If you were able to look at the three trailers you mentioned, and had someone knowledgeable with you to explain their construction differences, you would change the wording in your statements.

If you were able to look at the three trailers you mentioned, and had someone knowledgeable with you to explain their construction differences, you would change the wording in your statements.

First off, I don't want to start a flame session about one brand of trailer being pitted against another. In addition to an Exiss, I also own a Sidekick. In the past I've owned several other brands. At the time of their purchase, each one was the "BEST" trailer for me. Given the right circumstances, there are probably another half dozen brands that I could be comfortable with owning.

SD owners vigorously defend their brand, as do most owners of other brands. As has been stated in many threads, the BEST trailer is the one that works best for you. "Sport" and "Event" trailers have been mentioned. A Sport is often considered a step down in durability. However, most of their owners relate an absence of any problems with their ownership. There are other brands and their models, that are built less strongly than the Sports, and yet we don't hear of any of their difficulties. Not every horse owner hauls 75K miles a year doing rodeo work, or drags his rig almost exclusively along BLM paths.

Most manufacturers build trailers with different structural differences. Even though all can be built of the same basic materials, the sizes, shapes and construction details will vary. If two trailers are of the same size and built of the same materials; yet one is heavier than the other, the only reasonable explaination for the weight discrepancy, is the amount of materials used in their constructions. A manufacturer can save money by scrimping on materials and reducing labour costs by simplifying construction details. This is accomplished by using thinner materials, spaced at wider placements. One variant you can't observe visually, is the amount of heat treatment to which the aluminum has been subjected. This is noted as a "T-x" factor. The higher the number the stronger the material and the higher the costs.

There are differences between a SD and an Exiss, just as there are differences between Featherlite and Exiss and most other brands. If you do a quick walk around a SD trailer, you will notice a few things. If you start at the rear you will immediately notice the rear doors. Most builders have three, many have four hinges on each door. SD has two with none installed at the butt level. If you have a feeling that more are necessary, a total of three can be installed as a $167 option. When you walk along the side and inspect the manger doors, you will find a light weight flexible panel. It is built using two pieces of skin material. One is bent up and formed in a sheet metal brake and then glued to the other panel. This is the whole door, with no core material being used. The edges are roughly sanded and coated with a small piece of press on plastic trim to cover the sharp edges. There is no frame used in this door's construction. The siding opening into where the door fits, is built in a similar fashion. Again there is no frame work, and again the rough edges are covered with a plastic molding. The hinges are very light duty and by grasping the trailing edge of the door, the whole assembly can easily flexed by hand.

Just a question. What connection does Sun Downer have with Shadow? Their manger door constructions, trim and hardware are an exact replication of the SD including the sizes.

While you're near the mangers, look down at the wheels and tires. SD, on their 3H trailers up to ~26' use 15" wheels and tires. Many other brands including Exiss use 16".

There are many differences throughout the framework of SD products that vary from other manufacturers. This is true of most other builders as well. I am not going to compare LQ interiors. There are many conversion companies that provide excellent products. My main concern is the structural box assembly, that will carry your most valued pets safetly.

When you shop for a trailer, the more you know about it, will enable you to make a more informed decision about its suitability. Upon first examination, if the bling is the same, most trailers will look the same. When the details are examined, they're not.

sundownerofaiken:

"Just a question. What connection does Sun Downer have with Shadow? Their manger door constructions, trim and hardware are an exact replication of the SD including the sizes."

Correct The Horizon has a thinner floor than the 720, 725 modles.   I had not measured it until you asked earlier, that was my mistake. I knew the Horizons had different flooring but had not measured the new floor thickness.  And yes the aluminum framework is in the Horizon's manger doors. 

Hi Gard,

Not a problem. Since I have not received my X-Ray camera from CrakerJack I will show you a manger door in the assembly process. What you are looking at is the framework, Styrofoam insulation on the inside door pan. The exterior skin will be adhered over this assembly and then the latch will be installed and weather-strip trim along the entire outside edge. Simple yet extremely strong construction.
 

This is a completed manger door outside view:

This is a completed manger door interior view