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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
 
Location: Oklahoma | I get to start trailer shopping pretty quickly, but I'm lost. I'm starting to look and price models and it's really overwhelming. I'm currently pulling a CM Dakota 2H Slant... it's 6' Wide and my gelding is too big for the slant so he gets the whole thing to himself.. He can fit, but it'd be cruel to make him ride so cramped. What width would be a good place to start?
I don't need slide outs or anything extra fancy...I want a 3 horse, a place to sleep, ability to warm up some food (could probably skip out on a stove), cabinets to store my stuff in, have TV, a shower (this is biggie), toilet, and H/AC... kept under $35,000. I would also love to have an awning and hay rack. Are those more of an aftermarket items?
Would it be best to buy something empty and have the conversion done myself? I would then be able to have exactly what I wanted, but is it cost effecient to do that? What size dressing room walls would I need to have for there to be enough space for the conversions?
Can anyone tell me anything about Exiss? 4Star?
So far I'm looking at Cimmaron and Platinum because I can't find any bad reviews on them... any other brands that hold up well? The trailer probably won't be sold or traded for a long time (if ever), so I need something that can stand the test of time. My husband will probably take it hunting with him once a year and I'll be using it for weekend shows. Not opposed to buying used, but want to keep the trailer at a 2010 model or newer.
anything at all is appreciated! | |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
 
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I would also look at Elite and 4 star. Go for one with a shower and toilet, 6-8' shortwall. Minimum of 7.5' wide (I won't buy anything but 8' myself.) | |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Thank you! I was just about to edit it to ask about Elite as well!
Why no less than 8'? I've heard lots of people say that, I guess I've just never had a horse that was too big until now. haha! | |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Longneck - 2014-05-28 10:21 AM Thank you! I was just about to edit it to ask about Elite as well!
Why no less than 8'? I've heard lots of people say that, I guess I've just never had a horse that was too big until now. haha!
I like the extra room for the horses, especially if you have mangers, and it makes a BIG difference in the LQ space. | |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Three 4 Luck - 2014-05-28 10:43 AM Longneck - 2014-05-28 10:21 AM Thank you! I was just about to edit it to ask about Elite as well!
Why no less than 8'? I've heard lots of people say that, I guess I've just never had a horse that was too big until now. haha! I like the extra room for the horses, especially if you have mangers, and it makes a BIG difference in the LQ space.
Makes sense now! Thanks!
Anyone have any estimates on what it'd take on conversions for a 8' shortwall for what I'm wanting?? | |
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 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
 
Location: Texas | Longneck - 2014-05-28 10:11 AM
I get to start trailer shopping pretty quickly, but I'm lost. I'm starting to look and price models and it's really overwhelming. I'm currently pulling a CM Dakota 2H Slant... it's 6' Wide and my gelding is too big for the slant so he gets the whole thing to himself.. He can fit, but it'd be cruel to make him ride so cramped. What width would be a good place to start? I think the widest is 7' 6" or 8'. The wider trailers have room for mangers and more room for a LQ.
I don't need slide outs or anything extra fancy...I want a 3 horse, a place to sleep, ability to warm up some food (could probably skip out on a stove), cabinets to store my stuff in, have TV, a shower (this is biggie), toilet, and H/AC... kept under $35,000. I would also love to have an awning and hay rack. Are those more of an aftermarket items? Not always. Depends on what the trailer was ordered with and if it was a custom order. However, they can be added on afterward.
Would it be best to buy something empty and have the conversion done myself? Buy one already done. It's a pain in the butt to have one put in a shell that was not done with a floor plan in mind. Also, the conversion companies should be RVIA approved. This means that the electrical work, etc. is up to code. A lot of places won't do service work on LQs that are not RVIA approved. I would then be able to have exactly what I wanted, but is it cost effecient to do that? What size dressing room walls would I need to have for there to be enough space for the conversions?
Can anyone tell me anything about Exiss? 4Star?
So far I'm looking at Cimmaron and Platinum because I can't find any bad reviews on them... any other brands that hold up well? The trailer probably won't be sold or traded for a long time (if ever), so I need something that can stand the test of time. My husband will probably take it hunting with him once a year and I'll be using it for weekend shows. Not opposed to buying used, but want to keep the trailer at a 2010 model or newer.
anything at all is appreciated!
Also sending you a PM.
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 Veteran
Posts: 260
Location: Oregon | Personally, I wont go with anything less than 8 ft wide. Like previous posters said, it makes a HUGE difference in the LQ area as well as the horses' area. I currently have a 2012 4 horse Platinum with 10 ft short wall LQ and am completely in love with it! Mangers are your best friend as far as storage is concerned!!
As far as brands of trailers, personally, I'd go with Platinum, 4Star, Elite, Hart, Sundowner and Featherlite.
I had bad experiences with my '01 Keifer Built, which is what led me to purchasing my Platinum.
My husband and I were looking at some of the newer Exiss and Lakota trailers before we started shopping for the Platinum, and we were very un-impressed with the quality of the welds and the hinges. The bad welds (that we saw on numerous occasions) are especially under the mangers and around the fender swells. It seriously looked like a kindergartener was playing with the welder!
I'd purchase a LQ already installed. As far as an awning or hay rack, those can always be added. Mine didn't come with either, but I purchased a hay rack and had it installed after I bought it. Awning is still on my list of To-Do's. | |
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | IMO, 4 Stars are the best built trailers out there, bar none. The older 4 Stars are better than the new ones, also, IMO. They hold their resale value and last forever. It's almost impossible to find a used one to buy. With that said, I think Elite, Platinum, and Twister are almost as good and actually have a few features I like better. I've owned more Elites than anything and they've all been good trailers. How much you enjoy your trailer depends a LOT on the conversion, and not all conversions are created equal. They all LOOK about the same, but it's when you go to use them that you really notice the difference. Outlaw conversions are hands down the best. They're user friendly, easy to use, and don't stop working when you hit the road. I've had several other conversion types, but was never happy unless it was an Outlaw. Yes, you can find what you're looking for in the brands you want with an Outlaw conversion if you are patient and don't mind used. I prefer used because they're already broke in. Plus, there's a really good trailer repair person in our area. I'll pm you. | |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| Be aware if you buy one and have the conversion put in it - the conversion is usually the same amount, (if not more) than the trailer itself.
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I LOVE my Cimarron. We have had 4 of them as we have gone from smaller to bigger trailers. When we were first into horses we looked at several different trailers. We narrowed it down to 4 Star, Elite and Cimmaron. 4 Stars and Elite are both great trailers. I agree the older models are better. My husband felt the floors, doors and welds on the Cimmaron were better made than on the Platinums. I loved the insulated roof, one hand easy latches on the stalls, no parts sticking out, Platinum had parts that could poke your horse, no insulated roof, windows did not seem as heavy and sturdy. We sold 1 of our trailers to an ex 4 star dealer for his own personal use, he was of the opinion that Cimarrons were in the same class as 4 Star. I would not go any less than 8', you wouldn't think 6 inches would make that much of a difference but it does. My current trailer is a 2006, windows and doors all close great, no rattles, etc.
Edited by rodeomom3 2014-05-28 12:15 PM
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Thanks everyone! I found a new Platinum that I really liked (no LQ) with an 8' SW and read somewhere that Outlaw's bottom of the line conversion still ran around $16k or so... totaling about $42k when I've found some nice and ready to roll LQ Platinums for a couple grand less..
Can't seem to find many used trailers to meet my requirements with the "better" brands that I've been searching. Mostly the 2010 or newer is what's really getting me. Not being too picky on the mangers and stuff just yet. I would LOVE to have them as I'm really going to miss having a large tack area like I do now, but I'm only going to be hauling one horse for a long time so I'm hoping I won't be too cramped in. | |
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 Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| We have a 4 Star with an Outlaw conversion. I love our trailer. Ours has an 11 foot shortwall, and I wouldn't go any smaller, but then again we've got two young boys and there probably isn't anything big enough for them! We have drop windows on both sides and I love that.
I would suggest you get in touch with Lisa at Central States in OKC. She is who we bought our trailer through, and she was awesome to work with. And she'll take care of you for years to come. Outlaw has a 24 hour number you can call if you need assistance, and we've used it several times. | |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Jenbabe - 2014-05-28 1:19 PM We have a 4 Star with an Outlaw conversion. I love our trailer. Ours has an 11 foot shortwall, and I wouldn't go any smaller, but then again we've got two young boys and there probably isn't anything big enough for them! We have drop windows on both sides and I love that. I would suggest you get in touch with Lisa at Central States in OKC. She is who we bought our trailer through, and she was awesome to work with. And she'll take care of you for years to come. Outlaw has a 24 hour number you can call if you need assistance, and we've used it several times.
I think I'd get lost in an 11'! haha, just kidding! It'd be just me, myself and I (maybe my mom if I can talk her into going overnight with me) so I'm not too worried about space... but then again I've never had a LQ so I shouldn't comment on sizes! Just want to be able to stay weekends and have something to hop in the AC with at the day races! Simple enough, showers just seem to be the "gotcha!" when I'm searching. | |
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