I'm looking into purchasing a Sundowner 2+1 777SR model and in doing some research i've come across discussions about problems with the frame on these trailers? It's a 2007 or 2008 model, are these years effected by the frame issues? I've tried doing a search on the forums but i'm not coming up with anything specific on these trailers.Thanks!
Posted 2016-01-17 6:57 PM (#165833 - in reply to #165829) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
I can tell you a few things to look for 1. Does the trailer have a steel frame and Aluminum skin, if so then it's got a strong chance of having problems. 2. Does it have "suncoating" or a bed liner looking material sprayed on the jack-plate wall and the under side of the trailer, if so then it's got a really good chance of being one of the dud trailers. Some of the trailer years/lines that were involved have trailers that aren't falling apart yet, so don't be fooled by a trailer that is fine looking but has the problematic steel/Aluminum and spray liner on it. Steer clear of anything with these features because it surely will kill your resale value. Some horse folk have sworn off the brand completely because of these problems so know your resale value will be reduced because of the brand in the future. Good luck, go with your gut and get a good inspection done before you put one red cent in the owners hands.
Posted 2016-01-18 9:07 AM (#165842 - in reply to #165829) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
New User
Posts: 4
Thanks for the information. The trailer doesn't have any of the coating on it but it is a steel frame with the aluminum skin. Would we be checking for rust underneath the trailer? We're buying from a dealer so it comes with the safety and inspection already done.
Posted 2016-01-18 6:43 PM (#165851 - in reply to #165842) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Originally written by teehee89 on 2016-01-18 11:07 AM
Thanks for the information. The trailer doesn't have any of the coating on it but it is a steel frame with the aluminum skin. Would we be checking for rust underneath the trailer? We're buying from a dealer so it comes with the safety and inspection already done.
Please re-read my post, over and over and over (The part numbered one)... The dealer only has to inspect that it is road worthy the minute before it leaves the lot, once you take it home all bets are off. Most likely someone dumped this trailer before problems surfaced and it's a ticking time-bomb. The "rust" you'd be looking for is sandwiched inside the walls and will weaken the structural integrity of the frame making these trailers dangerous. I recently passed one on the highway coming out of the Arabian Nationals in Tulsa where you could see the gooseneck flexing while the trailer bounced down the road. Others have come on these boards and talked about the doors not closing when the trailer is hitched due to frame flexing. These are major safety issues and not some minor or cosmetic flaw. Heed these warnings...don't waste money on something like this.
Posted 2016-01-18 9:04 PM (#165855 - in reply to #165829) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Like huntseat says...a steel frame/aluminum skin can be a disaster waiting...besides the possibily of the steel frame rusting, but because of the possibility of dielectric effects that can occur anywhere the steel and aluminum come in contact where the protective coating between them has disappeared or been damaged...
Posted 2016-01-18 9:42 PM (#165858 - in reply to #165855) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2016-01-18 11:04 PM
Like huntseat says...a steel frame/aluminum skin can be a disaster waiting...besides the possibily of the steel frame rusting, but because of the possibility of dielectric effects that can occur anywhere the steel and aluminum come in contact where the protective coating between them has disappeared or been damaged...
Paul, the Chemist in me wanted to go there but the teacher in me said use the word "rust" because most lay people don't know that you can't put two dissimilar metals together and expect them to "get along." I wished the trailer industry would use sacrificial anodes like shipping boats use.
Posted 2016-01-19 2:51 AM (#165862 - in reply to #165858) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by huntseat on 2016-01-18 12:42 AM
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2016-01-18 11:04 PM
Like huntseat says...a steel frame/aluminum skin can be a disaster waiting...besides the possibily of the steel frame rusting, but because of the possibility of dielectric effects that can occur anywhere the steel and aluminum come in contact where the protective coating between them has disappeared or been damaged...
Paul, the Chemist in me wanted to go there but the teacher in me said use the word "rust" because most lay people don't know that you can't put two dissimilar metals together and expect them to "get along." I wished the trailer industry would use sacrificial anodes like shipping boats use.
Posted 2016-01-19 12:00 PM (#165864 - in reply to #165829) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
New User
Posts: 4
Thanks for all the information guys. The trailer is located in Ontario, Canada. There are two we're looking at, the one mentioned and a 2003 or 2004 model. The deal said the 2007 one needs framework done underneath the trailer so that makes me think it is one of those problematic ones. The older model doesn't appear to need as much work but they just got it on a trade in so haven't had a chance to put it in the shop yet and have a proper look.The more research I do on these the more i'm being scared away. I'm not prepared to spend $20 000 (CDN) on a trailer to risk having issues down the road. I'm currently exploring the idea of a 4-Star or Jamco 2+1, even if they are a bit more pricey even for a used one. I'd rather spend the extra $5 000 and not have to worry about anything happening to my horses while we're on the road.Any opinions on those 4-Stars or Jamco's?Thanks again guys!
Posted 2016-01-20 9:31 AM (#165882 - in reply to #165829) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534 Location: Zionsville, Indiana
Paul - Thank you for the good source of information on this subject. It needs to be said that there are manufacturers of horse, cargo, and equipment trailers that handle the use of dissimilar metals very well. Trail-et, Hawk, and most of the cargo trailer manufacturers are examples. Is it not considered that the Sundowner problem was more related to the coating that was used failing to maintain a moisture tight seal? We have had a few examples in our shop that seemed to indicate that the coating was the primary issue. I hate to see everything painted with the same brush.
Posted 2016-01-20 7:07 PM (#165889 - in reply to #165829) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Most of the flooring failures have come from pockets forming under/inside the sun-coating and allowing the corrosion to accelerate and stay hidden. The frame issues in the Valuelite line of Sundowners is what was asked about and addressed in this thread.
Posted 2016-01-21 5:42 PM (#165901 - in reply to #165829) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Plymouth, CA
This interests me. I'm thinking of getting a new Logan LQ. Logan uses a product called "galva-strong" which appears to be a galvanized steel. They tout that it is stronger than black steel used on some trailers and it is stronger than aluminum and that it doesn't rust like black steel and they are using a 3M product that has a very high bonding adhesive that they use to bond the two elements. Any thoughts/experiences with these trailers?
Posted 2016-01-21 7:03 PM (#165902 - in reply to #165829) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
The 3M tape is a very good product for two reasons, it both bonds the two surfaces together and yet does not allow them to touch...the best of both worlds. The trailers in question were not assembled using such technology, I'm not even sure if it was around back then.
Posted 2016-01-22 3:36 PM (#165912 - in reply to #165901) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
Location: Brampton, Ontario
HIA bit off topic from the original post, but what's advertising about the trailer be stronger then aluminum is what grade are they comparing it too...... high strength aluminum like used on rims, that NASA uses on space shuttles, etc OR the grade of aluminum that is used to protect horses trailers from stones, etc flying up from the back tires of the truck. the type of alum used on the front of the horse trailer is low end alum. Also the fact that galvanized steel is stronger - all it is a black pipe dipped in a hot liquid that coats the steel to protect it from rusting. as soon as a piece of galvanized steel gets welded to something or drilled into, it will start to rust at that point. having it galvanized doesn't make it stronger. Having said that I'd rather a steel trailer galvanized then painted because do to the paint does chipping/peeling and the steel starts to rust. Having worked in the steel industry for the past 20+ years I find it to be abit misleading
Posted 2016-01-22 10:57 PM (#165922 - in reply to #165851) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
Veteran
Posts: 122 Location: Monroe, WA
Note that upon examination, the frame was not flexing, a weld had broke. Also not sure of the brand of tape but it was on the trailer and worked VERY well, hard to separate to do the welding repair.
Posted 2016-01-23 6:32 PM (#165928 - in reply to #165829) Subject: RE: Sundowner 777 2+1
Regular
Posts: 76 Location: Michigan
Steer clear of the 2003 model. I had a 737 with the steel suncoated frame and aluminum skin and the steel frame looked pristine until you banged it with a hammer and large chunks fell out.
Sundowner 777 2+1
