I don't know if this true, can anyone enlighten me? I was told that Bison trailers changed hands and are being built by a different manufacturer ( don't know a name), and are much better built than in the past. Any truth to this?
Posted 2016-03-21 8:41 AM (#166498 - in reply to #166490) Subject: RE: Bison Trailers built better 2015-16?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 807 Location: Tenn/Ala.
During the recession, the Bison Co has had some different ownership having been bought by Navistar after Monaco closed. More recently, they have been folded into the Thor family (the world's largest motorhome Co.) and are there now.
Posted 2016-03-21 4:47 PM (#166509 - in reply to #166490) Subject: RE: Bison Trailers built better 2015-16?
Veteran
Posts: 150 Location: Harrisburg, OR
The salesman was not lying to you. As another poster mentioned they are now owned by Thor (the article from 2002 was the old ownership prior to Monaco purchasing them). Thor owns Airstream, Keystone, Heartland, Montana etc. The quality of the living quarter components has definitely improved over the last couple years. Thad Akins
Posted 2016-03-21 7:52 PM (#166513 - in reply to #166490) Subject: RE: Bison Trailers built better 2015-16?
Veteran
Posts: 150 Location: Harrisburg, OR
I just listed a few quick examples in my previous post because someone had insinuated the salesman was lying. I didn't realize someone was going to parse my words so I'll expand on my prior post. This is not an all inclusive list by any means but among other improvements they now use a heavier gauge siding, roof and decking. Thors' engineers went through every model and every floor plan and made changes/upgrades where necessary in regards to the structural stability. They are now built in a much larger and nicer facility that rivals any I've visited. The quality control department was enlarged along with a rain booth being added to the final inspection process. I could list dozens of other examples but any non-biased person probably gets the point that there have been significant improvements which is what the OP initially asked. Thad
Posted 2016-03-22 3:25 PM (#166526 - in reply to #166512) Subject: RE: Bison Trailers built better 2015-16?
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Earlysville, Va
The horse area needed attention the most because the construction there was pitiful. The materials used were far too flimsy for a horse trailer. The weakened axles on mine had to be replaced but fortunately we found that problem before one of them broke.I have been lucky about the LQ appliances, and I like the layout of it. Things I've had to repair or replace have been: FRAME breakage at GN.drop down feed windows (twice) due to hinges. Multiple inside tie ring repairs along with reinforcing the poorly made dividers. The rear butt bar was a joke so I replaced it entirely. This is without doubt the worst engineered rig I've owned. The sad part is that if it had been made of steel it might have been ok. And then, you get into Bison customer serve which is non-existant IMO.
Posted 2016-03-30 5:38 PM (#166623 - in reply to #166557) Subject: RE: Bison Trailers built better 2015-16?
Regular
Posts: 71 Location: Everton, Arkansas
My wife and I own a 2013 Bison Stratus Express. We special ordered it with a few upgrades. Personally speaking we have had no major issues with it. We understood when we purchased it that it was not the TOP of the line trailer, nor did we pay a TOP of the line price. However, it was all the trailer we needed and the quality seems to be good. For the person that wants a trailer for a few vacations and camping trips a year, and does not want to spend $75,000 or more, it is a good trailer. We have taken ours on several extended out of state camping/riding trips and have never had an issues. It pulls like a champ and the horses, my wife and myself are comfortable in it.
Bison Trailers built better 2015-16?
