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Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite

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makadam
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2011-01-23 7:04 PM (#129180)
Subject: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


Member


Posts: 7

Hello Folks, Got a 99 aluminum Featherlite 3-horse slant gooseneck model# 8546 with overnite/weekend living quarters. Black skin w/corrugated aluminum sides, two 5200 lb. axles w/torsion suspension. It trailers and rides exceptionally well for its age. This trailer was very well built and it is still in excellent condition. Thinking about upgrading to a 4-horse w/larger living quarters and based on what I have, planning to stick with Featherlite. Here is the question. Are the new/newer Featherlite trailers constructed as well and as solid as the older models? Would hate to give this up and end up with less trailer.

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jackbrat
Reg. Sep 2005
Posted 2011-01-23 10:38 PM (#129188 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


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Posts: 610
500100
Location: Northern CA
Stay with the older models. No, the newer are not as solid built.
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canadianguy
Reg. Oct 2010
Posted 2011-01-24 1:25 AM (#129190 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


Member


Posts: 21

Location: Water Vally, Alberta, Cdn

I"m with Jackbrat, the older trailers were more solidly built, but I believe that is true of most makes.

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jkhall
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2011-01-24 3:18 PM (#129219 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


New User


Posts: 2

Location: Iowa
Hello, The newer Featherlite gooseneck 8540 series and 8580 series horse trailers actually have equal to or better structure and structural integrity than the Featherlites manufactured in the 90s. Also, you'll find the warranty is longer on the new Featherlites than on the old one you have. It is now an 8-year limited structural warranty, whereas yours is a 6-year limited structural warranty. Also Featherlite warranties on new trailers are now transferable when trades are made for new Featherlites at an authorized dealer. The strength and durability of Featherlites have always put them at the top for re-sale. The transferable warranty only enhances this! Thanks for the post!J. Hall, Featherlite Director of Communications.P.S. Featherlite living quarters also are miles ahead of where they were 12 years ago!
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watermarkfarm
Reg. Aug 2010
Posted 2011-01-25 3:42 PM (#129261 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


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Posts: 22

Location: Santa Rosa, CA
I thoroughly researched Featherlite a few months back when I was considering buying a used Featherlite. I wound up purchasing a 1986 Featherlite 3-horse gooseneck that was built to last forever. The man who did some work and upgrades to this trailer also does warranty work for the local Featherlite dealer. He did not speak favorably about the newer Featherlites made since the company was bought out by Universal about 5 years ago. He said Featherlite had been a really reliable solid trailer until this time. In fact one of the trailers he was repairing was a newer Featherlite gooseneck where the gooseneck top part kept separating from the frame below. Not good!

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Gone
Reg. May 2005
Posted 2011-01-25 6:55 PM (#129273 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


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Posts: 1069
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Location: MI.
I own an 8587 2006.....

Edited by Gone 2011-01-25 6:56 PM
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makadam
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2011-01-28 11:25 PM (#129445 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


Member


Posts: 7

Thank you all for the info. Featherlite and it's dealers would love to sell a new/newer trailer, however I'll stick with the pre 2005 models. It's really helpful to have such a wonderful resource. Thanks again!
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Gone
Reg. May 2005
Posted 2011-01-29 9:02 AM (#129459 - in reply to #129188)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


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Location: MI.
Originally written by jackbrat on 2011-01-23 10:38 PM

Stay with the older models. No, the newer are not as solid built.


Could you give some examples?

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dgRuffian
Reg. Jan 2011
Posted 2011-01-29 9:45 AM (#129461 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


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Posts: 3

great topic. Mine is a pre-2005 and I was seriously thinking of trading it in on a newer one. Think I may have to consider modifying what I have.
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Swartz Trailer Sales
Reg. Apr 2005
Posted 2011-01-29 10:09 AM (#129464 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


Member


Posts: 29
25
Location: Harbor Beach ,Mi, 48441
They have Thousands of Trailers out there.I dont think I would just listen to 3 or 4 negative post,Its all opinion what they heard from someone else and not backed up by fact.Compare the weight and see how much less they weigh today.That might help you more
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jackbrat
Reg. Sep 2005
Posted 2011-01-29 11:49 PM (#129493 - in reply to #129459)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


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Posts: 610
500100
Location: Northern CA
I have been looking at the older model Featherlites. I think the 80's and 90's models were the most solid I have seen. I don't know what model #'s they were. Just been looking for a Gooseneck 2-horse, 7'6" tall with at least a 4-5' short wall in the front. I have been thinking on selling my 2006  trailer ( it's not a Featherlite) and purchasing an older model Featherlite than I can pay for with cash. ( I will owe on the newer one for a while ) Don't want payments anymore. I have seen some older Featherlites around for sale and really like the way they were built. Most of the older ones are insulated too. A REALLY NICE FEATURE. Why pay the insane prices for these newer trailers??!! I am sick of making payments on anything any more. Sorry about that rant- anyways, I saw some really nice older model all aluminum Charmac and Sooners too. In my opinion, these 3 older makes are the thing to look for. Can't beat the older used prices either.
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Boo's Mom
Reg. Oct 2009
Posted 2011-01-30 2:40 PM (#129511 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


Member


Posts: 36
25
Location: The Natural State
I'm not a trailer expert but wanted to offer my 2 cents on the older all aluminum trailers. We recently purchased a 1998 Sooner 3H GN with a 4' DR for our "run-around" trailer. Very impressed with the quality construction of this older trailer... seems to be built like a tank. The floor supports are on 12" centers, the white aluminum wall panels are riveted every 18" and all welds are smooth and solid. Someone else took the depreciation hit and I feel like by buying an older trailer I got more features for my money like drop windows on both sides and insulated roof in the DR and horse area. Is it as nice as our 2004 4 Star LQ? No, but it sure didn't cost as much either. And, I bet I get more of my money back when I sell it!
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WVbarrelracer06
Reg. Jul 2006
Posted 2011-02-03 7:54 AM (#129719 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


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Posts: 123
100
Location: Bridgeport,wv and Gaffney,sc
Are the trailer built on 6 or 12in centers underneath? this is a 04 model
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Treashtrs
Reg. Jul 2010
Posted 2011-02-03 8:17 AM (#129720 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


Member


Posts: 23

Location: Turbotville, PA
Jessica if you are still looking for a trailer I may have one that could interest you. Check out my website and look at the Exiss, if you are interested give me a call. www.treashorsetrailersales.com
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Menyoun
Reg. Jul 2014
Posted 2014-07-22 12:52 PM (#160079 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


New User


Posts: 4

Location: San Dimas, CA.
I found a 2005 Featherlite GN LQ I am interested in…is that year still part of the original Featherlite company?
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4quartercirclesperfh
Reg. Jul 2014
Posted 2014-07-23 7:34 AM (#160091 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


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Posts: 73
2525
We just traded off a 2011 Featherlite stock combo, what a pile of junk. First the walls are to soft, one trainer horse kicking the wall wound up bowing the wall so bad that to keep the tack room door shut it had to be dead bolted. Second a neighbor had one that the back gate kept falling off and we had to go back to Featherlite to order more hinges to weld in between the original three.
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DaveM
Reg. Sep 2003
Posted 2014-07-24 5:42 PM (#160135 - in reply to #160091)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite



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Posts: 720
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Location: Never miss a good chance to shut up.
If I had a horse that was kicking the insides of my trailer apart, there's not a trailer on the market I would want to load him into in the future.As for the trailer hinges on the older trailer. You say three hinges just "fell off"? Amazing. I've never seen or heard of that happening. What happened to the door? Did it skip down the highway behind your neighbor? Now wait. You said it "kept falling off". He was very fortunate to retrieve it for reuse each time. Must be a very sturdy door.
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4quartercirclesperfh
Reg. Jul 2014
Posted 2014-07-24 7:26 PM (#160137 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


Regular


Posts: 73
2525
First off were ranchers and horse trainers our trailers are not pavement princesses, we haul colts to weaners to darn near outlaw horses so we don't just haul fluffy to the local trail head. As for the door falling off, you can say that three cracked hinges later and welding three more for a total of 6 to keep it from cracking and sagging.
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Three 4 Luck
Reg. Nov 2003
Posted 2014-07-27 9:43 AM (#160161 - in reply to #129180)
Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite


Regular


Posts: 78
252525
I bought a new Featherlite in 1998 and proceeded to spend hours filing sharp points and edges off the welds that would have sliced a horse to pieces. Was not impressed.
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