trailer hire - head to head
Ifor Williams vs Richardson Trailers
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 | Richardson Trailers | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | Wales (Corwen, Denbighshire) | England (Norfolk) |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Limited UK presence |
| Range covers | General duty, Flatbed, Livestock, Horsebox | Horse trailers |
| Best known for | GD range (GD84, GD85, GD105, GD106) | Supreme Ultra |
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 Richardson Trailers if...
Richardson Trailers is a long-running Norfolk-based manufacturer of horse trailers, historically compared alongside makers such as Ifor Williams as a British-built option, with its Supreme Ultra model still commonly traded second-hand by UK owners.
Look at: Supreme Ultra, Supreme 2000
Full Richardson Trailers 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 Richardson Trailers - common questions
Is Ifor Williams better than Richardson Trailers?
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. Richardson Trailers is a long-running Norfolk-based manufacturer of horse trailers, historically compared alongside makers such as Ifor Williams as a British-built option, with its Supreme Ultra model still commonly traded second-hand by UK owners.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Ifor Williams or Richardson Trailers?
Ifor Williams: The widest network in Britain - over 50 UK main dealers, plus the factory showroom at Corwen. Parts are available almost anywhere. Richardson Trailers: A long-established Norfolk trailer maker whose horse trailers are now mostly traded on the used and classified market rather than bought new through a wide dealer network.
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.