I am by no means an expert - but I can tell you one thing....Bang for buck the Cherokee is a winner.

I imported one to South Africa and it is standing up to some rigerous conditions with ease. It tows really nice and I find the build quality superb.

The Guys at Cherokee are fab as stated above...

Good luck - and let us know when you decide.

I own a Cherokee Tomahawk for my day trailer and an Elite for my LQ. Both brands I have had before the current ones I own. Cherokee makes a very nice mid-range trailer. The drop windows are not as beefy as on my Elite, but very functional. The hinges are adequate along with structural frame of the trailer.

If you want a top quality trailer with aluminum marine grade flooring, durable cross-members and well built structural frame, and heavy duty hinges then 4-Star, C&C, Elite and Bloomer is what you most likely will be looking at. Yes, you will pay more for these brands, but they are known in the industry as a "quality" trailer with good resale.

However, there are very good mid-range trailer that will serve you well such as the Cherokee, Merhow, Keifer etc. List what is most imporant to you in a trailer and look at those brands. For me it was structure of the trailer, hinges, how the nose is constructed, divider quality, padding, composition of roof (single sheet or several sheets welded), and warranty.

Adams is another that ranks up there with Cherokee, I think. I have friends that own Adams and they are SUPER pleased with them. Smaller manufacturer than the others mentioned.

Everyone's opinion of "the best" is different. Especially in used. I've owned better than a dozen different brands of steel and aluminum trailers both. Some were better than others, but also more expensive. The cheaper trailers still served their purpose and never failed me.

Go to a show in your area. The larger the better. Go through the parking lot and look at used trailers. When you look at a trailer, you will be able to tell the difference between used and abused. And then start looking at the structure. Not the dents and scratches, but the structure, the welds, the floor. You will start seeing brands that stick out at you. Keep a notebook. Rate those used trailers how you see them best to worst. Then start researching price ranges. Somewhere in there you will a happy medium between price and what you think is best.

I have about the same opinion as others that have posted, just mainly depends on price range.  There is definitely a lot of used trailers out there to look at and you just have to find the one you want.  You or someone said something about doors, there are several brands that use pre-fabricated doors, I would stay away from those.......really flimsy. 

Sundowner made a model that was alum on steel frame that ended up being problematic. I would avoid those models / years.  Maybe someone here can get you the specifics on which ones.

Look for a company that is still in business. For instance, Horton makes great trailers and made horse trailers for a few years. While they still make trailers, they no longer make horse trailers, so getting parts might be a problem.

and again, sometimes the company might have had some bad manufacturing during certain years but has changed ... or was very good and is now not so good. So.. it may depend on a specific year or model from a manufacturer.  Every now and then, despite a company's desire to do the right thing - they can get parts from sub-suppliers that fail sooner than expected.

The 4 trailers you have listed are comparable trailers. We feel that every trailer has qualities that will meet the needs of the buyer. Each buyer needs to figure out what qualities they are looking for in a trailer and find their match. Platinum Coach trailers are a high quality trailer with a competative price.  We are a dealer in NE Indiana and would love to answer any questions you have about them.  Here are a few reasons why we are a dealer.

They have 5/8" thick side slats  (thickest in the industry) with specially engineered heat sinks on the weld surfaces which allows for the most welds on the side posts than any other manufacturer in the industry.

All of the structural posts used in the sidewall assembly are 1"x2 1/2" and 1"x 5" tubing. Provides outstanding structural integrity of the side walls and gives superior strength. These are a closed tube post - most other manufacturers  are using an open backed post which to don't have the same structural properties.

The rear end of the trailer is constructed of 5" x 6" rear corner post and rear header. The corner posts are recessed down 4" into the floor of the trailer and then welded to the bottom rail and the rear threshold of the trailer. Creates a complete rear frame structure and reduces the amount of "rack" when the trailer is in tow. Some manufacturers set the rear corner post directly on the floor and weld it. Check this when buying.

Floor - 5000 series marine grade alloy (superior corrosion resistance). Platinum uses 3"x4"x3" I beams placed a max of 12" on center for horse trailers and 9 1/2" on center for stock trailers. This floor system is proven and used largely in big cattle haulers.

Roof is one piece of seamless .040 gauge roof coil.

Our website is www.ridgetrailers.com if you would like more info on Platinum Coach.

Good Morning! I have read through the posts........ Have you looked at SHADOW TRAILERS the lightest, most econonimical, best built ALL ALUMINUM TRAILER on the market today.... SHADOW TRAILERS!   Shadow Trailers is here to stay ......built by horse people for horse people, so we need your needs.  You mentioned that you are looking for a GN that you can convert into a LQ.  We build a great "plus pack" trailer.  It is lined and insulated, pre-wired and framed for A/C unit, extra large dressing room  and a wide variety of sizes.  We would be happy to give you a personal tour at the dealership in Ocala, FL and also arrange a personal tour for you at the factory in Williston, FL.  Check us out www.buyshadow.com or give us a call anytime!

Shadow Trailers are all aluminum frames, skins, and  floors.  We build into our trailers many features that are standard, not expensive options like other trailer manufacturers such as;  insulated ceilings in the horse box making it cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, and no condensation dripping down on your horse either. We use 16” tires that are E-rated to carry the heavier load and are American made so if you do have a warranty issue you will be able to find a dealer to service you. Every light on our trailers are LED which are brighter, last longer, and draw less current from you vehicle.  We don’t use safety chains we use retractable cables making it easier to unhook your trailer. Our nose is still 8 ft. so when you back up your pickup you don’t have to get out to put up the tail gate before hooking up. Our electrical cable is molded so moisture can’t get around the contacts causing possible lighting problems. We have a rechargeable battery  that you can test assuring that your emergency system is working properly. We have CAM Latch locks and handles which allow you to open the doors with one hand and one key opens all locks on the trailer. The window in the escape door is the same size as the other drop down windows allowing maximum ventilation in the hottest stall in the trailer. The face guards are integrated  to the window and can’t be pushed open  by your horse. We still use butt bars, not  straps.  The dividers are closed with automotive latches that close quietly and open easily even if your horse is leaning against  it.  Check us out and I am sure you will see how SHADOW TRAILERS will be top of your list!

They have 5/8" thick side slats  (thickest in the industry) with specially engineered heat sinks on the weld surfaces which allows for the most welds on the side posts than any other manufacturer in the industry.

All of the structural posts used in the sidewall assembly are 1"x2 1/2" and 1"x 5" tubing. Provides outstanding structural integrity of the side walls and gives superior strength. These are a closed tube post - most other manufacturers  are using an open backed post which to don't have the same structural properties.

The rear end of the trailer is constructed of 5" x 6" rear corner post and rear header. The corner posts are recessed down 4" into the floor of the trailer and then welded to the bottom rail and the rear threshold of the trailer. Creates a complete rear frame structure and reduces the amount of "rack" when the trailer is in tow. Some manufacturers set the rear corner post directly on the floor and weld it. Check this when buying.

Floor - 5000 series marine grade alloy (superior corrosion resistance). Platinum uses 3"x4"x3" I beams placed a max of 12" on center for horse trailers and 9 1/2" on center for stock trailers. This floor system is proven and used largely in big cattle haulers.

Roof is one piece of seamless .040 gauge roof coil.

Is your construction similar to this trailer and if not what makes its construction better or as good as??

I researched many many trailers before finding the Jamco which after having an engineer look at the way they are made and running his own analysis vs other trailers on the market, dollar for dollar they are extremelywell built and when you factor in the repairs and maintenance that WILL NOT be needed, it's cheaper if you intend to keep the trailer for several years.  I've used theSNOT out of my trailer and it looks as good as the day I bought it- and it was used when I bought it but you cannot tell it even to this day - and it's a 2002 trailer.

the only thing I have had happen is a tire blow out but it DID not damage anything due to the way the trailer is made - and it was the heavy duty steel belted tires that run 320.00 and up per tire so they CAN do heavy damage if your trailer isnot well built. 

Just my 2 cents worth.

Wow.  I have owned maybe 15 trailers (I love trying new things.).  Always have bought used, and trailers loose very little if any value for me.   So, here goes....

Like others here, I think all within a certain "range" will serve equally well. Featherlite, 4Star, Hart, Eby - these are all one range to me. Have not had an Exiss or Sundowner, but they look nice and sturdy.

I own a 2001 Eby 16' stock gooseneck (my first Eby ever), and am picking up an Eby LQ tomorrow.  These Eby's seems at the top rung of quality, compared to my 4 Star (had corrosion on the LQ door), Featherlite, yada yada - you get the idea.  The "range" down, the ones with lighter duty latches, dividers, windows, doors - these are fine too if you use them with great care.  My boarders come ride with me, and  have a tendancy to slam doors and such -- I stick with better trailers now am tired of fixing flimsy latches and hinges.  I also worry about what would happen "if" a horse ever got loose in there somehow.  Those latches sure wouldn't hold them.

A friend bought a new Eby and had roof leak problems.  My Eby has some tiny leak in the gooseneck I have to find....I hear (haven't put on scale) that older Eby's need to go on a diet...my truck isn't near capacity, but that could be a concern.

Best of luck and happy shopping.