Posted 2008-10-21 2:39 PM (#93364) Subject: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Veteran
Posts: 241
I've gone back and read most of the archive posts on these trailers but I have not seen anything comparing the two. There seems to be a lot more 4-Star owners on this site so this informal survey will be a bit skewed, but I would be interested to know how you think the quality of these two trailers compares. We're not talking LQ trailers, I'm going with a 5th wheel combo. Thanks.
Posted 2008-10-21 2:42 PM (#93365 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I don't own, nor have I ever pulled either one. But, from what I've see new and used on dealer lots, at shows all up and down the east coast, on the hiway and on on this site, if I had to pick the Hart or 4 STAR today, I would go with the... 4 STAR. JMHO.
Posted 2008-10-21 8:49 PM (#93382 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Member
Posts: 25 Location: East Texas
I have a Hart and I love it. We have had no problem with it and it is almost two years old. If I was in the market for another trailer, it would be a Hart.
Posted 2008-10-22 9:02 AM (#93406 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
One thing I have disliked about 4 Star trailers, is the one piece sheet flooring used in the stall area. While it has been proven to be strong and durable, with age it stretches and buckles. Then it can oil can and flex when it is walked upon.
I prefer the flooring utilized by several other manufacturers, that use the interlocking beams affixed to the floor joists. These provide a very rigid deck, and because they are stable, can be reliably coated with many different types of surface coatings.
I'm not trashing 4 Star, their reputation is well earned and deserved. I better like the flooring construction of some of their competitors.
Posted 2008-10-22 9:21 AM (#93408 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Member
Posts: 16
Location: Ocala Florida
4 Star uses the flat sheet aluminum flooring for a very good reason. It is marine grade much much more corrosion resistant then tongue and grove interlocking plank floors. I have traded for an all aluminum trailer that was less then 2 years old and there was pitting hole in the floor. I called the mfg gave them the vin they said it was more then 12 months old out of warranty
4 Star has changed there I beam cross members they added another lip on the I beam top and bottom and they are spaced closer together then in the past. You can also make the floor 3/16th up from 1/8th.
Posted 2008-10-22 9:22 AM (#93409 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
I would agree with Gard on the sheet flooring issues in a 4Star. In our shop at our dealership, we have seen sheet floors that have warped, and thats where urine likes to pool at. This usually speeds up the deterioration of an aluminum floor. I will take the interlocked floor planks everytime. I'm sure it is quicker and cheaper for a manufacturer to install a sheet floor; but it doesn't mean it is better or stronger. My choice would be the Hart trailer.
Posted 2008-10-22 9:53 AM (#93410 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Location: Central Arkansas
I have owned several 4 Stars. I just took delivery of a new 2008 4H in May. I agree with Gard, as to I wished they would do the floor differently. But, I have WERM installed at the factory. Best money ever spent. I also have a 2007 Bloomer with the plank floor. We recently pulled the mats and had the WERM floor put in it. I have logged over 100K miles in 4Star trailers. The floors hold up just fine with proper care. I think 4 Star & Hart are both good solid trailers. I have looked at the Hart trailers more in the last year. Their "hail proof" roof intrigues me. I have had hail claims on several 4 Stars. It is a pain in the butt to deal with but the insurance check makes it worth it. So, if it was me and the 4 Star & the Hart was sitting there side by side on the lot, they both had exactly the same options, I would lean towards the 4 Star since the resell is much higher. I trade every couple of years so resell is on my mind when I buy. But, with either trailer, I would definately get the WERM installed from the get go.
Posted 2008-10-23 10:44 AM (#93473 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Location: Colorado
We have 2 Hart trailers, both of them nine year old trailers. We have been very pleased with both of them. I have close friends who have had two or three 4 Star trailers, and they are pleased with them as well. I've looked at the 4 Stars, and I think they are definately a nice trailer. The fiberglass roof of the Hart is one of the big differences I see, although you can insulate a trailer with an aluminum roof. An insulated roof makes a huge difference in the interior temp. of the trailer.
Posted 2008-10-26 11:00 PM (#93690 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
4-Star and Hart are in the top tier of aluminum trailers. In my trailer review I call Hart a "tornado shelter" the easiest places to compare trailer durability are things like hinges, door and window framing and welds. I wish the government had a program for crash testing horse trailers like they do cars. In Europe trailers have to pass a tough road test to be certified and sold. I doubt if any of our American RV trailers would pass that test. But I'd put my money on Hart as one of the top trailers with structural integrity for surviving a crash. Now if I can get all 160 horse trailer manufactures to furnish a trailer, I'll go out and crash them. I could use up some of the Ford 6.0L Power Strokes for crash tow vehicles starting with my poor truck after I take the CNG conversion off.
Posted 2008-10-27 10:24 AM (#93706 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
Good summary Mr. Truck !! The trailer that compares much closer to the Hart, than 4Star; is the Cimmaron. This trailer and the Hart are very close in construction and strength. Almost forgot, Mike Terry was with Hart for many years before he went with CM/Cimmaron. Both are top products !!
Posted 2008-12-14 9:58 PM (#96108 - in reply to #93690) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Wimauma, FL
Hi..my name is Amy and I read your comment on this website regarding Hart vs 4star trailers. I would like to know if you would recommend an older Hart trailer as well. I am looking at a 1997 Aluminum 2 horse slant. It seems to be in very good condition but she did state she did not use shavings during transport so I am concerned about the floor. Any other things I should be aware of would be greatly appreciated. I thought your comment was well written and thorough.
Posted 2008-12-15 12:23 AM (#96115 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Member
Posts: 31 Location: Way, Way Up North
LOVE my 4-Star, but the WERM flooring is falling apart and you can see the aluminum floor in several places so I am less than impressed with that. It was dealer installed though, and looks to be about half as thick as some of the WERM flooring I've seen that was installed in the manufacturing process.
Posted 2008-12-15 7:27 AM (#96121 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Location: Central Arkansas
My first WERM floor was in a 2001 4 Star. It was almost half the thickness that I have in the two trailers I own today. Maybe they decided that the thinner floor was not holding up. What year is your trailer?
jellbelle wrote: "looks to be about half as thick as some of the WERM flooring I've seen that was installed in the manufacturing process"
Posted 2008-12-15 10:18 AM (#96125 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Member
Posts: 31 Location: Way, Way Up North
That's interesting to know. Our 4-Star is a 2004. There are three large holes in the WERM all the way down to the aluminum that are about 6 inches in diameter and growing every day.
Posted 2008-12-15 10:54 AM (#96128 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Location: Central Arkansas
I had a wear place show up in the 2001. It was about 3" in diameter located towards the back of the middle stall in the area a back foot would ride. I called WERM and they shipped me a repair kit. That is the only problem I ever had with the WERM floors and I have had quite a few trailers since 2001 with the Werm floor. I LOVE it and I currently have it in both my 4 Star (2008) and my Bloomer LQ (2007). If I was to buy a new Hart tomorrow, I would get the WERM floor in it as well. I just hate doing the mat removal and replacement thing! I would much rather then clean and hose out.
Posted 2008-12-15 12:00 PM (#96130 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Member
Posts: 24
4 star used to do the WERM floor themselves and were having some problems with installing it. Since 2007 Werm flooring has had thier own people in 4 star doing all of the installing. I do not believe thier have been any problems after that. All WERM floors should all be 1/2" thick.
Posted 2008-12-15 2:11 PM (#96136 - in reply to #93706) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
"The trailer that compares much closer to the Hart, than 4Star; is the Cimmaron. This trailer and the Hart are very close in construction and strength."
I have a "02 CM and I HATE it! Granted, it is an Odessy, which, I hear, is one of their lower end models.. I've replaced several of it's doors ( that aluminum skin corrodes and looks just like fiberglass....hmmmmm) and are looking at replacing all 6 now.. Re-replacing at least 2 of them. To give CM a little credit, they are replacing the material free, even tho my trailer is out of warranty, but i am still responsible for the labor expense.. ..
That being said, my husb and I stopped and looked at some CM/Cimmarons on our way home to La. for Thanksgiving and they looked VERY solid and well made... The salesman said that they were as different from the quality of my CM as night was from day.. They were pretty pricey, tho.
Posted 2008-12-19 12:19 PM (#96286 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Regular
Posts: 81
We have a 2000 Hart. I LOVE the way this trailer is made. From its roof down to its telescoping last divider. We have been looking at getting a new trailer just because we want a bit larger living qrts. But it sure is hard to look at other brands. There is always something that doesn't compare to the Hart we have. I wish we could afford a brand new Hart with larger living qrt. as that would be my first pick. My next would be a Cimarron trailer. They are the only ones who are very close to a Hart trailer quality in my opinion. Got to love those roofs, among many other small details. Yup I'm a Hart fan :)
Posted 2008-12-22 7:09 PM (#96389 - in reply to #96286) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
The person that asked about the older Hart. That is the good thing about Hart and 4 Star is that they stay good for a looong time. My bumper is a 97 and is great and the LQ 05. Never had any problems with either just put new tires on any of them every 5 years. It is not fun to change fenders on trailers had to change on a Sundowner I had because I left them on 6 years. Won't make that mistake again.
Posted 2009-03-26 9:36 PM (#102191 - in reply to #93364) Subject: RE: 4 Star vs. Hart???
I was sold on Hart when Andrew Lyons at Transwest showed us a Hart that had been rearended by a Peterbilt on Interstate 80 in Wyo. at 60 mph. The neck was broke off the trailer, the F350 was totaled, but the horses (after the jaws of life opened the rear door) walked away. I just recently changed to Cimmarron, but they are 99% identical (due to price). I tried to get Andrew to put that trailer in an advertisement, but it had to much legal stuff pending. This was back in the mid 90s.
4 Star vs. Hart???
