Posted 2011-06-25 1:25 PM (#135126) Subject: Looking at 03 Sundowner
New User
Posts: 2
I was looking for some input on the Sundowner Valuelite, specifically a 2003 2H slant load with dressing room.It seems as though this subject has been beaten to death, but I was just looking for some more advice than google and searches can provide.The trailer has recently been inspected (and passed) and I believe is still under the 8 year warranty. Would any corrosion problems have prevented it from passing the inspection? If I go and look at it and take a look underneath will any corrosion be obvious? I'm obviously new to trailers :)Thanks in advance
Posted 2011-06-25 1:41 PM (#135127 - in reply to #135126) Subject: RE: Looking at 03 Sundowner
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
A lot will depend on what part of the country this trailer is in, and how much the trailer was run in the winter months; if from the northeast or midwest. Most corrosion will be on the frame underneath and possibly the lower wall posts on the butt wall. Those you can't see. In 03 Sundowner started undercoating their frames. If most of the black material is still in place, and it doesn't come off in big flakes, your probably going to be in good shape. As far as warranty goes, if the trailer was originally sold in 03, your warranty has expired on it.
Posted 2011-06-26 4:02 PM (#135145 - in reply to #135127) Subject: RE: Looking at 03 Sundowner
New User
Posts: 2
Thanks so much! I'll definitely be taking a look underneath it then. The owner says its covered through the end of this year, so I'm assuming she bought it at the end of 2003 or beginning of 2004, but I'll double check on that.
Posted 2011-06-28 10:58 AM (#135230 - in reply to #135126) Subject: RE: Looking at 03 Sundowner
Member
Posts: 15
I bought a 2003 Valuelite 4 horse w/6ft. short wall about a year ago. I live up in Wisconsin and found out about the undercarriage issues. I took mine to a steel shop and had them inspect it and no problems were found. What I did was have them sand blast it and paint the frame with a zinc based primer and paint. The trailer is great and I look forward to many years of service.
I agree if you are located in the southern part of the country the issues will probably not be a problem.
Posted 2011-06-28 7:36 PM (#135241 - in reply to #135126) Subject: RE: Looking at 03 Sundowner
Member
Posts: 6
Location: Panama City, Fl
Look & Listen!!!! I bought a NEW Valuelite in 05. I have pulled it very, very little. I use a gooseneck LQ most of the time. I live in North Florida. My warranty runs out in one year. Sundowner told me to take it to a dealer to have it inspected to see if anything needed attention. I did, and they said A-OK. I asked for documentation pictures be sent to my e-mail. This dealer was 5 hours from my home. The pics they e-mailed were NOT of my trailer. I did take pics of my trailer and I will share them with anyone who wants to see them. They are BAD. Frame is flaking like pie crust with Rust and separating and peeling. If the frame was solid steel it would be solid rusty steel. These frames are thin steel folded like the childhood fans we used to make. Due to this fan-folding the moisture can get between the layers and sit and rust between the small folds, and IT IS!! Sundowner did this to cut back on cost at OUR expense. The coating that they covered the fabricated steel with cracks and also holds moisture. It is a design FLAW that will end up failing in strength and to be sure, a loaded trailer, with horses WILL fall through to the highway. I have contacted the National Trafic Safety Board and am filling out a formal complaint about this aftey issue. Join with me and maybe together we can make Sundowner do more than lip-service to our problems. Your Alluminum trailer is not Aluminum, it is worse, it is flimsey, weak 'pretend' steel beam frame. If you would like to see 127 pictures of my under-frame send me your e-mail address. ONE picture is worth one thousand words.
Looking at 03 Sundowner
