Posted 2012-03-18 7:28 PM (#142246) Subject: 4 Star or Sundowner
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Have a 16+ hands quarter horse. He has claustrophobia issues. I made my 3 horse gooseneck into a two horse because of his size and issue.Am thinking about going to a straight load bumper pull because I have a smaller truck now. Looking at the new 4 Star warmblood and Sundowner warmblood trailers. The 4 Star stalls are slightly wider; but the Sundowner is white inside and has windows at the head and in the dressing room for more air flow for horse. Both have aluminum ceilings.Would the Sundowner roof need to be insulated since it has the windows in the front? Heard that Sundowner had quality problems in the 90s; has quality improved?Ignoring price, which trailer would be best?
Posted 2012-03-19 8:06 AM (#142265 - in reply to #142246) Subject: RE: 4 Star or Sundowner
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Don't rush to judgements here. One of these manufacturers is coming off of several years production of a model that has been giving problems but has a really neat product out now. The other, has a great reputation, that many in the industry feel the new products might not live up to. Once again, the label on the front does not give us enough info on which to fairly judge.
I am disappointed in these previous responses because if one of the brands had been Exiss, many would have jumped in to bash, and many would have jumped to defend giving the same difference in model arguments I give. Just saying.....
Posted 2012-03-19 11:59 AM (#142283 - in reply to #142246) Subject: RE: 4 Star or Sundowner
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
So typical.
A question is asked about two specific brands of trailers. and people use it as a forum to bash a third. Thankfully we haven't had to endure this type of response in some time.
Posted 2012-03-19 12:40 PM (#142286 - in reply to #142246) Subject: RE: 4 Star or Sundowner
Veteran
Posts: 213 Location: Virginia
4 Star - hands down.
I spent hours crawling through new and used Sundowners (as well as many other brands) at the nearest dealer. I own a 4 Star. The OP was asking us to judge which one we think is best between 2 brands based on our experience. I did not 'rush' to come up with my response. I am disappointed that you think so.
The aluminum could be painted white on the inside if you really want it, but I have found that the bare aluminum is bright enough.
Posted 2012-03-19 4:56 PM (#142296 - in reply to #142246) Subject: RE: 4 Star or Sundowner
Veteran
Posts: 127 Location: rapid city sd
The all aluminum 720&725 sundowner didn't have a problem. The trailers built prior to 07 were as tough as it came. They are still running around with 300,000 plus miles on them. In this area, Mt, Wy, and the Dakota's there is nothing rougher than a ranch/rodeo life where it's not uncommon to put 40,000 miles on a year. Even the lq's have to travel the sometimes 5-25 miles of rock road to the hwy and than another 40 to town. Not saying they were better than the 4 star, but tough enough. The steel frame 727's were a whole nother story, and not different than all the steel frame aluminum skins being built today. Good luck, I would trust either of them.
Posted 2012-03-19 5:19 PM (#142297 - in reply to #142246) Subject: RE: 4 Star or Sundowner
Regular
Posts: 51 Location: VA
You can't judge these two trailer makes without considering price and application. If price was no option then I would get the 4 Star. I downsized trailers last year since we now trailer mostly to our second place to ride from. I now have a new Sundowner 727A, all aluminum. The one thing I added that 4 Star often includes was a WERM floor. Yes, I believe that 4 Star builds a better similar model for $6000 more. I'm satisfied and can contain my TE (trailer envy).
Posted 2012-03-19 6:34 PM (#142300 - in reply to #142246) Subject: RE: 4 Star or Sundowner
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
I'll just add that personally the one trailer that I would not buy new is a Sundowner, and I probably wouldn't buy one used, and there are models I'd just as soon my horse not even get in. I have seen reports of things done by that company that would prevent my dealing with it.
4 Star or Sundowner
