Posted 2015-11-25 8:04 AM (#165443) Subject: Hawk Trailers
Member
Posts: 12
Location: Stafford, VA
Ok- i'm about to bite the bullet on an hawk 2 horse gn with lq's. Anyone have any warnings before I do this? it's a big purchase for me, i've looked high and low for a good used elite/4-star/blue ribbon but have been coming up empty on a 2 horse, but came across one I liked that was unused in the hawk. I have a trailet bumper pull that I love love love, and I know the Hawks are engineered about the same way. Yes, it's steel with aluminum skin, it's a little heavier, and its a new trailer however, it's what i've wanted, and the price is right and in my budget. thoughts before I commit?Thanks, Lisa
Posted 2015-11-25 9:06 AM (#165444 - in reply to #165443) Subject: RE: Hawk Trailers
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Go for it!! Wood floor will probably outlive most aluminum floors, they are cooler in the summer and I feel like the wood floors ride better for the horses, more cushioning... Got several friends that swear by the Hawk and Equispirit trailers, biggest thing I don't like is they are hard to clean inside and every little paint chip inside turns into a rust spot. They are built tuff inside the horse area.
Posted 2015-11-27 2:34 PM (#165466 - in reply to #165448) Subject: RE: Hawk Trailers
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534 Location: Zionsville, Indiana
I have a Rumber floor in my 16 year old two horse. For several years I had a 16.3 hand gelding that pawed furiously every time the trailer stopped. Picture going around Chicago on the toll road !!. He rode many miles in that trailer, and never made a mark on the floor. You are wasting time and money if you layer mats on top of the Rumber. It is a great non slip surface also.Just hose it out after you use it. Best thing that has happened to horse trailers in a long time.
Posted 2015-11-29 5:17 PM (#165469 - in reply to #165443) Subject: RE: Hawk Trailers
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
I will offer another point of view. In your area will a steel trailer last that long? How will you keep the salty roads from eating it away? I was told by a trailer dealer in Michigan that even Aluminum floors lasted about 10 years, then the steel axle mounts and the floor needed serious repairs.
Posted 2015-11-30 9:18 AM (#165475 - in reply to #165443) Subject: RE: Hawk Trailers
Veteran
Posts: 133 Location: NC
i agree that i would not out mats over the rumber flooring unless you notice that the horse is affecting it with its pawing. i cover mine with fine shavings and haven't had any issues.
Posted 2015-12-03 11:40 AM (#165492 - in reply to #165443) Subject: RE: Hawk Trailers
Member
Posts: 12
Location: Stafford, VA
I went to see the trailer and im not so sure on it. it does not have the rumber floors, but wood floors which isn't a deal breaker, but, there is a leak where an external tie was incorrectly mounted, letting water seep between the inside and outside walls. there was major rust coming out of one of the rivets for the padding on the stall wall with a slow trickle of water coming out. it hadn't rained in days, so I assume there is a pocket of water between the walls draining from that one screw. judging from the darkness of the rust, its a major problem that has been going on since it was built. The dealer is saying it will be repaired, but with a steel framed trailer, the rust could be really substantial. With that said, its back to the drawing board. I'm looking at shetrons and adams, but the pricing coming back for a 2h straight load with LQ is 45k, which is over my price range. I'm not seeing many decent higher end trailers out there, just a lot of lakotas, shadows, bisons, featherlites, sooners, and sundowners, which none are very well made, hence why there are a ton of them out there at cheap prices. it seems I have two choices- go with something better but older that needs work, or buy a lower quality new.but, the search continues... uggg
Hawk Trailers
