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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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