sinclair trailers

[puddons]

just asking your views on these trailers are they any good? has anyone got one? good and bad points please.
also when viewing secondhand trailers do you ask to take them on test run?

[torgrosset]

I had one in the 1980's. I didn't think they made them anymore? I was a child at the time and can't really remember an awful lot about it, other than it was made from fibreglass (I think) and has like a rounded door with the front ramp inside. I know that's not really much use! We eventually upgraded to a lorry as my horse at the time didn't travel well in a trailer.

[sarahp]

I had one too, an Ambassador, and loved it - chosen because it was the widest trailer made at the time and I had a bad traveller, and it also had a curtain for the bottom of the partition so they could spread their legs if they wanted. Rear and front ramps as torgrosset said, with the curved side front door opening separately to the front ramp. It had a full height groom's door centre front which was handy, as long as there was no chance of the pony coming through it that was the bit that was fibreglass, pretty sure all the rest was aluminium. Mine was an earlier one and had a rather inadequate pleated blind thing to cover the gap above the back ramp, later replaced by a much better one, and they changed the design of the rear lights too I remember.

I have never bought a second hand trailer so can't help on test runs, but the only thing I'd say was that I towed mine with a LR, wonderful things, we went for miles. I did occasionally have to tow it with the current car, Ford Sierra I think, and did really find that it needed something heavier. It was beautifully balanced though and towed like a cream.

[network]

I bought one of these second hand as my first ever trailer about 6 years ago, didnt know what I was looking for as had never had a trailer, had it a week and my pony went through the floor took it to Barlows to get the wooden floor replaced with an alluminium one, whilst it was in they leant me an Ifor Williams trailer which I loved and ended up part exchanging the Sinclair for the Ifor Williams that I had borrowed

Would be very wary about buying such an old trailer second hand privately unless you really know what you are looking at or can take someone with you that knows how to check the floor, ramp, brakes etc luckily my pony was ok as the rubber matting over the top of the flooring stopped her going completely through the floor, so all that happened was the partitioned collapsed on her, the noise was loud enough to make me stop immediately and was able to get her out safely

[eskvalleystud]

crivens, Desktop that was a lucky escape

I've only been lucky or rich enough to have bought one new trailer, the others have all been second hand and they were all taken straight to the place that does our trailer servicing for a 'MOT' !!! alot of 2nd hand trailers have such rotten floors upon inspection!

I had a Sinclair years ago, it was my first ever trailer and I did love it as it was rounded at the front which gave them far more head room, the one thing I remember negative about the trailer was the front ramp, it weighed a ton and would of killed a kid had it come down on top of them

not sure about taking trailer on test run unless you are buying from a trader/dealer as not sure what insurance cover the seller would have if you towed their trailer? or your insurance for that matter?

I always say if the trailer is pristine, its hopefully had regular servicing but if its overall tatty then would make you wonder if brakes, etc are safe! our most recent Ifor Williams looked in great nick but still needed drums and brakes replacing when we took it in to get it serviced before we used it

[dawnie]

i bought my sinclair from a friend so could fully trust all was well with it, the best trailer i have ever had and found it brilliant to tow. there is so much room at the front too due to the design. i only parted with it as i needed a bigger trailer.

[flo1]

I bought an old Sinclair Ambassador about 3 years ago, it had recently had a new floor fitted and all I had to do was replace the lights.
It obviously doesn't look as swish as the new IW's when it's parked next to them at shows but it does it's job very well indeed. Very light to tow with plenty of room for a couple of Sec D fatties.
Oh and the ramp is on the left, which makes far more sense and much safer if you have to unload your horse in an emergency, say on a road or heaven forbid on the motorway!!

It was meant as a stopgap until I could afford a better one, but I've had no reason to replace to be honest

[sidesaddlelady]

Have had a Sinclair Ambassador which towed like a dream, even though thick mud. Still have our very old pony Sinclair - really lightweight and can be towed by an ordinary car (peeps didnt have 4x4s when this was built). Loads of people have borrowed her and no complaints. They are generally built of aliminum and the more modern ones have a full length fibre glass door at the front. Mine has a little side door. Mine also has a rounded front door with shelving and hanging places (fab for boots, jackets, deck chairs and bridles) in front of the (very heavy and unsprung) side ramp. Was going to sell her, but she is so handy cant bear to part with her!

I have never heard of anyone test driving a second hand trailer - I wouldnt let anyone in case they drove off with my trailer!

[qbc]

I used to have an Ambassador. Very light to tow, nice inside and ramp on the left.

I kept the outside looking scruffy, so when the local tea leafs came, they took all the shiney IWs and left my Sinclair. Inside it was immaculate and in excellent condition.

Be prepared to change the floor, but the body should be fine as they don't rust.

[gilly]

we had one and we loved it so did the horses and ponies. we had to change the floor and tyres. it was the lightest biggest trailer around. then we went to a lorry.

[sarahp]

sidesaddlelady - there have always been land rovers, the best 4WD ever! I learned to drive on one round the field when I was about 15, over 45 years ago now, and before there were many trailers about - ours was an amateur built one and weighed a ton. I too went from the Sinclair to a lorry.

[shayne1974]

Mar 7, 2011 18:48:52 GMT puddons said:

just asking your views on these trailers are they any good? has anyone got one? good and bad points please.
also when viewing secondhand trailers do you ask to take them on test run?

I have one of these for sale need work what is it worth??