FAQ
We operate a reliable telephone booking process to secure the trailer you need for the dates you require - call 01432 820183 - we are open 7 days a week including bank holidays. Outside hours leave a voice message & we will call you back.
We need details of the load & the tow vehicle to recommend the most suitable trailer; And the exact dates you need the hire to start & end. Trailers can be collected from 8am on the first day of the hire period and must be returned by 5.30pm on the final day of the hire period. A single day hire is a calendar day, NOT a 24 hour period.
A delivery/collection service is available for an additional fee but must be arranged at the time of booking.
To book you will need to pay the full hire fee by credit/debit card. Because the trailer is then reserved for you no refund can be given if you cancel.
If you can't see the type of trailer you need listed on our hire services page we may still be able to help, subject to the length of hire you are considering, so give us a call.
NO - From Autumn 2021 there are new rules for towing a trailer with a car .
Previously, if you passed your driving test after Jan 1997 you would have had to take a separate trailer test in order to get 'BE' on your licence to enable you legally tow most of the trailers we have available for hire. This is no longer the case. DVLA will update your driving record to show you are entitled to tow trailers and will add 'BE' to your licence next time it is renewed. You do not have to contact them this will all happen automatically. From 20th Sept 2021 there will no longer be a trailer test.
Legally you need a vehicle capable of towing the combined weight of the trailer & it's load. The maximum weight a vehicle can tow is usually shown in it's handbook; or the vehicle's 'gross train weight' may be on the VIN plate, which is normally under the bonnet or inside the driver's door. The gross train weight is the weight of the fully-loaded vehicle plus fully loaded trailer and must not be exceeded.
You need a tow ball (yes we have actually had customers arrive without them!) set at the correct coupling height.
All the towing electrics need to be functioning properly on your vehicle. We highly recommend you test them prior to coming as we do not allow trailers to leave the site unless all the lights are working properly.
You need a tow ball (yes we have actually had customers arrive without them!) set at the correct coupling height.
All the towing electrics need to be functioning properly on your vehicle. We highly recommend you test them prior to coming as we do not allow trailers to leave the site unless all the lights are working properly.
Your driving licence and a recent utility bill, both stating your correct current address.
Your debit or credit card for payment (using PIN) of the £250 damage deposit. If the hire is for less than 7 days this deposit is usually only a pre-authorisation.
A number plate with the registration of your tow vehicle. 
Licensed number plate suppliers near you
You will be required to sign the Hire Agreement. Please click here to read this agreement before you book.
An experienced member of staff will demonstrate safe & proper use of the trailer. Afterwards you will be required to sign a handover document agreeing the condition of the trailer & that you understand how to use it safely.
Due to the uncertainties of Brexit & the Covid pandemic we no longer allow trailers hired from us to leave the UK unless it has been specifically agreed with us in advance. In such a case an additional hire fee will be required and a larger damage deposit.
The hire fee includes load securing straps & shoring poles; & security wheel clamp, chain & padlocks.
VAT is not applicable.
Extra fees apply if you wish us to deliver &/or collect the trailer. This service has to be prearranged & the fee would be payable at the time of booking.
Additional hire fees and additional deposit will be required to take a trailer outside of the UK, if we have agreed for you to do so.
The log splitter is supplied with a full tank of petrol and should be returned full. Otherwise charges for fuel will be deducted from the deposit.
You will be charged in full for any damage to or loss of the trailer whilst on hire to you (upto the replacement value of the trailer).
Yes
We take pride in our professional approach to the maintenance of our trailers. Most of our fleet is less than 24 months old. All of our trailers are regularly serviced & maintained by Ifor Williams trained & certified staff.
Every trailer is washed & has it's brakes & lights checked before every hire.
Each trailer has a plate stating it's maximum Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). The weight of your load plus the weight of the trailer must not exceed this. Loads should be positioned on the trailer so that the weight is balanced centrally over the wheel axle(s). This is important so as to maintain the trailer's specified nose weight on the coupling/tow ball.
All loads must be secured to ensure they cannot slide forward, backward, sideways, topple or affect the handling of the tow vehicle. All items must be secured so that wind cannot lift them or pot holes cannot bounce them out of the trailer during the journey.
You must not exceed the trailer GVW, tow vehicle towing capacity (see Vehicle handbook) or restraint device Lashing Capacity (LC).
All our trailers come with a set of ratchet straps to suit the typical loads the trailer is designed to carry. Extra straps are available on request, so please just ask. No charge is made for extra straps.
All our straps are load rated and supplied in good condition. Ratchet straps must only be used in good condition with no tears, holes or broken stitching. You will be charged for any damage to straps other than normal wear and tear.
When collecting your trailer we will provide guidance on how to use straps and any other load restraint devices. Load restraints should be regularly checked during a long journey.
We recommend loads may do not overhang the rear of a trailer by more than 1m (lights and number plate must not be obstructed). The sides of the trailer by no more than 305mm (the sum of any overhang over both sides) but the overall width must not exceed 2.55m. We strongly recommend using a marker board whenever there is any overhang and can provide these at no extra charge.
Any load overhanging the front of the trailer needs to be positioned so that it does not hit the rear of the tow vehicle when turning on full lock. We can supply a ladder rack for this purpose with some of our trailers.
Care must be taken during the loading and unloading of trailers to avoid personal injury. Trailer beds can be slippery, often have exposed trip hazards and it can be easy to step backwards off of the trailer bed without realising. Remember that loads can move until they are correctly secured and extra care should be taken when using tilting bed trailers.
When using a winch to load or unload a vehicle always consider potential impact from any component failure - winch, winch line or vehicle towing eye. Never exceed the winch capacity stated on the winch. The vehicle being winched must be free rolling - never try to winch a vehicle that has a seized brake or any bodywork creating friction against rotating wheels. Do not allow anyone to stand behind or on a vehicle being winched. Slide the winch along the bar so it is opposite the towing eye on the vehicle being winched.
If you are in any questions about loading please speak with us.
When towing you are restricted to 60 mph on motorways & dual carriageways and 50mph elsewhere.
Use of the outside (fast) lane of a 3 lane motorway is prohibited.
Trailers can be wider than the tow vehicle & you must leave extra space from the kerb when cornering and when overtaking cyclists, pedestrians and parked vehicles.
If you have not towed before, or not often, you should take extra care.
Reversing is considered by many to be the most difficult towing skill to master. Firstly you need to get the trailer to point in the direction you want it to go - to make the rear of the trailer go right you reverse your vehicle so that it pushes the front of the trailer left. And vice versa. Once you have the trailer pointing in the right direction then gently steer the vehicle to follow the trailer in a straight line. It is harder to reverse a box van trailer as you are limited to visibilty through your side mirrors only. It is recommended to always travel slowly when reversing & have a person standing behind to help guide you.
We provide a copy of the SMMT Guide to Towing Handbook in the customer pack for every hire.
You should book a length of hire which allows sufficient time for your journey, all loading & unloading and a contingency for traffic delays.
Please contact us as soon as possible if you don't think you will arrive back on time. This is so we can make arrangements that are convienient to you and to other customers who may have subsequent bookings on that trailer.
If a trailer is returned late without prior arrangement additional charges will be deducted from the deposit at the higher full first day rate.
The cost of minor damages such as floor damage, tyre punctures, broken lights or jockey wheels etc will be deducted from your deposit. It is useful if you can let us know before your return so we are prepared for any repairs that need to be made before the next hire.
In the event of a road traffic accident or the trailer being stolen you must inform us and the police as soon as possible.
You the hirer take full liability for the costs of damage to the trailer &/or full replacement value of the trailer. Some tow vehicle insurance policies may cover this but not all and you should consult your broker and be comfortable with your particular circumstance before hiring.
You the hirer will also bear full liabilty for damages or loss caused by mis-use of the trailer, such as overloading or incorrect operation of the winch.
We do not hire Towing Dollies or A-Frames. This is because their legal use in the UK is limited to the recovery of a broken down vehicle to a place of safety.
Buying & owning a trailer can be expensive. Depreciation & servicing costs will average 12% of the purchase price per year; more if the trailer is not used regularly.
Trailers are, unfortunately, often stolen so secure storage is essential. Trailers can also be marked with Smartwater unique identifiers and fitted with cleverly hidden tracking devices.
If you are considering buying a used trailer you must always see it's chassis number and check this with Ifor Williams who hold a register of trailers that have been reported stolen.
Unlike the rest of the EU there is no MOT for trailers in the UK - light fittings, brakes & tyres can be corroded, especially if the trailer has not been regularly used. Couplings can also become worn.
For servicing & buying new trailers it is best to go to a reputable company such as Morris Bufton in Ludlow
First class trailer hire business 
Jan- Willem Naerebout