They are OK,as steel trailers go.They're made here in Arkansas.You can do a search on this site and pull up some threads about them.

They're a good basic trailer for what you are wanting it for I think.

The last part of 1999 through 2001 we used Sterling brand paint and had some serious paint problems as did a lot of the other major steel brands along that time.  In September of 2002 we realized that we had a major paint issue and quickly switched to Valspar High Solid Acrylic Enamel paint and upgraded our acid etching process and since then we have had not one single trailer returned because of the paint.  As for the trailers painted with the Sterling paint we repainted every single one that was brought to our attention.  We had a problem, but I feel like we did a very good job of addressing the problem.  As for the rust-All steel trailers are going to rust.  If someone tells you that their steel trailer will not rust they are not telling you the truth.  The amount of rust on a steel trailer largely depends on the owner of the trailer.  If you drive 50 M.P.H. down a gravel road with out mud flaps on your truck you will have a lot more rust than the guy that drives 25 M.P.H. with mud flaps on his truck.  If you treat your Calico steel trailer as well as you treat your truck it will last just as long or longer than your truck.  Also you folks need to look at the Calico of today.  It's NOT your "Grandfathers Calico."  We have greatly improved them since early 2000.  We have added 10 ply radial tires, extra seam sealer, improved windows, window guards, embossed aluminum diamond plate gravel guards, 6" radius roof, new oval tail lights sealed inside heavy upright post, and several other items.  I really think we have the very best trailer on the market for the money.  Sure there are fancier trailers out there, but they are several hundred to a few thousand dollars more.  Thanks for taking time to read this.  I just wanted to tell my side of our paint issues of the past and notice that I said PAST.

             Sean Johnson, President, Calico Trailer Mfg. Co. Inc.

I found it interesting to see the differences in responses from the owners of various trailer manufacturers, when their products are being discussed.

The owner of Calico addressed the previous problems, and related how his products were changed and improved as a result. His demeanor was matter of fact, and not condescending. The results from the forum were an approval and favourable response.

When Blue Ribbon was criticised, Leonard, the owner of that brand and some local dealerships, spent several paragraphs lambasting the ex employee who made some critical statements. Ugly things followed and Dave froze the thread.

The problems with Sundowner steel trailers are notorious, and were categorically denied by the dealers and manufacturer for years. Only until many dissatisfied owners became vocal, were the problems addressed. Finally the manufacturer changed the construction materials, and there has been little if any negative ownership reports.

I guess there is not a universal school that all business owners attend. I'm sure  the varying responses of these businesses to negative publicity, are indicative of the type of service you could expect from an ownership of their products.

Gard

Thanks for the favorable responses to my post.  As a manufactuer all I can ask when we make a mistake is to please be fair to us (or any other manufactuer) and give us a chance to remedy the problem before going on a message board and bashing us on a public forum and then if we do not fix the problem to your satisfaction by all means let us have it!  All manufactuers have their problems from GM and Ford right on down to the smaller guys like Calico, but I belive what makes a good company is one that will own up to and fix those mistakes and one that does not try to sell you on something they are not.  I have never represented Calico as a high end steel trailer just to try to get someone to buy one.  They are very good entry level trailers.  I had a man call me last week to thank me for putting out such a good product.  When I asked him when he bought his trailer he said he bought it in 2002.  I then asked him why he had waited 6 years to call and thank me.  He said it was because in 2002 he had bought it for $2800 and sold it the first of June, 2008 for $2800.  That's right, he pulled it 6 years and got 100% of his money back.  Now I don't want to mislead anyone, these figures are not typical but they do speak volumes about the resale value of steel Calico trailers that have been well maintained.  Thanks again for your responses and if I you have any questions please give me a call.  Our contact information is on our web site at www.calicotrailers.com

Sean Johnson, President, Calico Trailer Mfg. Co. Inc.