trailer hire - head to head
Ifor Williams vs Meredith & Eyre
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.
| Ifor Williams | Meredith & Eyre | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | Wales (Corwen, Denbighshire) | UK (Greater Manchester / Cheshire, North West England) |
| Making trailers since | 1958 | 1956 |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Limited UK presence |
| Range covers | General duty, Flatbed, Livestock, Horsebox | Flatbed trailers, Goods trailers, Plant trailers, Tipper trailers |
| Weight range | About 500kg unbraked through to 3,500kg braked | 2,000kg - 3,500kg |
| Best known for | GD range (GD84, GD85, GD105, GD106) | MEF Flat Bed range |
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 →Choose Meredith & Eyre if...
Meredith & Eyre is a long-established trailer manufacturer based in the North West of England, building flatbed, goods, plant and tipper trailers as well as running gear for other trailer builders. It is a regional rather than national name, sold mainly to builders' merchants and trailer specialists in its home area.
Look at: MEF Flat Bed range, MEG range
Full Meredith & Eyre 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.
Ifor Williams vs Meredith & Eyre - common questions
Is Ifor Williams better than Meredith & Eyre?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. 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. Meredith & Eyre is a long-established trailer manufacturer based in the North West of England, building flatbed, goods, plant and tipper trailers as well as running gear for other trailer builders. It is a regional rather than national name, sold mainly to builders' merchants and trailer specialists in its home area.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Ifor Williams or Meredith & Eyre?
Ifor Williams: The widest network in Britain - over 50 UK main dealers, plus the factory showroom at Corwen. Parts are available almost anywhere. Meredith & Eyre: A regional UK manufacturer, better known to builders' merchants and trailer specialists in the North West of England than to the wider national trade.
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.