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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
  
| Im sure that this has been asked in the past but I really need some help. Has anyone bought a Lakota in the last couple years? Experiences? For the cheaper price they really seem to be nice trailers and have most all of the features I would want/need.
But Im a little worried about how long they will be nice? Looking mostly at the Chargers 8 ft wide. Thanks |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 964
Location: Alberta, Canada | I've been inside several of the newer ones over the past year or two. They're well made and great bang for your buck imo. We are planning to custom order one in the fall. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? | We custom ordered one last year. We LOVE it. We haven't had any issues needing repair. It is very well built.
We are in a hot region in the summer so we wanted some features in the horse compartment to allow more air flow. We got the flow through dividers and along with the regular drop windows on the rear we also got a drop window on the rear door. THAT is a nice feature.
Ordering one allowed us to get all of the little things we wanted including a convection oven/microwave that is nice to have! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
Location: Kansas | I had one of the older Lakota trailers. I loved the layout, light weight / pulling and price. I have just traded back to a Platinum '07 and smaller trailer. While I loved my Lakota it was made before they "beefed" them up. Even a dealer said that they made changes (for strength) in the last couple years. Mine started having issues shearing the front nose rivets for the SS nose....something I believe they have changed (size of rivets). I miss having the big slide, but for no more than I go it's not a big deal. I will say the companys customer service dept. is wonderful and very helpful. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I had one built this spring, got it in late April. It is a 3H 8' wide with a 9' short walk.
Overall I love it. It pulls very nice. Initially I was pulling it with a 3/4ton shortbed duramax and we upgraded to a long bed dually duramax - the 3/4ton could do it but the tonner makes high winds, turning and overall stability better.
I did have an issue initially with the shower leaking. Took it back to my dealer and they failed to fix it (less Lakota more crappy dealer) I made them send the repair guy to my place the second time and we had it fixed promptly, the gasket on the bottom of the door was not installed correctly and overall it could have been sealed better. Haven't had an issue since.
I got the narrow mangers (16") and I can still get a ton of stuff under them. The horse area is huge and comfortable. I got 50/50 doors on the back of mine and the rear tack feels substantially larger than my friends 60/40 doors.
Overall for the money I think in that price range they are the best overall value. I felt more comfortable buying new and the financing upped my budget significantly.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 729
Location: south central usa | I have been wanting to crawl up under one and look at the cross members/frame/welds. Lakota seems to get pegged with the middle of the pack moniker..I've also noticed several used 2014s here lately (4h with 12+sw and slide priced at $40k or less). New these are in the upper $50 to low $60k price range...seems like a $20k hit is pretty extreme. they have two main lines - charger and higher end bighorn. not sure of the differences... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| runnink - 2016-06-23 1:11 PM
I have been wanting to crawl up under one and look at the cross members/frame/welds. Lakota seems to get pegged with the middle of the pack moniker..I've also noticed several used 2014s here lately (4h with 12+sw and slide priced at $40k or less). New these are in the upper $50 to low $60k price range...seems like a $20k hit is pretty extreme. they have two main lines - charger and higher end bighorn. not sure of the differences...
I have seen them too. I wasnt sure if it was just a coincidence or there is something to it? I see many people went out and bought them and arent using them so they decide to sell? Idk. Does anyone know if the warrranty transfers with a new owner? |
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| I bought one a couple years ago and love it. Husband is a welder and the Lakota was the only one he approved of for the welds and structure. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: Georgia | I know someone that bough one brand new last year, really fancy trailer and looks nice. But it has started falling apart and they already had to take it back to have things repaired. I just do not see these trailers holding up for 10+ years like the big name brands do. |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | How far apart are their cross members on the floor? Keep in mind, the further apart, the more flex you'll get in the floor. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1273
Location: South Dakota | TrailGirl - 2016-06-23 12:54 PM We custom ordered one last year. We LOVE it. We haven't had any issues needing repair. It is very well built. We are in a hot region in the summer so we wanted some features in the horse compartment to allow more air flow. We got the flow through dividers and along with the regular drop windows on the rear we also got a drop window on the rear door. THAT is a nice feature. Ordering one allowed us to get all of the little things we wanted including a convection oven/microwave that is nice to have!
I love the air flow dividers too! It seems like a no-brainer. I'm not sure why all trailers don't have those. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 788
| mandita8907 - 2016-06-24 7:09 AM
I know someone that bough one brand new last year, really fancy trailer and looks nice. But it has started falling apart and they already had to take it back to have things repaired. I just do not see these trailers holding up for 10+ years like the big name brands do.
What exactly fell apart?? Thats my biggest concern. I know the trailer wont completely "fall" apart in 10 years simply because I know ppl who bought lakotas when they first came out and they still have them and like them. But I dont want to buy something that will need constant repairs. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| horsiace1025 - 2016-06-27 6:36 AM
mandita8907 - 2016-06-24 7:09 AM
I know someone that bough one brand new last year, really fancy trailer and looks nice. But it has started falling apart and they already had to take it back to have things repaired. I just do not see these trailers holding up for 10+ years like the big name brands do.
What exactly fell apart?? Thats my biggest concern. I know the trailer wont completely "fall" apart in 10 years simply because I know ppl who bought lakotas when they first came out and they still have them and like them. But I dont want to buy something that will need constant repairs.
I'd be curious too, I have 2 friends who have them and go down be road about every weekend for 9-10 months out of the year between high school rodeos and regular summer hauling. I think the older trailer is now 5 years old and the other gals is 2 years old and neither have had a single issue.
I don't think they're pro rodeo live on the road quality, but Ive heard of issues with every brand to be honest. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 473
| I LOVE them! |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | The gal who came and picked up my colt last week had a newer one. It was beautiful and looked very well built. She said she really liked it. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 421
Location: Texas!! | We custom ordered our last summer, my daughter lived in hers at the college barn the last 2 semesters (with her aussie). She hauls to week night barrel races, weekend barrel races, college rodeos, and some pro rodeos. I can promise you she is not easy on her trailer and we have not had any issues! We have the 11 ft LQ with a slideout, 3 horse. I love the drop down windows on both sides, and the swing out blanket rack. The main upgrade I would recommend is the tires, make sure its a good quality trailer tire. ( I think we got the goodyear 14 ply.) |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| TwistedK - 2016-06-24 7:34 AM
How far apart are their cross members on the floor? Keep in mind, the further apart, the more flex you'll get in the floor.
I crawled under mine for giggles while I have some downtime.
Up front they are 19" on center. Under the horse area they are 16" on center. Where my tanks are mounted they are 27" to accommodate the tanks. Around the axle mounting it's never anymore than 16", several closer together than that. |
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