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 Expert
Posts: 1261
  
| My husband and I decided to take the plunge and buy our first trailer. we want a living quarters mainly so him and my toddler can be comfortable at races and shows. A place to nap, keep warm/ dry, and eat etc while I run. My husband will also be using it for taking his quad to the dunes and possibly hunting. I do not haul every single weekend and stay pretty local.
Anyway I am feeling totally overwhelmed by the amount of choices and the dollar signs! Our must haves are a full sized fridge (not a mini), bathroom with shower, 2 beds, microwave or oven. 3-4 horse. And my husband really wants a slide out. I think it makes sense and adds a lot of room but I also worry about potential issues. We have to keep the budget around 50k and will be financing. He's leaning towards buying new with warranty and that certainly makes the financing easier but then we are looking at like Hoosier, Bison, Lakota, Merhow etc which may potentialy be lower end quality wise? I am wondering if maybe we should look at used trailers and get a better quality one? But my husband worries about maintence and use on a used on and financing is more difficult as well as the features and interiors aren't as nice. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I would look at new and used in your price point and decide from there. Sometimes you can get a better quality older one versus a newer one and no so good quality. I personally would only do a slide if you were planning longer and more frequent trips from home. Some trailers give a good floor space without a slide but you have to go with a 8 ft wide. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I personally love my Lakota. You couldn't pay me to hook a Bison to my truck.
But it really is a personal decision. Your budget is a little higher than mine was so a used Elite of Platinum might be something you can do. My biggest concern was how well it had been cared for, especially when it came to buying private party. I ended up with a brand new Lakota and I'm very happy with it. There a few things I'm not a huge fan of, but overall it's a nice trailer to go down the road in. My in laws have an elite and you can tell the difference for sure though. If/when we upgrade we hope to be in a position where we can go that direction. |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | If your wanting a slide you should have a dual wheel 1 ton or better with a 3-4 horse and not live on a ranch road. The slides come in different quality only get the top end. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I would buy quality and compromise on a few options. I have a 4 horse, 10 ' LQ cimarron that I bought used, it was 2 years old, for 40K. If you are patient you can find a good deal, it was a show trailer and in mint condition, still had the plastic on the appliances. Slides do provide more room, but when there is a problem they are a huge hassle and they add a lot of weight to the trailer. I also would get a 4 horse even if you plan on hauling 3 horses, the extra front stall is great storage if you have a stud divider on it.
Edited by rodeomom3 2016-09-25 8:42 AM
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I went with higher quality used and have zero regrets. My trailer is now 10 years old but doesn't look its age at all. I bought it from a horse show person and they're not as hard on their trailers. 
Slides are nice, but I prefer an 8' wide no slide. There's enough room to be comfortable, and less potential for trouble. Also, some slide out floor plans make the LQ unusable unless you put the slide out, so that's something to consider too. The fold out couch makes a better bed than the dinette, but the dinette is nice to have with little ones. I went with a 14' shortwall so I could have both with a 6.0 cubic ft fridge. |
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Expert
Posts: 1261
| Thank you guys! The input really does help! Th used ones we have seen in the last few months, in our price range, seem to be at least 10 years old but I think if we watch carefully we could find something used. We do go to the dunes or on family camping trips for a week or more at a time and that's why I am thinking a slide would really be nice. We have been hauling a toy hauler and having someone else haul horses and even the toy hauler, the way it's laid out feels cramped! Mainly because the couch and dinnet are across from each other and in between is the main walk way from the back bed/couch to the kitchen and outside and it just seems like everyone and the dogs are always in the way. I have two horses I will be hauling but want to have room for a friends horse at times or extra storage like mentioned.
I know I have heard lots of bad things about Bison. I haven't heard anything about hossier? It seems like people really like Lakota though. And it seems to be mixed about Merhow? We also have looked at some trails west and I haven't heard good or bad about them either? |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | if driving on dirt roads do not get a new cheap one. get a used good quality 8 foot wide no slide out |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 656
| We bought a used 4 star and got a warranty with it, when my son was through with high school rodeo we sold it with no problems. Don't buy a new one that is not made well. Shop on the horse trailer dealer sights also. We loved our large frig, shower, never used the cook top. With all of the trailers u have to take care of the and keep the maintenance up, the roads are very tough on them |
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 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | We have a Merhow Very Lite, and it is a very well made trailer.
I'd stay away from Bison.
Lakotas are nice, but tend to be heavy.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | Stick with c&c, 4 star, platinum, elite, Cimmaron....
I would go with a 3-4 hrs with 10 ft LQ you will have plenty of floor space for 3 people if you find one with a good layout and storage space. I wouldn't bat an eye at a 10 year old trailer...my bf just bought one and it's like new. Mine is 16 years old and is still solid. Good workmanship will last and be worth the money. It's really not worth buying new there are so many nice used trailers for the money. Plus it hurts less when you tare something up! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350
| LOVE my 10 yr old CM Cimarron! Go with quality.
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 Duct Tape Can't Fix Stupid
Posts: 2749
Location: Warsaw,NY | I bought a new Lakota. 15'sw w/slide love it!! i can still get to my fridge with slide out in. my floor plan is unique as i hvae a couch and dinette. my trailer is 9900lbs empty, its all aluminum. its a 3h i use front stall for storage. have mangers which i love, lots of extra storage. I tried to buy used but the terms and rates were crazy and the payments would have been very high. Lakota isnt the high end trailer but what i could afford. I have a few minor issues and lakota has been wonderful to deal with. they will find u a place to do any repair work close to your home. |
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 Dog Resuce Agent
Posts: 3459
Location: southeast Texas | I found an excellent deal on a 2000 elite. The only problems I've had, the shower drain clogged, (wasn't hard to remedy that ) and the awning needs replacement.
Floor was and is in good shape.
Look at quality used trailers and you should find a heck of a deal in your price range |
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 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | We have a Platinum 10ft Shortwall, with a couch, bathroom, walk through door, and mangers is plenty of room for 3-4 people. We can fit 3 adults in the bed, if we need to, and 1 on the couch. It's perfect! It's a 4 horse and I don't think I'd go smaller. The tack area in the back is huge compared to the Elite we had before, the managers have tons of storage as well obivously. Go with a trusted, well made brand. You won't regret it! |
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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | I have a 2015 Platinum 8' wide with 11'6" SW on LQ, 3' mid tack and 16' stock in the back. I can haul 6 horses, which is perfect for a family of 4. Looking back, I wish I would have gone with a slide and another 3' of LQ space at least. We have an enclosed haypod (LOVE). We will most likely trade ours off for a bigger LQ soon.
Advice: 1) Go with a good used one under your budget to start with so you can see what you like and what you'd change. Pull it for 2-3 years while your kids are little as a "test drive." You probably will get your money back out of it if it's good quality.
2) Make a list of "must-haves" and "nice to haves" so you can compromise.
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 Knowledge is Power
Posts: 4051
Location: wherever my daughter's running | We have a bison and have had it for 10 years. Ours has held up great. Its a 3 horse with LQ - much like what you looking for - except no slide out. We have really enjoyed it. I would buy another one. |
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 Chin Hairs
Posts: 1028
Location: Indiana | Sending you a PM
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 Hummer's Hero
Posts: 3071
Location: Smack Dab in the Middle | My husband and I are self proclaimed snobs when it comes to our stuff...we buy high quality stuff, and the last trailer we bought (two years ago) we decided we were going with an Elite. I had a lengthy list of must haves and I was very patient and we shopped for over a year. We ended up with an 06 Elite and found it for the top of your budget. I love almost everything about it (the only thing I'd change is the escape door set up, and maybe the flooring in the LQ-very minor). Elite has been A-W-E-S-O-M-E to us, as well as the dealer we bought it from. The trailer was actually nicer than we expected when we picked it up. You can't get me to buy anything but an Elite from here on out...
The trailer I had before that was an 02 Bloomer. I owned it for just over 5 years and sold it for $1000 less than I paid for it.
The trailer before that was a 99 Elite...sold it for $800 less than it was bought for.
The one before that was a 92 Featherlite (my very first trailer) that I sold for $500 less than I paid for it. Quality will win in the end game. |
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Member
Posts: 15
| I personally love a Lakota. I have never had any issues with my Lakota. We are currently selling though because we are downsizing since my daughter is in high school. It has rarely been used and still has he extended warranty left. It is a 4 horse with 14 ft. living quarters and a slide out. If you are interested, you contact me at 985-226-2817. This horse trailer is going for a heck of a deal!!! |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | I love the Lakota. We have a 9' shortwall, three horse. It has been amazing to haul and stay in. Can feel somewhat cramped when we have our 7 year old with us. But we have felt that it is great quality for the price. We bought brand new.
Now, my friend recently bought a used Bison. And although she loves it, she has had issues with the electric Jack, microwave and AC. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| I was in your shoes 2 months ago. I really wanted a used higher end trailer. But, I couldn't find exactly what both me and my husband wanted in our budget. And, I got burned after looking at 2 different used trailers that weren't at all what they were advertised as and drove a lot of hours to get there. So, we decided to buy a new Lakota. I love it! We have found really minute things like bolts that came out, but to me, I paid 20K less for a bolt that I can put back. . . Im happy!
However, I really think its just preference. Because my trailer will depreciate faster than a used higher end trailer over the next 5 years, but I plan to keep it until the wheels fall off so it doesn't make a big difference to me. If you have kids, you may need a different trailer in a few years, so that is something to think about.
As far as features, I prefer the 8 ft wide without a slide out. The mangers are a must also, best thing ever! And the difference in some of the brands you mentioned is some of them are steel framed. The steel framed trailers are not as highly demanded, are heavier, and should be a little cheaper. |
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  Friendly horse swapper
Posts: 4122
Location: Buffalo, TX | wishes4kissez - 2016-09-25 9:54 AM Thank you guys! The input really does help! Th used ones we have seen in the last few months, in our price range, seem to be at least 10 years old but I think if we watch carefully we could find something used. We do go to the dunes or on family camping trips for a week or more at a time and that's why I am thinking a slide would really be nice. We have been hauling a toy hauler and having someone else haul horses and even the toy hauler, the way it's laid out feels cramped! Mainly because the couch and dinnet are across from each other and in between is the main walk way from the back bed/couch to the kitchen and outside and it just seems like everyone and the dogs are always in the way. I have two horses I will be hauling but want to have room for a friends horse at times or extra storage like mentioned. I know I have heard lots of bad things about Bison. I haven't heard anything about hossier? It seems like people really like Lakota though. And it seems to be mixed about Merhow? We also have looked at some trails west and I haven't heard good or bad about them either?
I'm a Platinum dealer and I sold Hoosier's for a couple years as our entry level trailer...never again! Warranty problems up the wazoo with Hoosier, even though the customers liked the features, so I would tell you if you are in the price range of an entry level trailer to buy a Lakota.
Yes, your best bet with a slide out are the big 3 - Platinum, Elite, 4-Star, but I'm afraid with the used ones, you will be in a 10 yr. old trailer with a bad loan. I agree with others on staying 8' wide no slide. Go look at trailers with floorplans that offer a front sofa and you will avoid that narrow feel between sofa and dinette or kitchen on each side. I think that floorplan might make you happy not to have a slide. Just so you know, entry level trailers have the same slide outs as RV's, made in Elkhart, IN. The big names build their own in their shop and they are sturdier with better motors and mechanical parts.
The main reason I'm saying go Lakota is the loan, plus the fact that you are a weekend rider and won't be hauling all over the country, so an entry level trailer will work for you. The big RV lenders are really cracking down on these loans and have shortened the lending terms on trailer 8-9 yrs. old, and forget a good loan if you buy a 10 yr. old trailer or older. Many banks are only offering 9.9% on 10 yr. old trailers, no matter how good your credit score. I think there are only 2 banks that will give decent terms on older trailers and you have to have outstanding credit for them to approve you.
I understand not everyone can go with the top of the line. I can say that when I was offered the Lakota dealership in this area many yrs. ago, I should have done it for our entry level brand, but we were selling Integrity at the time.
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Expert
Posts: 2122
Location: The Great Northwest | 
I bought a 2015 Sundowner our second LQ Sundowner. Sundowner built it like we specified. I especially like the Sundowner for the 8 year bumper to bumper warranty and 10 year structual warranties. We haven't had to use the warranties on either trailers much at all. When we had a problem, Sundowner took care in a timely manner. I have a three horse Sundowner bumper pull too. In the 10 years of pulling it not a problem, love that trailer for local events. The 2015 Sundowner is 50' long with a slide which the dinnette is in and has a bunk-wall daveno. The trailer is so comfy! We can seat 4 at the dinnette and 4 on the daveno. |
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Location: in the ozone | I looked for a good year - started looking before I was really ready to buy to get an idea of what was out there & what kind of prices to expect. When I started getting serious about it & found a couple I liked, I contacted First Internet Bank of Indiana - had read lots of good reviews on them. They were GREAT. I got an interest rate of 4.24 and they would go pretty much as many years as I wanted, up to 15 yrs on the loan (I bought a 3 yr old trailer). |
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 Veteran
Posts: 104
Location: Southern Michigan | If you are looking to finance a newer trailer with living quarters check out your local State Farm agent about financing. They offer auto loans,as well as loans on certain types of trailers. They may be more competitive than a dealership. I know for autos they can be, cut my rate in half and lowered w/out extending the time. Good luck finding a trailer! |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | as far as financing... I went to my credit union and got a loan on my 2005 ford. I could not believe how much they were willing to give against it. I also got a service plan for a reasonable price through them. i took that money and went shopping for a LQ. found one that was just over 10 yrs old but barely used. So many people made offers on it but had to back out as no one would finance it because it was over 10 yrs. It was on consignment at a trailer dealer. anyway the sales person told me how frustrated the owner was, so we low balled an already reasonable price and he took it! we got it very cheap but it had some things that needed to be repaired. hubby is a handy guy so we got twice the trailer we could really afford doing things the way we did. |
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LQ horse trailer shopping advice?