Posted 2016-07-17 11:41 AM (#167661) Subject: Trailer purchasing advice
New User
Posts: 2
I'm looking to purchase a 3-4 horse trailer. I drive a 2000 3/4 Chevy longbed single cab, and would like to keep the weight of the trailer right around 5000 lbs. I need a tack room and do not want living quarters. I have to pay under $7000, but would prefer to be around $5000 - $6000. I don't currently have a gooseneck hitch, and with an older truck I am reticent to install one. I prefer pulling a gooseneck trailer, though, so I'm not against it. I would buy an older, higher quality trailer over a newer, lower quality.I would love some input into:Install a gooseneck hitch or not in an older truck?Steel v aluminum?2004 CM gooseneck 3 horse slant load or 2004 Silver lite bumper pull 3 horse slant load (same price)Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated!Thank you!
Posted 2016-07-17 3:02 PM (#167670 - in reply to #167661) Subject: RE: Trailer purchasing advice
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
I wouldn't hesitate to drop a ball in the bed. It's not like you'd be hurting the resale value at this point. AT that price point I'm not sure you'll really have much choice at materials. The two you mentioned should be fine but it will depend on what you see when you crawl under them and pull the mats to check the floor corrosion. It really comes down to what you see and what you want.
Posted 2016-07-18 7:44 PM (#167703 - in reply to #167661) Subject: RE: Trailer purchasing advice
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Around here any working condition Aluminum trailer will run right at $10,000 give or take based on cosmetic flaws. If I saw one for sale for $6500 I'd know that it was either stolen, complete junk or bound to be part of a soon-to-be divorce court case. Good luck!
Posted 2016-07-26 4:47 PM (#167819 - in reply to #167661) Subject: RE: Trailer purchasing advice
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Boyne city, MI 49712
Sundowner 3 horse 2002,,, steel frame aluminum floor, it is sun coated,,,I have heard lots of and stuff about corrosion ... Any comment,,, what are thoughts compared to exiss
Posted 2016-07-27 8:04 AM (#167823 - in reply to #167661) Subject: RE: Trailer purchasing advice
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
I wouldn't put my money on a steel frame aluminum skin Sundowner, PERIOD. Exiss had some really good years, anything 2001 or older is a well built sturdy trailer. The company then built a line of value trailers called "sport" and I have seen lots of problems with those both online and in horse trailer sale lots. The newer Exiss trailer is not a bad trailer but it's not built for hard use either. These newer trailers are built for exactly what come off the line to do and you can't heavily modify them, say add a side ramp, if you need to down the road. They will work if you aren't loading them heavy and putting 10's of thousands of miles a year on one. You'd need a higher end trailer to take that kind of use but for the 10-20 couple of hour trips a year it most people take it will work.
Posted 2016-08-01 3:26 PM (#167885 - in reply to #167661) Subject: RE: Trailer purchasing advice
Member
Posts: 5
Location: New Braunfels, TX
You might look at Hawk trailers. I have had mine for 9 yrs and love it.
They have higher standards than some of the other manufacturers. The only thing that might be a problem is the weight. They are a steel/aluminum combo.
Very well built. Awesome value for the money.
You might also look at Shadow trailers. They seem to be priced well..
Trailer purchasing advice
