Towing a Sheep trailer with family car

[Green farmer]

Finding I rarely use the twin decks on my 10ft TA5 ifor livestock trailer with the Jeep, so downsizing to something lighter that can be towed with the saloon car that’s rated for 1.8 tonne. Thinking a 8ft Ifor with standard height and decks or a 10ft with the low 4ft roof. Only ever use it for sheep. Have asked about the low roof trailers before but they ain’t that popular about these parts. Anyone have one ?

 

[neilo]

I used to take a standard height 12’ Ifor to Builth ram sales behind an Audi A6 with 10 shearling rams in it. It towed it OK and could fair crack on to be fair. After a couple of years, I bought a 12’ ‘single height’ one and it towed very much easier. If you only ever take 1 deck of sheep, then it would be just the job.

My father told me it was a complete waste of money when I bought it, then he took calves to market with it once, rather than the little P6 trailer, and he claimed it for that job.

That trailer has done next to nothing for the last 5 years, with just occasional trips out with calves, and was sold on eBay a couple of months ago. I was tempted by it myself.

 

[Green farmer]

You must fit near 20 factory lambs in a 12ft ?

 

[neilo]

You must fit near 20 factory lambs in a 12ft ?

I'd have thought so. Easily get 20 top & bottom in a 12' with decks.

 

[Y Fan Wen]

I see you are from the emerald isle, what are the trailer towing licence rules like over there?

 

[Green farmer]

I see you are from the emerald isle, what are the trailer towing licence rules like over there?

I think it’s more or less identical to yours. I had to go back a few years ago and resist the test to get the trailer added on.

 

[Highland Mule]

Was a very nice 14' single deck for sale on facebook not so long ago. Around £2k. Was very tempted myself, but already have a P8g (8' x 4', 4' high) and a 12' full size with decks.

 

[JP1]

https://www.portertrailers-tractors.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=3

Sheep handling / transport trailer as on the home page


Or a single axle trailer on a 1800kg axle with Transit sized wheels like I have:

Mine is higher for two beasts etc

Brilliant tow, you don't know it's there weight wise or steer follow through , front vent stops drag

Neville will make you anything

 

[Nithsdale]

You must fit near 20 factory lambs in a 12ft ?

I'd have thought so. Easily get 20 top & bottom in a 12' with decks.

@Green farmer just be careful with the weights towing a large stock trailer behind a car... you will reach and exceed the cars limit quickly.


(You can get 25, 40kg fat lambs comfortably, per deck, in a 12' Ifor with the wheels on the outside)

 

[Green farmer]

@Green farmer just be careful with the weights towing a large stock trailer behind a car... you will reach and exceed the cars limit quickly.

That’s exactly what I’ve the eye on. My 10ft with decks comes in at 995kg so looking for something that ideally lighter, ideally in the 650-800kg range so give me up to 1 tonne carrying capacity. I have the transit type tyres on her also, but think the smaller 13” wheels might be easier towed with a car. I’ve seen Porter ones before and in fairness it’s hard to fault them, very strong, just might get a better deal trading an Ifor for an Ifor again. I also like the look of the Ifor.

 

[andybk]

Im looking for a 8x5 cage sided, twin axle trailer ,so i dont have to drag the big trailer for a few sheep to market , I like the cage sides as you can stand up in the back to do jobs , but low enough to stop wind drag , will need a tarp on top for on the road though , i have a 12 x 6 ifor , the same we take main lot around in and it works well , benefit is you can take sides off and use for all sorts of other things .

 

[spin cycle]

https://www.portertrailers-tractors.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=3

Sheep handling / transport trailer as on the home page


Or a single axle trailer on a 1800kg axle with Transit sized wheels like I have:

View attachment 662492


Mine is higher for two beasts etc

Brilliant tow, you don't know it's there weight wise or steer follow through , front vent stops drag

Neville will make you anything

how much do you think the handling trailer is ?

 

[JP1]

how much do you think the handling trailer is ?

I had my doubts but it tows very well

As with any short trailer, reversing is more tricky simply because it cuts in quickly

I have a parting gate lower part sheeted that fits 2ft from the front , one foot from the rear gates or splits equally in to two 4ft pens

For cattle when I can I have the gate at the rear position to impose a little load on the tow bar and gives me more control loading and unloading

 

[Nithsdale]

I had my doubts but it tows very well

As with any short trailer, reversing is more tricky simply because it cuts in quickly

I have a parting gate lower part sheeted that fits 2ft from the front , one foot from the rear gates or splits equally in to two 4ft pens

For cattle when I can I have the gate at the rear position to impose a little load on the tow bar and gives me more control loading and unloading

I think @spin cycle was meaning the mobile handling trailer at the bottom of that web page (which look very similar to Modulamb trailers)... and not how your trailer handles

 

[spin cycle]

I think @spin cycle was meaning the mobile handling trailer at the bottom of that web page (which look very similar to Modulamb trailers)... and not how your trailer handles

yes i was......young lad came and dagged my ewe lambs today....he had a small horner shearing trailer and i thought how handy one would be for dosing ect....new they're £2345 i think

 

[Nithsdale]

yes i was......young lad came and dagged my ewe lambs today....he had a small horner shearing trailer and i thought how handy one would be for dosing ect....new they're £2345 i think

These guys will do a similar trailer possibly cheaper.
https://www.fowrass.co.uk

Only issue I can see is road legality.

 

[JP1]

I think @spin cycle was meaning the mobile handling trailer at the bottom of that web page (which look very similar to Modulamb trailers)... and not how your trailer handles

OIC

Around £2500 I think

 

[JP1]

These guys will do a similar trailer possibly cheaper.
https://www.fowrass.co.uk

Only issue I can see is road legality.

Then you're not comparing like with like

I just don't get illegal trailers in this day and age. A Type Approval trailer in terms of design and manufacturing cost is totally different to a farm implement - however good it is

 

[spin cycle]

These guys will do a similar trailer possibly cheaper.
https://www.fowrass.co.uk

Only issue I can see is road legality.

can't see a trailer...but you see their mobile races on ebay....i don't have a dog so races arn't ideal....at moment i put small fence runs parallel to border fences and pen up in there....the idea of parking a small trailer at one end then driving groups onto the trailer appeals......i've a 12 ft bateson cattle trailer and seeing their products perhaps i really only need a clipping gate conversion to it

 

[Nithsdale]

Then you're not comparing like with like

I just don't get illegal trailers in this day and age. A Type Approval trailer in terms of design and manufacturing cost is totally different to a farm implement - however good it is

I've no idea of the specs for the trailer which @spin cycle mentioned from Horner... and I did indeed concede my unknowing of legality of Fowrass trailers for going on main roads... that also depends on individual farms as to whether it needs to be road legal or not.


But I do agree these trailers should all be made to road legal spec.