Posted 2010-08-29 12:09 PM (#124171 - in reply to #124170) Subject: RE: Bison Trailers
Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Look around at the new Bison's sitting on the trailer lots before you order anything... I looked at several new 2009 models with LQ's yesterday, never been slept in nor had there been any horses in them..... There were alot of things not right with these trailers... Not just one trailer but all five that I looked at. Horse stall wall mats are only about 5/16" thick and they were glued to the walls, no rivets, screws, etc. just glue of some sort. The glue has turning loose and they are falling off the walls. towel/coat hangers in bath were already loose, about to fall off the wall. The slide on two units would bind up, one of them was pinching the moulding, I made sure the trailer was level before operating the slide. Generator fuel system and tank looked like an after thought, look like they used scraps to fabricate. Gobs of silicone caulk underneath fenders, then looked as if it had been spray painted black to hide.... Aluminum welds not visually appealing and the list continues. There's no telling what one will find when you pressurize the water system, fire up the fridge and water heater and fire up the generator. This is what I found on just one trailer. I didn't bother to roll underneath to see what the bottom looked like, seen enough up top. These were all aluminum Bison Stratus Express trailers..... Others here may like them so don't just go by my word, but this was what I found that didn't look right on a new, $66K trailer!!!
Posted 2010-08-29 4:05 PM (#124177 - in reply to #124170) Subject: RE: Bison Trailers
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Try doing a search on "Bison". There are many threads.
Unlike Gary, I have never inspected a newer Bison trailer in person, so I can't relate any particular observations. However, recently I called five dealers and the manufacturer for some details about their products' construction. Two of the dealers were no longer selling Bison, and would not directly, tell me why they were not. After some round about misdirections, both answered that it had something to do with warranty issues and "executive decisions."
None of the other three dealers were able to tell me of what materials their trailers were constructed! Nor could they relate what type of finish was applied. My call to the manufacturer's sale's representative, resulted in the same response !!!! I finally received an answer from their service department.
If I were shopping for a Bison, this lack of construction knowledge and having dealers no longer handle their products, would make me quite uneasy about spending a great deal of my money on their trailers.
As usual, like any other trailer, we have seen threads posted for and against this brand. Only you can determine where to spend your money. There are many competent brands available. Purchasing the cheapest may not be the best savings in the long run. Some brands are woefully overpriced, and you may not be getting a better construction because of higher prices. There are many "middle of the road" brands that do very well and are enjoyed by their owners.
Posted 2010-08-29 9:36 PM (#124184 - in reply to #124170) Subject: RE: Bison Trailers
New User
Posts: 4
well we are looking at alumnasport.. 3h 12SW.. i have went and looked at several of them and many of our friends have them and they love them and say the warranty on them is great and they take care of their customers.
Posted 2010-08-29 11:54 PM (#124190 - in reply to #124170) Subject: RE: Bison Trailers
Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas
Well then, you have your answers, yes?
I can't brag or complain about them, having no firsthand knowledge.......and a friend of a friend who has one sometime or another is just a bit too vague for me to offer a third or forth hand opinion....
The two gentlemen posting before me, though, are some serious folks with knowledge and experience, I would certainly give some serious thought to what they have commented upon, and allow it to weigh into any decision.... good luck to you on whatever you eventually purchase...
Posted 2010-08-30 11:22 AM (#124200 - in reply to #124170) Subject: RE: Bison Trailers
Veteran
Posts: 229
Nellie 12, I will second the poster who said that you might give a listen to both Retento and Gard. Today there are many many very good used horse trailers on the market for right prices, and the sales section of HTW is a great place to find trailers. I own two LQ trailers, one a Featherlite and one an Elite, both purchased off of HTW. I did plenty of research prior to my purchases, both in aspects of quality of construction and resale value. I chose to stick with trailer manufacturers who are well known in the horse world and who I expect to be around in the future.
Posted 2010-09-01 9:21 AM (#124281 - in reply to #124170) Subject: RE: Bison Trailers
Veteran
Posts: 212
Location: novinger, mo
We have an 05 Bison 10'LQ with slide. It is going on 5 years old and has served us very well. Never a major problem, a few small ones that are normal wear and tear. We travel probably close to 7000 mile a year with it. This is our 2nd Bison, our first was an 03 that we traded in on a larger one. We had great customer service whenever we needed to contact them.
However, I do know that the first 2 posters are very knowledgeable and wonder what has happened. I know Bison went through some buyout and wonder if the quality has decreased since then.
A friend just bought a new Bison and it look like it had been built on a Friday afternoon. Some basic things like a screw missing and the fender not fitting up close, a holdback missing on a rear door. Stuff that is not a big deal but should not be.