We are currently in the market for a new trailer...actually trying to get it done quickly because all the major players are at the trade show for the AQHA world show here in OKC, and it makes it easy to compare several of the major brands...plus most are willing to add another 4-5% discount if we order at the show.

We have pretty much narrowed our search down to 4 companies:  Elite, 4 Star, Merhow & Cimarron

Each of these is very willing to build the trailer to our needs, so as far as layout & options go, we'd basically be looking at the same trailer from each of them.  Each of them has been easy to work with so far, but of course they are trying to sell a trailerSo it really comes down to quality of the build, fit & finish, warranty, stuff like that.

Quality:Every single one of them tells us they have the best construction methods...best floor, best roof...maybe they are all tied for 1st, but that does seem unlikely...so basically just wanting some opinions about which one has the best quality/sturdiness/durability of construction...what makes it the best.  Maybe one has the best floor, others have the best roof, another has the best windows & doors, etc...just looking for as much "unbiased" opinion from users

Fit & Finish: Really 2 things here...1st, how it looks, and how long the looks will last.  They all have very nice looking trailers...we can certainly choose a preference there, but any of them deteriorate in aesthetics quicker than the others?  Biggest issue here though to us is inside the trailer (horse area mainly)...sharp edges, nicks and barbs on welds, etc.  From our inspections of the trailers at the show, Elite is head and shoulders above the rest in this area..a notch below is 4 star, a notch below is Merhow, and Cimarron is just a slitghly below Merhow, but close.  This is an area that my wife is QUITE particular about.  We've ruled out several (CM, Sooner, Exiss, Sundowner, Featherlite) becaus this isn't even close to any of the four above.  The Featherlite sticks out in my mind, I'm a bit of a klutz at times, and I think if I bought any of the trailers at their show, I'd come away with bloody hands every time I loaded a horse...EVERY edge, corner and weld is VERY sharp!!  Don't understand why this is so...what we have right now is a 10yr old 3h steel BP CM Dakota...cost us just under 4k when we bought it new...not a sharp edge, corner or weld anywhere in that trailer...and now we're talking 30-40k trailers that I flat out wouldn't buy for half.

Anyway...thing is, we are really only seeing the trailers they brought to the show.  So, is what we are seeing here real??  Maybe Elite went over the trailers they were bringing with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything was 100% smooth and they don't normally do that?? Maybe Featherlite just grabbed trailers as they were finished to bring them and they didn't go through a final quality step that would smooth out the welds and edges...just want a few other viewpoints.

For a bit of frame of reference, we are talking about a somewhat customized 4h GN trailer...a larger stall in front w/ ramp exit...side tack...no LQ, just a nice large dressing area...AC, Hay Rack..7'6" high, 7'wide.

My perception from what I see is that all rolled together the Elite would be #1, then 4-Star, then Merhow, then slightly behind would be Cimarron.  Merhow coming in at the lowest price..Cimarron ~5% higher...Elite ~15-20% higher...no final quotes form 4-star yet, but expecting similar price to Elite.

Based on pricing and our observations of quality, we are leaning towards the Merhow...I really like the Elite, but not sure the differences we are SEEING are worth an extra 5-8k.  Soooo...looking for some user advice as to what we might be seeing that isn't real or what we might not see but adds value or detracts from one or the other.

Thanks,

jj

We just went thru the same brands last spring except for the Merhow. The Elite, to us, was the best, but due to price, we went with the Cim. Elite was ~9k higher for the new same trailer. The 4 star was the lowest rated IMO, but was priced just a little higher than the Cim. as I did not like their window/door seals being on the outside and exposed. My experience with that is that they take a lot of maintenance to keep them on. Also, the Cim. came with grey sides which I really like as you don't see very many of them. All 4 Stars and Elites look all alike to me.

I think you would be fine with your top 3 no matter which one you chose. Also, don't forget about the dealers rep as that also help made our decision.

Have you considered Platinum?  You are not far from the factory...it's located just off Reno on Sara Rd. in OKC...They will be glad to take the time to show you through the plant so you can see for yourself the materials they are constructed with. 

Ask Elite and Merhow if they use C channel in the posts (you can't see it)...they do!...Platinum uses 4 sided posts and they weld the rear corner posts to the frame, not the floor.  Both Elite and Merhow weld to the floor.  I don't know about Cimarron, so I can't comment.  No one uses heavier than .040 roof thickness...Platinum does.  All of Platinum's joints are welded, then soldered, and the roof bows are .125 minimum think and have 4 sides...everyone else's roof bows are C channel like the sides.  Platinum has a 3x4x3 I beam marine grade floor (like cattle trailers).  Platinum corner posts are heavy duty 5x6 and the neck (which is the most important aprt because it carries the weight of the trailer, uses 5" rectangle tube and heavy duty duty 5" radius top and bottom rail.  Get the specs on the other brands and compare real quality...not just the saleman talking in generalities.

I am in Shawnee and have a 4 horse here you can look at to see that they have no sharp edges anywhere...I would know...I look for that stuff too with my own horses.

Whatever price they quote you...I can do better...plus, I am a local dealer that offers great service.  Let me know if I can help you....Thanks.

Don't let any dealer just say they are the best...make them back it up with facts.  I can give you the facts on Platinum so you can compare.  All of the doors and windows are shop made, not pre-fab.  I think Merhow is pre-fab. 

We have a 2006 Cimarron and love it. No issues at all with the construction, and the exterior looks great for as little as I have done. I should really wax it every year and only wash it with soap and a brush about 4 times a year. Last wax job was 2 years ago but it still shines after a bath. This will be the first year for inside storage.

Welds were jagged? They must have been having a bad day. Ours are very smooth and the corners are nicely rounded. There is absolutely nothing that they (mules) have hurt themselves on, and I love the design of the drop downs. They are miles above the rest. At least in 2006 they were.

Have fun with your shopping, I know I did.

The Platinum has some of the worst workmanship in the industry.

Cimarron has a plastic roof, and uses tape to hold the walls on, not a very well constructed trailer.  The floor system is horrible.

Well constructed trailers are- 4 Star, Exiss, Sooner, elite, featherlite - they were the original aluminum trailer companies with all of the industry experience and know how, they have been around for a long time with the most trailers on the road.  The way these companies construct trailers is similar and will last the longest, it was patterned after semi-truck trailers!

"Cimarron has a plastic roof, and uses tape to hold the walls on, not a very well constructed trailer.  The floor system is horrible"

I guess it just comes down to preference. I had a 10' LQ, 3H 2004 CM which was the year before it became Cimarron, and I really liked the floor system. I crawled under every trailer I looked at and choose the Cimarron over everything else because of the floor and the fit and finish. I had to sell it due to an event that had nothing to do with the trailer, wish I still had it. I have a 2008 4-star 2 horse, with 5' short wall now, and a 2006 12' LQ CM Legacy LTS. I also had an 10' LQ Elite, a 2005. (I like a lot of change in my life )  I liked all the trailers, but the Cimarron was my favorite. I have not looked at the new Cimarron, afraid I'd buy one.

You're on a roll today!!! Do you make up your own info as you go....??

My thoughts EXACTLY!