Posted 2005-12-17 8:07 PM (#34179) Subject: Featherlite and Exiss
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Kansas CIty
Hey Mr Trailer
I am looking to buy my first trailer. I am considering either and Exiss or a Featherlite. Can you give me some insight on what the differences are and what I should be concerned with?
Posted 2005-12-18 11:41 AM (#34185 - in reply to #34179) Subject: RE: Featherlite and Exiss
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
I see a lot of these two brands. Go to any Fairground, Endurance race etc and you will see lots of Featherlite and Exiss
I attribute this to them being competitively priced and having most of the features folks want. They also have a large dealer network. Making them easy to buy since they are for sale in lots of places.
I looked at them very closely but choose another much smaller manufacture. Not that these two were not a good buy, I just felt I was getting the features I liked better for the same price with the other brand. You need to look at various trailers and see what features are important to you. How the trailer is made, hings, slam latches, dividers, flooring, lights, door locks etc
Posted 2005-12-18 3:11 PM (#34189 - in reply to #34179) Subject: RE: Featherlite and Exiss
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366
Location: Albany, Oregon
Paint...I can't say much about the Exiss..There were no dealers near me to look one over. I did end up buying a Featherlite 3H G/N...It had the features I wanted. It was important to me that it had no middle post on the rear doors.(Northwest rear door option) With a folding rear tack. My practical side wanted more uses for it other than a horse trailer! Hay, moving, etc...It also had a 4' short wall giving me lots of room for a weekend type camper. It is well finished. There were a couple of why did they do it like thats, but all in all I like the trailer. One thing that I feel is the most important issue with any trailer you buy is the service! I had an issue with the brakes. I found the trailer with all the options I wanted at a dealer 300 miles away went and bought it. On the way home I started to wonder about the brakes....they just weren't very potent! An empty trailer usually is on the touchy side! They worked but not real well! I took it to my local Featherlite dealer and they jumped right on it like I had bought it from them. Boy was I relieved! No 600 mile round trips to fix the problem...If there service is still the same I would buy another one....Good Luck!
Posted 2005-12-18 6:07 PM (#34192 - in reply to #34179) Subject: RE: Featherlite and Exiss
Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan
I don't think you could go wrong with either. I own a Exiss, have a stock Featherlite as well as friends who own both ( horse trailers with and without LQ)Just buy the one you like.
Posted 2005-12-19 6:56 PM (#34225 - in reply to #34179) Subject: RE: Featherlite and Exiss
Veteran
Posts: 238
Location: West Coast
I would recommend an Exiss, we have a 2000 Exiss 3 horse Event Slant load. We have around 50,000 miles on it and have been really happy with it. We've done only normal maintenance and have had no problems, with the exception of a leaky roof over the gooseneck.
Were I shopping for a trailer, I would definitely buy an Exiss again, but I would not buy the "sport" model, which is cheaper, but has smaller axles and is not built as solid.
Posted 2005-12-19 7:42 PM (#34227 - in reply to #34179) Subject: RE: Featherlite and Exiss
Location: Tuttle, OK
Sure I could Paint Guy. Since I used to work for Featherlite and currently work at Universal, I could likely go into a great amount of detail for you, but I suspect that you probably knew that already.
I must say that both manufacturers offer a quality trailer. While there are many similarities, there are also many differences. I am of the opinion that Exiss has a smoother/cleaner horse area and is a little heavier built (their 4 horse weighs about 150 pounds more than the Featherlite). I could go on, but that’s not my function here.
All that said, anyone that is seriously looking to spend their hard earned cash on a premium trailer owes it to themselves to look and look hard. Kick tires, slam doors, and don’t just listen to me or any other person who has their opinion of the perfect trailer. Make the choice that works best for your budget, your intended use, and your taste.