Posted 2009-01-11 7:57 AM (#97289) Subject: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
New User
Posts: 3
Location: North Dakota
Anyone have any input on a Valuelite 727? I'm considering buying one and just looking for any pros or cons that I might watch for. It is a 2003 and from the pictures looks absolutely spotless. Any information for me?
Posted 2009-01-11 8:17 AM (#97290 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
Expert
Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Sundowner has had a warranty problem with the 727 line of trailers, they are a steel frame trailer and Sundowner used a product similar to Line-X to coat the bottom of these trailers, they call it Suncoat, well it doesn't hold up and they have had alot of corrosion issues. To the point that Sundoner had been replaceing complete frame rails under trailers. I am not here to bash any brand, these are facts that can be read about by doing a search on this website or google either one. So unless you can get it inspected by someone that understands this problem, you might want to look for an all aluminum trailer.
Posted 2009-01-11 10:09 AM (#97300 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
We just bought a 04 Sundowner 8010 Signature series 727 and it is in great shape. But we are in North Texas! Look under the rear rump side of the trailer, this is the first place to start going bad and is caused from lack of cleaning out the inside of the trailer.!
Posted 2011-03-15 10:12 PM (#131695 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 2001
Member
Posts: 11
Location: New Prague, MN
I am looking at a 2001 Valuelite and the trailer is in excellent shape, however the person selling it said that it is fine now bu will have to have the floor fixed down the road. Hmmm, what to do? Do I stick with an all aluminum trailer or take the risk as these all have a steel frame correct? Worried as the trailer is hours away so I cannot just fun and see it. What is Sundowner doing for people like me that buy a trailer that this happens to without a warranty?
Posted 2011-03-16 9:43 AM (#131709 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
kvanderv - The trailer is a 2001 your looking at. It has no warranty left in it. Any brand of trailer that is of that age wouldn't have any warranty left. Your buying a used 10 year old trailer. Just inspect it closely before purchase.
Any Sundowner model would have an aluminum frame if built after Jan.1, 2008.
Posted 2011-03-16 9:48 AM (#131711 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
Veteran
Posts: 127 Location: rapid city sd
what happens to the suncoat is it does not fall off, it just lets loose from the steel in places. If it came off it would be less of a problem. In areas where salt is common, the wet salt is trapped between the steel and the suncoat and eats up the steel in that location. The suncoat stayed on some trailers much better than others. If they were used hard on rock roads, it tough on the suncoat.
Posted 2011-03-16 9:57 AM (#131712 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 2001
Member
Posts: 11
Location: New Prague, MN
Thank you both for the feed back, I do know there is no warranty left and to inspect it well but if this is a problem with these trailers then I will stay clear. I love Sundowner trailers and would love to own one and this one is on my price range but not if I will be spending a ton of money to replace the floor. What do I need to look for specifically with this model to know? I have a friend that is going to look at it for me, as it is a 700 mile drive for me, prior to me making a decision. Or should I just by an all aluminum Exiss for the same price (though without some of the bells and whistles that the Sundowner has)?
Posted 2011-03-16 10:42 AM (#131714 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Just for the record- Suncoating is the name Sundowner uses for the spray in bedliner product that is on the sidewalls of the stock area and sometimes under the neck. The frames were powder coated, a process very popular in many industries as an alternative to paint. And on later model units, the underneath had a regular automotive undercoating applied- but there was never Suncoating underneath a Sundowner trailer.
Posted 2011-03-16 2:23 PM (#131720 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
Member
Posts: 11
Location: New Prague, MN
Ok, I really wanted to know if I should stay away from this particular model or is this issue occruring because people are not caring properly for their trailers? Sundowner said they will replace the floor for cost at their main facility for $2500, why would they offer if it is not a design flaw and also, would that cause structure issues to break original frame welds and patch a new floor in? I know this is a used trailer and if any trailer is not properly cared for will have problems...I need to know if I should just stick with an all aluminum or is this trailer safe if the floor is in tack? I also hear all aluminums have strengh issues and floors are replaced due to corrosion if not cared for...HELP!
Posted 2011-03-16 2:46 PM (#131721 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
Veteran
Posts: 201
There are steel runners under the ALUMINUM floor in Valuelite trailers. I don't think it would be too expensive to have more runners welded underneath if you are concerned about the floor.
Posted 2011-03-16 2:51 PM (#131722 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2001
Member
Posts: 11
Location: New Prague, MN
I know the frame is steel and the floor is aluminum...I am asking anyone that knows these trailers to tell me if this apparent issue with the powder coating on the steel frames is because people are not caring for their trailers or the trailers are poorly made and I should stay away from them.
Posted 2011-03-16 2:52 PM (#131723 - in reply to #131720) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by kvanderv on 2011-03-16 3:23 PM
I also hear all aluminums have strengh issues
You obviously have heard wrong and fail to realize how many aluminum trailers are in use privately and commercially every day. It's a fact that a ten year old aluminum trailer, properly maintained, will practically stop depreciating. How does this indicate that they have strength issues and regularly fail?
Posted 2011-03-16 2:56 PM (#131724 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2001
Member
Posts: 11
Location: New Prague, MN
I am not trying to start issues here with anyone...this is info I have researched regarding steel vs aluminum in trailer construction. ALL I WANT TO KNOW IS IF A VALUELITE TRAILER IS WORTH BUYING!
Posted 2011-03-16 3:51 PM (#131726 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Get on your hands and knees and get underneath it. There are many that are in great shape. There are some where the steel underneath has practically disappeared from the corrosion. As with any older piece (and 10+ years old is older) of equipment, each will be different. We cannot answer your question on an internet forum without more info and great pictures.
Posted 2011-03-16 4:00 PM (#131727 - in reply to #97289) Subject: RE: Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
Expert
Posts: 2954 Location: North Carolina
I have a 2000 Valuelite. It has the flaking paint on the undercarriage. It doesn't concern me a lot. I scraped the loose flakes and left it alone. My trailer is sheltered and the rust is surface. I am very particular about cleaning out manure and urine asap after a trip.
Unless someone sprayed Suncoat on the undercarriage after the factory, I too doubt it's Suncoat. More likely someone sprayed automotive undercoating on the frame. Anything that holds moisture to the frame is worse than bare metal.
Input on Sundowner Valuelite 727-2003
