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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
 
Location: Oklahoma | I am currently pulling a compact, 2009 4Star three horse which I love but my kiddo is going with me a lot now and a little more room would be handy. I am looking at used weekend packages (probably a 6 foot short wall) and am a little taken aback at the price of a ten year old trailer. I am wondering what everyone’s input is on the best of the “more affordable” brands. If you were to choose between a Keifer, Featherlite, Integrity, Exiss, etc. which would you go with? I know I hear so much negative about Exiss’ but I sure still see a lot of them at big barrel races.
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
 
Location: North Dakota | Out of those mentioned I would pull an Integrity. A friend of mine has one and its a very nice trailer:) |
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 Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | I had a keifer and it was a nice functional trailer |
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 Special Somebody
Posts: 3951
Location: Finally horseback again.... | I just bought a Feather lite.
I havent got to haul it yet, but I can tell you it is light and pulls nice. |
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | I would stay away from an Exiss...they have a lot of trouble with the latches breaking and they're just cheaply put together IMO. Also, on the cheaper brands, you really have to be careful because a lot of them have steel frames which rust and are heavier. Make sure whatever you're buying is all aluminum. Resale will be higher and they last forever. I've heard Bisons leak and have multiple other problems. Personally, if you're trying to buy used, you're better off to stick with the better brand of trailer, even if they do cost more initially, because they last longer with less maintenance, and resale value is better. I won't buy anything but 4 Star, Platinum, or Elite any more just because of those reasons and I have never lost money on any of those brands when I resold. However, I did own an Integrity and would own another....it was a very good trailer. The trouble with them is that Integrity is no longer in business, so you have to take them somewhere other than a dealer to get them worked on. One thing about weekenders.....I would caution you to make sure it is factory installed. If it is homemade, you take the chance of the wiring being incorrect and possibly causing a fire, or something being vented wrong and possibly asphyxiating you!!! No way would I have a homemade interior. Make sure it has an RV approved sticker, and make the seller turn everything on to make sure it works. Nothing more miserable than getting somewhere and finding out something doesn't work. I won't own anything but an Outlaw interior any more. They're expensive, but you get what you pay for. Anytime I buy one with a different interior, I'm sorry. Just my views after 20+ years of owning LQ trailers.
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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| Not to be picky, but there is no such thing as an all aluminum trailer. They all have a steel subframe......which is giving me headaches again on my now 21 year old 4 Star that I bought new.
11 years ago I had to replace every aluminum cross member that was attached to the subframe after one of them FELL OFF while I was coming home from a rodeo. When I got under it the next morning to inspect it (I had wired up the fallen crossmember up with a coat hanger snd drove very slowly to get home) every one of the CM attached to the subframe was in a state of corrosion from the aluminum 's contact with the steel subframe. 4 Star claimed they had never heard of this before, yet I now hear more and more stories......it happened to a friend of mine with her 5 year old trailer!!
Currently I am going to have to replace the steel in the subframe as it has holes rusted clean through it! Granted it is 21 years old and has probably close to a million miles on it, a good percentage run in the salt and brine of these cold, icy winter roads up here.
Just a caution to y'all. Get under your trailers once, in a while and take a good, hard look, especially if you are buying used. I was told when I bought this trailer that they has insulated in between the steel and aluminum, but apparently with bituminous paint that failed after a few years. The more steel touching aluminum, the more possibilities for electrolysis and corrosion.
A bit off topic but consider this a public service message. |
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 Thread Killer
Posts: 7545
| rodeoveteran - 2014-08-12 11:54 AM Not to be picky, but there is no such thing as an all aluminum trailer. They all have a steel subframe......which is giving me headaches again on my now 21 year old 4 Star that I bought new. 11 years ago I had to replace every aluminum cross member that was attached to the subframe after one of them FELL OFF while I was coming home from a rodeo. When I got under it the next morning to inspect it (I had wired up the fallen crossmember up with a coat hanger snd drove very slowly to get home) every one of the CM attached to the subframe was in a state of corrosion from the aluminum 's contact with the steel subframe. 4 Star claimed they had never heard of this before, yet I now hear more and more stories......it happened to a friend of mine with her 5 year old trailer!! Currently I am going to have to replace the steel in the subframe as it has holes rusted clean through it! Granted it is 21 years old and has probably close to a million miles on it, a good percentage run in the salt and brine of these cold, icy winter roads up here. Just a caution to y'all. Get under your trailers once, in a while and take a good, hard look, especially if you are buying used. I was told when I bought this trailer that they has insulated in between the steel and aluminum, but apparently with bituminous paint that failed after a few years. The more steel touching aluminum, the more possibilities for electrolysis and corrosion. A bit off topic but consider this a public service message.
Found this awhile ago, and it sounds like what's happening with your trailer is happening with others too. This trailer is a Featherlite, but other brands have this problem too I guess. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KubSjPRz9Yo&list=UUwx2madnWIqLFHP6P3X4tfQ |
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Red Hot Cardinal Fan
Posts: 4122
| I'm in a similar situation and wanting to upgrade in the next year or so. I don't need or want much as far as LQ go, so more than likely I'll buy an empty shell and have a local place do the interior. For no more than I haul, I can not justify spending a lot of money for a trailer to stay in once a month or so, or having to spend a lot to get the LQ completed.
I do plan on buying a used nicer brand: Elite, C&C, Platinum, etc. I've been browsing adds for a few months, and not very often but occasionally I will see one of these brands of trailers for sale within my price range. So when it comes time to buy, I'll hold off til I can find a good deal on a quality used trailer. I personally will not get a Featherlite, Exiss, etc, but that is just my preference. Good luck in your search! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 359
Location: MS | I looked for forever for an aluminum trailer that was in my budget. I finally went with an older model Sooner with a LQ which I have been very pleased with. I have owned a Keifer and it was a nice trailer. I have heard bad things about every trailer out there so you will just have to go with what you like. My friend owns a newer Sooner and its very nice and well made. My aunt had an exiss with LQ and she was going down the road and all of her cabinets fell apart. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: Oklahoma | Thank you for your input everyone!
Diane, as always, you are a wealth of information. I am not in a big hurry so I will keep my eyes open for something that is what I am looking for and fits my budget. Maybe by the time next summer rolls around, my kiddo can take a break in the air conditioning. lol |
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| Just Plain Lucky - 2014-08-12 11:07 AM
Everybody needs to click on this link whether your buying or already own an aluminum trailer. It will give you a good idea of what to watch out for over the years. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: Oklahoma | rodeoveteran - 2014-08-13 4:08 PM Just Plain Lucky - 2014-08-12 11:07 AM Everybody needs to click on this link whether your buying or already own an aluminum trailer. It will give you a good idea of what to watch out for over the years. |
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