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Member
Posts: 12
Location: Stafford, VA | I want some feedback on Shadow Trailers. I know they are cheap and not the best, but I am looking for a 2h w/LQ and want to stay under 35k, and really want a slide. I looked at them at Congress, and I know they are made fairly cheaply, but i'm not a million miler, and only do about 10 shows a year within 400 miles of my house. I would love to get something better quality, but it's just not in my price range from what i'm seeing both used and new. No one seems to have 2h slants with LQs. A 3h is NOT an option because of my driveway. I need 10' or less SW, I don't want mangers, and I need a ramp. I did a search for shadow, but it only returns the last 360 days, and really didn't see much of a review except from a Shadow seller. I do NOT want dealers or sellers to chime in, only actual owners of Shadow trailers or someone who has experience with them. Other options are totally welcome, but as an RV owner, I don't really want anything older than 5 years because I don't want the issues and have to sink in money as soon as I get it home.thanks! Lisa |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350
 
Location: Penrose, Colorado | go to the trailer search function, I did and there are alot of new and used 2 horse LQ's there, I would rather have an older good trailer than a new cheap one, they will last a lot longer with less problems. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
  
Location: Vermont | kooner gave some great advice...lq horse trailers are similar to boats...many are purchased with great expectations only to be sold with lots of life left in them... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: missouri | If you are planning to actually use, and keep an LQ for a while... get a really, really nice used one....Hart/Cimmaron/Platinum/ C&C/Twister/Elite... and check bathroom area to make sure they have not been "rodeo'd" out... you will be so much better off in the long run, and have years of enjoyment if you just take proper care of it. Good luck to you in your search (don't compromise, you get what you pay for). |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: missouri | PS: There is a very nice 2015 Cimmaron 3horse on this site under dealers for less than $42K! |
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Veteran
Posts: 122
Location: Monroe, WA | Two friends had no problem finding new Exiss 2H/LQ and I know they paid under 35. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN | I bought a used 2003 Featherlite this year that was built when Featherlite was Featherlite, before they were bought by Universal. 3 horse with 13' living quarters, hay rack, huge bathroom, oversized dinette, large refrigerator. EVERYTHING works on it. I put 5 new tires on it and still have less than $26K in it. We just returned from our second long trip of the year, and I freakin' LOVE THIS TRAILER! It is so well built, much better than many built today, tows beautifully, and has more than enough space for us to enjoy our down time when we are not on the trail. And, we bought a trailer we would not have bought new, due to the price. Take the advice of those here who know- shop for a well maintained trailer that was built by a reputible manufacturer before the mid 2000s. You will get a trailer that will last forever if you maintain it and be dollars ahead! |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Listen to the quality advice given by many within this forum. Used trailers are some of the best available, being more affordable to purchase and own. Well built all aluminum trailers hold their values the best, and will result in lower maintenance over the years. As was stated, don't buy cheap, buy smart. You will then continue to enjoy your purchase, long after the initial glamour is gone. |
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Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK | http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/Search/TrailerSearch.aspx?action=s...position=0&sort=3 |
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New User
Posts: 1
Location: Williston | Hi Lisa, I understand your position! I purchased a NEW Shadow weekender trailer in 2014 and it is just what we needed. We have a big Bloomer trailer, which requires a Freightliner and is heavy. I needed something easy to pull to 4-H and other shows that wasn't 8' wide. My daughters are confident driving and it is a very comfortable LQ at the shows. The 9' interior is nice and roomy with the slideout, and it is easy for one female to operate everything. The nice thing about this trailer is that it gives you a high end feeling without the price. I have had no problem with the structure, and I think it is very well made. It pulls nice and we have been all over the south east with no issues (tires, ramp, etc.) I would not hesitate to purchase another Shadow. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN | Must be a slow day in Ocala... |
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Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK | Cutter, love it! Funny they are all from people with one post...yet all the other posts from seasoned users all name better built trailers. It's a thinly masked attempt if that! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN | Yes huntseat, all also from FL, but we are too dumb to figure it out! |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | Shadow sales people have used these techniques for some time now. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Powers that be...I'd like to call out the three Shadow Trailer Spoofers... |
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Member
Posts: 13
Location: FL | Hi guys.... you called out the dealers and I would like to address the initial post. YES we as dealers do stand behind our product (wouldn't you worry if we DIDNT) and yes I can say that I truly think our trailer is a super trailer. I happen to pull one, ,my kids pull them.... and I am proud to sell been selling for Shadow for a long time and have a huge list of repeat customers. Feel free to read the reviews on our sites. All manufacturers build good trailers, we each have our own little niche in the market. Shadow builds a super price point trailer GETAWAY for those folks looking to get their foot in the door with a quality trailer... and we also build a PRO series trailer for those folks that are on the road year round with their horses. Lets focus on the point at hand, Shadow builds a solid trailer, we stand behind our product and proud to say we are HORSE FOLKS helping HORSE FOLKS! Feel free to message me here, or contact me at michele@coughlinshadow.com |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN | See, here is the thing. You did not come here initially representing yourselves as someone who is either a Shadow employee or Shadow dealer. You came here representing yourself as a Shadow customer, with no vested interest in promoting the brand, other than that you are a satisfied customer. In this day and age, honesty and transparency are key in earning and keeping customers. Consumers are not stupid, especially when making a purchase as expensive as a horse trailer. We have respect for the dealers who come here and represent themselves for who they are- their screen names and signatures accurately portray who they are and what brand they represent. They come here to provide information, answer questions, and help when they can, not to sell product by not being 100% transparent! |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/thread-view.asp?threadid=199... |
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Member
Posts: 13
Location: FL | Good Day again Cutter.... truth be known I had nothing to do with this post. I think if you contact that person they are an owner of a Shadow trailer, I can not say for sure I dont know who that is. But yes I am truthful and honest, I do SELL shadow trailers and I do PULL Shadow trailers :) Proud to say that so do my family and my friends! Lets keep to the point. Shadow is a strong trailer in the industry today. We are HORSE FOLKS HELPING HORSE FOLKS and stand strongly behind our quality product! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN | Thanks gard! Apparently luvstoride is still assuming we cannot figure this stuff out. Kudos to all the dealers who are transparent, helpful and not just out to push their own agenda! |
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Member
Posts: 13
Location: FL | I am well aware! But again as an OWNER of a Shadow trailer I do have a right to say how happy I am with it. And I am sure you will see that we do post as a dealer as well :) Have a great day! |
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | What is this about???? "Shadow Trailers of Florida, LLC is no longer a dealer for Shadow Trailers of Williston, FL." http://www.shadowhorsetrailer.com/ |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by retento on 2015-11-02 6:11 PM What is this about???? "Shadow Trailers of Florida, LLC is no longer a dealer for Shadow Trailers of Williston, FL." http://www.shadowhorsetrailer.com/  |
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Member
Posts: 12
Location: Stafford, VA | I really appreciate the feedback!!!! I am now going back and doing additional research to find something higher quality and used. I'm just so snake bitten with this dang RV I bought used, but it was 38' and I used it so little it just rotted. It just got dropped to 10k if anyone is looking to park on blocks and put some "helpers" in it... hehe. BTW, what years should I be looking at, and I saw some comments about ownership changes, so what years should I steer clear of for certain brands. Ugg. it's a big purchase for my pony and I...Oh yea, I see through the veil... notice how I said I DO NOT want dealers to chime in and what do they do? says pretty much everything and that brand has been TOTALLY dropped off my list!!!!!!!!! Way to go slimy sales people...Thanks Guys!!!!!oh- should I let this post go and start another thread? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN | Personally, if I were shopping, I would look for brands like Hart, 4 Star, Platinum, Elite, Eby and older Featherlites made before 2005. Just my opinion. Buying from a reputable dealer who stands behind what they sell, new or used, should help. There are dealers on here who represent themselves honestly as well as the products they sell and I would not hesitate to work with them- others, not do much! |
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Member
Posts: 12
Location: Stafford, VA | what about lakota's? Are they any good? I see a lot of them out there but didnt get a chance to look at them at Congress...Lisa |
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Regular
Posts: 56
Location: Belchertown MA | We got a 2014 Lakota Charger 8311 3 horse LQ w/slide in Nov. last year and Love it. We had a few issues in the beginning but AJ in customer service was great to deal with and took care of everything promptly.Even threw in a few extras for our trouble. In my opinion trailer is very well built, interior is very nice and they will build it pretty much any way you want it.It is very sturdy and pulls much better than our 2002 Sundowner 3 horse LG ever did.Some trips the trailer was loaded with 12 bales of hay,feed,tack,food,water,horses,etc. and it pulled great. We were "dry" camping ( no hook ups) from April to end of Oct. almost every weekend with some week-long trips all over MA,VT,RI,NY,NH,and PA on highways ,dirt roads,mountains, fields,campgrounds with no problems and loved the room and performance of the trailer. Four couples we ride all the time with bought Lakota's around the same time and all love them as well. We would definitely buy another but don't think we will need to for along time. |
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Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK | Sundowners always pulled like they had flat tires IMO. A dealer that I had great dealings with, but ultimately went another direction, was Dixie horse and mule. They carry Lakota and a wide range of used LQ trailers. I purchased a custom ordered Elite trailer from a local dealer but it's w/o LQ's and I spent more than I planned but got exactly what I wanted. I would say Featherlite's pre-2007, Bloomer (some years have major problems), Platinum coach, Cimmaron (built like a tank), Hart (never seen a bad one), Elite (never changed to a cheaper structure unlike the one with the number in it's name), 4-star (now makes a runabout model but IMO it's not the same structure that made the brand name what it is), Integrity (toured the factory and was impressed, not sure if they are still in biz), Stidham (if you can even find one), Siverlite (now closed), C&C (builds them right), Turnbow (rarely for sale but grab one if you can.) I've toured most of the factories in OK and can say that there are differences in every brand and even more in the LQ companies, so find what you like and make a list of needs and wants and start having fun shopping because this is the time of year that great deals can be had! |
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New User
Posts: 2
Location: Felton, Delaware | Hi Lvignort,
My name is Ryan Lloyd and I am a Lakota, Adam, and Platinum Coach dealer based out of Delaware. For the needs you described the Lakota Charger C29 with a slide out would be a good option and should come in very close to your budget. If you would be interested in a quote let me know our email is Delwoodtrailersales@hotmail.com.
Thanks, Ryan |
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Member
Posts: 5
Location: Loveladies, NJ | I can't help but to reply to the comment by Huntseat. Many people on here believe what you say to be pretty accurate as you have made it to the level of expert. While giving an opinion of trailers you pointed out that some companies have started making a less expensive trailer pointing out one of the major manufacturers, this is a true statement as many companies have done this to reach a price point trailer that is affordable to more people. You also stated that Elite has never done this. That is actually not true Elite has the "Mustang" horse trailer, "Colt" living quarter and "Remuda" stock combo as their budget line trailers. Please do not get me wrong I am in no way saying Elite is not a top quality trailer, I am just pointing out that the manufacturers are changing their lines to meet the needs of todays buyers. These are not the only two companies offering production model trailers most of the major brands are doing this. These companies still offer their custom trailers for those who want the slightly stronger trailers. |
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Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK | I would have to agree with everything you've stated above with the exception of the cheaper trailers built by Elite. Everyone has a price point and I respect that more than you will ever know, I am a former school teacher that ironed clothing at night after cleaning houses to pay for tires and horse feed. I also feel that even the more cost conscious lines of Elite trailers would stand toe to toe with all but a few brands. FWIW, the post count makes the rank of the poster not the content of those posts. I however, will take any credit offered and be thankful. |
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