Posted 2007-08-11 7:55 PM (#65641 - in reply to #65638) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Regular
Posts: 67 Location: Iowa
I had a 2 horse Eagle XLA with a 5 ft short wall. It had a weekender package that was not from the factory. It was my first trailer and it worked very well for us. We bought it in Nov. and I spent the winter practicing loading with my horses. It paid off because they load very well in anything now. As far as structure, it was a 2000 and I didn't have any problems at all. I upgraded for nicer LQ and a 3 horse because my teenage daughter would rather bring a friend than hang with mom and dad when we camp. javascript:smilie('11','%3Cimg%20src=HTTP://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/emoticons/icon_aug3.gif%20border=0%3E');Also the hubby would rather camp without horses in the new one because it's bigger and has A/C, shower, toilet, and whatnot. wish you the best on your quest.
Posted 2007-08-11 10:28 PM (#65644 - in reply to #65638) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Member
Posts: 29
I have 2003 2h Genesis with a weekender package. Has been a good trailer so far, only minor problems. One latch holding the ramp broke less than a month after it was installed, some of the screws holding the back doors came loose and had to be replaced, the light switch for the horse area lights had a hot wire, and last year it started leaking. The leak was easily fixed by re-caulking the seams.
Posted 2007-08-12 5:43 PM (#65681 - in reply to #65638) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Regular
Posts: 85
Just bought a brand new 2 horse Kiefer Grand Prix. So far, I love it except for wht I will try and descibe/explain. I might use the wrong word here but basically I am not impressed with the "hitch" on the tongue of the trailer.It seems rather cheaply made and not real sturdy. Getting the pin lined up to go thru the hole is veally hard to do because if you ask me, they didn't drill the hole out to line up right and the pin is the thinnest thing in the world so I bought a new one. I also have some trouble getting the wheel on and off. (I have to take mine off or it drags the ground as I travel). My other trailer I could leave the wheel on and just crank it up and so I never hd to mess with it.
Posted 2007-08-12 7:11 PM (#65684 - in reply to #65681) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Expert
Posts: 2614
Hmmm,I didn't even look at the hitch very much,just generally.This is an Eagle XLT or something,can't remember the exact model,has the Gold Package.Overall it looks like a really nice little trailer,and it's a 2H slant,which I haven't seen many of around here.We are going to look it over closer if we decide to buy.
Posted 2007-08-13 11:05 AM (#65722 - in reply to #65638) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Veteran
Posts: 114
I am on my second Keifer built. I have a genesis 340-X. with living quarters. I have had no problems just minimal things that the dealer took care of immediately( like losing some bolt screws from a door). I got the second because I liked the first so well, we just needed a bigger trailer.
Posted 2007-08-15 8:09 PM (#65921 - in reply to #65638) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Member
Posts: 45
I chimed in on the Hawk vs. Kiefer and will do so again. My 2000 Kiefer Eagle 2H slant BP step up has been an excellent trailer. Purchased new and maintained well, it looks great. Some of the window knobs came off after about 5 years and we also had to replace the window hold-down rubber round things. Other than that, it has been an excellent trailer for the money. Wood floor is perfect, pulls easy, cool inside for the horses. Dividers and walls nicely padded. The padding looks like new.
My husband did install a second divider a feature that is not common but has come in handy on many occasions. Safe too.
Posted 2007-08-16 6:31 PM (#65964 - in reply to #65638) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Expert
Posts: 2614
The Kiefer trailer we are looking at has a fiberglass roof.Has anybody had any problems with one of these? It's not just an insulated roof,apparently,just fiberglass with aluminum ribs/slats.
Posted 2007-08-16 8:35 PM (#65970 - in reply to #65638) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Elite Veteran
Posts: 644 Location: Odenville, Alabama
I have several riding buddies who pull Kiefers. They love them. Neither has a fiberglass roof. I know Bison had ALOT of trouble with their fiberglass roof when they used them. I'd be leary of that, even if it is a Kiefer.
Posted 2007-08-16 10:34 PM (#65973 - in reply to #65970) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Expert
Posts: 2614
Yeah,I sort of don't like that idea,much.If it were fiberglass lined and an aluminum roof over,it would be different.But that doesn't seem too sturdy to me.Especially in a wreck.And over time,would it wind up looking like c---?
Posted 2007-08-17 10:16 AM (#65984 - in reply to #65638) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Member
Posts: 20
Location: Southeast
Merhow, Trail Et, Hawk, EquiSpirit, & some Kiefer models (to name a few) have had fiberglass roofs for decades. Like anything else, it has its pros & cons. Study them, and buy what you need. But it isn't wise to summarily discredit the whole bunch, especially after the folks who posted loved theirs..:)
Rider
Posted 2007-08-17 12:20 PM (#65995 - in reply to #65984) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Expert
Posts: 2614
I just like the trailer overall,it is aluminum w/steel frame,I believe.I don't know anything about the fiberglass roofs.THe "cons" are particularly what I do need to know about them.I know the "pros".Thanks.
Posted 2007-08-17 2:22 PM (#66002 - in reply to #65638) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
I had a Phillips TB 2 horse with fiberglass roof, and a Turnbow 6h with a full fiberglass roof, and currently have a 2h Sundowner with a fiberglass nose cap. All did superbly, held color well and never had any issues......that pretty much covers my experience there!
Posted 2007-08-17 2:56 PM (#66004 - in reply to #65638) Subject: RE: Kiefer Built
Member
Posts: 21
Location: Smyrna, DE
We've had 1986 Trail Et 2 horse bumper pull with a fiberglass roof that we sold last year and currently have a 5 horse 1999 Hawk Gooseneck. Both have fiberglass roofs where the STEEL roof supports are sandwiched between two layers of fiberglass. On the Trail Et, the roof looked like new after 20 years. After owning two fiberglass roofed trailers, here are the pros and con's:
Fiberglass Pro's
Cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter than metal roofs. (You can insultate metal to mitigate this but now you are adding weight)
Looks- can't beat the color match paint jobs on Hawk and Trail Et roofs
Safer in a roll over accident than aluminum. If you roll the trailer, roof material doesn't matter- you are really hoping for the best. With aluminum, think about a struggling horse busting through a JAGGED metal roof. Best case is hundreds of stitches. Fiberglass is nowhere near as sharp when it fails.
Much easier to repair fiberglass. If you hit a branch and punch a hole in an aluminum roof, chances are you are replacing the whole roof if it is one piece. With fiberglass, any boat place sells do it yourself fiberglass repair kits. Boat owners have been doing this for decades.
Kiefer Built
