trailer hire - head to head
Bateson vs Ifor Williams
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Bateson | Ifor Williams | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | England | Wales (Corwen, Denbighshire) |
| Making trailers since | 1934 | 1958 |
| UK availability | Good UK dealer coverage | Widely available - large UK network |
| Range covers | Hydraulic tilt and transport trailers, Platform, Plant, Box | General duty, Flatbed, Livestock, Horsebox |
| Weight range | 550kg unbraked to 3,500kg braked, plus tractor-drawn livestock at 8,000kg and 10,000kg gross | About 500kg unbraked through to 3,500kg braked |
| Best known for | 22-15, 27-16, 35-16 | GD range (GD84, GD85, GD105, GD106) |
Choose Bateson if...
The hydraulic tilt-bed specialist, and a company that has been making trailers since 1934. Avonride independent rubber suspension, full hot-dip galvanising and long-tail spares support make it the pick for buyers who intend to keep a trailer for decades rather than years.
Look at: 22-15, 27-16, 35-16, PT56, 520, 720, B84
Full Bateson profile →Choose Ifor Williams if...
The UK default, and the benchmark every other make gets measured against. Farmers, contractors and hire fleets buy Ifor Williams for galvanised durability, strong resale and the fact that any dealer can get parts on a shelf the same week. Rarely the cheapest option and rarely the wrong one.
Look at: GD range (GD84, GD85, GD105, GD106), LM range (LM125, LM126, LM147, LM166), GH and GX ranges
Full Ifor Williams profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK trailer hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Bateson vs Ifor Williams - common questions
Is Bateson better than Ifor Williams?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. The hydraulic tilt-bed specialist, and a company that has been making trailers since 1934. Avonride independent rubber suspension, full hot-dip galvanising and long-tail spares support make it the pick for buyers who intend to keep a trailer for decades rather than years. The UK default, and the benchmark every other make gets measured against. Farmers, contractors and hire fleets buy Ifor Williams for galvanised durability, strong resale and the fact that any dealer can get parts on a shelf the same week. Rarely the cheapest option and rarely the wrong one.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Bateson or Ifor Williams?
Bateson: An appointed dealer network, built to order, with a spares department that still supports trailers 20 years old. Ifor Williams: The widest network in Britain - over 50 UK main dealers, plus the factory showroom at Corwen. Parts are available almost anywhere.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK trailer hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.