Posted 2009-10-14 2:00 PM (#111863) Subject: Jamco vs Turnbow vs Sundowner? or another
Member
Posts: 6
Location: kentucky
We are in the process of looking for a new trailer and potentially the last trailer we'll buy. Which are considered to be the safest most problem free trailers? We have been looking at Jamco, Turnbow, and Sundowner. We currently own a Sundowner and have been very unhappy with the factory in helping us solve the problem so they would be the least preferred one. Suggestions welcomed. Thanks, Vandi
Posted 2009-10-14 2:46 PM (#111864 - in reply to #111863) Subject: RE: Jamco vs Turnbow vs Sundowner? or another
Expert
Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Jamco, out of the three you have listed, but why only those three? What type of trailer are you looking for LQ, Head to Head, Slant? If you are really wanting the best out there you have to look at Bloomer, Eby and 4 Star.
Posted 2009-10-14 3:00 PM (#111866 - in reply to #111864) Subject: RE: Jamco vs Turnbow vs Sundowner? or another
Member
Posts: 6
Location: kentucky
We are wanting just a bumper pull with a side ramp. We trailer to a cabin about 4 hours one way several times a month. I've heard good things about Turnbow and they have been very responsive. I'm not familiar with the ones you mentioned, Eby, 4Star, or Bloomer but am will to check them out. The con that I have with Jamco is for service I have to drive 5 hours one way and this is day 3 and I still do not have a quote. What are the pros/cons of Turnbow? Thanks, Vandi
Posted 2009-10-16 10:39 PM (#111978 - in reply to #111863) Subject: RE: Jamco vs Turnbow vs Sundowner? or another
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383 Location: Texas
It's about 14-16 hour drive to the nearest Jamco dealer for me, haven't had to make a trip yet. Very well built and was quite a bit lower for the custom trailer I wanted than Sundowner and a couple others were. As others have said there are quite a few other brands that are quality and will meet your needs.
Posted 2009-10-16 11:09 PM (#111981 - in reply to #111863) Subject: RE: Jamco vs Turnbow vs Sundowner? or another
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by vandi on 2009-10-14 2:00 PM
We currently own a Sundowner and have been very unhappy with the factory in helping us solve the problem so they would be the least preferred one. Suggestions welcomed. Thanks, Vandi
I am not understanding this! Although I have heard this a time or two on this forum for folks up North.
But my personal opinion after buying a USED 2004 Sundowner 8010 Signature Series 3 horse last winter as a repo from the auction. They are GREAT to work with. I had a few questions and posted on here and had a few dealers and 1 person from the manufacture reply and even called me to help. Was directed to my nearest dealer less than 10 miles from me and he has been great. I had the trailer serviced by him in March and he checked out everything for us and even did a couple of recalls the trailer had.
What kind of problems was you having with your Sundowner?
Posted 2009-10-17 2:53 PM (#112007 - in reply to #111863) Subject: RE: Jamco vs Turnbow vs Sundowner? or another
Member
Posts: 6
Location: kentucky
Corrosion on the steel frame, under the flooring. We have looked at several Valulite Sundowners and they all have the powder coating peeling and moderate to severe corrosion - mostly on the side support members. Ours is a '99 model - looked at a 2001 today - as bad as ours. All the dealers we have talked to have been nice and supportive - Oklahoma has not been very supportive. Warranty was 5 years but this seems to be a common problem with the Valulite and should have been a recall or extended aid for repair. The dealers will give us next to nothing on trade. Sundowner no longer uses the same paint process (so we have been told).
Posted 2009-10-19 4:18 PM (#112097 - in reply to #112007) Subject: RE: Jamco vs Turnbow vs Sundowner? or another
Regular
Posts: 79 Location: Shelby N.C.
Originally written by vandi on 2009-10-17 3:53 PM
Corrosion on the steel frame, under the flooring. We have looked at several Valulite Sundowners and they all have the powder coating peeling and moderate to severe corrosion - mostly on the side support members. Ours is a '99 model - looked at a 2001 today - as bad as ours. All the dealers we have talked to have been nice and supportive - Oklahoma has not been very supportive. Warranty was 5 years but this seems to be a common problem with the Valulite and should have been a recall or extended aid for repair. The dealers will give us next to nothing on trade. Sundowner no longer uses the same paint process (so we have been told).
There should have been a formal recall to get this power coating problem fixed. But the owner of any trailer needs to inspect his or her trailer from time to time and this should have been seen. I own a 2000 Valulite and did notice it got on the phone with the dealer and set up an oppointment to get it sandblasted and undercoated with a flexiable material. There was some corrision but very minimual in my opionion. It was actually a 8 year structural warranty on it and I had 45 days left on mine when I got it done. I would still buy another Sundowner.
Jamco vs Turnbow vs Sundowner? or another
have you looked at Merhow? They are the oldest trailer manufacture aroudnd. and good quaility.