I`m looking to upgrade from my 1st trailer, a 40 year old Kingston for several reasons.  Firstly is that it`s really somewhat small for my 16.2 mare, although for my 15h gelding it`s fine.  Secondly I`d really like dedicated storage areas for carrying things like tack and hay.

I`ve been looking at Sundowner and Jamco.  Sundowner from a friend who said it pulled like a dream and they seem to have a loyal customer following.  Jamco based on seeing it at a horse trade show a few months ago and being impressed with the construction.  From some other posts on this site it looks like Elite is also good, although I have no idea of their pricing.

I`ve decided on slant load,  bumper pull.  Many trailers have a collapsible rear tack room - would this area fit square bales of hay (either laying flat or standing on end?)  I`m looking at 2 horse models, although I`m open to a 3H.  In the past I`ve only hauled one horse at a time and I`ve used the second stall for hay.  I can`t haul hay in the tow vehicle.  Is there any way of securing hay in the stall area of the trailer so it won`t bounce around and get underneath the horses?

I`d also prefer the torsion axle suspension v.s. springs.  Does anyone know when Sundowner went from springs to torsion?  Also when did they go from steel frames to aluminum frames?  Are these things on a model year basis, or were they transitioned differently with each trailer model?

I`d prefer a used trailer mostly due to my budget, although I can`t seem to find used Jamcos - I`ve only seen 1 used for sale.  Is this because owners simply keep them?  There seems to be quite a number of Sundowners of all ages available, from just a few years old to more than 10 years old.  I`d be most likely purchasing without actually being able to inspect it in person and I know already to ask for photos of the frame.  Anything else I should be asking or looking for when buying like this, sight unseen?  Is it a good idea to ask for photos of the floor under the rubber matting in the horse area (if the floor were compromised would I be able to tell from a photo?)

I`ll be using this trailer for both shorter and longer distance trips and possibly some camping.

I`ve tried to be concise with my questions to avoid writing a novel.  Yes this is a very big decision and I`d appreciate any comments, info and suggestions.

Many thanks - I really appreciate it.

Thanks Paul.

I checked the link you gave, however unfortunately all 3 Jamcos listed there are goosenecks and I need a bumper pull.

I`m continuing my research and welcome all input.  

Our dealerships have both products as two of our leading quality trailers (the third one being Elite).  Jamco until recently has been a Canadian built product, but has recently relocated manufacturing facilities to the states. 

Sundowners have been built in only aluminum since Jan. of 08, whereby prior to that both aluminum and steel framed trailer models were available from 1997 to Dec. of 07.  Prior to that either steel or aluminum trailers were available (aluminums first appearing in '89).  Sundowner has been using torsion axles since the 1980's, as have most major manufacturers.  They do have a strong customer base, and they build a wide array of horse and stock trailer products. 

Jamco uses a unique type of wall construction in their trailers, and different than most manufacturers of aluminum trailers that use wall studs and inner and outer skin layers.  Jamco has an interlocking aluminum plank that makes for a very strong and longlasting trailer wall.  There isn't nearly as many used Jamco's in the country as the Sundowners due to dealer network, and the fact they were built in Canada in previous years, and were more expensive than most Sundowner models.  To compare "apples to apples", you would have to compare the Jamco against the Sundowner 720 or 725 models.  These two S/D models are also harder to find in used trailers than the 727 models.  Please PM me for more information on these different trailer models.

Thanks for the detailed replies - great info and very helpful!

jim bob, I`m thinking that when you said "aluminum and steel framed models were available from 1997 to Dec 07" that you perhaps meant to Dec 08? (since the all aluminum models began Jan 08?)  Is that correct?