The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: My Way 2020 on September 26, 2021, 06:28:45 pm

Title: Trailers
Post by: My Way 2020 on September 26, 2021, 06:28:45 pm
Hi All
I have a question on trailers and there suitability.
I need a general purpose trailer with netting sides that will occasionally carry pigs / sheep ,l would like an 8X4 or 5ft drop side with a long ramp or would this be to high as the wheels are underneath the body. Alternatively I could go for a none drop side with wheels on either side of the body therefore making it lower.
Has any body here had this issue? Or am I over thinking this.
This will be my first trailer and my first sheep and pigs.
Title: Re: Trailers
Post by: GribinIsaf on September 26, 2021, 08:06:10 pm
We have the 8 foot model of this:

CLH Trailers (https://www.clhtrailers.com/catalogue/main/livestock-trailers/livestock-canopy-trailers-unbraked/)

Very happy with it for pigs and general use - very versatile
Title: Re: Trailers
Post by: Fleecewife on September 26, 2021, 08:53:59 pm
Our trailer which has lasted for about 20 years so far is almost identical to gribinslaf's. Don't forget that there are rules about the kind of trailer you can transport various kinds of livestock in, governing the amount of ventilation, the slope angle they have to negotiate, the materials used, how easy it is to clean, head room and so on.  Sorry I don't have a link, but do some research into that first before investing your money only to find your trailer isn't legal
Title: Re: Trailers
Post by: SallyintNorth on September 26, 2021, 09:57:38 pm
We have the 8 foot model of this:

CLH Trailers (https://www.clhtrailers.com/catalogue/main/livestock-trailers/livestock-canopy-trailers-unbraked/)

Very happy with it for pigs and general use - very versatile

Ditto.  Had one on the Cumrbian farm, unhesitatingly sought out the same again down here.  Well-made, incredibly versatile design, sensibly priced.  And livestock, mart and abattoir legal. 
Title: Re: Trailers
Post by: My Way 2020 on October 03, 2021, 09:10:47 am
Thank you for help.
Title: Re: Trailers
Post by: LizRH on October 03, 2021, 10:08:32 am
Hello MyWay 2020.  I've just been researching this in detail across farming forums and more, checking out Ifor Williams, Bateson, Edwards, Nugent and CLH. We want braked as this gives us far greater towing load on our 1.4 car than an ubraked, and we feel it is better for our animals (we are also new to sheep and getting pigs).  Although I am aiming at a 7 x 4 rather than 8 x4/5 foot, I have easily concluded that the CLH is best.  Drop sides and ramp, removable (and optional tilting lid with greater height for a bit more money), dividers (not available on all) and strong construction.  I have been in touch with CLH (based in Carmarthen) a few times and they've always been really helpful (and patient) - which is not always the case.  We can also keep the 7 x 4 in our barn/garage - and that's important for security. 

Hope this helps and really pleased to add something to this wonderful forum as usually it's me looking for answers! Liz
Title: Re: Trailers
Post by: vfr400boy on October 04, 2021, 08:44:01 pm
Roughly how much are clh the 8x5 live stock trailers iv had a look on ther website but no prices on ? They look like a handy size and versatile with the sides coming off etc
Title: Re: Trailers
Post by: LizRH on October 05, 2021, 06:53:42 am
VFR400boy
 
I don't know what sort of price that size is - either look up the dealer list on their site and contact one local to you, or contact CLH.  Depends on whether you want unbraked or braked, gates, spare wheel etc . Everything is plus VAT which is painful! :yuck:

The price I've got for the size I'm ordering (7 x 4) is very competitive with the others that size, and has more stuff included as standard such as jockey wheel and dividing gates.
Title: Re: Trailers
Post by: SallyintNorth on October 05, 2021, 08:46:54 am
Yup, will be cheaper than and at least as robust as, and probably more versatile than, the "brand name" competition.  But you can select options, so it's probably not a good idea for any of us to tell you how much ours were, as you would want different options. (Eg, length, jockey wheel or not, braked or not, removable roof or not, ramp or opening door, or small-door-within-ramp, etc.  Not sure whether fixed side panels, internal rear gates, internal removable partition are options or always come as standard.)
Title: Re: Trailers
Post by: vfr400boy on October 05, 2021, 06:06:11 pm
They have just emailed me back and for what I was looking at it was £3600 plus VAT , I think I will have to make do with my home made jobby for a bit longer ha
Title: Re: Trailers
Post by: Bywaters on November 02, 2021, 04:36:03 pm
A good few years ago I was told off by the animal health person at the market that my trialer wasn't legal as it didn't (then) have internal gates.
Assuming they were correct, is there a minimum size for internal gates or do all trailers that carry livestock need to have them ?
It makes sense of course as it's a secondary form of defense should the ramp open on the move
Title: Re: Trailers
Post by: Bywaters on November 02, 2021, 04:41:10 pm
was just checking and found this post on here back in 2015 in answer to a smiliar question

"The trailer DOES have to have gates - it comes under PART 2E – ROAD VEHICLE and TRAILER and CONTAINER SPECIFICATION and GUIDANCE for CONSTRUCTION  of EU regulation 1/2005 which says that you need Barriers to prevent falling when loading/unloading.

if you google
'PART 2E – ROAD VEHICLE and TRAILER and CONTAINER SPECIFICATION and GUIDANCE for CONSTRUCTION' you'll find a link which has all the stuff in it that you can check your trailer against."