Posted 2016-06-17 7:01 PM (#167350) Subject: Keifer vs Featherlite trailers
New User
Posts: 3
Location: MO
I've been looking at 2 different bumper pull trailers but don't have a lot of experience to help make the best decision. I'm looking for a quality trailer which is lite yet dependable. One trailer is the Kiefer Kruizer the other the Featherlite 9409. Both 2 horse slant with the extended dressing room. I've wondered why the Kiefer is so much lighter (about 2400 lb) vs the Featherlite (3300 lb). Anyone have any experience with these trailers or manufactures?
Posted 2016-06-19 5:45 PM (#167357 - in reply to #167350) Subject: RE: Keifer vs Featherlite trailers
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Featherlite has a better resale value in most parts of the country. You will see more of them and find parts more easily in most repair shops and online. The rear door hardware is better on the Featherlite, the pipe style closure actually keeps the back of the trailer from racking and they can't kick out of the bottom edge of the door like they can in the Keifer latches. Featherlite has bigger windows meaning more air movement and healthier horses on longer hauls. Featherlite trailers are really great to tow, my father has a 24' stock and it pulls like it's not even back there...it's only bested by my 22' Elite. Every day of the week I'd pick the Featherlite (unless it had black skin.)
Posted 2016-06-22 11:54 AM (#167381 - in reply to #167350) Subject: RE: Keifer vs Featherlite trailers
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Both are now owned by Universal Trailers-as are Sooner and Exiss. I would consider them higher entry level trailers. Since Universal has owned them, they reduced the weight (maybe structural integrity?) of all their trailers. I detest the drop windows on Featherlites as they do not fold down flat, and I do not see them holding up. For the occasional use, I am sure they will be fine. Had a friend get a new Keifer stock--rear tail gate had to be replaced as they forgot to seal up the framing and ice caused the tubing to fail. Good luck.
Posted 2016-06-22 1:30 PM (#167382 - in reply to #167381) Subject: RE: Keifer vs Featherlite trailers
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Originally written by Spin Doctor on 2016-06-22 11:54 AM
Both are now owned by Universal Trailers-as are Sooner and Exiss. I would consider them higher entry level trailers. Since Universal has owned them, they reduced the weight (maybe structural integrity?) of all their trailers. I detest the drop windows on Featherlites as they do not fold down flat, and I do not see them holding up. For the occasional use, I am sure they will be fine. Had a friend get a new Keifer stock--rear tail gate had to be replaced as they forgot to seal up the framing and ice caused the tubing to fail. Good luck.
I don't believe Universal owns Kiefer. I can't find it on the webpage anymore, but Kiefer closed at the end of '15, and was reopened in Sneedville, TN. by the Greene family. There once was a press release about that at kiefermfg.com but isn't now. The number on the website goes to the Sneedville, TN. location.
Keifer vs Featherlite trailers
