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New User
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| I am looking for a new 2H GN. The dealers in my area sell these brands. Any preferences? |
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New User
Posts: 4
| I did a search and saw what has been posted about these three brands. I'll exclude Exiss although there are plenty of happy owners. Just too many negative posts while only positives for the Cherokee and Merhow. Thanks |
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Expert
Posts: 2614
  
| The negative Exiss threads brought every unhappy griper out of the woodwork eager to pounce on Exiss as being a shoddy trailer. We have only had good luck with ours and would buy it again,and I saw plenty of positive posts on those threads about Exiss also. I have never heard anything negative about Merhow,however,and I would consider one myself . I have heard some negative about Cherokee,but,you're going to hear bad things about every trailer known to man.Good luck.
Edited by crowleysridgegirl 2007-10-06 8:48 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3853
 
Location: Vermont | Originally written by john2step on 2007-10-06 6:34 PM
I am looking for a new 2H GN. The dealers in my area sell these brands. Any preferences? You didn't specify a location...But 2H GNs are pretty much close to being a commodity...Buy the one that is local to your area...easier to get repairs and easier to sell because everyone is familiar with them when you decide to upgrade... If you were in New England...I say to get a Kingston...because everyone knows exactly what it is and you can get them fixed, if necessary almost anywhere in the New England area...Mine lasted from 1999-2007 and never had a problem...but it was a piece of mind issue... ....sold for $1000 less than I paid......$125/year usage cost... |
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 Regular
Posts: 51
Location: Labelle, FL | I bought a Cherokee after recomendations on this site and love it. Loved the no charge upgrades and the price. Also wonderful quality. |
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New User
Posts: 4
| I just went and looked at a new Merhow 2H. I was disappointed at the interior space in the DR. Their website says the short wall is 43 inches, but my tape measure said 33 inches. There was also not enough space on either side of the door on the long wall for a bath/shower which I understand needs 50 inches. Still looking. By the way, I am in Atlanta. |
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Regular
Posts: 57
| A good friend pulled a Merhow for several years, and was very unhappy with it. Had a cheap feel to it and it seemed like things were breaking all the time. After seeing the problems her trailer had, I'd be hesitant to buy one. It seemed like a lot of corners were cut. |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | I really like my Exiss. Its been a soild and dependable trailer for me. |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | As do I. It does have a one piece aluminum roof, never leaked a drop. All good. |
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Expert
Posts: 2614
| I don't know if you got all of the rain where you are in Arkansas,but,mine sat out in a deluge yesterday here and it is bone dry inside,I guess we are just lucky according to some people? |
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Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas | Came a young flood yesterday, an inch in less than an hour, blowing wind, etc.... just lucky I guess! |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | I had a all leak- due to the caulking drying out. We went up on the roof,scraped away the old caulking, re-caulked, good as new. The trailer is 6 yrs old and it sits outside year around. Can't complain at all. |
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Expert
Posts: 2614
| Yes,that will do it,all right,on any brand trailer. |
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Veteran
Posts: 108
Location: Dallas, TX | I would vote for the Merhow. I've owned 2 (have one now) and I have loved both of them. The one I have now is several years old but has held up VERY well. If I had the money I'd purchase a new one (or at least a newer one). Anyway, that's my 2cents worth. I don't have any experience w/ Exiss or Cherokee. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| But the first flaw is asking about brands. Each of these brands makes multiple models. If you really want to know the scoop, ask about a particular model, and then you really need to zero in on a certain year because of the changes that naturally occur from year to year. So these generalizations I've read really stand no basis in deciding how to spend 10-15,000$ of hard earned money. This time I have to agree with Paul- buy what you like, that you've thoroughly looked at, that is close enough to get serviced by the selling dealer. 'Cause sooner or later, you'll need it. And no one will treat you as well as the guy who sold it to you in the first place. Boy- sorry about the soapbox thing there..:) |
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 Veteran
Posts: 209
Location: pensacola, fl | john2step,
Sorry to hear you want to exclude the exiss!! I have really enjoyed mine!! Have a friend who loves her Cherokee, don't know of anyone owning a merhow.
Good Luck!! |
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Regular
Posts: 51
Location: Labelle, FL | Originally written by john2step on 2007-10-07 6:03 PM
I just went and looked at a new Merhow 2H. I was disappointed at the interior space in the DR. Their website says the short wall is 43 inches, but my tape measure said 33 inches. There was also not enough space on either side of the door on the long wall for a bath/shower which I understand needs 50 inches. Still looking. By the way, I am in Atlanta.
Horse Pro Trailers in Alpharetta is where I bought my 3H Tomohawk Cherokee. I don't know how far you are from there, but at least you could look at one in person. I drove from south Florida up there to get mine and it was pretty close to Atlanta if I remember right.
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New User
Posts: 4
| I am not comfortable that my 1/2 ton truck can pull a 3H. Horse Pro Trailers is the Merhow dealer I am working with. I purchased my BP there. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by john2step on 2007-10-12 10:52 AM
I am not comfortable that my 1/2 ton truck can pull a 3H. Horse Pro Trailers is the Merhow dealer I am working with. I purchased my BP there. Do a search on this forum using "1/2 ton" as the search parameter and with the date option to consider all threads, You will get more than 250 hits on threads discussing 1/2 ton pickups... ...also switch over to the Truck Forum and read those threads on towing with a 1/2 ton as well...
Edited by PaulChristenson 2007-10-13 8:55 AM
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Regular
Posts: 51
Location: Labelle, FL | Originally written by john2step on 2007-10-12 9:52 AM
I am not comfortable that my 1/2 ton truck can pull a 3H. Horse Pro Trailers is the Merhow dealer I am working with. I purchased my BP there.
Sorry I was not saying you should buy a 3 horse, I was simply stating that it was where I bought MY 3 horse and that you could possibly see one in person. Sorry for the response. |
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Regular
Posts: 71
Location: Northern CA | I owned a 2001 3H Cherokee Invasion GN and I was very happy with it, then I needed to get a larger trailer and I sold it. I replaced it with a used Jamco. I have posted on here about my Cherokee before, and I can tell you that it went all over the place (Texas, Oklahom, Oregon, Montana, etc) and was used regularly around town and I never once experienced a problem with it: No leaks, No problems with running gear or electric and it showed very minimal wear. I did have it serviced and did keep it cleaned out, but overall for the price range it is in, I think it was the best trailer for me at that time. We had a friend buy one and they were also very happy with it. I have no personal experience with a Merhow or Exiss. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544
Location: Claxton, Ga. | What really matters is having a good dealer who can take care of you if problems arise no matter what brand you buy. It looks like you live in the Atlanta, Ga. area. Your not far from Dixie Horse & Mule. They advertise on here and take care of everyone they can no matter if they sold them the trailer or not. Don took good care of me when I had an issue and I am grateful. Check them out. They will treat you excellent.... Hope you find what you are looking for. |
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Veteran
Posts: 209
Location: pensacola, fl | Ditto... on the Dixie Horse and Mule. Don and his staff are awesome people!! |
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Veteran
Posts: 142
Location: KY | I'd look at the Cherokee I've pulled a lot of different brands of trailers and they are the best pulling trailers I've ever pulled. Also the 2008 models now have a 2yr hitch to bumper warranty and an 8yr structal warranty. Also the people at Cherokee are some of the nicest you'll meet which means alot because they are very helpful and stand behind their trailers. Also out of your three choices I have to say the Cherokee is the better built trailer by far I'm not I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the other two Cherokee is just in another league in my opinion. And you might want to check out Dixie Riggin' Trailer Sales in KY for a Cherokee or Kiefer.(sorry for the plug but everyone else is getting one thought I should too).
Edited by dixie 2007-10-15 12:00 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | I looked at a new Cherokee Super Chief six horse head to head this past Saturday. The GVWR was 15,8** lbs, the GAWR was 12,4**, I don't remember the exact numbers. The trailer had 2- 8000# axles, with 4-LT235-85R-16lrE 3000# rated tires. I guess my question is.....Why 16,000 pound rated axles with 12,000 pounds of tire rating? The trailer is all aluminum with jail bar doors in front of each horse, 35' on the floor, 5' of that being dressing room, 42' total length. It just seems like alot of trailer on two light of a tire. Salesman guy says the trailer weighs around 7000#, add 7000# of "meat" plus 1000# of show related stuff and we going to be about maxed out. How many tight turns will I be able to make before the side wall rips out of one of those tires? The tires and rims just don't look like the belong on this trailer, trailer looks like it needs a set of 215-75-17.5's, they are rated at 4805# each. Whats your guess on what this trailer weighs, empty? |
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Veteran
Posts: 201
| Trailer needs tires and rims you suggested, but dealership doesn't want to add $2000 to the trailer price and scare someone off. Gotta Love the trailer "Tricks" |
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Veteran
Posts: 142
Location: KY | If the trailer is rated at 15800 the tires should exceed that rating. I think you're right the dealer either didn't want to add the tires because of the extra added cost in a place that most people don't notice even if you point it out to them or the person at the dealership who ordered the trailer goofed up. The dealer would upgrade those tires if requested for a price more than likely. Its always a good idea to check things like that because unfortunately there are some dealers who like to pull little tricks like that to make a sale. |
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Regular
Posts: 51
Location: Labelle, FL | I guess it does matter what dealer you get it from. I bought mine new in march and it has 10 ply tires on it rated for much more than I could load on my axles. Hmmm makes you stop and think. Who would even put light duty tires on a horse trailer.  |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by Copper1272 on 2007-10-16 7:15 PM I guess it does matter what dealer you get it from. I bought mine new in march and it has 10 ply tires on it rated for much more than I could load on my axles. Hmmm makes you stop and think. Who would even put light duty tires on a horse trailer. One who is driven to maximize their profits at the expense of their customers... |
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Expert
Posts: 2614
| So,how do you go about determining the proper tires? Do you get your axle ratings,and your GVWR,and your tire size,and their weight loads at the max pressure,ect.? What a hassle! I do know that I have load range "E" on our trailer tires,and they are trailer tires.Max psi is 90. |
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Veteran
Posts: 201
| GVWR divided by 2 equals each axle capacity. Tires are stamped with load capacity, so load capacity of tires (4) needs to equal GVWR |
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.jpg) Expert
Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico | GVWR/4= minimum of what your tire should be rated for. |
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Veteran
Posts: 142
Location: KY | Actually you can look on the vin tag and it will tell you the GAWR which is your axle rating per axle. The GVWR on goosenecks is higher than what the two axles are rated at because with a gooseneck the tow vehicle supports more of the weight than on a bumper pull. I think they add like 15% more to the GVWR if its a gooseneck so look at the GAWR and make sure the four tires match up to the GAWR for both axles not just one. Example, if the GAWR is 7000 your four tires together should be rated for 14000 or more. I guess that makes sense. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | The other thing to remember is that the weight distribution is not always perfect... So one of those wheels may be supporting more than 1/4 of the load... |
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Veteran
Posts: 112
Location: Bow, NH | john2step, I'm in the market for a new GN (lost my Sundowner in a divorce) and am in the Alpharetta area. I'm on my way to to Horse Pro to look at the Merhow and Cherokee trailers. Were the folks there easy to work with? Also, who does thier warranty work? I've always been a die hard Sundowner fan but just can't afford the prices anymore. Any thoughts on the wood floor versus the aluminum? |
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Member
Posts: 24
| Merhow makes agreat trailer. Contact Blain at the Merhow factory in Bristol, IN. |
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Regular
Posts: 51
Location: Labelle, FL | Originally written by perk2754 on 2007-10-20 8:22 AM
john2step, I'm in the market for a new GN (lost my Sundowner in a divorce) and am in the Alpharetta area. I'm on my way to to Horse Pro to look at the Merhow and Cherokee trailers. Were the folks there easy to work with? Also, who does thier warranty work? I've always been a die hard Sundowner fan but just can't afford the prices anymore. Any thoughts on the wood floor versus the aluminum? I bought my Cherokee from Horse Pro, I drove 600 miles from south florida to pick it up. They were very easy to work with even long distance. |
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Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont | Originally written by perk2754 on 2007-10-20 8:22 AM
john2step, I'm in the market for a new GN (lost my Sundowner in a divorce) and am in the Alpharetta area. I'm on my way to to Horse Pro to look at the Merhow and Cherokee trailers. Were the folks there easy to work with? Also, who does thier warranty work? I've always been a die hard Sundowner fan but just can't afford the prices anymore. Any thoughts on the wood floor versus the aluminum? If one does not maintain their trailer, then wood floors are the way to go... |
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Exiss, Cherokee, or Merhow?
