Posted 2007-04-09 9:12 PM (#58948) Subject: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Member
Posts: 11
Location: union,ky
This will be my first horse w/ living quarters. I am going to purchase one of these this week. Narrowed it down to the following 2. A 2001 sundowner 4horse w/ 17ft LQ located in Michigan, or a 2004 Merhow 4 horse w/ 17ft LQ located in IN. Like them both about the same price. Both are all aluminium. Don't know enough about the quality of these 2 trailers. What would you do?????????????????
Posted 2007-04-09 10:13 PM (#58955 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Expert
Posts: 1871 Location: NY
are you buying from a dealer?? how many mile are on the trailers?? what is if any warronty on them? if everything is the same then the price is the final factor if you like them both equley good luck
Posted 2007-04-10 6:40 AM (#58967 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Member
Posts: 11
Location: union,ky
I will be pulling it with a 05'chevy duramax deisel. The outside of the both look great. Sundowner has stainless front, and stainless back doors. Is that a plus or not. The living quarter of both look great.What is the quality of the living quarter for sundowner vs Merhow. I do know the conversion package on Merhow is by Sierra is that (good or bad)? The horse compart on the sundowner looks very used. On the sundowner you can see that some of the rubber on the floor by the wheel hub is torn and there is maybe corrision if that is possible. Could that be a problem, being all aluminium. The Merhow looked like it was used very lightly. I guess what i am asking is the quality longterm on both trailers the same interior and exterior. I have found not any negativity about Merhow is there any out there, but I have seen alot of inputs about Sundowner being overpriced because of the name. The price difference between the 2 is about $4500.00, The Merhow being the more expensive, but yet newer. As far as quality and holding up. What have some of you guys and gals experienced or have seen. I mean any, any, any, good or bad info is a big help. Thanks
Posted 2007-04-10 7:07 AM (#58969 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Merhow is one of the oldest trailer brands and they do build a very good trailer. Is the layout exactly the same on the LQ? Make a list of all the items each trailer has, pros & cons and let that help you decide.
Posted 2007-04-10 7:13 AM (#58971 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Member
Posts: 11
Location: union,ky
Thank you, Just can't figure out why I do not see alot of Merhow horse trailers out and about. I have maybe seen 2 Merhow horse trailers at camp grounds. Why is this? Who knows maybe I might start a new trend?
Posted 2007-04-10 7:16 AM (#58972 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by J55 on 2007-04-09 9:12 PM
This will be my first horse w/ living quarters. I am going to purchase one of these this week. Narrowed it down to the following 2. A 2001 sundowner 4horse w/ 17ft LQ located in Michigan, or a 2004 Merhow 4 horse w/ 17ft LQ located in IN. Like them both about the same price. Both are all aluminium. Don't know enough about the quality of these 2 trailers. What would you do?????????????????
I would do some research.
I wouldn't buy a 4 horse trailer with a 17ft camper section without a LOT of information, certainly not as a FIRST trailer with camper section - these are BIG trailers, probably 32 ft or more on the floor.
It seems you'll have quite a trip to go and get either one, again as a FIRST big and very long trailer I'd be sure to take someone with me to do most of the driving {IF} when it comes time to bring it home.
Please address all the other issues about using an adequate tow vehicle, etc.
EDIT;
I'd take Merhow over Sundowner, all other things being about equal.
With the Merhow being 3 years younger I don't see a difficult decision.
You would probably have to see them up close to judge wear and tear and how much you (dis)like the fittings and furnishings.
I'd guess the Merhow would be MORE "all aluminum" than the Sundowner, which I believe are more typically aluminum skin over steel framing above about 4ft.
;END EDIT
Posted 2007-04-10 7:31 AM (#58973 - in reply to #58971) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by J55 on 2007-04-10 7:13 AM
Thank you, Just can't figure out why I do not see alot of Merhow horse trailers out and about. I have maybe seen 2 Merhow horse trailers at camp grounds. Why is this? Who knows maybe I might start a new trend?
There are some regional distributions, for example Kingston are very popular/common in New England, they're built in Kingston, Mass.
Merhow may just not be very popular in your area, which doesn't mean that they're a bad trailer, it could just be a lack of dealerships in your area.
You probably see more Kia than Ferrari autos (-:
Posted 2007-04-10 7:33 AM (#58974 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Member
Posts: 11
Location: union,ky
Being a very big trailer won't be the issue. Hauled bigger such as heavy equipment. You know, just want something thats going to last and have some fun with. All this info is great, really appreciate it. Keep it coming.
Posted 2007-04-10 7:56 AM (#58976 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Veteran
Posts: 112 Location: Columbus, Ohio
Merhow, hands down. Esp. after describing how the horse section of the Sundowner is wearing. I had a Merhow that was 20 years old, just sold it to a good friend- looks great and held up well- only repairs were to the ramp.
Posted 2007-04-10 8:01 AM (#58977 - in reply to #58972) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Regular
Posts: 79
Originally written by Reg on 2007-04-10 7:16 AM
I'd guess the Merhow would be MORE "all aluminum" than the Sundowner, which I believe are more typically aluminum skin over steel framing above about 4ft
Not in the least bit true. "All aluminum" trailers (which there is no such thing) all have about the same amount of aluminum and steel in them. A Sundowner aluminum trailer has an aluminum frame (same as everyone else)... a Sundowner steel framed trailer has a powder coated steel frame.
In either case, if you can find me a steel framed 17' LQ I'll buy you a drink. No one in their right mind would order such a thing and I KNOW that dealers wouldn't stock it. You'd need a full size Kenworth to move the thing.
Posted 2007-04-10 8:01 AM (#58978 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
I'm goin out on a limb here.... We have a very large trailer w/LQ..33' on the floor. I love it when we "get there". I am so anxious when pulling it down I-44 hwy that I can't stand it. We also had to upgrade the tag on the truck to a 30,000 lb class...(we weigh 22,550 fully loaded) and that changes some things...
You can't just take these rigs anywhere and park em...If you are taking some fantastic trips it is probably worth it. I would probably go with the Sundowner, but check the floor structure and condition before buying either... Have fun!!
Posted 2007-04-10 2:03 PM (#58993 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Regular
Posts: 79
Not to derail the thread, but...
Steel is used anywhere strength is needed. Axles, axle boxes, couplers, corner posts, etc. A lot of manufacturers are using galvaneal now, as well, for the frame and/or dividers, walls, etc.
And we all know of trailers that use aluminum or stainless hardware and we see rusty bolts holding them on.
Posted 2007-04-10 2:03 PM (#58994 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383 Location: Texas
Those are going to be some big trailers! I have a friend who has a 2005 Sundowner with 14ft LQ/ 3H slant, 29ft on the floor, it weighs in around 13k before loading it, I think he said about 13,500. 17ft LQ is going to be even heavier. A horse trailer that size doesn't drive the same as a flatbed either. I'm not saying that you won't be able to handle them fine or that you shouldn't get something that size, it's just good to be aware of that before you get one. If I had to pick one I would go with the Merhow I think, mainly because of the age difference. It would be nice to go see them both in person before deciding, the price to drive that far isn't a big % of what the trailer will cost you.
Posted 2007-04-10 10:00 PM (#59029 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Midwest
Okay, have to put my 2 cents in here. I've had some personal experience with both brands as we have carried these brands in the past. I would buy the Sundowner in a heartbeat. I know the companies, know first hand about their customer service and my experience has been so much better with Sundowner. Resale on Sundowners is better too. Yes, you'll have areas where Merhow is more 'popular' but all in all SUndowner carries a much stronger brand identity with quality.
Food for thought I hope. Michigan and Indiana are close. Why don't you hit Michigan first and if the Sundowner doesn't live up to everything you think it is you have the Merhow in indiana as a fall back on your way back home? :-)
Posted 2007-04-11 5:06 PM (#59076 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
Member
Posts: 11
Location: union,ky
Well, I hit Michigan today to see the sundowner. Left Union, Ky at 2:30 a.m.
Arrived in Michigan at 9:10 a.m. Knew right away this trailer was very used. Internet pictures very misleading. Looked under rubber mats and found lots of thumb holes and aluminium dust. Around the windows the rubber seams coming apart. Aluminium trim coming off of the outside. It needed alot of work. And it has Sierra conversion. So forshore the Sundowner is out. Also made it to the Merhow. Man that thing is in great shape. Looks brand new. Kind of still undecided about the Merhow. Just because I dont know much about. You know what I mean. I will keep investigating. This is alot of money to me. Hey, thanks everybody for your helpful info. Just wanted to keep you informed what i found
Posted 2007-04-11 6:51 PM (#59085 - in reply to #58948) Subject: RE: Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
New User
Posts: 2
Location: MN
I had a Merhow and loved it. I needed a bigger trailer horse wise, and don't need the LQ, so that is the only reason I sold it. It was 7 years old, and looked brand new yet. I miss this trailer. Very good quality, and even though I only ran into 1 other Merhow owner at a campground, who cares if no-one knows the brand? My trailer was WAY better quality than many of the ones parked next to me!
I'd go with the Merhow, you'll be very happy with it!
Hate to keep bugging!! please read!!!!!
I'm goin out on a limb here.... We have a very large trailer w/LQ..33' on the floor. I love it when we "get there". I am so anxious when pulling it down I-44 hwy that I can't stand it. We also had to upgrade the tag on the truck to a 30,000 lb class...(we weigh 22,550 fully loaded) and that changes some things...