Author Topic: Wanted Rice Trailer / Horse box parts! (Read 17598 times)

Mel · « **on:** September 09, 2011, 06:24:33 am »

We need some parts for our trailer,notably the wheel hubs or backing plates-they are 10",ours are completely rotten through.
The model is a Rice Farmers Hunt model circa 1960-65! We have decided to do it up.Other parts needed,Jockey wheel and central bracket and original mudguard lights,we could also do with two 16" wheels to suit-takes 600.16 tyres.

If anyone has any of these spares,or what have you?we would be interested though it has to be economical.

Mel

robert waddell · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2011, 09:52:04 am »

the wheels you will need to measure the space betwean the bolts and the size of bolt this is called the pcd
would you not be better getting a new axle just a thought

lachlanandmarcus · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2011, 09:54:09 am »

our friends had the axle replaced on their trailer and it was worth doing even tho the trailer was old, so it cant have been tooooo bad, think theirs was an Ifor. worth checking out if you cant find just the bits you need

Mel · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2011, 10:17:21 am »

Well,from the price of a complete new axle,and we need two of them,it may work out quite expensive?it seems to be very difficult to locate the parts,I am calling Richardsons this morning to see if they can also help?!

wytsend · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2011, 06:35:36 am »

My son repair trailers for living so ran this past him. He states without hesitation, that this era of trailer are no longer legal on UK roads because the braking systems do not comply, if it has a 2" coupling this is also illegal now on the roads. YOU CANNOT BUY A 2" coupling head now... they are all 50mm. 50mm DO NOT match up to old braking systems.

Richardsons no longer make the parts for these age trailers.

IF you were able to find a trailer for spares that was sound in the axle that might be an option but you cannot restore the legality. The legislation says that all trailed vehicles MUST comply with current regulations to used on UK roads.

Be careful because the fines are huge if you are stopped by VOSA using a non compliant trailer on the highway.

If this had been an IFor Williams no older than 20years, an axle would cost in the region of £400 each (inc |VAT), Jockey wheel about £50, not sure what you mean by central bracket but assuming this is the coupling head.... this would be around £400 also.

Buying a reasonable up to date trailer may be your cheapest option they are around !!!

Mel · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2011, 07:52:37 am »

This has a standard towball fitting and 7 pin light electrics which may have been converted at some stage?maybe not?Richardsons can supply some parts for different models within the same era-up to 1967,However,I have been lucky and found all new drums/ braked hubs on axle like Robert suggested,off the shelf,surely if they were illegal,then the parts should not be made available?(These are not That cheap though)

I would also like to ask,why are there so many of the older trailers still being used today and still being sold everywhere,like loot,friday ad,farmers ads,the horse exchange,ad trader,exchange and mart,and of course ebay to mention just a few?

wytsend · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2011, 08:26:20 am »

They are illegal because they do not comply with current regulations. If these trailers are stopped by VOSA on the road/market etc., then they can put a prohibition order on it which will prevent it being moved.

Vosa are catching up with these older trailers so gradually they will be taken out of service.

It sounds like your trailer is one of the border line ones where the braking systems were updated from new... you have been very lucky.

Only cable operatred brakes fall within the scope of the regulations these days.

Standard towball hitches are marked 50mm.. 2" are not. I assume the brakaway cable is properly arrached to the brakes and not a chain to the chassis ?

Mel · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2011, 11:42:02 am »

Whilst ours is cable operated twin wheel and braked,it does not have the breakaway cable,only a chain,the hitch itself is 50mm,I wonder what has occurred here then..... And we do not believe you could fit the breakaway cable to this system,though we may be wrong.

Does any one else have any thoughts on this subject,as I am sure many of you may well have older trailers!

wytsend · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2011, 12:44:50 pm »

Breakaway cable is attached to the brakes so, in event of trailer becoming unhitched the brakes are applied immediately. The chain will prevent the trailer leaving the vehicle but would not be under control.... the trailer would turn over first probably tipping the towing vehicle over as well. This is why the system was changed to a cable that would operate the brakes and then snap.

robert waddell · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2011, 02:39:51 pm »

had a look at my trailers the towing bracket (held onto the frame with 4 bolts) has a combined parking brake this works as a spring loaded over centre lever once on it takes a bit of effort to release it the cable operates this lever in the event of the trailer detaching its self from the towing vehicle
it would be quite easy to convert the trailer to this system with new axles/cables and hitch the big question is it worth it only you can tell with ifor williams trailers the floor is wooden covered in checker plate aluminium strong and light weight peri shuttering plywood could do the same topped of with aluminium but this is not suitable for horses
you can get a dog rough ifor williams dp 120 g for £500-£800 and likely to spend the same again on doing it up lights/brakes floor
the biggest vosa complaint is brakes then lights then number plates tyres are also one of the areas they slaughter you on as they have to comply with the weight that your trailer can carry tyre dealers will sell you any tyre but ifor williams dealers have the correct tyre and they are not to dear either
some times they have a cheep trailer that requires work and they will sell the complete package at a reasonable price
i don't think it is illegal to sell old trailers it is just using them on the road that you will get shafted also if it looks a pile of Shite you have a better chance of being pulled coparts sell write offs but you have to buy through a licenced dealer some of them are not to bad they could be resurrected or just used as a Doner good luck and happy spannering you will need it

Mel · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2011, 03:36:38 pm »

Hmmm,I have showed this to hubby and he has said it is worth more in scrap value,the body being aluminium and the steel as well.Trouble is with this trailer,it needs welding on the chassis,the hub plates have been eaten through,plus with a new floor and then to change the other parts to make it legal so to speak,we might as well buy another one and stomach the cost.

Makes you think though,when you go into these things deep enough you undo a real can of worms! I have just noticed over half a dozen identical on the ebay,we shall be buying one less than 5 years of age!-and from a reputable source!

Thanks for you input,it really is appreciated!