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| All suggestions welcomed! Should I buy used or new? 3 or 4 horse? What size of shortwall? Best financing company? Should I buy from a dealer or individual? Looking to spend up to $55K but would like to stay under if possible. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 807
Location: New Mexico | I just bought a brand new Elite and I love it. I had a brand new Elite before that, as well and swear I'll never buy another brand. The reason I went brand new is because I like to know I'm the only one who's used it (toilet, shower, etc). I have a 3 horse. Sometimes I'd like a 4 horse, but sometimes I'd like only a 2 horse, so a 3 horse is a good median. I went from a 8' shortwall, 7'6'' wide to an 8'8'' shortwall, 8' wide. If you're gonna spend the money, at LEAST get a 7'6'' wide, if not the full 8' wide. I can really tell a difference both for my horses and in the LQ and really love it. I got it from Longhorn Trailers in Mount Pleasant, TX and they were a pleasure to work with. (friendly, fair prices, no BS, delivery, etc). They also set up the finanacing with US Bank and they were also great with really fair interest rates and the knowledge of what you're financing. A lot of banks don't know what a LQ is. The reason I hesitate to purchase from individual sellers, unless it's local is because you really never know what you're gonna get, especially used. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 101
Location: would like to be where it does not snow | We like to use the front stall to put things, and use it as a mud room as I always have the door from the LQ to horse area. Good Luck trailer shopping can be stressful.. |
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| Thank you! |
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I keep my change in my pockets
Posts: 2985
Location: MN | We bought in Elite 3 horse, 8' wide with a 12' short wall. Love it would never go back to anything but an 8' wide. Make sure you get a pass through door from your living quarters to the first stall. First then can be used as mudroom, plus extra storage for what ever. Love the extra storage we get because the trailer has mangers.
Oh yea, we bought it used.
Edited by dawnb 2014-05-09 12:58 PM
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
 
Location: Oklahoma | I buy and sell trailers about like I buy and sell horses, but the fun thing is that I always have something different!!! I learn a lot, too. This is what I've learned. Pay the extra for an 8' wide and mangers. It's worth it. Also, any time I've gotten anything but an Outlaw Conversion, I've been unhappy. They're more expensive for a reason....they're just better, and I'd try to find one w/Outlaw if I were you. Some others may be prettier, but you'll have problems with them. I've never had any problems w/any of my Outlaw conversions, and they are user friendly. Everything is very easy to work. As far as brand of trailer, go with the all aluminum brands rather than the ones with the steel frame. 4 Star, Elite, Platinum, C & C all are excellent trailers. I'm wanting a Twister so bad I can taste it, but it's hard to find a used one...but any of those are nice trailers. I also had an Integrity that I liked really well. I buy used because I can get a nicer trailer for the money, and I have a good trailer guy that will fix anything that's wrong. I can't afford new. I like at least a 10 ft shortwall and at least a 3 horse. I don't want anything over 30 ft long (box of the trailer) because it's too hard to get around corners, get in some gas stations and park it. My must haves are drop downs on both sides of the horses due to where I live (it's hot here), mangers, Outlaw interior, pull out couch (have had the dinette and don't like it, but if I had kids, I'd go with the dinette), 8 wide. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | I did a ton of shopping and took an experienced friend with me when I bought my first one. Two things that she really helped me on for sure were to have me sit down and make a list of Must Haves...and a list of "Would be nice to haves". That helped guide me.
Also she had me stand in every shower we looked at! It was funny...but she was right! I am tall with "monkey arms and legs"...and some of those showers were too short/tiny! And...I really don't like ones that have the potty inside the shower stall. I didn't know that till I got to shopping.
Oh...and I didn't think I had any need for a cook top/burners in the trailer. Figured I'd just microwave. But I have used that darn thing every single trip! So be open to those things that you aren't sure you need.
I got mine with an automatic awning. I travelled alone so THAT was nice. I used my awning all the time because I knew it would be a snap to put up/take down. Just use the tip of the finger to push the little button! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1767
Location: California | Your size of trailer really depends on what you have to pull it with IMO. I have an Elite 3H with an 8' shortwall. I pull it with an F250 4x4 and I feel I am pretty much maxed out on the size of trailer I can pull and stop comfortably. Any larger trailer and I would need a larger truck. Any of those trailers that are 4H 8' wide with a 10 or larger short wall really need a dually truck to pull them. There is so much more stability and less wear and tear on the truck. I guess it also depends on where you live. I have to pull up some pretty big hills (like I-5 and the Grapevine in California) so I really like to feel that I'm not getting pushed down the hill. When I was younger we had a 4 Star 4H, 8'wide with I think a 10 or 12 short wall. We pulled it with an F350 and when it was loaded down it was a little scary to stop sometimes. We upgraded to an F550 and it was much better to pull with. Trailer size really depends on truck size and what you can safely pull. Even though I see a lot of trucks pulling trailers that are way to big for them. I just figure they must not live where I live. But I would be scared to pull it. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 103
Location: Georgia | I agree with the post stating to not get more trailer, than truck. I have a 3 horse with 8' living quarters and pull it with a 2500. My truck is at it's max. I have a Cimarron that is 7 1/2' wide and a little taller than average (7 1/2' I think). I love the extra height for the horses and for living area. |
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  Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | Compare Compare Compare....take your sweet old time looking. Don't jump in one one just because you like it unless you know it's a good deal. There will always be other trailers.
Sit down and decide what you want, and what you don't want. What you can live with, and what you can't live without.
Some people must have mangers, as Diane said. Some people, like myself, hate mangers. I prefer the extra room and allowing my horses to put their heads down if they want, but I also don't tie my horses on the trailer unless it's one I'm not familiar with.
Things to consider, drop downs on BOTH sides is a huge huge bonus. Though you could survive without drop downs on the butt side.
If I had to give one HUGE piece of advice, go for a trailer that has the built in metal guards/screens, and not the ones you have to put the mesh ones on. |
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| Thanks to everyone for all of this great information. I live in Texas so drop downs on both sides are a must. I've been managing to tough it out without a LQ trailer but I have a 1 yr old daughter and I think it will only make travel easier on everyone, especially her. I will be pulling it with a 1 ton dodge dually so I really think 12' short wall is the most I would want if I get a 4 horse. |
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 Ima Non Controversial Girl
Posts: 4168
Location: where the wind blows | I'd also suggest a good used quality brand over a new lesser quality brand. I just got a 2007 cimmaron and sold my 2001 exiss. I can sure see the difference in quality between the two. Loving my new to me cimmaron. I could have gotten a new exiss for what I paid for the 07 cimmaron but decided I go used for quality. |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | jkrm - 2014-05-09 11:10 PM I'd also suggest a good used quality brand over a new lesser quality brand. I just got a 2007 cimmaron and sold my 2001 exiss. I can sure see the difference in quality between the two. Loving my new to me cimmaron. I could have gotten a new exiss for what I paid for the 07 cimmaron but decided I go used for quality.
I bought a 2006 Cimarron last summer and am loving it. Very impressed with the quality.
Look at a bunch of trailers and decide what features and floor plan you prefer. Be picky! Hold out and get what you want. Also be prepared if you're looking at used trailers for the good brands at good prices to disappear quickly. There are a lot of people who know exactly what they want and are willing to buy sight unseen to get it, especially if it's a bargain. |
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Regular
Posts: 51
| Not to steal the post, but I'm starting to look to upgrade my current rig. A 3 horse is plenty for anything I personally would ever need, but feel as a if a 4 horse is the way to go so you could haul with someone. Is the money for an extra whole worth it for the few times you want to haul with someone else? Resale value?? |
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Veteran
Posts: 242
| Just sold mine but if I bought another-that was my first. I would make sure you have an adjustable thermostat like at your house so that it will not either have to be on or off. The other thing is make sure you have a large water heater so plenty of hot water for more than one person to shower. It was a cimarron -loved the trailer, very user friendly & loved insulated roof in horse part- I'm in Texas so it helped in the summer. Don't know who did inside? It was fine nothing fancy. |
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Location: Texas | I love both of my Bloomers. I don't see myself ever buying anything but Bloomer. Lots of space, love the LQ layout and style of trailer! |
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Duct Tape Bikini Girl
Posts: 2554
| Buy at least one more stall than you will ever need. Escape door, stud bar on front divider, fold downs head and rear, and full ramp would be the must haves for me.
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I grew up with a trailer with the escape door and I don't think I could buy another without one. So handy for storage. I myself would be really picky about the layout. Where are your hats going? Rodeo shirts? Room for your duffle bag? I don't know anyone that actually unpacks in a LQ unless they are the pros living in them. |
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 Texas Lone Star
Posts: 5318
Location: where ever my L/Q trl is parked | crzystevielvr - 2014-05-09 12:39 PM I just bought a brand new Elite and I love it. I had a brand new Elite before that, as well and swear I'll never buy another brand. The reason I went brand new is because I like to know I'm the only one who's used it (toilet, shower, etc). I have a 3 horse. Sometimes I'd like a 4 horse, but sometimes I'd like only a 2 horse, so a 3 horse is a good median. I went from a 8' shortwall, 7'6'' wide to an 8'8'' shortwall, 8' wide. If you're gonna spend the money, at LEAST get a 7'6'' wide, if not the full 8' wide. I can really tell a difference both for my horses and in the LQ and really love it. I got it from Longhorn Trailers in Mount Pleasant, TX and they were a pleasure to work with. (friendly, fair prices, no BS, delivery, etc). They also set up the finanacing with US Bank and they were also great with really fair interest rates and the knowledge of what you're financing. A lot of banks don't know what a LQ is. The reason I hesitate to purchase from individual sellers, unless it's local is because you really never know what you're gonna get, especially used.
I agree with this ... Longhorn was great to work with....I've bought 2 trailers from them over the years.... I've had 2 Elite trailer and other than Bloomer and Hart I love my Elite. It's a 2009 Elite 3 horse/ 15' sw with a 4' mid tack... it's big, but I'm actually living in it with my JRT. I've had great luck with the Elite brand and the Trail Boss conversion is as good if not better than Outlaw.
I highly recommend Longhorn Trailers for purchasing, very helpful.
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| Check out the one in my signature - financing available!  |
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | Griz - 2015-03-02 4:49 AM Check out the one in my signature - financing available!
I love how your tack door opens. Our opened the other way and I hated it! |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| UTAHCANCHASER - 2015-03-02 9:50 AM
Griz - 2015-03-02 4:49 AM Check out the one in my signature - financing available!
I love it too - you don't have to walk all the way around it with your saddle that way and you don't have to worry abound your horse kicking it! The ONLY reason I am selling it is that I don't go enough to justify it. |
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Buying my first LQ trailer...advice needed...