Posted 2007-11-12 7:40 PM (#71008) Subject: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Member
Posts: 5
I am looking at a used 4 star, 3 horse, LQ 2004. The floor in the horse compartment has definite "hollows" where the horse's stand, also it had a noticeable hump running the length of the axle frame. Is this common with 4 Star trailers??? I called the 4 star dealer where they bought it from and he said this is common with ALL 4 stars as they all will "settle". I am having a some trouble in paying all that money for a horse trailer with all the "waves" in the horse compartment floor that I am told now is "normal". Please is this "normal"???
Posted 2007-11-12 9:34 PM (#71021 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Regular
Posts: 66 Location: Maryland
I have a 2003, 2 horse gooseneck and mine does not have waves or hollows in the floor. I would have it checked out before I bought it. Just my opinion.
Posted 2007-11-13 7:16 AM (#71033 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Member
Posts: 5
Thanks, I have a Sundowner with a smaller LQ and am seriously looking at this 4 Star with the larger LQ and am very concerned whether this is "normal" or not. It would seem that this is a MAJOR defect with the 4 Stars. Your thoughts and input are greatly appreciated!
Posted 2007-11-13 7:40 AM (#71035 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I would not purchase any trailer that had a wavy or uneven floor. This is an indication that either it was constructed of structurally deficient materials or design, or that it has been overloaded.
There are many used trailers that do not have these problems. I would consider on of these.
Posted 2007-11-13 9:11 AM (#71049 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Sounds like someone must have driven the tractor up in the trailer at some point. Maybe it has been in an accident or the wrecker driver has had his cables attatched. Maybe all the hollows and waves have prevented the trailer from "breaking it's welds", it's just flexing. I don't know, but I think I would have to pass on that one!!!........Unless it's real cheap...Like FREE!!!
Posted 2007-11-13 9:40 AM (#71055 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
As to the "hollows" in between the main floor cross-members, they are not unusual on a skin floor. Maybe not good, but definitely not unusual. And yes, you'll see some in most 4 Stars, but even given that, we are all aware of the typical durability these trailers display. As the the frame thing you mentioned, we need more details for that. That may or may not be a different story.
Posted 2007-11-13 9:52 AM (#71060 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Veteran
Posts: 201
4Star started putting WERM floors standard a few years ago to help stop the concern. Look underneath your trailer to see how far apart the floor bracings are. These a very well built trailers and you will have no problem with the floor unless it has been wrecked and some I-beams are busted underneath.
Posted 2007-11-13 6:58 PM (#71119 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
This is interesting. Those of you with 4stars, how far apart are your floor joists, exactly? (I know, you must take a tape and crawl under there and measure, but know you must want to know, too!)
Posted 2007-11-14 1:15 AM (#71133 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
A 4 Star dealer is telling you this floor is normal? I think they don't want to get 4 Star into any liability issues. If it were me, I'd always be worried my horse was going to put a foot (or all 4) through the floor going down the road. I'd either factor in replacing the floor or keep looking at other trailers. JMHO
Posted 2007-11-14 7:06 AM (#71153 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Member
Posts: 5
I called the 4-Star main headquarters yesterday and they said that this is normal wear on all 4-Stars. Even the noticeable hump in the floor that runs the length of the axle frame from wheel well to wheel well!!! I can't imagine a company that would say this is "normal". It certainly seems to me that the 4-Star floor leaves alot to be desired. It is a very beautiful trailer, to bad the floor is so inferior. Thanks for everyones input, it has helped.
Posted 2007-11-14 8:37 AM (#71158 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
I did mean to imply there was a problem with 4stars, I really wanted to know how far apart the floor joists are, just to know, this has piqued my curiosity... thanks to anyone who measures or knows and answers....
Posted 2007-11-14 8:58 AM (#71159 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Regular
Posts: 71 Location: Northern CA
I would never have suspected such an issue with a 4 Star. I have seen this once in a brand new trailer with the extruded skin type of aluminum floor and it steered me away from that brand at that time. If this is "normal wear" I am surprised that over the years 4-Star has not fixed the issue.
Posted 2007-11-14 2:44 PM (#71190 - in reply to #71008) Subject: RE: HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
A couple of years ago a good friend bought a brand new 4-Star that had the wavy floor. In addition, when her 40lb. daughter walked on it, the floor made a popping sound. It spooked me at the time, especially since she got the Werm coating so we couldn't see much. Having said that, she's been happy with the trailer for 2 -3 years now with no problems. I still worry though. If it were me, I'd steer clear of a trailer like that. There are plenty out there w/o this problem and prices seem to be coming down.
HELP---4 Star Floor,,,humps, waves and hollows
If it were me, I'd steer clear of a trailer like that. There are plenty out there w/o this problem and prices seem to be coming down.