I'm no good at helping with any kind of advise, but.... You being from Clintwood, Va.... Why would you need a trailer? Ya'll got the fastest Racking Horses on the planet, just get on and let them rip!!! Did you got to the speed racking show last weekend??

If you did, do you remember this one??? He's from my neck of the woods!! He just turned 3yo. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l78JNLCG7w&feature=related

There are about 150 brands of trailers, and each manufacturer usually makes multiple models, meaning that your choice is astronomical. Go look at some of the best recommended trailers first, regardless of pricing. See how they are constructed and try to find out what features make them so popular.

With that knowledge, search out other brands that you've never encountered or heard about. There are more good trailers out there than bad ones. "Good" brands can have a bad example now and then, no mechanical object can be perfect all the time.

You have to decide what you want from your investment and how it will be used. Some trailers will suit you, others will not. A good used trailer is the best return for your money, if you buy it "right". You have to do your homework and spend the shoe leather. You have many reasons why you want your trailer. Only you can decide which trailer is the best one for you.

Gard

Just as there are different makes and models of cars and trucks, so it goes with trailers. As posted before- figure out what you'll be using the trailer for, what your needs are as far as features for you and the horse,then start asking other people about their trailer, what they like and dislike. Go to dealers and just start looking and asking just as if you are buying anything else that has 5 figures and a payment book.......

used trailers can be tricker but you can get a good deal, just like a used car.

Horse Trailer Information Sheet: sort of out of date...

All Aluminum:

Highest rating:  4-Star, Elite, Platinum, Bloomer, C & C as highest. -- (Jamco, EBY and Stidham are small companies)

Above average:  Hart, Cimarron, Sundowner (all aluminum only after 2006 and 8'wide),
Keifer Built (Genesis), Silver Lite (made in Oregon), Exiss (if the dealer is great about warranty work),
CM (Norstar only), Bison (Stratus), Classic, Featherlite, Sooner

Mid range would be: Cherokee, Silver Star (made in SC, sold to Arabians and now owned by someone in Georgia),
Exiss (Sport model)

Aluminum with Steel Frame: Bison (Allumsport), Logan, Kiefer Built (except Genesis), CM (except Norstar), American Spirit,
Merhow, Hawk, and most Sundowners are aluminum with steel frame.

Steel: Trails West, Ponderosa (poor), Double D

We have been looking for awhile!! What's your opinion or thoughts about the Genesis(all alum) vs Evolution(steel frame/alum)?

We have learned in our hunt that the Bison Stratus is a nice trailer but the lower end models are pretty shoddy in the horse area. I guess cheaply made would be a better way to put it.

Does anyone know anything about a Cato trailer?

Maybe not, we have always started our horses under saddle at 18 months. Most have learned how to drive by the time they are a year old. Here's one that was started that way, she's now 7..... 2007 NWHA horse of the year.

Our Icelandic Horse, "TONKA", has been under saddle since 2 years old. Before that, Jennifer was riding him to and from the barn bareback.

You ever ridden one of those "single foot horses"? The one in the video will give Tonka a run for the money!!

Would this still be an accurate assessment?

I think you should establish what your willing and/or able to spend 1st.  Then decide what it is you want in a trailer, How many horses your going to haul, how much are you going to use the trailer, how much storage space do you need, LQ and amenities? 

Once you establish this, then you can start looking and pricing out trailer within your budget.  Then you can start researching out the trailer within your means.  Also keep in mind with the econony as it is, there are alot of good deals on used trailers!

Cato is no longer in business. As for quality, some were better than others.

By the way, Eby is a bigger company than Platinum and Bloomer combined, and larger than Elite or 4-Star,

C&C also closed their doors.

I visit this board only when I'm trailer shopping (what a great resource!) I'm looking at a couple Jamcos and noticed that people don't seem to be talking about Jamco as much these days.  Also not finding very many Jamco's on the market.  They haven't gone out of business or changed hands, have they?

I guess Jamco is still operating... Several years ago the set up a second assembly shop near Lebanon, Tn. Don't see anything about that on their website.

Just for the record- Jamco is still operating out of their original plant in Brucefield, Ontario, Canada. Like many mfg. things are quieter than before, but the McClellans are still in the house and certainly interested in assisting anyone with a new Jamco. BTW- the Tenn. plant was shuttered some time back.

RTSmith (yes, we are a Jamco dealer)

Thanks RTSmith...that's what I was hoping to hear.

BlueMoon all the way.  There are a few earlier posts about the finest horse trailers made.  Try a search on "BlueMoon"  

Roll on

CrazyBarrellRacer,

I just bought a Lakota in Feburary and love it.  I shopped for about 2 years.  I  initially started looking at them seriously because of some wonderful word of mouth stories I heard about their service.  While shopping I wanted a super study,  all aluminum trailer with living quarters and insulated roof for my horses.  After comparing other trailers that had the same equipment I found Lakota to be nicely priced.  They also do their living quarters in house so there is some nice synergy there.  PM me if you have more questions.