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Member
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Location: hereford, tx | I'm trying to decide which brand to pick: 4 Star or Platinum Coach. I'm getting the trailer custom built so it can be however I want it. Personal experiences are helpful. 4 Star hinges: Riveted; Platinum Coach: Welded. This is really the only differences I can see as far as the build. |
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Expert
Posts: 2614
  
| Those are both good trailers.I've owned both and I'd say that it is pretty much a tossup as to which one you prefer. |
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Veteran
Posts: 201
| Look closely at both trailers without LQ's in them. I noticed a huge difference in how Platinum braces the nose vs 4Star. Also look at how far apart the bracing is under the floor. Look how the rear posts are welded to floor or to the frame. I think they are both nice trailers and have excellent resale value. |
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Member
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Location: hereford, tx | Well right now the biggest deal breaker is that 4 Star is over 400 miles away and Platinum Coach is 45 min. Both offer a warrantee but it wouldn't be practical to drive so far to 4 Star. (Also waiting on the quote from PC) Thanks to everyone who responded so far! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| Have you looked at Elite? A nice blend of the 2 you've mentioned. Welded hinges, etc. with a really, really, clean and neat uniform construction quality. |
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Member
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Location: hereford, tx | I haven't really looked into Elite. Speaking of "welded hinges", WHAT is the difference? I heard riveted is easier to repair, and I currently have a Hart (it leaks and it's for sale) with Welded (drop down window hinge got smashed... took a while for them to scrape off the old weld and replace it). And then, depending on the manufacturer, the welds are either metal or aluminum. So I'm totally lost on the hinge subject. |
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Veteran
Posts: 201
| I would definitely call a couple of other dealers to make sure you're getting a good price, since you're going to special order anyway. A few hundred miles in drive time could save you $1000's if you shop |
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Member
Posts: 7
Location: Pilot Point, TX | I am an Elite dealer if you need anything let me know!! |
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Veteran
Posts: 213
Location: Virginia | I have a 4 Star - all of my hinges are welded. I love my trailer - 18 yrs old and going strong! No leaks, very solid and smooth. http://uniquehorsetrailers.blogspot.com/ |
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Member
Posts: 19
Location: chatsworth, nj | I currently own a 2004 4 star gooseneck with a dressing room and AC. It is a rolling swamp. Water leak is not the word, more like water falls run down the dressing room walls. It now has been sitting since last year, unuseable and wet. I am looking to trade it in. The trailer has barely 3500 miles on it and looks new, til you open the dressing room door. We have attempted to deal with 4 Star and their customer service rep says " there is no warranty for water leaks ". Do what you want but it has been a nightmare for me. |
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Member
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Location: hereford, tx | I am completely horrified of water leaks. As I said, my Hart leaks like no other. In the dressing room and the tack room. It's awful. I just got the quote from Platinum Coach, it is considerably cheaper. Just hope it NEVER leaks! |
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| I am a 4-Star dealer and I would love to help you out on your leaky trailer. The 4-Star trailer is not known to leak. Every trailer manufacture has some sort of problem here and there but that is why buying the right trailer from the right dealer is so important! 4-Star is one of the only trailers manufacture's out there that actually takes care of all of their warranties. We have been in the horse trailer business since the early 60's so we are not new to the market and I have been with 4-Star since 1990, they are very easy to deal with. PM me and I will get you taken care of. 4-Star has chosen their dealers very wisely so I am surprised that your dealer has not taken care of you but there are a lot of dealers out there that have more to worry about than warranty right now. I am not one of those dealers so PM me and I will take care of you. Triple C Trailers |
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Member
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Location: chatsworth, nj | It sent you a pm. Just as an addional note. The leak is so bad that the conversion company I spoke with will not help me with a conversion even if someone attempts a fix . They do not want the liability. I cant sell it privately without ending up in court, si I am left with trying to find something else. I wish I had never traded in my old trailer. After 20 years it was still dry. |
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Member
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| Originally written by 2006reswc on 2010-07-19 3:55 PM
It sent you a pm. Just as an addional note. The leak is so bad that the conversion company I spoke with will not help me with a conversion even if someone attempts a fix . They do not want the liability. I cant sell it privately without ending up in court, si I am left with trying to find something else. I wish I had never traded in my old trailer. After 20 years it was still dry. There is something really wrong with your trailer. I have a lot of friends that have 4 Stars and never had water leaks like some of the other trailers have.. I really have to wonder if the Conversion people didn't mess something up. The above dealer has reached out to help and I know it's far but I would sure take him up on his offer..Good Luck! |
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Member
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Location: chatsworth, nj | The conversion company did not even start the conversion. I was hoping that they could help me with the trailer. They did verify that the ac unit, which was installed by the dealer, was not the source. However, after seeing how bad the trailer leaked, they did tell me that they would not do anything to the trailer as they did not want the liability for when it leaked again.
To the person, who thinks I should pay for an ad. This trailer can not be sold to the public. It has serious manufacturing issues that 4 star considers not under warranty. This trailer was back at the dealer the first year I had it and it wasnt fixed that time. 12 hours of driving plus a hotel room, how many tries am I going to give them. I have called 4 star directly and their rep says "all trailer leak" and that water leaks are not covered under warranty.
I will only sell this trailer to either a dealer or person who holds a salvage purchasing ID. Either case they will sign a release of liability. This trailer retailed for 28k when I got it. Same trailer is currenty selling for 19k. Obviouly the 10k takes into account the issues.
How normal is it to have to empty a shop vac 3 times after a weekend of rain? |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
 
Location: western PA | Aluminum doesn't leak, the joints of the metal are your source. You can have your trailer repaired by someone who is willing to take the time to find the leak (s) and install the correct sealant. It does not have to be anyone connected specifically with 4 Star or any other brand for that matter. In a worse case situation, the entire roof could be coated at a cost far less than you are willing to endure. |
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Member
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Location: chatsworth, nj | This isnt a simple roof reseal. All body seams on the trailer have water running in thru them and down the walls. The electrical outlet even has water running out of it. Sure I can goo up the trailer with sealer from top to bottom and then set a watch to see how long it lasts, but that will not change anything. It will leak again it is just a matter of when. That is why the conversion company will not touch it. If this was one spot in a roof that would not be a big deal and could be monitored. This is the entire dressing room and to be honest I have not bothered to check the horse area. |
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Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain... | It really doesn't sound to me like you want it fixed... The deleted post you had said that the dealer was willing to put it in their shop to seal it. Now you only want to sell it as salvage. The dealer fixed it when it was a year old...did the leaks stop after that? Or has it leaked for the whole 6 years? Any joint or seam has the potential to leak. Most joints/seams require some sort of sealant in order to not leak. I visually inspect my LQ and travel trailer on a yearly basis. Last year, I re-sealed the roof on my 01 LQ. I had touched up in areas previously to maintain it. As long as you disclose the leaks in writing with an "as is - no warranty" to a potential buyer, you can not be held liable. The buyer in that case is buying the trailer with the knowledge that the trailer leaks. True salvage value on the trailer will only be 6-7k. Anything more than that, the trailer will end up sealed up, sold with an "as is" statement for 12-13k. Best bet is to let the dealer repair it and then sell it and be done with it. |
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | I'm still waiting on some pictures of this leaking trailer.... "empty the shop vac 3 times", give me a break!!! You're begining to sound like a troll... I bet you don't even own a horse trailer, let alone a 4 Star.... Let's see the pictures, if not, then go away.... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 714
Location: Minnesota | AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Member
Posts: 19
Location: chatsworth, nj | Anyone wishing to see the trailer can pm me and make arrangements to do so. If you would like pictures, you can pm me with your email address and I will send you pics. |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | The OP obviously has no intention of trying to fix the problem and use the trailer. The leak is a relatively minor repair, which could be effected in a day's time. Leaks are a matter of course and found in many brands of many ages. Clearly the OP's only intent is to rave and sully the reputation of that brand of trailer. |
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Member
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Location: Minnesota | Actually, it's not the OP - it's the person who highjacked the OP's diary who is having a rant.Emily, I don't know anything personally about Platinum trailers, but I have a 4 Star and love it. I looked long and hard before buying my trailer and nothing else compared to the quality of this one (there was not a Platinum in the area for sale so I was not able to look at one of those - but if there had been, I would have).As far as leaking, my trailer has been in hellacious downpours, and there has been no problem.Oh, and my hinges are welded.Good luck! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Location: Never miss a good chance to shut up. | The lady complaining about her leaking trailer was allowed to deliver her message to the world. Literally. And continued to deliver it . . over and over. She is gone now for that reason. If anyone suspects seeing her resurface using a new name or IP let me know. Thanks. Knowingly making false claims, statements, or accusations and hear-say about a company, organization or individual, whether true or not, is strictly prohibited. This is NOT a place to air the problems you are having with others. Use the court system.
5. No Brand Bashing - Opinions are welcome but you can make a positive contribution about a brand you like without ripping on one you don't. If you feel your problems are inherent ONLY in one brand of trailer and you must enlighten the world with your discovery - use email to change the world, not this site. |
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Member
Posts: 40
Location: Missouri | Thank You Dave!!!  |
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Expert
Posts: 2614
| I have called 4 star directly and their rep says "all trailer leak" and that water leaks are not covered under warranty. Not "all" trailers leak,but,given enough time and # of trailers in,say, a survey,I believe that there are leaking trailers within any and all BRANDS of trailers. It's hard to make anything really watertight but a submarine and I'm sure some of them leak,too.Our RV dealer who works on all kinds of stuff,pushers,trailers,campers,you name it,and has for 30+ years has said that anytime there's a leak,it's either isolated from around a door or window and is usually pretty easy to spot,or,the only other place it could be from: running in from the roof someplace.he said that 99 9/10 of the leaks he has ever fixed have been from either of those sources. So,it wouldn't be all that big of a deal to fix the trailer.I don't believe the person who posted about the 4Star (whether they're gone or the same person on this thread now) really wants the trailer any longer,for whatever reason. |
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Member
Posts: 42
Location: MN | |
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Member
Posts: 42
Location: MN | I have been trailer shopping alot lately comparing trailers on how they are built and what features I prefer. The one thing I like about the Platinum and the Elite's is that the extruded aluminum goes up higher. When tying to a trailer it really helps prevent that white paint from being scratched. My featherlite I am looking to trade has need to be touched up a few times after tying to the trailer. |
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Veteran
Posts: 214
Location: lyle,mn | Elite doesn't have a flat roof, it has a slight curved roof. |
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Member
Posts: 7
Location: hereford, tx | SOO...back to 4 Star vs. PCReverse load by the way, let's talk about that... |
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Location: Central Arkansas | May be you should start a new thread for the reverse load? But, I can tell you that I'm not a fan. Unless, there is a walk thru horse door out the back. IE....If you break down on the side of the road, how would you unload if there is a ditch or retaining wall? |
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Veteran
Posts: 134
| That's an interesting thought. I was seriously considering a reverse load, simply because when I load our horses in our stock trailer they immediately turn and face backward.One of the main reasons I haven't done it is because of the lack of the escape door in the first stall. Anybody else have any pros and cons on reverse loads? Thanks |
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Member
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Location: hereford, tx | I'm getting a reverse load (probably decided on the PC). I'm having it custom built so there will be an escape door in the first stall. It will also be stock. I'm getting a RV so I can have a 4' deep full back tack. Also, horses seem to prefer it. I'm not too concerned with having to unload next to a retaining wall or ditch. I probably wouldn't unload a regular slant next to a retaining wall anyways because your horses are more than likely going to be a couple feet from the highway. I'll take my chances. |
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Veteran
Posts: 201
| Are you getting a reverse load bumper pull with stock sides? Never seen one? Just curious. |
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Member
Posts: 7
Location: hereford, tx | No Reverse load gooseneck. |
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4 Star vs. Platinum Coach
