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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 696
  
Location: Sunny California | Does anyone have a newer Bison living quarters trailer (since they've changed hands in the last 4 years or so)? If so, what is your opinion? |
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| We have a 2014 model. The living quarters are ok, but you get what you pay for. We've had water leaks. None of the wood is real. That is really the only issues we've had are water leaks and the wood not staying nailed (trim). It's a good trailer for the money don't get me wrong. ;) |
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boon
Posts: 1
| Unfortunately - we just bought a brand new Bison trailer on 12/23/16. The night we brought it home - the water from the rain poured into our living quarters from the roof. Took it to the Bison warranty dealers TWICE for repair before we ever pulled our horse in it. The people at Main Trailer walked on the roof adding more damage to it. It was poorly manufactured - a lot of issues - but the leaks in the ceiling were the worst. Right before we got ready to leave for Ocala about 2 weeks behind schedule - water pulled into the living quarters and the horse quarters after another rain. We had to go ahead and take it onto Ocala where another onsite repair tech told us there were numerous issues with the trailer and it would take a week or more to even locate the problems and if we tried to actually hook up our water and use the trailer - it would be even worse. The best part is that Bison is fighting with us over this trailer and their answer for any problem you have is - warranty. They will not rebuild you a new trailer no matter how badly your trailer is manufactured. The customer service and warranty people are just there to tell you - sorry - just take it in for warranty and they don't reimburse for any lost money on your end due to lost shows, additional housing, gas/transport - nothing! I am so unhappy that we chose Bison and if I can just keep one person from having to endure this nightmare we are going through - it will be worth it. If you get a bad product like we did - you are basically stuck and on our own with it. If I didn't know better - I would swear several kids built this trailer with scotch tape and Elmer's glue. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
 
Location: Arkansas | Bump |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | Honestly, you couldn't pay me to own one. I know the draw to them, Lakota, etc is the fact you can get a larger LQ for less money, but let's be honest. You will get what you pay for. It lacks the quality of the top brands. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I have never owned one but for a few years before actually buying a LQ I would always go to the horse expo's and check out all the floor models.
Even tho they are priced well, I decided against a Bison because the finishes were cheesy. |
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| A little over a year ago there was an excellent thread on here where a trailer dealer explained the difference between the low, mid-range, and higher end trailers. The way he/she explained it was excellent and I wish I had saved it.
Anyhow, if I remember correctly they explained that the bison was bottom of the barrel trailer and made with the lowest grade material there was. There wasn't even another trailer that they could compare it to as far as poor quality.
I understand not being able to afford a high priced trailer but if you go just a little bit higher in price you can get a whole lot better than a bison. I've heard good things about Lakotas but I actually purchased a sundowner which I love and it was only like $4000 more than the bison. |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | Look at the cross members on the floor under the trailer. The closer together they are, the more structurally sound your trailer will be. I'm pretty sure the Lakotas/Bisons/etc. will be closer to 12" apart. Your better quality trailers will be closer to 9 1/2". Some people opt to put them at 8" even but that is an upgraded feature. Also the side wall posts... are they c-chanel aluminum or solid aluminum? The c-chanel isn't as stroung as a solid piece either. These are all things I take heavily into consideration if I'm looking at trailers. Also, what size axles/tires are they putting on their trailers? You don't want a trailer that has a lower GVWR so that the second it is loaded, you are over weight.
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 Veteran
Posts: 174
Location: Cold Tundra | TwistedK - 2017-01-17 8:13 AM
Honestly, you couldn't pay me to own one. I know the draw to them, Lakota, etc is the fact you can get a larger LQ for less money, but let's be honest. You will get what you pay for. It lacks the quality of the top brands.
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