Karol - 2016-03-15 7:25 AM I have been told by a Featherlite dealer that Featherlite trailers are the heaviest trailers (aluminum) on the market. 

jd&ez - 2016-03-15 6:18 PM


Imagine that?? I was told by a Lakota dealer that they had the best trailer. i was told by an Elite dealer that they had the best materials. Dang!! Who to believe?? 

Bear - 2016-03-14 11:15 PM

To the O.P., you said you were looking for a new trailer. My two cents would be that you would be better off with an older, better quality trailer like a Plat, Elite, etc.... You can get a real nice used LQ that is 10+ years old for under 30-35K, depending on the amenities. Also, these have already depreciated the most. If you spend 40-45K for a new, lower quality trailer, it will depreciate down to 30K at least, within 2-3 years.

Wild1 - 2016-03-15 8:54 PM I agree with you on quality, as I do have a C&C trailer now, just "want" something bigger in the living area is my issue. I also heard buying new lets a person finance for up to 15yrs at a decent interest rate, so this makes me interested as well...I simply can't get a 40-50K loan from our credit union on an older trailer since all they do is tell me there's no blue book or bla bla bla. And yes I do have really good credit.

hezasmashnsixcess - 2016-03-15 10:13 PM


this is the reason I bought new, financing for older was more expensive and higher rates and the terms were alot shorter

Bear - 2016-03-15 11:04 PM I didn't think of that. Good point. Those 15 year financed trailers are basically a high interest mortgage, though. I'd be surprised if your trailer lasts you 15 years. What kind of interest rates are they offering? What are they asking for the trailer?

Sangria - 2016-03-16 9:51 PM


I have a 96 Featherlite that I bought in the fall of 95
Other than normal maintenance, replacing brakes and lights it has been great. No way would I give it up for a newer trailer 

Bear - 2016-03-17 8:20 AM


I wouldn't either, especially since your example is the exception, rather than the rule, plus the trailer is paid for and serves you well.
A lot of those older trailers seem to be built better. People say Sundowners used to be excellent, but I guess they've declined in quality.

LAC - 2016-03-17 7:48 AM


I don’t believe that the Sundowners have declined. I believe they are just offering a lower end LQ that is competitive with Bison and Lakota since the market has grown for the lesser expensive LQs . Obviously there has to be some cuts made somewhere to keep prices low. Even though the cabinets and interior are made of less expensive materials, the trailer itself is still a good quality trailer. Many people have Lakotas and Bisons and love them however there seems to be more bad reviews than good. If you research Sundowners there are more good reviews than bad.

I'm sure everyone would love to own a C&C, Bloomer, etc. however for many it's just not feasible to.

Aqhaczy - 2016-03-17 9:34 AM well what ever you choose... we all take chances on trailer's holding up for a long time.  I've had really good luck with 4Star switched over to Elite and have had three, 2 used and now my brand new 16.  I've really never had any major problems just usual lights bulbs burn out, fuses or my microwave wouldn't work one camping trip it was the breaker, was able to fix that myself.    BTW Elite people told me they wouldn't take a Lakota as trade in.  
 

Cindy Hamilton - 2016-03-17 12:11 PM

There are different levels of trailers, just like horses...compare a proven NFR capable 1D horse in price and performance to a 4 Star, Platinum, Elite, C&C or Hart.....A high end 2D horse would be Cimarron, Twister  & Bloomer (nothing wrong with these brands...don't hate me, but I know how they are built different from the top brands)....Then a 3D middle of the road would be your Sundowner, Merhow, Featherlite, Barrett, Integrity, Cherokee, Sooner, Stidham or similar built types....4D entry level would be Lakota, Exiss, Hoosier, Kiefer, Shadow among others, can't name them all...sorry to say the lonely 5D bottom feeder is Bison, both in construction and price.

What makes entry level trailers like Lakota or Exiss or Hoosier, even American Spirit, better than Bison is the fact that ALL of the entry level trailer manufacturers use a moisture proof type of insulation between the inside and outside wall of the trailer...except Bison, and they use (drum roll)...particle board...that disintegrates at the first sign of moisture from a horse kicking the side of the trailer or a leak anywhere, you get the picture.  You get what you pay for and if you are ever in a wreck, you will be wishing your horses were in a 1989 4-Star instead of a 2016 Exiss.

I know the loans play a huge part, and the banks keep tightening the parameters.  Right now, a trailer over 10 yrs. old gets bad terms, and it KILLS the trades on older trailers, so those who are buying with a loan are forced to look at 2006 or newer to get the 12-15 yr. loans with better interest rates.  We sell all the brands used and they are priced accordingly, so you buy what you can afford, but all I know is that if you can pay cash, look for an older 4-Star, C&C or Elite...I would say Platinum but they are still too new to get the really low prices...Harts are nice too, but so heavy, and that's their only downfall....

Just sayin all this so future "what would you buy" threads can hopefully be helped by this analogy.  Weekend warriors and trail riders do fine with lesser trailers, you are on the road less...the more your trailer is on the road, the better trailer you need...there's a trailer for everybody, just like there is a horse for everybody...If all I needed was something to take a horse to the vet, I would own a used steel stock trailer...hope this all makes sense...
 

Cindy Hamilton - 2016-03-17 11:11 AM

There are different levels of trailers, just like horses...compare a proven NFR capable 1D horse in price and performance to a 4 Star, Platinum, Elite, C&C or Hart.....A high end 2D horse would be Cimarron, Twister  & Bloomer (nothing wrong with these brands...don't hate me, but I know how they are built different from the top brands)....Then a 3D middle of the road would be your Sundowner, Merhow, Featherlite, Barrett, Integrity, Cherokee, Sooner, Stidham or similar built types....4D entry level would be Lakota, Exiss, Hoosier, Kiefer, Shadow among others, can't name them all...sorry to say the lonely 5D bottom feeder is Bison, both in construction and price.

What makes entry level trailers like Lakota or Exiss or Hoosier, even American Spirit, better than Bison is the fact that ALL of the entry level trailer manufacturers use a moisture proof type of insulation between the inside and outside wall of the trailer...except Bison, and they use (drum roll)...particle board...that disintegrates at the first sign of moisture from a horse kicking the side of the trailer or a leak anywhere, you get the picture.  You get what you pay for and if you are ever in a wreck, you will be wishing your horses were in a 1989 4-Star instead of a 2016 Exiss.

I know the loans play a huge part, and the banks keep tightening the parameters.  Right now, a trailer over 10 yrs. old gets bad terms, and it KILLS the trades on older trailers, so those who are buying with a loan are forced to look at 2006 or newer to get the 12-15 yr. loans with better interest rates.  We sell all the brands used and they are priced accordingly, so you buy what you can afford, but all I know is that if you can pay cash, look for an older 4-Star, C&C or Elite...I would say Platinum but they are still too new to get the really low prices...Harts are nice too, but so heavy, and that's their only downfall....

Just sayin all this so future "what would you buy" threads can hopefully be helped by this analogy.  Weekend warriors and trail riders do fine with lesser trailers, you are on the road less...the more your trailer is on the road, the better trailer you need...there's a trailer for everybody, just like there is a horse for everybody...If all I needed was something to take a horse to the vet, I would own a used steel stock trailer...hope this all makes sense...