Posted 2011-08-13 6:53 PM (#136679) Subject: WHICH TRAILER???
New User
Posts: 3
We want to get 2-horse BP slant, and are debating brands .... Sundowner? Featherlite? Merhow? Is there an objective trailer comparison to be found ANYWHERE, and what brand have you done well with? Thanks.
Posted 2011-08-14 8:02 AM (#136686 - in reply to #136679) Subject: RE: WHICH TRAILER???
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
All three are good trailers and one good way is to ask people who own those brands what they like and dislike about them. Ultimately its up to you- what are you needs and wants? Find the trailer that meets most of those areas plus fits into your budget. I don't think you are going to find a "consumer reports" of trailers. There aren't alot of differences in 2H BP anyway ( other than steel or aluminum)
Posted 2011-08-14 8:26 AM (#136688 - in reply to #136679) Subject: RE: WHICH TRAILER???
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
Aluminum: Cimmaron/Hart/4-Star...
Steel or composite or galvaneal: Titan/Travalong/CM
I have seen what is available. My husband operated a manufacturing plant a few years ago, he knows what to look for in structural integrity. The trailers you mention would not make our list, our horses are dependent on our sound decisions. Good luck to you.
Posted 2011-08-14 6:32 PM (#136700 - in reply to #136679) Subject: RE: WHICH TRAILER???
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I had a CM odyssey for 6 yrs. i sold it and bought a Hart 2 horse BP. PROS: - light, easy to pull, tracked well. I towed it with a Chevy Trailblazer, then later a Toyota Landcruiser. - relatively inexpensive, even new. - fairly roomy.. (was a straightload with mangers)CONS: - I had to replace ALL doors on it. Some of them twice. They appeared to be fiberglass with thin (VERY thin) metallic sheet cover., - It was Hell to back because it had a short tongue and took me forever to get straight in it's parking slot. I had trouble with it fishtailing. Granted I'm not the best backer, but I've noticed that I do not have that problem with my longer-tongued, heavier Hart. - was steel-framed. I live on the coast, which is hell on anything metal. when we got ready to sell it, my husband got underneath it with a drill and sanding bit and sanded axles and other rusted parts before repainting with rustoleum. most of the rust was a fairly light, cosmetic coating..ie: no real damage, but right at the front, under the nose and tack compartment) it was heavily rusted with damage to curved nose frame. There were enough other supporting structures to not ruin the integrity of the trailer, but I was appalled at the rust in that area. It looked very good on the outside, but made me very nervous to pull it with out knowing for certain what kind of shape it's supporting structures were in; since they were mostly hidden underneath the aluminum skin.All in all, it was a good starter trailer, but I am glad I upgraded to a heavier, solid aluminum trailer.
Posted 2011-08-14 7:55 PM (#136703 - in reply to #136679) Subject: RE: WHICH TRAILER???
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430 Location: TN
I had a 1988 Trail-Et New Yorker, which I liked. It was my first trailer and I pulled it with a F150 super cab short bed. I did use a weight distributing hitch with sway bars. I owned it for 3-4 years and only sold it because I needed to haul more that 2 horses. If you are looking at one, I would check the frame and if it has a ramp I would check that as well. I have a friend with a steel Trail-Et stock trailer that is almost 20 years old and it has really held up well.
Posted 2011-08-16 11:54 AM (#136736 - in reply to #136679) Subject: RE: WHICH TRAILER???
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Northern Illinoiw
I have had excellent luck with my 2004 Trail-et. (GN) I have not had any rust issues and have been pleased with how it looks and has held up. For me the fiberglass roof is a plus. Cool and quiet.
WHICH TRAILER???
