Posted 2009-12-13 12:35 PM (#114197) Subject: 1997 Steel sundowner- Did these have problems
Member
Posts: 26 Location: tx
I am looking at a 1997 3 horse gooseneck Steel sundowner trailer, did these have any of the issues that some of the sundowners are known for? What would be a reasonable price for this trailer in great condition. It has a rear tack and roof mounted a/c. Thanks for any info.
Posted 2009-12-14 8:07 AM (#114227 - in reply to #114197) Subject: RE: 1997 Steel sundowner- Did these have problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
In 1996 we bought a new Sundowner 3 horse slant galvaneal trailer. It was discounted as we were told that was the last year that Sundowner was going to make a steel trailer and it was the last one on their lot. So I was wondering if this was correct, or are you sure you are looking at a 97 model ? Anyhow I will say we pulled the trailer for 10 years, and pulled it pretty hard. It held up really well and pulled good.
Posted 2009-12-14 8:22 AM (#114228 - in reply to #114197) Subject: RE: 1997 Steel sundowner- Did these have problems
Elite Veteran
Posts: 801 Location: Tenn/Ala.
I believe you'll find that Sundowner produced steel trailers until the middle of the '98 model year. At that time all personnel and facilities were dedicated to their other products. They were painted in a traditional manner using a Sikkens paint and have had no issues over time. Those steel trailers are/were great, and there are still many happy owners out there.
Posted 2009-12-14 9:54 AM (#114237 - in reply to #114197) Subject: RE: 1997 Steel sundowner- Did these have problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
Richard is right; Sundowner announced to their dealers in late July of "98 that they were discontinuing building steel trailers. However they built steel trailers for a couple of months after that, as I ordered a steel stock/combo S/D in September of that year. It may have been one of the last built.
The Sundowner steel product was one of the best steel trailers built at the time, and the paint system they were using was very good; as we still service a lot of them today, that are intact and still look good. I owned a 3H slant steel Sundowner myself for several years.
Posted 2009-12-15 8:20 AM (#114276 - in reply to #114197) Subject: RE: 1997 Steel sundowner- Did these have problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
Hmmm. Perhaps the dealer where we bought our trailer had been informed that SD was "thinking" of discontinueing steel trailers as early as 97. It was actually the summer of 1997 when we bought the trailer, it was the last steel one on their lot. You are correct it was primed and painted with Sikkens paint. Very high grade work. My husband was impressed. In 10 years of hard use we had no rust issues. Had a guy back into the rear of it once and we had it repaired and never had any issues with that area. We traded it in to get a larger dressing room as we changed what we were doing riding style-wise. It didnt sit long on the lot though. Some team ropers snapped it right up. The dealer where we traded was impressed with its condition.
Posted 2012-01-23 8:54 AM (#140228 - in reply to #114197) Subject: RE: 1997 Steel sundowner- Did these have problems
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Florida
Hi! I know this thread is old... but I have a question regarding the topic. I am looking to buy a "1999 steel Sundowner 2 horse slant load". I see that the company stopped producing them in 1998. Is it possible that the ones they produced in 1998 were actually sold as 1999 models? I am waiting on pics of the trailer, and trying to find some info in the mean time about how well these things hold up.
Also, if I am looking at an older model like this, I would really like to get it inspected by someone with at least a little bit of an idea about trailers. Can an auto mechanic do this? What kind of place inspects trailers? What are the most important aspects of a used trailer that should be inspected the closest?
Posted 2012-01-23 10:22 AM (#140229 - in reply to #114197) Subject: RE: 1997 Steel sundowner- Did these have problems
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
I would pretty well bet that you are talking about an aluminum skinned/steel framed Valuelite. The last six digets of the VIN would read VA---- if it is a Valuelite. I sold a Sundowner steel trailer to a customer in September of 98, but the trailer was built in June of that year and it was titled as a 98. It was announced to the dealer body that all steel trailers would be suspended being built in 8/98. The all steel Sundowners were high quality trouble free trailers.
As far as having a trailer inspected; I would try and take it to a horse trailer dealer in your area with a good service facility. They will be able to tell you more about a trailer than an automotive shop.
Posted 2012-01-23 11:04 AM (#140231 - in reply to #114197) Subject: RE: 1997 Steel sundowner- Did these have problems
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Florida
Thanks for such a quick reply! That could very well be a possibility and the reason I can not find any others with similar description to compare with. LOL I am going to post a pic of the trailer when I receive one this afternoon...hopefully someone can tell me what they think it is. Also, this may be a rookie question, but where would the VIN # be located on a trailer?
Posted 2012-01-23 12:38 PM (#140235 - in reply to #114197) Subject: RE: 1997 Steel sundowner- Did these have problems
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Florida
Also, another question...after some searching, I can not find a horse trailer dealership anywhere remotely close to us. There is a boat trailer manufacturer/dealer in the area. Do you think it would be worth asking them to take a look at it? What should I do in this situation?
One more question... I've read that there are some issues with the Valulite trailers... How would I recognize whether this trailer (if in fact it is a Valuelite) is afflicted with these problems?
1997 Steel sundowner- Did these have problems
Thanks for such a quick reply! That could very well be a possibility and the reason I can not find any others with similar description to compare with. LOL I am going to post a pic of the trailer when I receive one this afternoon...hopefully someone can tell me what they think it is. Also, this may be a rookie question, but where would the VIN # be located on a trailer?