Posted 2009-12-10 9:39 AM (#114123) Subject: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720 Location: Never miss a good chance to shut up.
Has anybody had an opportunity to look at a Lonestar Trailer? They are built in Indiana and there aren't many out yet. I spoke to one of their people and they sent some pictures.
Posted 2009-12-10 10:44 AM (#114128 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
That looks like the one I seen in Murfreesboro, Tn. back in September at the NWHA Nationals.... Didn't go inside, from the outside, it looked more like a converted, "toy hauler" with windows for the horses. Nope, know nothing about them.....
Posted 2009-12-10 2:35 PM (#114137 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Expert
Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
That's a good looking trailer. It was only a matter of time before the RV people attempted to capture some of this market, with horse trailer prices in the stratosphere. The RV people build a 30 ft. RV complete with running gear for less than a conversion shop charges to convert a 10ft. shortwall. This could get interesting.
Posted 2009-12-11 1:41 PM (#114160 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Location: Central Arkansas
They do not look to be made heavy duty enough for my taste. I have seen camping trailers and toy haulers demolished in highway accidents that probably wouldn't have dented a high end aluminum horse trailer!
Posted 2009-12-11 4:47 PM (#114163 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Veteran
Posts: 201
Read the info page on their web site. States wood and steel frame, fiberglass sides and wood roof. There were several other companies that USED to build, big cheap trailers, that are no longer around. Interested to see how these hold up with regular horse use??
Posted 2009-12-11 9:38 PM (#114168 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I think you'll find a major construction difference, in the flooring systems used by RVers as opposed to horse trailers. The pressure per sq inch a horse places on a floor, far exceeds that of most "toys". The flooring in the stall area of a horse trailer, is built quite a bit heavier than the "toy" hauler.
Many of the RV advertised wood and steel floors, are 3/4" OSB and small section framing, not the 1 1/2" planking and heavier section frame members found in the equine variants.
Posted 2009-12-12 6:54 AM (#114171 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Expert
Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
I get a feeling these are not going to be a cheap RV knock-off, looking at their sister site they are building upper end RV's, as far as holding up I don't see these $100K + horse trailers making alot of trips to the backwoods trailheads, or trips to the vet, so I would suppose that this trailer would be compared to a 20' Shortwall Bloomer/4 Star with a slide(that's a $120-$150K trailer) all those trailers do is ride down a highway and into a fairgrounds/horse camp. I have always said that a typical horse trailer doesn't have the creature comforts that are needed to stay a long weekend or even a week at a time. I think this trailer provides that kind of comfort. It may not be for everyone, but there is a market for them. My Mom and Dad go to Florida every winter in an upper end 5th wheel(4 slides) and they seem to be very comfortable for several months at a time. I haven't seen a horse trailer yet that I could stay in for a month, and I've been in some $150K trailers.
Posted 2009-12-12 5:34 PM (#114178 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
It was setting in Oklahoma city fair grounds this last week at the BFA finals. It was locked up tight as a drum when we went to look at it. I think they had it advertised at around 185,000 give or take a little. Looked like non traditional construction didn't really give it a lot of look. Was pretty slick sided but didn't see exactly what it was (30 degree + plus a nice breeze). Might be worth a look if you want to spend that kind of money. Seen a Foremost conversion in a C&C trailer in NM that's along the same line (kinda). Price probably isn't too bad if you want something like that. Have seen mainstream brands that are probably more money and less bling.
Posted 2009-12-14 7:54 AM (#114226 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
219,000 was retail and 184 and some change is what they had it priced at. Nice interior. Upper end RV. Rumber floor in the horse compartment. Full height ramp on the back. Not sure how well the ramp will hold up. Had three 10K air ride axles. Hayrack was accessible from the horse compartment like a hay loft. Not sure if there was other access or not. Some neat ideas, but time will tell...
Edited to add; Forgot to write that the lady said it weighed either 25,000 or 26,000 pounds empty.
Posted 2010-01-04 2:24 PM (#114860 - in reply to #114168) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
New User
Posts: 1
Location: HAMILTON, MONTANA
If you check there specifications on the web site, it states that the horse area floor is a 2" thick Rumbar floor with 1/4" wall 2x6 steel floor joist on 12" centers. It sounds more than sufficient for horse duty. I dont think this unit was designed for "TOYS".
Posted 2010-01-04 3:20 PM (#114862 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Veteran
Posts: 123 Location: Indiana
Me thinks that you shouldn't think that RV people can't build a horse trailer. Many of you seem to have an us vs them mentality. All it will take is one RV company to figure out that there is money in our market and they will come in and probably put some of the companies out of buisness. Not that will be a bad thing.
Posted 2010-01-04 4:14 PM (#114863 - in reply to #114862) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by nobodyimportant on 2010-01-04 4:20 PM
Me thinks that you shouldn't think that RV people can't build a horse trailer. Many of you seem to have an us vs them mentality. All it will take is one RV company to figure out that there is money in our market and they will come in and probably put some of the companies out of buisness. Not that will be a bad thing.
Isn't that what Monaco Coach tried to do with their "Bison" line of horse trailers...?
Posted 2010-01-04 4:44 PM (#114864 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Location: Central Arkansas
I saw one advertised online for 189K. It would be interesting to know how they are listed on the MSO/title. Horse trailer or RV? Seems like financing is much more open minded in the RV industry, from what I hear. I wonder how they will do on resale if there is only a few of them made.
Am I seeing what appears to be a FRP/gelcoat finish on them?
Posted 2010-01-04 5:04 PM (#114866 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Veteran
Posts: 213 Location: Virginia
Wow - 2 brand new posters (VTECH1997, nobodyimportant) in favor of these. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Don't get me wong, I'm not complaining. If someone else can come in with a SAFE LQ horse trailer at an RV price, I'm happy - especially if they incorporate some of the things I have seen in 'foreign' trailers for a reasonable price. I have seen several threads on HTW about the price difference in regular RV's vs. horse trailers with LQ's - competition is a good thing.
Safety (of my horse) is my number 1 priority - I would sleep in a tent before I would compromise my horse's well being.
Posted 2010-01-04 6:14 PM (#114872 - in reply to #114171) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Veteran
Posts: 213 Location: Virginia
Originally written by HWBar on 2009-12-12 7:54 AM
I get a feeling these are not going to be a cheap RV knock-off, looking at their sister site they are building upper end RV's, as far as holding up I don't see these $100K + horse trailers making alot of trips to the backwoods trailheads, or trips to the vet, so I would suppose that this trailer would be compared to a 20' Shortwall Bloomer/4 Star with a slide(that's a $120-$150K trailer) all those trailers do is ride down a highway and into a fairgrounds/horse camp. I have always said that a typical horse trailer doesn't have the creature comforts that are needed to stay a long weekend or even a week at a time. I think this trailer provides that kind of comfort. It may not be for everyone, but there is a market for them. My Mom and Dad go to Florida every winter in an upper end 5th wheel(4 slides) and they seem to be very comfortable for several months at a time. I haven't seen a horse trailer yet that I could stay in for a month, and I've been in some $150K trailers.
I bet you would stay in this one for a month!! LOL
Posted 2010-01-04 6:29 PM (#114874 - in reply to #114872) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by pinkmouse on 2010-01-04 7:14 PM
Originally written by HWBar on 2009-12-12 7:54 AM
I get a feeling these are not going to be a cheap RV knock-off, looking at their sister site they are building upper end RV's, as far as holding up I don't see these $100K + horse trailers making alot of trips to the backwoods trailheads, or trips to the vet, so I would suppose that this trailer would be compared to a 20' Shortwall Bloomer/4 Star with a slide(that's a $120-$150K trailer) all those trailers do is ride down a highway and into a fairgrounds/horse camp. I have always said that a typical horse trailer doesn't have the creature comforts that are needed to stay a long weekend or even a week at a time. I think this trailer provides that kind of comfort. It may not be for everyone, but there is a market for them. My Mom and Dad go to Florida every winter in an upper end 5th wheel(4 slides) and they seem to be very comfortable for several months at a time. I haven't seen a horse trailer yet that I could stay in for a month, and I've been in some $150K trailers.
I bet you would stay in this one for a month!! LOL
I seen that trailer last week in Madison, Va. I didn't go inside, there was about a foot of melting snow on the ground along with the red clay!!! I'm in a wheelchair, Didn't want to mud up the inside of the MB, soooooo, I just let it be... Maybe someone I know will buy it and let us "BORROW IT"!!! LOL!! It is mighty shiny!!
Posted 2010-01-04 7:30 PM (#114877 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Location: Central Arkansas
I would not consider $189K a typical RV price! As I stated before, I would rather have my critters in my Bloomer or 4 Star than in a RV retrofitted for horses.
pink mouse wrote: If someone else can come in with a SAFE LQ horse trailer at an RV price.......
Posted 2010-01-05 4:00 AM (#114890 - in reply to #114877) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
Veteran
Posts: 213 Location: Virginia
Originally written by brushycreekranch on 2010-01-04 8:30 PM
I would not consider $189K a typical RV price! As I stated before, I would rather have my critters in my Bloomer or 4 Star than in a RV retrofitted for horses.
pink mouse wrote: If someone else can come in with a SAFE LQ horse trailer at an RV price.......
I agree - I do not consider $189K typical either. I was thinking in the lower range as well.
Posted 2011-01-23 7:05 PM (#129181 - in reply to #114123) Subject: RE: Lonestar Trailer Company?
New User
Posts: 1
Location: GA
I spend two weeks in a very nice $150k Bloomer trailer in Colorado elk hunting every year and this trailer looks like it would give us a lot more leg room! Not sure how it would hold up being dragged over the mud holes to get back to our best camping spot or do running across Kansas with a strong cross wind!! Looks like these guys are on to something here...
We saw the next best thing if you are looking for creature comfort in Mississippi last year. Huge diesel 48' motor home with custom "bumper" pull 4 horse trailer that matched. Pretty sweet and I am sure very comfortable for the circuit riders.