trailer hire - head to head
Bockmann vs Cheval Liberte
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.
| Bockmann | Cheval Liberte | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | Germany (Lastrup, Lower Saxony) | France |
| UK availability | Limited UK presence | Widely available - large UK network |
| Range covers | Horse trailers, Horse trucks, Cattle transporters, Box, platform, tipper and plant utility trailers | Horse trailers - single, double, herringbone and living |
| Weight range | Utility range spans 450kg to 3,500kg gross across one to three axles | Touring Country at 2,600kg gross; wider range unverified |
| Best known for | Uno | Touring Country |
Choose Bockmann if...
Premium German horse transport, particularly the aluminium Portax and Champion. Serious competitors and dealers buy it for build quality and for the multi-horse Traveller, which has few direct equivalents in the UK.
Look at: Uno, Duo and Comfort, Champion and Portax
Full Bockmann profile →Choose Cheval Liberte if...
The continental alternative in a horsebox market that otherwise defaults to Ifor Williams. Aluminium construction, herringbone layouts and Pullman suspension give more space per kilo and a smoother ride, and Maxi Living adds changing space without stepping up to a lorry.
Look at: Touring Country, Maxi 2, Maxi 3, Maxi 4, Maxi Living and Maxi Living Signature
Full Cheval Liberte 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.
Bockmann vs Cheval Liberte - common questions
Is Bockmann better than Cheval Liberte?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. Premium German horse transport, particularly the aluminium Portax and Champion. Serious competitors and dealers buy it for build quality and for the multi-horse Traveller, which has few direct equivalents in the UK. The continental alternative in a horsebox market that otherwise defaults to Ifor Williams. Aluminium construction, herringbone layouts and Pullman suspension give more space per kilo and a smoother ride, and Maxi Living adds changing space without stepping up to a lorry.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Bockmann or Cheval Liberte?
Bockmann: Sold through individual equestrian and trailer dealers rather than a national network. Check parts and servicing locally before buying. Cheval Liberte: Cheval Liberte (UK) Ltd has been the sole UK and Ireland importer since 2005, with a named distributor network and a parts department.
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.