Overloaded

[GA Groundcare]

Probably towed in excess of 100,000 miles towing all with IWT trailers and never really had any issues fish tailing. 
 

Lorry ruts on the other hand....

[spuddog0507]

28 minutes ago, Big J said:

Quite probably, but the exchange rate drop (from 1.32 to 1.13) basically consumed the projected profit. Simple economics, combined with total uncertainty about the future. Did you envisage 3.5 years ago that we'd be where we are now? I don't own a crystal ball unfortunately!

No i did,nt and i dont think many people would of thought it would take this long ! and you never know it may be another 3.5 years yet or more like not at all, they started some road works on the M6 just after the referendum and you will never guess, the road works are now finished !!!

[Peasgood]

I had a warning from my IWT triaxle 14’ recently. 

I was going too fast with a too heavy load of too long electric poles on it. 

No drama whatsoever but it showed me to be a bit more respectful. 

[monkeybusiness]

Only had one real issue with an IWT - 12 foot tipper with cage sides (approx 8m3) full of wet split logs. Down a long bendy hill on the A55 (dual carriageway) it got all out of shape, eventually flipped on its side (lifting the pickup’s back wheels off the floor) and stuffed me into the central reservation.

The whole thing lasted for nearly a mile, and my trousers, the entire seat cushion and half of the carpet got chewed up by my bum-hole (it was absofarkinlutely terrifying!). Fortunately it started snaking far enough before disaster to allow everyone following enough time to hang back and watch the show... 

I’m 100% certain this incident was caused by low tyre pressure in one of the rear tyres (it ended up popped off the rim), possible overloading and too much speed which became impossible to shed.

Other than that one incident (which in no way can be blamed on the trailer, it was entirely driver error) my experiences of the towing behaviour of Ifors is entirely positive, and I have towed a lot of their trailers carrying a lot of weight a lot of miles.

If you load them wrong (basically zero or negative nose weight) then they can snake, but so will any trailer. 

I’ve yet to find another manufacturer who can offer anything comparable that will take abuse and still sell very second hand for strong money either!

[woody paul]

Had s trailer snake on me many years ago, it was loaded with straw the person I was working for used a loader which would put 40 small bales a time on a trailer so 40 on from side at front then 40 from the back.

Front ones were a lot heavier going down the road it didn't feel right then it happen down a slight hill hitting banks on both sides of the road missed 2 cars coming the other way and then stopped on it's wheels and all bales on the trailer. 

 

[Stihl123]

if a trailer is loaded like shit, then it's going to fish tail isn't it

if it's overweight as well, then it's not going to handle like an angel is it??!

[GA Groundcare]

8 hours ago, Big J said:

Ifors are built like brick outhouses. I don't think any other trailer will stand up to the abuse they take. But they are veyr basic, and there are much more sophisticated designs out there that tow far better. 

Think that why I like them, basic but a good reliable trailer. Yes some of the Brian James and other brands are a bit more fancy but I like the fact that running an Ifor there is many trailer centres around the country that if you had an issue when far from base you could swing in and pick up parts to get yourself going.

 

Always been taught from a young age (certainly not when I did my trailer license) to get your speed down prior to a descent. Always have room to comfortably / safely accelerate if required. I was overtaken down hill on a dual carriageway this week by a builder in a Ford Ranger with a 16ft flat bed loaded right up with timber. They must of been going 75mph + as I was doing 55-60mph. Modern pick ups can give a false sense of trailer safety.

[Stere]

a55 hasn't got  bends apart from pen y clip tunnel?

 

(or only real gradual ones)

[GA Groundcare]

1 hour ago, Big J said:

I've maintained that driving in the UK would generally hugely improve if everyone had to pass a trailer test. That awareness of other road users with larger loads, as well as learning to drive more smoothly and with more anticipation.

 

 

You definitely need the latter when towing with a non ABS Defender during winter. 

Edited November 22, 2019 by GA Groundcare

[Canal Navvy]

If it wasn't such a minefield I'd be running a mini artic and be much safer on the road. I find it buttock clenching seeing builders towing 3.5 tonne plant trailers behind unladen pick ups. I tow an ifor 3017 behind my land rover hard top that is usually well loaded up and with two tonnes on the trailer stopping on hill ascents is hairy. Would quite like power brakes on it for safety but as its easier to stay legal with it in standard form that's how it'll stay. ?