Posted 2007-03-16 12:52 PM (#57171 - in reply to #57166) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Regular
Posts: 79
Originally written by reinergirl on 2007-03-16 11:59 AM
I believe they are the result of master-marketing and not top-notch construction. If you don't ask the right questions you will find yourself with a steel frame trailer, that you paid too much for and will be upside down in when you go to trade.
I will admit... if I got the type of salespeople that some of you guys are describing I would think less of the product, too. But therein lies the problem and doesn't make it correct. You all need to find better dealers that actually know something about what they're selling. You should be asked if you want a steel framed trailer or an aluminum framed trailer. But be prepared to be asked why you want an aluminum trailer... you'd be surprised how many people don't know why they want an aluminum trailer. The fact is that you can save money by buy a steel framed trailer and with the resale value of Sundowner trailers as high as it is you will not be upside down. If you want an aluminum trailer thats fine. You should be told the positives and negatives of both. Why would any salesperson purposely steer someone towards a steel framed trailer when they are going to make more money on an aluminum trailer anyway?
On the issue of construction... Why do you suppose that Sundowner has the best warranty of any trailer manufacturer? Simple. Because they can. What sense would it make to warrant a trailer like they do and not build it to hold up? That is counter-productive. Case in point: Sundowner stopped using rubber lining on the walls because the rubber wouldn't hold up to match the warranty so they developed SunCoat to replace it. And yes, Sundowner does/did cover warranty claims on the rubber. Sundowner includes wear items in the 3 year warranty coverage.
Posted 2007-03-16 1:07 PM (#57172 - in reply to #57078) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366 Location: Albany, Oregon
I bought a 2004 Featherlite 8541 3 horse G/N with the NW rear doors and the Platinum horse area package 200 miles from home because they had one the way I wanted it. On the way home I relized it was having brake issues. Like they were barely there. The Featherlite guys sent me to the local Featherlite dealer and they fixed it like they sold it to me. Service is a big seller to me! I have had no problems at all, would buy another.
Posted 2007-03-16 1:29 PM (#57174 - in reply to #57166) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Expert
Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Originally written by reinergirl on 2007-03-16 11:59 AM
I believe they are the result of master-marketing and not top-notch construction. They are a decent trailer, but certainly not in the leauge of a 4-Star or Elite.
I will bet you five cans of beer that 9 out of 10 folks down at the roping pen tommorrow morning will tell you that same quote. I can't bet six, my brother-in-law only left 5 in my cooler.
Posted 2007-03-16 1:45 PM (#57175 - in reply to #57078) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Regular
Posts: 79
It's the same thing with Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge. Everyone thinks they know it all about the other brand and the other brand can never do anything right.
Do any of these people have experience with all of these trailers? I highly doubt it. I will make the same wager that I can go down to our local reining show and get the same opinion about Sundowner trailers. And almost all of them are pulling Sundowner trailers.
I doubt any of those people have many experiences with other brands, either. Just because they pull a horse trailer doesn't make them experts in the field. I for one would never base a $30,000 decision on what a small group of people have to say. I like to look at the bigger picture.
Everyone in my town drives a Dodge and everyone will tell you Dodge is superior. Does that make it right?
By the way, just so we're clear I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything. I just enjoy a good civil debate.
Posted 2007-03-16 2:31 PM (#57177 - in reply to #57078) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Regular
Posts: 79
Sundowner is the largest trailer manufacturer in the country (with the possible exception of UTC but they would be close). They probably build almost twice as many trailers as these other manufacturers. There are 3 times as many Fords on AutoTrader. Its because they sell more trucks than Dodge and GM combined.
I can name several places off the top of my head near me that I can buy a Sundowner. I can name one Bloomer dealer, one Elite dealer, (both out of state) and I have no idea where to buy a 4-Star near me.
Posted 2007-03-16 2:56 PM (#57178 - in reply to #57078) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Location: Texas
I undestand they are a high volume, mass production operation with a high dealer margin and a huge advertising budget, but why are there so many used ones for sale?
Posted 2007-03-16 3:05 PM (#57181 - in reply to #57178) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
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Posts: 79
Originally written by Tx. Vaquero on 2007-03-16 2:56 PM
high volume, mass production operation
You just answered your own question. The more that are out there the more that are going to be sold used. Again, refer to the above example about Ford.
Don't kid yourself into thinking Sundowner doesn't do custom work, though. Sundowner will customize any trailer with anything you can dream up as long as it doesn't effect the structural integrity of the trailer. They have an engineering department specifically devoted to custom trailers.
Posted 2007-03-16 3:13 PM (#57184 - in reply to #57078) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Location: Texas
I had a dose of one of their super, duper custom jobs. It still seems there are a lot of people trying to get out of their sundowners, considering the long warranties. Could there be an underlying problem?
Posted 2007-03-16 4:22 PM (#57190 - in reply to #57184) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Expert
Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Originally written by Tx. Vaquero on 2007-03-16 3:13 PM
I had a dose of one of their super, duper custom jobs. It still seems there are a lot of people trying to get out of their sundowners, considering the long warranties. Could there be an underlying problem?
Buyers Remorse?
You know like the real hot chick from afar, then you get the nerve to go talk to her and she only has three teeth.
Might not be so bad after the 5 Milwalkees Best that have been rolling around in my cooler for a week.
Posted 2007-03-16 7:55 PM (#57202 - in reply to #57078) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Foget all the petty bickering- figure out what you want( the neat-o, creature comfort stuff) and need ( this features you really must have and can't live without) in your next trailer then buy the one which closely matches the list and at a price you can afford. Either one, you'll be fine.
I bought a used Exiss. It has a weekender package- small dinette, fridge, AC, and sink. I travel alone so i didn't need lots of room or gadgets.It had what i needed plus stuff I wanted at a price I was willing to pay. Now there are some on this board that will go and on about how crappy Exiss are. They are full of it. Ignore most of this stuff posted. The vast majority of trailers bulit are fine- some are just a bit finer and with that, you'll end up paying more for it. If money wasn't an issue, I'd buy a trailer with a solid gold toilet but alas, its not to be.
Posted 2007-03-17 12:08 PM (#57228 - in reply to #57205) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
Now ya'll have got the right idea. I'd want a frig that would never run out of the "essentials" and a self cleaning trailer. No more scooping horse poop, cleaning toilets, sweeping......
Posted 2007-03-18 8:30 AM (#57259 - in reply to #57166) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Veteran
Posts: 238 Location: West Coast
Originally written by reinergirl on 2007-03-16 9:59 AM
I've got to disagree with you whole-hearted endorsement of Sundowner. I believe they are the result of master-marketing and not top-notch construction. If you don't ask the right questions you will find yourself with a steel frame trailer, that you paid too much for and will be upside down in when you go to trade. They are a decent trailer, but certainly not in the leauge of a 4-Star or Elite.
I agree with you on your "master marketing" quote on the sundowners. Sundowner has done a great job marketing their trailers. But... if you compare the stuff you cannot easily see, like the space between floor supports, or the thickness of the aluminum there are other trailer brands I would buy before a Sundowner. In my opinion, for the kind of money you pay for a Sundowner, there are better quality trailers in the same price range.
When getting ready to buy a trailer, I don't rely soley on what other people tell me. I do a lot of research, paying special attention to the structural elements of trailer. I think it's the best way to know what you are buying.
Posted 2007-03-19 8:34 PM (#57340 - in reply to #57259) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
Roper Chick I think you summed it up well and alot of us have owned a Sundowner in the past and have moved on to something else. I will say I liked Sundowner's horse compartment and rear tack but not their LQ
Posted 2007-03-19 11:34 PM (#57356 - in reply to #57078) Subject: RE: FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366 Location: Albany, Oregon
The Question was.......................
Originally written by JANPALACH on 2007-03-14 5:01 PM I'm looking for a new trailer. Nothing fancy, just a 3 horse aluminum with no bells & whistles. Does anybody have any input on which trailer is better? I've narrowed it down to Featherlite and Sundowner. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks
I don't think they even want a living quarters trailer. I personaly prefer a no bells and whistles Featherlite. I keep my tequila in my tack box with a roll of TP!
FEATHERLITE OR SUNDOWNER
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