your car to overheat.

 

Are Your Brakes Suitable For Towing In Hot Weather?

Brakes generate significant heat by design, but in hot conditions brakes have to work exponentially harder than other parts of your trailer.

This can lead to brake fade, which causes brakes to be significantly less effective and have a longer stopping distance than expected.

Of all the components of your trailer that you must ensure are properly serviced and adjusted for the heat, your brakes must be properly aligned, adjusted and fit for purpose.

If that is not possible or you are travelling specifically to your nearest trailer servicing experts, get a feel for how your trailer slows down and take into account the fact you have a much longer stopping distance to think about.

 

Can Your Towing Load Be Affected By The Heat?

Ropes, ratchet straps, tarpaulins, zip-ties, and all of the materials used to secure loads in the back of your trailer can be affected by the heat and create enough slack to cause loads to move around in the back of your trailer.

Slow down and find somewhere safe to stop to check your trailer load if you feel anything unusual or strange. If everything seems normal, stop after a few miles and check all of your straps regardless to ensure your load is secure.

Thankfully, once you are in the hot conditions, any further expansions or changes will be more subtle and less impactful.

 

Should You Avoid Travelling In The Middle Of The Day?

Whilst for some businesses this is unavoidable, you should try to make every effort possible not to drive during peak sunlight hours, which is typically between 11am and 3pm depending on the day.

Instead, opt to drive in the morning or evening, and give yourself time to allow yourself and your trailer to cool down effectively at a service station or a shaded car park.

Similarly, avoid rush hour traffic where at all possible. Heat can cause components to wear out much faster, and this is made worse by standing still and having to constantly start and stop.

 

Are You Keeping Yourself Cool As Well?

The most important part of your trailer and towing vehicle setup is the driver. You need to ensure that you keep hydrated, are as comfortable as possible and are able to focus on the driving at hand.

This usually means ensuring that your air conditioning is working effectively, you feel cool and comfortable, and you have adjusted the mirrors to avoid the potential for glare as much as possible.

Construction projects can take many forms and happen on various scales, but various tools, materials and plant equipment will always be needed. The key is to acquire the right type of trailer for each of these elements to help your project go smoothly.

The UK construction industry is a big business. According to the most recent government statistics, in 2024, the value of construction work in Britain was £140,684, while there were 370,770 registered companies operating in the sector and 1.4 million employees.

Anyone planning a construction project will know that it will take a lot of labour, materials, tools and equipment to complete the task. This means there is a lot of logistical work needed to ensure that the whole project goes smoothly, especially as you aim to deliver it on time.

At the same time, projects can vary widely in scope, with different scales, varied materials and, on occasions, some major technical challenges.

Examples of such differences include:

•       Projects based on revamping existing buildings, which have become increasingly popular as architects have focused on reducing embedded carbon
•       Some are based on Greenfield sites, whereas others are on brownfield, where significant site clearance work may be needed beforehand
•       Some involve extensive excavation of foundations, especially tall buildings
•       Some involve tunnelling.

 

What Are The Different Trailers You Can Use For Construction Projects?

This means there will be differences in the trailer requirements for each project, but Williams trailers can provide what you need in each and every circumstance.

For example, the trailer range includes:

•     Tiltbed trailers, which have low ground clearance and are therefore easy for onboarding and off-ramping heavy plant vehicles
•     Plant trailers, which are custom-designed for transporting plant equipment safely
•     Single axle tippers, which are smaller vehicles that are useful for transporting materials to a site
•       Double axle tippers are larger vehicles that are useful for filling up with waste material so that it can be taken away and deposited in an appropriate place

The use of tiltbed trailers and plant trailers is likely to be useful in most projects, as they can get plant material where it needs to be and easily unloaded to the ground where it will work.

Others may be used more in some cases than others, but also in different ways and quantities.

 

How Can You Deal With Large-Scale Remediation Tasks?

For instance, when remediation work takes place that could involve demolishing existing structures, cleaning up rubble or removing soil with toxic material, the size of the project will determine how many double axle trailers you need.

An example of this might include the upcoming project to construct a new stadium for Manchester United, with the club recently revealing it had concluded a deal to buy land close to its existing Old Trafford venue.

The land west of the stadium is all on the vast Trafford Park estate and has been used for industrial purposes since the 19th century, albeit with the exact uses of any particular plot of land changing over time. This means the land may require a lot of remediation work.

In addition, because the new stadium is set to be very large, it will require deep foundations, with parts of the structure likely to be built underground.

If this project will generate a lot of rubble and earth to be moved, the volume that needs to be taken away from sites is even greater when tunnels are involved.

Several current projects require large amounts of tunnelling, including the surviving section of the HS2 project between London and Birmingham, where 20 per cent of tunnelling work remains to be done, plus upcoming projects like the Lower Thames Crossing.

 

How Can You Deal With Soil Excavated In Construction Projects?

Some may ask where all the earth excavated from major tunnels goes. In some cases, it can be reused on site, for example, by building up embankments in the case of a railway.

However, when very large amounts are involved, some creative solutions can be found. A prime example of this happened during the construction of the Elizabeth line, when three million tonnes of earth were excavated from the tunnelled section under London.

This was taken to Wallasea Island on the Essex coast, where it was used to create a wetland habitat for birds on land owned by the RSPB. It is fair to say a lot of trailers would have been used in such a large undertaking.

Whether something similar will happen in the Lower Thames Crossing project is not stated in its nature plan, although it does pledge to create new landscaped areas and wetland habitats, which may suggest that the soil may be redistributed for these purposes.

Whatever you plan to do with excavated soil or remediated waste, double axel tippers will give you exactly what you need to take it away from the site, while different kinds of trailers can meet your other requirements.

Summer is here, and alongside the great farming and horse racing seasons, it is also the time to bring out beautiful luxury sports cars and take them out for a spin along the beautiful winding country roads of Yorkshire.

Whatever your chosen model, we can choose the perfect luxury car trailer for your needs. With Ifor Williams providing the gold standard in trailers, we have the right option for you whether you are travelling to a country road, a track day or a concours event.

Whilst most luxury cars tend to take the form of classic British sports cars such as the almighty Triumph Stag, a lot of luxury car collectors have started to add powerful electric cars to their collection as well.

With a greater interest in EVs more broadly, plus the announcement of electric supercars such as the Ferrari Luce, car trailers will need to accommodate for the needs of EVs as well as traditional petrol-powered sports cars.

How much do these needs differ? What additional equipment do you need? And what should you keep in mind if you want to use an EV to tow your EV? 

 

Why Do You Need A Car Trailer For Your Luxury Electric Car?

The first question to ask when it comes to EVs is whether you even need a trailer to tow them from location to location in the first place, and whilst in many cases it is not strictly necessary, there are some justifications for treating your luxury EVs carefully in a suitably sized Transporta.

One of them is the “horsebox theory”, rather succinctly described by motoring journalist Richard Hammond as a way to protect your favourite horses, bikes and cars that you would not want to or cannot legally drive on the road.

You load them into a trailer, and they are protected from the elements and are not having any additional mileage placed on them.

Another factor to bear in mind (and the real reason Mr Hammond used a trailer for his Rimac Concept One electric hypercar) is that the range of a lot of high-performance EVs is lower than their petrol-powered equivalents or requires lengthy periods of recharging.

A trailer gets around this issue, and ensures that your luxury car is in the best possible condition once you reach your destination.

 

What Do You Need To Include With Your Luxury EV Trailer?

If you are using a trailer, particularly if you have a covered trailer, it is worth bringing with you everything you need to make the most of your luxury car.

Choosing the right trailer is especially important; luxury cars with low ground clearances and advanced technology should ideally not make any contact with the road at all, which makes a flatbed such as the Beavertail perfect for transportation.

As well as this, you need to ensure that the straps and padding you use are optimal to avoid inadvertently scratching or damaging the bodywork. Whilst not ideal with any car, luxury cars can be particularly expensive to fix.

Padded straps and hooks, as well as car blankets, help to protect your luxury car from the bumps and unusual handling characteristics that come from driving on uneven terrain and roads of varying quality.

As well as this, making sure you have a backup for every situation can be beneficial. Much like you should bring fluids and fuel in case your car has a fault, taking a portable power station with you can be very useful to provide a top-up in emergencies.

Finally, make sure you have all the cables you need to charge your EV, particularly if it has an unusual proprietary connector.

 

Can You Tow A Trailer With An Electric Car?

You absolutely can tow a trailer with an EV, and some models are particularly effective at handling a trailer thanks to their more predictable acceleration and huge amounts of torque.

Not every EV is approved for towing, so you need to check its towing limits as you would any other car, and bear in mind that some EVs can only tow a vehicle using certain dedicated settings.

Range is another factor to bear in mind; due to the additional weight, a car’s range is typically halved. Whilst a petrol or diesel towing vehicle will also use more fuel, the additional recharge time can lead to greater range anxiety.

On the other hand, this is often offset by extra traction and more advanced four-wheel-drive systems, which can help improve handling and traction whilst carrying a heavy load such as another EV.

It is always important to check that your trailer is in good condition and get any damaged parts repaired or replaced, especially before a DVSA check. We can help ensure it is in good condition with repairs and replacement parts to keep it roadworthy.

Summer is a time when some trailer owners might slip into a sense of complacency. After all, with warmer and (at least sometimes) drier weather, plus longer daylight hours, it is one of the better times of year to be driving.

However, you should be vigilant. In the first instance, there are some perils involved in summer driving. Secondly, wear and tear can take its toll at any time and you should regularly check your trailer to make sure it is in good shape.

The second of these issues is that if you have a DVSA check coming up, you will need to pay particular attention to the state of your trailer to ensure it will pass. Otherwise, your operations could be disrupted as it will not be allowed on the road until the issues are fixed.

 

What Are The Risks Of Summer Driving With A Trailer?

According to the AA, summer can bring a few perils for motorists. Among those you may want to watch out for are:

•       An increased risk of tyres bursting if they have damage or the pressure levels are incorrect
•       An increased risk of collisions if you are in heavy traffic, which is more frequent in summer
•       A higher risk of accidents caused by glare

The first of these may be the most obvious risk, as a puncture could lead to further damage to the trailer if it becomes unstable or the deflated tyre leads to the wheel axle scraping along the road until you stop.

In the other instances, the trailer and the truck towing it could both be at risk of damage from collisions.

A major crash could write off whole vehicles and trailers, but a more minor bump or wear and tear could still leave significant damage that needs repairing.

We can provide trailer repairs if this is required, as well as supplying spare parts if something is so damaged that it needs to be fully replaced.

 

Can A Faulty Trailer Cause You To Fail The DVSA Test?

The DVSA Test is one point at which such flaws and accumulated damage could be exposed, and anything sufficiently significant to cause you to fail is something you need to address before that test.

When preparing for a DVSA test, drivers will be chiefly focused on the basic points of the test, which include:

•       Demonstrating that you can reverse the car and trailer safely
•       Demonstrating general driving ability
•       An independent driving segment
•       A demonstration that you can couple and decouple the trailer

In this regard, the test is similar to a standard driving test when a motorist first gets their licence.

However, just as in a driving test, you need your car to be fully roadworthy (something that is often taken care of by the instructor). In the DVSA test, you can fail it if the trailer has faults.

This would not happen as a result of nitpicking over minor scratches and scrapes, but if the trailer is damaged or has missing parts serious enough to render it not roadworthy, which would mean it is illegal.

Section 1.1 in the government guidance on the issue of roadworthiness states: “Where this document refers to a “vehicle”, this terminology equally applies to a trailer.”

An example given is that of ensuring that the brakes work adequately. The National Trailer and Towing Association has published advice on what trailers need to have functioning brakes in the UK.

 

When Should You Check That Your Trailer Is Roadworthy?

The government guidance on roadworthiness recommends that checks be carried out to ensure the roadworthiness of vehicles, including trailers. This includes:

•       Checking when you acquire a new vehicle or trailer
•       Carrying out ‘intermediate’ checks when certain components are placed under regular strain, such as the brakes if you frequently drive through heavy traffic or in hilly areas
•       Daily walk-around checks to see if there are any obvious problems

That DVSA guidance acknowledged that operators “will not get everything right all the time.” However, it added: “We do want you to be vigilant and responsible.”

In the worst case, this could mean trailer owners are prosecuted and fined for driving an unworthy vehicle. But it will always mean the trailer is forced to stay off the road until the issues rendering it un-roadworthy are fixed.

By supplying replacement parts when needed, as well as maintenance, we can ensure that you take the trailer out on the road with full confidence that it is legally compliant.

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.

If you have livestock on your farm, it’s likely that at certain times you will need to move them from one location to another using a trailer. In the summer months when the weather is at its warmest, this presents its own challenges. 

We’ve rounded up the main advice to help ensure the welfare and safety of livestock during transport. 

If you’re in the market for a new trailer, you should seriously consider Iford Williams livestock trailers. The brand is synonymous with quality livestock trailers and has been trusted by British farmers for over half a century.

As we run through the advice for transporting livestock, we’ll highlight how an Iford Williams trailer can support you and your animals. 

 

Choose cooler times of day

Whenever you’re considering transporting livestock during the summer months, it’s important to plan to do so during the cooler periods of the day. 

That might mean overnight, early in the morning or around dusk when the temperature has dropped. 

According to the government’s guidance, you should not plan to transport animals in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees C. 

Iford Williams trailers, such as the P6 and P8 models have heat-reflecting aluminium roofs, which can also help to keep the internal temperature of the trailer down in hotter conditions. 

 

Ensure there is good ventilation in your livestock trailer

Making sure your trailer is adequately ventilated and has good air flow will also help. Many of the Iford Williams livestock trailers are designed to provide good ventilation, through the use of side vents.

Some trailer models, such as the TA5, feature wider side vents with flaps, which can help the air to flow more freely within the trailer and ensure that your animals stay comfortable for the duration of their journey. 

However, it is important to remember that trailers such as this only have good airflow when the vehicle is moving. This means you should avoid leaving your animals in the trailer while it is stationary for a long period of time. 

 

Keep journeys as short as possible

To make the process as stress-free and comfortable as possible for your animals, it’s important to keep journeys as short as possible. 

This means taking the time to research the best routes and, if you’re travelling on main roads, to consider busy times of day to ensure you can avoid the worst of the traffic. 

If you are travelling longer distances, plan stops more frequently and ensure that when you park your vehicle, the trailer is in shade. You will also need to make provision for water for your animals and it’s recommended that you check their condition frequently during the drive.

 

Transport fewer animals at a time

To improve the ventilation in your livestock trailer, you may also want to consider transporting fewer animals in a single trip to help keep them cool and maintain their welfare. 

Animals can easily overheat if they are packed too closely together, so it is essential to give them enough space that they are able to regulate their body temperatures during transportation.

Guidance states that farmers should reduce the load density of their animals in trailers by at least 30 per cent in hot conditions.  

You may need to reduce this further if you are planning to transport animals that are pregnant or that have a heavy coat or full fleece, which would make them more susceptible to suffering from heat stroke. 

 

Minimise handling the animals during loading and unloading

When you are getting your animals into and out of your livestock trailer, keep handling to a minimum. 

This helps to reduce the risk of causing major disturbance to your animals. Iford Williams trailers can be supplied with the company’s EasyLoad ramp and folding deck system, which not only helps you to deploy and stow the ramp deck system, but also reduces how much you need to handle your animals to get them into the trailer. 

In situations where you want to quickly load and unload your animals, this can save valuable time and help ensure that your animals are only in the trailer for as long as is necessary to make the journey. 

We know that you want to do the best by your animals and ensure they are comfortable, even when they are being moved either to other parts of your land or to other locations. 

With summer approaching, it is always a good idea to refresh your memory as to the rules surrounding livestock transportation and to ensure that you have the right kinds of trailers and equipment to do the job safely.

There are lots of industries that rely on trailers to deliver goods or transport supplies, but the question many businesses may be asking is whether it is worth buying a trailer or should they hire one instead?

We’ll look at the pros of both renting trailers and purchasing them to give companies in the agriculture, construction, leisure, equestrian, and commercial transport sectors a better idea about what would suit their enterprise best.

 

Hiring trailers… The pros

Reduced upfront cost

The biggest benefit of hiring a trailer over buying one is the lower upfront cost. Purchasing a trailer is a large expense, which many small and medium-sized enterprises might not have. 

The same is true for start-up businesses or seasonal ones, as they may lack the capital to buy a trailer outright. 

This money could instead be spent on other things, such as staff members, marketing or equipment, which may be more valuable to the business to enable it to grow. 

 

No maintenance costs 

Another advantage of hiring is that companies do not have to worry about paying for maintenance costs, such as trailer repairs or servicing, as the rental company will handle all of this. 

 

Freedom from admin tasks

Companies can also be free of the administrative burden of trailer maintenance, allowing staff to concentrate on other areas of the business. 

They do not need to worry about staying compliant with changing legislation, and if the trailer breaks down, there will be minimal disruption to their operations, as the hire company will provide a replacement as soon as possible. 

At the same time, hiring means you can always have a roadworthy fleet of trailers, so you do not have to worry about any gaps in operation, reducing inefficiency.  

 

Enables scaling up or down 

A benefit that is particularly relevant to seasonal businesses is the ability to scale the number of trailers needed up or down. 

For instance, a festival company can increase their trailers during the summer months when demand is high, without having the cost of storing and maintaining the trailers during the winter.

Similarly, the ability to scale up or down easily enables all businesses to respond to market demand. By hiring, they are not tied into owning a trailer and all the expenses this comes with during quiet periods.

However, when demand picks up, they can easily increase their fleet, allowing them to adapt to their changing needs as a business. 

 

Avoid depreciating assets

Like cars, the value of trailers depreciates over time. Therefore, companies will never recoup the investment they spend on their trailer. 

However, the convenience and flexibility of having your own trailer may make it worth it. 

 

Buying trailers… The pros:

While there are lots of benefits of hiring trailers, there are also advantages to owning them too, particularly if your business relies on immediate access, a large fleet, or efficient operations. 

 

Long-term savings

Hiring a trailer means you do not need a large upfront cost. However, it can result in a greater expense in the long run. 

This is because renting trailers regularly results in a larger outlay for each trip taken. If a company needs to use one or more trailers daily, then hiring them could prove very costly over time, even with repair and maintenance fees taken into account. 

 

Reliability

There is nothing more important to a growing company than customer satisfaction, as this leads to a positive reputation, which results in more business. 

Reliability is key to this, as being known for always meeting customers’ or clients’ expectations means they will have a good experience. 

Having your own fleet of trailers means you always have access to one when you need it, even with short notice. 

If you hire a trailer, on the other hand, you are at the mercy of the availability of one from the hire company. 

Not only will you have greater flexibility because the trailers are ready instantly, but so are the tools and equipment stored inside them. This means you are able to respond to client demands immediately, boosting your reputation as a brand.

 

Tax deductions

Businesses are able to claim capital allowances when buying equipment, machinery or vehicles, which means their value is reduced from profits before paying tax. 

Therefore, this could make the financial investment significantly lower than you initially thought.

 

Customisation

Owning your own trailer or trailers outright means you are able to customise them any way you want. This could include putting your branding on the horse box, mobile catering van, or car transporter, which would help advertise your business to anyone seeing it on the road.

By boosting brand presence, this could have a big impact on business uptake, as the company gets exposure every time a trailer is being used. 

Firms can also customise their trailer by adding shelving or units that would suit their vehicle best, increasing storage and operational efficiency. 

 

Increases professionalism

Having your own trailers is a significant investment, but ultimately, it increases the professionalism and efficiency of a business. It makes the enterprise look good to the public, increases brand awareness, and improves operations. 

Therefore, for companies that have the capital available, it might be something well worth investing in for the long term.