Which Trailer Manufacturer?

[silver bullet]

I have decided the time has come to get a new car transporter. I have been to three dealers and priced up similar spec trailers. There is not a great deal of difference in the prices, and I can't make my mind up between them.
The choice is between, Brian James, Indespension, and Ifor Williams. Has anybody got any horror stories, or alternatively, received exceptional service from these manufacturers?

[Al Weyman]

You could include PRG Trailers on that list I know a few guys using them and the company owner Piers Grange is a racer and thoughly nice chap.

[silver bullet]

I did consider PRG, and also Woodford. I've seen them around and like the look of them, but I can't find a local dealer for them, and I would rather buy from a local dealer, than direct from the manufacturer.

[sebring115]

You can also add fountain. They tailored a trailer to my spec and for much less than the competition. Also dont have silly leadtimes and cut all the steel on site so easy to make changes so suits what you want. They worked over Xmas for me so didnt have to pay the extra vat when it went up and came in between xmas and new year for me to collect.

[vjay48]

We have got a Fountain, well made,good spec and they quality running gear. Have a look at their web site.

[Tim Falce]

I've added Fountain to the poll plus another option.

[barnettracing]

We use an Ifor Williams CT136. Brilliant trailer. We used to use a Brian James but the IF is much nicer, especially the suspension, making towing a lot more stable. Just my two pennies worth...

[Dom]

I spent ages trying to find a trailer that was just the right size for my Fiesta and small enough to fit in my single garage. Had to buy a brand new Woodford in the end but and very happy with it - seems well designed and put together and i got a couple of freebie upgrades on it. Also about £400 cheaper than the equivilent Brian James..

[Moosehead]

After much investigation I settled on a Bateson PT56 bought direct from a local dealer.

[Si Frowen]

I bought a brand new Woodford too - great trailer, really happy with it. My issue was width in that the Special Saloon Kitten is 6'6" wide but fairly short so I wanted a wide, single axle trailer. I was really happy with Woodford's service and the price (and I don't work there before you ask!).

[McMuttley]

My last was a DG box on a BJ A-Max, although not the sexiest looking, the fact that you could mount endless stuff like shelving, wheel mounts, awning racks etc etc to the inside rigid walls was a major bonus over the 'plastic' versions. for more practical if you don't have a truck for the mucky stuff !

[Paul D]

I've had Brian James, PRG and Bateson over the years - all large, twin axle tilt-bed types.

The PRG towed really nice and was, arguably, the best design, The Brian James was OK, but I didn't use it that much over a long period, so difficult to say really. The Batesons I've had always give the impression of being being built to last and very sturdy, and I've found the guys at the factory to be very helpful on the odd occasion I've needed something. My current one is a Bateson, and apart from a couple of minor things, I rate it as an excellent trailer.

I would happily use one from any of the three I mentioned.

Hope this helps!

[Tim Falce]

I think if I ever get a race box it'll have to be a Dastle, plenty of room inside.

[GORDON STREETER]

[IMG][/IMG]My Dastle race box has served me well over the years, you can keep the car in it all the time and they are brilliant for moving furniture.
Anyway who needs a trailer ! this car was pulled over by the cops in the States (where else) because both rear tyres had exploded and both rear struts had punched through the floor, and yes there was several cwt of cement in the back as well !!!!!

[Peter Mallett]

I think of the Dastle as the Rolls Royce of enclosed trailers, they are extremely good.

I use a Race Shuttle which is also very good. I have pleanty of space for fuel jugs and tools, it has a tyre rack (although in fairness it only carries five wheels for the Capri), internal lights, which I've never used, and a whinch for pulling the car in.

It tows extemely well and is watertight.

Woodford Trialers came out of Brian James IIRC. They were either ex employees or a subcontractor. Their trailers are also very good.

[GTRMagic]

I have seen a couple of Nevcos in use website here with some expensive cars on the back. Roll on roll off seems very easy...

[andrewc]

We have a Brian James open trailer for general car duties - triple axle. Tows very nicely.

We also have a PRG Prosporter for race cars, with the optional double deck. This also works quite well. Much heavier but again easy to tow. PRG seem nice people.

[wolfhound]

Its worth comparing the security features of the various trailers, the quality of the lock etc. One feature that is useful is having the chassis number cut into the chassis as opposed to be being stamped on it.

[Peter Mallett]

Actually, now that I generally have two cars at an event I was thinking about a double-decker. Of course that would also mean a small commercial tow vehicle. Any ideas?

[Tim Falce]

Due to your circumstances wouldn't it be cheaper and more convenient to pay someone to transport one or both of your cars to circuits?

[Peter Mallett]

I do mostly. But there are times when I want to be in one location and they have to be in another. So I look after myself.

[Brian A]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Actually, now that I generally have two cars at an event I was thinking about a double-decker. Of course that would also mean a small commercial tow vehicle. Any ideas?

I've had a Fountain double decker trailer for over 6 years - I tow it behind a Jeep Grand Cherokee 3 litre diesel. It was the first one they produced and it is incredibly robust and tows brilliantly. A few years ago I took a MGB and a TR3 to Zolder although normally it is now used for either the Elite or WSM on the top deck with the Minx down below.

If you have any specific questions Peter, email them to me and I'll do my best to answer them. The trailer will be at the HRDC meeting at Donington on the 28th if you're around.

If I'm only taking one car now, I use our recently acquired Dastle Race Box which at least gives us somewhere dry during this lousy summer we're having.

[Peter Mallett]

Brian. I won't be at Donington but you will be hearing from me.

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Actually, now that I generally have two cars at an event I was thinking about a double-decker. Of course that would also mean a small commercial tow vehicle. Any ideas?

Peter, you don't necessarily need a commercial vehicle for that. For example, my Land Cruiser can legally pull about 4.5 tonnes - most trailers, unless specifically designed for use behind larger commercial vehicles, are 3.5 tonnes max. So it's the trailer that will limit you before the tow vehicle, if you get the right tow vehicle!

But there's no reason why you can't stay under 3.5 tonnes, depending, of course, on your cars. A decent, well designed twin deck trailer needn't weigh much more than a tonne, so that leaves you with best part of 2.5 tonne for two race cars - unless your cars are heavyweights, that should be achieveable.

[Peter Mallett]

Agreed, and indeed my Grand Cherokee will tow that. I currently use a race shuttle which also carries tools, wheels etc. But if I were to have a double trailer I'd need somewhere for all those tools as explained. Ergo, I'd think about a large van or similar.