Posted 2008-08-14 9:50 AM (#89693 - in reply to #89645) Subject: RE: Bison living quarters trailer
Veteran
Posts: 252 Location: Hunting Valley, Ohio
Is it 7' or 8' wide?
An 8' wide trailer gives the horses more room and it makes a difference in the LQ's - people room. That extra foot makes a big Difference, great option.
Posted 2008-08-21 8:19 AM (#90100 - in reply to #89645) Subject: RE: Bison living quarters trailer
Veteran
Posts: 151 Location: Manitoba, Canada
I have no personal experience with them, but was on a trail ride close to home just 2 weeks ago, and only 3 trailers there had LQ, and all 3 were Bisons. Maybe that says something?
Posted 2009-02-23 10:41 PM (#100026 - in reply to #89645) Subject: RE: Bison living quarters trailer
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I've never owned or inspected a Bison. To answer your own question, it would be a good idea for a hands on look. Usually when one item is less expensive than a comparable item, it is a result of different materials, different construction, or different workmanship. Just as with steel, not all aluminum trailers are built the same. The materials' choices and the amount of them, vary considerably from manufacturer to manufacturer.
To answer your question, you will have to inspect trailers of a known quality and price, and directly compare them to the Bison. Read as much as you can from the owners of them, and talk to the people who sell competitive brands. Most will be more than willing to enumerate their faults, which if you take them with a grain of salt, will give you an idea where to look for differences.
Bison, I think, builds its own interiors in house. This would be less expensive than farming them out to conversion companies. Having a standardized interior is one way to save money.
Another savings is to use lighter axles and cheaper tires. Compare the Bison's so that you are likening apples to apples. Check the frame construction and welds, the hardware, the drop down window hinges and construction, the doors, stall dividers, the fit and finish, all before you step inside the LQ.
Most people will buy a trailer, based upon the looks, the colours and layouts of the LQ. The LQ, like a house, is nothing without a foundation. Pretty doesn't haul the horses, day after day, safely over thousands of miles.
We've had rusting frames in the Sundowner, sagging floors in the 4 Star, bad doors in the Kieffer, exploding roofs of the Exiss and now burning Bison. Nothing is sacred.
Posted 2009-02-24 6:48 AM (#100033 - in reply to #89645) Subject: RE: Bison living quarters trailer
Member
Posts: 42 Location: elkhart indiana
Bison Use to do their LQ near Elkhart In. I think they are still located in Napanee. The are very close to all the venders that they need usualy if you are withen a 50 mile range you dont have to pay shipping on all of your material. so it save a ton. If your LQ weighs aprox 2-4 thousand lb and your avreage shipping cost is $4.00-$6.00 a lb that adds up. Also their is alot of RV wearhouses hear. if you have set floor plans verses custom you can buy in bulk. If you buy in bulk lets just say a semi load of panneling verses a 10 sheets of custom you also save alot. I have owend a Bison. and It did Its Job For years. It got me and my children and horses safely to the shows for years.
Posted 2009-02-24 8:56 AM (#100046 - in reply to #89645) Subject: RE: Bison living quarters trailer
Veteran
Posts: 184 Location: Indiana
If I understand it correctly -- the "Express" model doesn't have a few things that the others do- so that cuts the price-- not as many outside lights-- doesn't have the cover in front where the tanks, etc are.
We know several people that have Bisons and they all are happy- that was what we were looking at till we found our trailer recently
Posted 2009-03-05 5:12 PM (#100747 - in reply to #89645) Subject: RE: Bison living quarters trailer
Regular
Posts: 73 Location: rochelle va.
We have an 06, Bison 4 horse, 8 ft. short wall. We ahve had no problems with it, except tires. our first set started popping at about 8,000 miles. The second set I got, lasted about 10,000 miles. I keep the correct tire pressure, rotate tires 2 times a year. The next set I buy I am going to get "G" rated tires instead of "E" rated that came on the trailer. Other than that, we love our Bison.
Posted 2009-03-06 11:29 AM (#100794 - in reply to #89645) Subject: RE: Bison living quarters trailer
Veteran
Posts: 105 Location: Illinois
Dsq, what make of tires were and are on your trailer? If you do go to the G rated tire make sure that your rims are rated for 110 psi. Not sure but I think the G rating runs at 110 psi and the E rating is only 85 psi. There was a post some time ago that covered this.
Bison living quarters trailer
