I will be buying a new 2 horse straight load bumper pull soon and the main contenders are Hawk and Sundowner. Anyone have experience with both brands? My main concerns are that the trailer be safe, well made (read easy to maintain) and well ventilated.
Sundowners are more popular in my area, but I have really heard a lot of good things about the Hawk trailers and am considering both brands.
Anyone with experiences or comments? All are appreciated.
Posted 2006-06-06 7:11 AM (#42670 - in reply to #42641) Subject: RE: Opinions Wanted: Hawk vs. Sundowner
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
there's a good article about Hawk trailers on this site and gives alot of details about their construction. Two of my friends have them, are very happy with them, and they appear to be well built trailers.
If you're buying new, Sundowner doesn't offer much in the way of customizing while Hawk will. My friends got their trailer painted in the same colors as their truck, got a water tank added, and some other special options.
Posted 2006-06-06 11:55 AM (#42689 - in reply to #42641) Subject: RE: Opinions Wanted: Hawk vs. Sundowner
Member
Posts: 31 Location: Fletcher, NC
I carry Sundowner and Trail-et Trailers. Hawk trailers are constructed basically the same as the Trail-et. In fact, Hawk started after Trail-et was established for 15 years. Trail-et & Hawk both are steel framed/aluminum skinned, treated floor with an insulated fiberglass roof. Probably the coolest, temperature wise in the horse compartment, trailers on the market.
Most Sundowners you see are steel framed/aluminum skinned with an aluminum floor & roof. So, the main differences is in the floor and roof. Also, Sundowners' dividers are aluminum whereas Trail-et & Hawk are steel.
Trail-et windows are larger than Sundowners for added ventilation too.
Since you live in Texas, the Trail-et/Hawk would probably be my choice as the heat out there has got ot be miserable in the summer. Your horses will love you for getting one.
Plus, you'll save some money as well.
E-Mail me if you want additional information.
Sundown R
Posted 2006-06-06 3:59 PM (#42702 - in reply to #42641) Subject: RE: Opinions Wanted: Hawk vs. Sundowner
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
I bought a 2000 2H slantload gooseneck Hawk with weekender quarters last year about this time. I drove over 2,000 miles to pick it up and bring it home. I'm that convinced of their quality and this one seemed to have all that i wanted.
I am very pleased with the trailer. It's light and airy inside - encouraging for reluctant loaders. Many screened windows that open plus roof vents give good ventilation. The roof is fiberglass and keeps the interior much cooler. The floor is wood although I believe you can now get rumber floors. I don't care for metal flooring. It transmits too much road noise and heat and is less forgiving for horses to stand on.
My trailer is 7 foot tall. If I had to do it over again I'd get 71/2 foot tall. My racking horse is almost 16h and high headed. Also the slantload is a close fit for him. Fortunately he is usually the only horse going so I can open the divider and give him plenty of room.
I don't think you can go wrong with Hawk. My brother and nephew, who have their own steel trailer business, said it is top of the line.
Posted 2006-06-07 7:51 PM (#42751 - in reply to #42641) Subject: RE: Opinions Wanted: Hawk vs. Sundowner
Member
Posts: 24
Location: Celina, Ohio
We purchased a 3horse slant/with living qtrs. 2 years ago and we love it. It has a galveneal frame NOT steel with aluminum skin. The galveneal frame construction is what sets the Hawk trailer apart from other trailers. It will be rust free for many many years. We saw a trailer just like ours and thought it was only a couple years old and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was 7 years old and still looked great!! Check into this brand.
Opinions Wanted: Hawk vs. Sundowner
