Head to head
Brian James Race Transporter 4 vs Ifor Williams GD85
The Ifor Williams GD85 is 785kg lighter empty. The Brian James Race Transporter 4 is rated 2.1 tonnes heavier gross and has a bed 2.5m (8ft) longer.
Last reviewed 13 September 2026
Key differences
- Unladen weight: the Brian James Race Transporter 4 weighs 785kg more empty.
- Gross weight: the Brian James Race Transporter 4 is rated 2.1 tonnes heavier gross.
- Internal bed: the Brian James Race Transporter 4 has a bed 2.5m (8ft) longer.
Specifications side by side
| Brian James Race Transporter 4 | Ifor Williams GD85 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross weight | 3500kg | 1,400kg single axle / 2,700kg twin axle |
| Unladen weight | from 1180kg | 395kg single axle / 485kg twin axle |
| Internal bed | 5.0m / 5.5m long | 2.5m x 1.58m (8ft 2in x 5ft 2in) |
| Payload | up to 2320kg | - |
| Internal width | 2.12m | - |
| Axles | Twin | - |
| Brakes | - | Braked, auto-reverse over-run |
Sources: Brian James Race Transporter 4, Ifor Williams GD85. Figures vary by model year and options, so check with the supplier before you commit.
Buy or hire the Race Transporter 4 if...
- you want one that is rated 2.1 tonnes heavier gross
- you want one that has a bed 2.5m (8ft) longer
Aimed at motorsport teams and vehicle recovery operators who need a hydraulic tilt-bed for easy low loading of a single car. It is the entry point into the numbered Race Transporter range, below the 5, 6 and 7.
Listed by
- Trek-Trailers Lincolnshire - Doncaster, Belton
- Bicester Trailer Centre - Bicester
- Trek-Trailers Suffolk - Bury Saint Edmunds
- Trek-Trailers Three Counties - Hereford
Buy or hire the GD85 if...
- you want one that is 785kg lighter empty
The entry point of the Ifor Williams general duty range and one of the most common working trailers in Britain. Smallholders, gardeners and tradespeople buy it for everyday hauling without needing a heavy tow vehicle, and the twin-axle version roughly doubles the payload for a modest gain in unladen weight.
Full GD85 specifications →Common questions
What is the difference between the Brian James Race Transporter 4 and the Ifor Williams GD85?
The Ifor Williams GD85 is 785kg lighter empty. The Brian James Race Transporter 4 is rated 2.1 tonnes heavier gross and has a bed 2.5m (8ft) longer. The Brian James Race Transporter 4 is a an open twin-axle hydraulic tilt-bed car transporter; the Ifor Williams GD85 is a general duty box trailer, single or twin axle.
Which is lighter, the Brian James Race Transporter 4 or the Ifor Williams GD85?
The Ifor Williams GD85. It is 785kg lighter empty than the Brian James Race Transporter 4.
Can I tow the Brian James Race Transporter 4 or the Ifor Williams GD85 on a car licence?
Yes, as far as the licence goes. Both are rated at or under 3,500kg gross, and a car (B) licence has covered towing up to 3,500kg since 16 December 2021. Your car still has to be rated to tow the loaded weight - check the handbook or the VIN plate.
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