MacSweep
Member Since: 13 Feb 2008
Location: bedfordshire
Posts: 117
  
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| Ifor Williams Horse Trailer - which towbar? |
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I have an Ifor Williams HB510 twin axle trailer and tried my detachable towbar with it. It was ok wit the horse in there but the ride was quite jittery/bouncy when towing the trailer when empty. I'm wondering whether the detachable bar is too high for this type of trailer. Does anyone have any experience of this type of trailer and know whether the fixed type would be better.
Thanks,
Mac 04 TDV6 SE Auto Vienna Green/Tundra Leather - LR side steps.
Gone but not forgotten...
03 D2 TD5 ES Auto
49 Series 2 2.25 Pickup
48 Series 1 2.0D with O/D (was SWMBOs)
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 12th Nov 2008 10:52 pm |
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Bodsy
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Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
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thought the detachable one was slightly lower than the 'std' height of the fixed one.
Although I've only towed small trailers and a 2.2t twin axle trailer. The TA trailer seemed to be fine on the detachable one, but I only did about 20 miles with it to collect some building stuff.
I've now got a fixed one so I can also link up a Sankey trailer.  Bodsys Brake Bible
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| 12th Nov 2008 10:58 pm |
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741hcr
Member Since: 12 Apr 2007
Location: Usually in front of the PC
Posts: 175
 
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I have the same trailer for our horses and while I have not used the Disco to tow it yet (use Landcruiser Amazon), the trailer is a lot smoother to tow when loaded. I concluded that without the horses aboard, the trailer simply bounces over the bumps (the difference is visable in the rear view mirror), hence chucks the vehicle about a bit. IMHO, I don't think changing the tow bar height will make much difference. Raising the tow ball height may help as may adding ballast to the front of the trailer or rear of the Disco. With the Amazon, you have the luxury of a switch to adjust the firmness of the suspension which takes out some but not all of the bouncyness. If you're still concerned, I will hook the trailer on the Disco and see how it compares as I have a detachable tow bar on that as well.
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| 12th Nov 2008 11:09 pm |
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Wex
Member Since: 16 Apr 2007
Location: Knackeragua
Posts: 5173
 
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Swan neck has worked fine with my own 505 and some borrowed 510's.No major difference in ride quality.  Nags never complained either.
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| 12th Nov 2008 11:12 pm |
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Wiff
Member Since: 05 Jul 2008
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 104
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I pull a 510 with mine. The detachable was far too low for me. The tyres on the back axle barely touched the floor, so went for the muli-height towbar, which allows the box to run level. Tows pefectly, even up to and beyond full weight.
Last edited by Wiff on 13th Nov 2008 10:26 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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| 12th Nov 2008 11:25 pm |
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Rugby Man
Member Since: 03 Apr 2008
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 35
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As I have probably said before there is a EU standard height for ALL cars .
As for all Ifor williams Trailers they all rattle because they are on springs not rubber suspension units.
I tow all sorts of trailers with my business behind a Disco 3 & it adjusts the ride height depending on the weight of the trailer .
Ifors are the worst to tow empty but with a load on no problem & remember with that little bit of bounce that your trailer is doing ,you will be using more fuel as the when the wheels hit the ground its like a mini brake.
If you want the best riding trailer then the Cheval Liberte Pullman suspension is the best by a long way .
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| 13th Nov 2008 8:41 am |
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Hobgoblin
Member Since: 15 Nov 2007
Location: As always, in the sh*t, it's only the depth that varies
Posts: 1445
 
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I tow a 510 with our horses using the detachable tow bar with no problems, what I have noticed is that I tend to tow a lot faster when it is empty  the trailer is a bit more jittery but I put this down to the speed. I'm not as good as I once was........but I'm as good once as I ever was.
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| 13th Nov 2008 10:34 am |
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cumbrian-col
Member Since: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Out in the sticks
Posts: 39
 
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I can't comment on the swan neck bar as I have the fixed one but the 510 tows great on that either fully loaded or empty. Sure it's a little more bouncy when empty 'cause of the leaf springs but also without the horses on board you don't have 'er indoors naggin you to slow down all the time so you may just be goin a bit quicker  I'd be unstoppable - if I could just get started
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| 13th Nov 2008 11:16 am |
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alanwxr
Member Since: 19 Nov 2006
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 306
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I use a detachable with a new 506 trailer, with absolutely no problems at all.
Ifor Williams quote recommmended hitch height 400 to 450mm for the 505/6 and 510/1. The Disco 3 detachable is 400mm.
So the numbers add up 
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| 13th Nov 2008 11:36 am |
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Apny
Member Since: 03 Jan 2008
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 198
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Mac sweep,
There has been several posts regarding Ifor Williams and horse trailers.
I Have the Multi height and found i had to put it up a hole to get a level ride.
With the trailer connected are the vehicle and trailer on a even keel this could be why the trailer is bouncy. I tow the HB 505 which is lighter and dont really have bouncy problem when empty
Does anybody know if the towing capacity of the detachable towbar is the same as the multi height.
im asking this question as ISTR that, in the D1 handbook i had, it stated that the offroad towing capacity is a lot lower than onroad and would detachable effect the tow capacity even more?
As Alanwxr states the numbers addup, but if you have the trailer set low at the front the nose weight down on the hitch will put more weight forward to the vehicle and ineffect push the car IMO, somebody correct me if wrong.
All said the D3 is the ultimate tow vehicle in it's class and provides effortless concentration when towing and braking.
Andy
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| 13th Nov 2008 12:20 pm |
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alanwxr
Member Since: 19 Nov 2006
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 306
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The trailer empty it is a little bit low, with the rear wheel almost off the ground. But with a couple of horses in it sorts the problem out and tows well.
I find that the trailer tows with no issues empty or full. Bit bouncy when empty but that's usual.
I've always understood that the detachable is 3500 same as fixed.
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| 13th Nov 2008 12:44 pm |
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741hcr
Member Since: 12 Apr 2007
Location: Usually in front of the PC
Posts: 175
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I introduced my Disco detachable tow bar to our Ifor 510 this morning and the ball height is about 1 inch lower than the Ifor hitch height and in my view could do with being 2 inches higher as I like a little extra weight on the rear wheels of the tow vehicle. I did not put a horse in the box to fully test it, but it does suggest that a fixed bar with adjustable ball heights would be a much better option for regular towing.
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| 13th Nov 2008 3:27 pm |
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Talula
Member Since: 05 Jan 2008
Location: Dorset
Posts: 39
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We have an Ifor 511 which is the same as yours and have the multi height tow bar. When we picked the trailer up had the ball on the middle setting and the ride was a little lurchy, felt like the car was trying to pull the box into the ground. Since then Westover have put the ball on the highest setting and all is well, even with horse in the back so all up weight of 2 tonnes pulls straight and true. Definately use the multi on highest setting, we put spirit level in box and was level. Don't try to follow me, you wont make it!!
One life. live it.
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| 13th Nov 2008 7:32 pm |
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Apny
Member Since: 03 Jan 2008
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 198
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Macsweep,
741 and Talula seem to agree with myself and others (pevious postings) that the multi height is the way to go to sort out the level and tow comfort, unless LR want to intruduce a short neck tow hitch 
My multi height is on the maximun setting.
The D3 might self level but it wont self level an item connected.
You need all four wheels on the ground, same as the car to provide stability at speed, also the Ifor Willians is a braked trailer and i cant remember if it is braked on two or or just one axle i.e. front or rear or both
Also, had 1 ton of Kubota in the 505 Sunday with no problem getting it in easier to load than my horse
Andy
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| 13th Nov 2008 8:32 pm |
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MacSweep
Member Since: 13 Feb 2008
Location: bedfordshire
Posts: 117
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Thanks very much for all your replies. Think I'll persevere with the detachable after all. It not used empty very much anyway.
Cheers,
Mac 04 TDV6 SE Auto Vienna Green/Tundra Leather - LR side steps.
Gone but not forgotten...
03 D2 TD5 ES Auto
49 Series 2 2.25 Pickup
48 Series 1 2.0D with O/D (was SWMBOs)
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| 16th Nov 2008 11:32 am |
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