I think it depends. I looked at all the living quarters trailers here at Horse World Expo in PA a few weeks ago. There were some of every level- entry level, mid-range, and top of the line. I saw some with really nice interiors and some you couldn't pay me to own!

I think some dealers are ordering in less expensive trailers because that's where demand is now. Customers are not spending like they used to, nor can they get financing as easily as before. I also think that is why most trailer manufacturers are offering living quarters trailers that are somewhat scaled back- shorter short walls, 6'8"- 7'6" widths, and less expensive cabinetry and interiors. I've seen websites from dealers here in PA that have NEW inventory from 2007 still in stock. They are gorgeous trailers, but in this economy I don't think the $60K plus trailers are selling like they have in the past.

My husband and I bought a Hart Medallion living quarters trailer last year. It has a great conversion package- all wood cabinets, soft touch walls, a lot of the little "extras". It is not as big as we would like, but it was affordable and comfortable and will be paid for in a relatively short period of time. We financed through a loacl bank and did not take out the standard 10-15 year loan that is typical with a living quarters trailer. We don't feel like we sacrificed on the quality of the trailer interior or the structural soundness.

Would I like "more" trailer? Yes, but I also do not want a bigger or longer payment, so I'm best to appreciate and be thankful for what I have!!!

I am in the market for a new LQ.  I currently own a Bison trail express 6910, a relatively cheap trailer with a cheaply made interior.  The one I own has particle board cabinets, plastic water fixtures, etc.  The appliances are good quality though.  The construction of the trailer is good and solid.  Never had a problem.

I am looking to buy a new trailer in the 50-60k range.  Have looked at some repo Sundowners, Lakota, and Bison.  All are all aluminum which increases the cost but not necessarily the quality inside. The Sundowners are very nice inside with soft touch walls, hardwood cabinets, real water fixtures, etc, but the cost is 10k-20k more, if you are lucky enough to find a repo.  The Lakota Charger is a standard trailer that has hard wood cabinets, ok fixtures, etc but definetlety not what one would call luxuroius.  The Lakota Big Horn top line trailer, however, has soft touch walls and ceilings, upgraded cabinets, real porcelain toilet.  Very nice.  I also looked at some Platinum with their top of the line interior that was similar to the Sundowner.  Some people are Sundowner people so that is their standard like a friend of mine who only talks about Sundowners when asked about what to buy.  He has always owned them so that is his standard. 

 I decided on a Bison Stratus with a 12 foot slide out, 16 ft SW because we wanted the space.  Interior is solid wood cabinets, lots of options, cabinets, window dressings, etc in the 55k range. 

Bottom line.  You get what you pay for.   If you want a really nice trailer that is well built and luxurious, go for a high end trailer but be ready to pay for it.

As a home builder, I have had to cut back what goes into most homes.

The cost of materials going into a house have not gotten cheaper. concrete has still taken it's annual jump in price, Steel is as much if not more than it was 3 years ago, appliances have not gone down in prices. when I bid a new home built the way I used to build them, I come in $30,000 to $50,000 more than the appraisals.  Folks accuse me of cheating them, With questions of "why are charging more for the house than what it appraises for"  Gone are the days of building $700,000 homes and now folks aer buying $350,000 homes.

Bottom line is I've had to find ways to build the house for less money. And that frequently means going to lower quality materials or removing items that use to be standard and making them optional. We have had to back off from the more expensive woods like hickory and cherry and return to using Oak and Alder,  We have returned to using more carpet and less hardwood and tile floors.   The appliances we spec in are more GE, Maytag and less Kitchen Aid, Bosch, Thermador. Instead of 100 can lights built in homes are getting 10-12. Houses have became less complex, simpler designs and smaller.

I suspect the same concept applies to the horse trailer business. Manufactures are in the business of building trailers. If people won't buy $70,000 trailers, They probably need to build some $40,000 trailers to just stay in business. and keep their employees working. The steel or aluminum that you build a trailer from hasn't gotten cheaper, So all they can do is make the trailers smaller. less complex, and not put as much inside the trailer.

The dealers and manufactures have probably learned that those who can really afford all the options will still order the trailer built the way they want it. But the majority are going to settle for something less.

We sell factory direct also.  Our solid wood cabinets in our LQ are far superior to some of the cheaper brands.  On our last visit to the World Horse Expo in Maryland, customers raved about the quality of the LQ vs the cheaper brands.  Raw material costs aren't going down though, but selling factory direct allows us to absorb some of the rising costs.

Bartley Heath
bartley@DoubleDTrailers.com
Buy Factory Direct and $ave at DoubleDTrailers.com