Posted 2015-02-15 3:38 PM (#162576) Subject: Trailers USA
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Spring Hill, Kansas
Howdy all,
About to make a first time trailer purchase (wife rides competitive hunter jumper) as we've been "hitching' a ride" for the last few years. Tow vehicle is a new F-350 with the 6.7, outfitted with a B&W turnover ball. We've been leaning toward Sundowners (price, build quality, options etc), but Trailers USA out of Osceola FL has caught my eye...they look to be built like tanks, and the pricing is extremely competitive. Can this be attributed to the group being a start-up, or re-start-up? Anyone have any experience with this group? Happy?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Posted 2015-02-15 4:27 PM (#162577 - in reply to #162576) Subject: RE: Trailers USA
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Being a former HJ rider I can say welcome to the boards! What type of trailer are you looking to purchase, style/configuration? This will help the replies be more focused on your type of trailer and you might find a few you hadn't even thought of yet. I always take service into consideration, things seem to only break the week before a long haul and have to fixed ASAP. Hauling the trailer half way across the state to get fixed isn't going to leave a good taste in your mouth. Always see what your local welder/trailer repair place can/will service. (Example, if they don't weld on Aluminum it would be a dicey move to buy an Aluminum trailer seeing as no one will fix it.) Warranties are only as good as the shop that works on them, don't be brushed off with smooth talkers. Make sure your wife and yourself can operate the trailer alone. Meaning, hitching/opening doors and vents/folding up ramps/moving saddle racks. Don't get caught up in shiny things, make sure there is enough storage in the trailer for today AND the future. If you get a living quarters I highly recommend a mid tack. Some of the circuits are weeks long, can you bring all your feed and hay with you? Plan ahead, it will reward you richly! Keep the rails in the cups...
Posted 2015-02-15 5:20 PM (#162578 - in reply to #162577) Subject: RE: Trailers USA
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Spring Hill, Kansas
HI HS, thanks for the reply. We're going to pick up a 3-4 horse slant, preferably gooseneck (could end up in a straight loader too, like the space, yet to be determined), with a 7' 6" ceiling (warmblood horses). Service isn't a huge deal, I can weld aluminum so not too concerned there (actually have been judging MFGRS based on the quality of their welds, were they pulling or pushing...you Tiggers out there get it), torsion axles are just about indestructible compared to the old leaf spring snowmobile trailers of yester-year (too many nights on the side of the road). I've been packing bearings since i can remember, and understand electronics and wiring diagrams, all good. What I really need is a good jumping off point, no way are we going down the LQ path, just don't need the extras (AC, utilities etc) just a good horse mover. Just curious if anyone has any inside knowledge around Trailers USA, seems like a legit outfit. Wondering if anyone has any firsthand experience with them. Thanks again!
Posted 2015-02-16 7:47 AM (#162585 - in reply to #162576) Subject: RE: Trailers USA
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
I personally haven't ever seen one in person or had a friend own one. I can however speak about the Featherlite warmblood trailer and the fact that our Featherlite pulls like it's not back there. In fact I'm dragging the "silver sled" into downtown Dallas today to pickup a few items for the new office space. (You know the old saying if you own and truck and a trailer you are a moving company in the eyes of your friends.) Have you searched the boards for the brand you are looking into? Sundowners of a specific year stretch have significant structural soundness issues in the models made with steel frames and Aluminum skins...steer clear of these Valuelite ticking time bombs. Have you looked into Turnbow trailers? If not I suggest a trip to the factory, they understand the needs of large performance horses and only build quality trailers.
Posted 2015-02-19 6:22 PM (#162629 - in reply to #162576) Subject: RE: Trailers USA
New User
Posts: 3
We are looking at these as well. Like the extras and the low price. I do think the price is because this is a small company, trying to build a brand. Bumper pull aluminum has full insulation, running boards, vents, lights, 7.5 ft tall with option of rear tack & ramp but it's priced less than other brands.
Posted 2015-02-21 6:30 AM (#162643 - in reply to #162576) Subject: RE: Trailers USA
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: Croswell MI
I have owned Sundowner and it was a bear to tow.My featherlite was the best.I have an Exiss now.I like how it pulls.IF you can,haul the trailer before you buy it!It is amazing the difference in brands.Every dealer has let me tow a few miles before I purchased.
Posted 2015-02-22 8:26 AM (#162647 - in reply to #162576) Subject: RE: Trailers USA
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Wolverton,mn
Not sure why the link to the elite trailer was posted,but,Elite trailers are excellent quality trailers. They hold resale value and are built strong and they last. There are many things that a newer buyer may not notice on a trailer,there are a lot of trailers out there so I would really check into it ALOT before deciding on a brand that may be new and isn't known.
Posted 2015-03-09 8:54 AM (#162811 - in reply to #162576) Subject: RE: Trailers USA
Member
Posts: 23
Trailers USA has been around quite awhile and I have seen quite a few of them. I personally do not like the alum skin/steel frame trailers, especially here in Fla as they become rust buckets fairly quickly. I've also thought these trailers rather high priced since they have the steel frames. I personally feel there are much better brand trailers for the money, but YOU have to be happy with your choice and which config suits you.
Trailers USA
