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New User
Posts: 4
Location: texas | I have an OLD sooner bumper pull.Want to buy a newer gooseneck. I have been told that HART brand trailer is the best. But I am sure that there are other opinions out there, and I'd like to hear yours !For me, top priority is safety for the horses, and long lasting trailer that won't require repairing.I also want nice usable features for the humans.I'm not too interested in Exciss or Featherlite or Sundowner, so unless there is a good reason I should get one of those, I don't need any info on them.Wondering mostly about 4 star, Hart, Jamco.... Thanks in advance for all your input! |
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Member
Posts: 31
| Hart is great, had one. 4 STAR now and it has the manger package. I have 5 friends that also have a 4 STAR and we all think they are one of the very best. Some of those you mention look like beer cans and their quality does not come near to a 4 STAR or Hart. Put your dollars in the best and if you take a notion to sell you won't need to apologize about an inferior brand. Good luck. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
   
Location: Vermont | http://www.mheby.com/horse/victory_horse_trailers.php |
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Veteran
Posts: 155
Location: North Salem, IN | I agree with Paul, Eby makes a great product! I had a 4H/stock combo and it was an extremely well built trailer. Ex-wife ended up with it though :-( |
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 Expert
Posts: 1882
Location: NY | I have an eby and love it |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430
Location: TN | I have a Hart LQ and love it. It is well built and pulls very nicely. It has many "little" features that I like and appreciate. I have also had a couple Elite trailers as well- one LQ and one without LQ and was very pleased with both. I do have a 1999 Featherlite stock trailer and it is built like a tank as well. It is great for a run-around trailer for our horses and hauling livestock. I was told the Featherlites that were built prior to 2005 are very different than the ones being built now. My riding buddy has a 1991 Featherlite with a weekender LQ that is also tank-like, very well built and has held up with no problems. I would have no problems looking for well made older trailers, especially if you are being cost conscious.
Edited by cutter99 2012-10-13 12:50 PM
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New User
Posts: 4
Location: texas | Thank you for your input !I'm glad to hear that you like both 4 star and Hart, because it validates the brands that I have narrowed it down to.I thought I had eliminated the trailer brands that seem like beer cans, but you said some of the others I mentioned interest in are beer cans too?so, is Jamco a beer can?What about Elite ?thanks ! |
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New User
Posts: 4
Location: texas | i just checked out Eby trailers since a few of you said you like them, but they don't have them in Texas where I live. Nor do they have them anywhere close by.... |
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Member
Posts: 46
Location: MO | I looked, in person, at at least a dozen different manufacturer's trailers. I bought a Hart because out of all the ones I looked at, I thought it was the best built and would be the safest for the horses. I've had it 2 years, and love it. I've not had an ounce of trouble with it and would not hesitate to buy another one. |
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New User
Posts: 4
Location: texas | Thank you!!!! |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by wren on 2012-10-13 4:40 PM
i just checked out Eby trailers since a few of you said you like them, but they don't have them in Texas where I live. Nor do they have them anywhere close by.... Well if you attend the QH Congress in Ohio...you can see the Eby as well as every trailer manufacturer... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
Location: md | I have an EBy and I love it. There are lots and lots of EBYs going down the road. |
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Veteran
Posts: 264
Location: Sumas Washington | I am a metal fabricator by trade,SO when I was looking at trailers I had a different perspective than some folks. I settled on 4 Star, Bloomer, Hart and Platinum all with Outlaw interiors. The Bloomer was more money than I could afford. I basically had dealers of those 4 give me bids on cost. The Platinum won out by more than a few dollars. I have had the Platinum for more than 2 years now, maybe 30.000 miles on it, and more than 200 nights. I am very happy with my purchase, pulls like a dream and completly exceeded my expictations.
Edited by gonzo1066 2012-10-14 5:40 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350 | We are dealers for both Jamco and Elite; and they both are "heavy hitters" in the horse trailer industry. Different types of construction; but both manufacturers have not cheapened up there products since the downturn in the economy. You will see high quality in both trailers. Both of these trailers have a lot of longevity in them. |
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New User
Posts: 1
Location: Bedford, Kentucky | I have a 2006 featherlight weekender model for 4Horses. Tack stowage and an area to sleep and dress. No cooking facilities. Trailer is a gooseneck and used once to transport horses home. After that time it has been stored in large pole barn away from elements. Aluminum siding, four windows that can be opened and side door to check horses in transit. Absolutely immaculate. If your interested, I'd like to sell. Send MSG to bakerkyhome@bellsouth.net |
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Member
Posts: 6
Location: NOWATA ,OKLAHOMA | I have owned most of the big name trailers(one at a time) sold hart trailers(very good) currently own a JAMCO and think it`s the strongest & best built trailer you can buy.at any price.imho. |
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Member
Posts: 5
| We bought a 2000 Jamco a few months ago. It's been bad weather since, so we have not used it yet but it looks like it is very well built. No beer can look to this trailer. We looked at lots of trailers, I liked the 4star (couldn't find what I wanted in my price range) and I like the Ebys but they are hard to find. |
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Veteran
Posts: 282
Location: southcentral pennsylvania | I have owned Stidham trailers since 1970. Three, including my current trailer. I sold the first one after 20 years of ownership for what I paid for it, sold the second after about 10 years for almost what I paid for it. I ordered No. 2 new from the factory sight unseen, and No. 3 ordered from factory, and picked up at factory, sight unseen until day I picked it up. None of these trailers ever leaked or gave me a moments concern. I bought new ones to upgrade size, etc. I have heard Stidham no longer makes trailers, but their website it still up with phone number. They are a family owned business since 1958. I am very disappointed in the quality of trailers I see at expos,etc. The latches, for example, are smaller and lighter, welds on many seem sloppy, etc. Jamco would be my second choice for a trailer. The farmers in my area like Moritz. They are built like tanks, but are more functional than "show" as far as appearance. My 2 cents! |
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Member
Posts: 11
Location: Fairbanks, AK | I bought a new Hart 2H BP Medallion trailer last spring and pulled it from Oklahoma to my home in Fairbanks, Alaska. I would strongly encourage you to look at Hart trailers which are manufactured in Chickasha, OK. I couldn't be any happier with mine. The attention to detail is fantastic. From my experience, they are outstanding trailers made by an outstanding company owned by an outstanding family. I find great customer service to be a rarity anymore which is why it was so refreshing to deal with Randy Stamper, the sales & marketing manager at Hart Trailers, as well as Robert Peliti, and Ty Andrew at Stephenville Trailers in Stephenville, TX. Randy Stamper at Hart Trailers invited me over for a complete tour of the plant as well to see my new trailer just after it had been completed. Randy spent a whole afternoon showing me around and answering all my questions as well as hanging around after closing because I was still looking my trailer over. I met with Robert when I picked up my new trailer and he couldn’t have been more helpful. Besides hooking up my trailer and helping adjust the brakes he spent time sharing all his trailer knowledge and tips regarding hauling & safety, cleaning, trailer features, anti-theft, etc. Ty Andrew at Stephenville Trailers promptly returned all my phone calls and emails, answered every one of my questions, was always polite and available, and sold me a great trailer at a fair price. Every question or request I had for either Hart or Stephenville Trailers was shared with each other. The communication between Hart and its dealers seems like a family affair. I just can't more highly recommend Hart Trailers or Stephenville Trailers. I really appreciated all the information I garnered from this forum. It was my principal source in deciding on which trailer and what features. Cheers, Tom Simpson |
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Member
Posts: 14
Location: Columbia SC | I have been looking at used trailers with LQ's for a couple of months now. Researched any I was interested in and looked at reviews. The one constant I have found is there is not any brand of trailer out there that someone has not had a problem with excpet maybe the 4 Star. Have also found that people are much more inclined to post about bad things instead of the good. I have owned a 2000 Sooner, a 1990 Featherlite, a 2005 Keifer and a 1998 Gore all with LQs. Never had any issues with any of them. None of them were sold because of problems with the trailers. I would love to be able to afford a 4 Star but even the used ones are pretty much out of my budget. And I do think the older trailers are made better than the newer ones and that's just my opinion. My point is someone's best trailer recommendation might not be someone elses. It comes down to what you like, what you can afford without breaking the bank and exactly what your needs are in a horse trailer. Good luck. |
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Regular
Posts: 82
Location: Massachusetts | Look into the merhows great trailer.well built trailer |
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Member
Posts: 45
Location: Indiana | I second Pintolady's Merhow and also add Platinum. If you haven't checked out Platinum in your search then you need to add it to the list. |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | IMO- there is no Best trailer. Just the one that meets your needs and fits into your budget. I have a 2000 Exiss and its been hauled alot over the years and has held up very well. of course I have had to fix a thing or two( nothing major) but thats going to happen over time...its called wear and tear. if you maintain your trailer and take care of issues before they get worse, then they will last longer. keep your options open..figure out what you want and what you need plus how much you can spend. You might find a great deal in your own area if you are willing to let go of this idea that brand is all that matters. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385
Location: high desert, CA. | I echo "Farmbabe"'s statement. Look at all options for trailers, not just a few manufacturers. We bouhgt a "Trails West" liv qtrs, 4 horse, and saved about $6000 over the cost of some of the ones you see in the posts. Eby, Merhow, and some others are not even sold here. So leave your options open, and look at all brands. |
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Member
Posts: 11
Location: Fairbanks, AK | I have to disagree. With horse trailers, you tend to get what you pay for. That pertains to customer service as well as the construction details . . . if those things are important to you? Craftsmanship and attention to detail are very important to me. |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | I have friends that bought a Bison trailer (which for some people is bottom of the barrel)..yet these people are pleased with their rig plus it saved them money. I also know people who bought a $$$$$ trailer and have had issues. So go figure. I maintain there is no best trailer maker..some will have bells and whistles and you are going to pay for it. Others will have more of the utilitarian approach,you buy what fits your needs and budget.Keep your options open. |
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Regular
Posts: 82
Location: Massachusetts | Please look at the Merhows.I did my homework about what I liked and disliked about all the trailers out there.I kept a book so I could take notes about each one I looked at. I found that the Merhows seemed to be built very well.Even the welds seemed done very well no burrs very well coined.The tubes supports are very strong.Its worth to do some shopping.Go to a equine affaire or a trade show where you can compair all of the brands before the big Purchase. good luck |
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need Recommendation on best trailer brand
