Posted 2011-02-01 6:12 PM (#129635) Subject: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Regular
Posts: 60
Can anyone tell me some of the lesser known (maybe not nationally known like Featherlite, Hart, Sundowner, Shadow, etc.) quality trailers and trailer companies? Do you think those trailers hold their values as well as the "national" brands?
Posted 2011-02-01 7:04 PM (#129640 - in reply to #129635) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Member
Posts: 23
Location: Turbotville, PA
Shetron Manufacturing in PA makes an amazing all aluminum trailer. Everything from full LQ down to a 2 horse bumper pull. Contact me if you have any questions. Paul Treas www.treashorsetrailersales.com
Posted 2011-02-01 7:59 PM (#129645 - in reply to #129635) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Veteran
Posts: 201
If you are looking for a lesser brand trailer because of price, you will get what you pay for. Most people never compare apples to apples while trailer shopping, so they don't realize that "National" Brands" usually don't cost any more and have national resale values the others don't.Custom Living Quarters can be as much as the trailer itself, sometimes more. It's always the old saying-you get what you pay for. EX:John Deere tractors
Posted 2011-02-01 10:44 PM (#129650 - in reply to #129635) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Veteran
Posts: 153 Location: Iowa
No, I don't sell for Pacesetter. I have looked at quite a few of them and liked what I saw. I've been in the shop and watched them builing some trailers.
Posted 2011-02-02 5:42 AM (#129651 - in reply to #129635) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
What level of trailer are you looking for? High end, Mid Range, No Frills
What type of trailer are you looking for? All Steel. Steel frame-Alum Skin, All aluminum
What amenities? LQ vs No LQ, Custom LQ vs production run LQ,
There are a lot of trailer manufactures out there, Each focuses on their own niche of the market, That doesn't mean they are building a bad trailer, but rather building for the clientile that have chosen to serve.
I think in the Steel Frame - Aluminum Skin trailers. Logan Coach builds a great product. Expecially their XT and XTR series trailers that they have been building since 2006. Are they in the same class as a Platinum or 4 Star with a Outlaw conversion, No, but they don't cost as much either. But they are well built, mine has held up well, and they have given me great service when I've needed parts
Posted 2011-02-02 6:47 AM (#129652 - in reply to #129635) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Missouri
For a quality steel framed aluminum skin trailer, check out Trail Rider trailers. I had never heard of them before April 2010, but they've been in the business for many years now. They sell only direct from the factory. Call Randy, you can rake him over with questions like I did and he's more then happy to answer, I even stumped him on a few but with in no time he got back to me. http://trailridertrailers.com/
Posted 2011-02-02 7:09 AM (#129653 - in reply to #129651) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Regular
Posts: 60
Hi Painted Horse,
2H BP or 3H Goose all aluminum trailer. No LQ.
I know about Featherlites, Sundowners, Hart, 4 Star, Elite. I've owned an LQ Cimmaron, a 4 Star 2H slant and a 3H Hart over the years. I've looked at Shadow (not my preference, sorry, no offense Shadow people :)). I'm not crazy about the new "price valued" Sundowner line. Probably too stripped down for my taste. (Sorry, no offense to anyone). There have got to be other mfgs out there that make a very nice, solid, all aluminum trailer without the price that goes with 4Star, Hart, etc. That's what I'm interested in knowing more about. Maybe that doesn't exist but figured I'd ask a knowledgable group of people. No LQ.
Posted 2011-02-02 9:38 AM (#129660 - in reply to #129654) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368 Location: Georgia
I have a 08 Keifer Built Genesis and like it. I had a 05 Cherokee Tomahawk and liked it as well. If the Cherokee had been larger, I would still have it. Neither are high end trailers, but both seem to be good value for the money.
Posted 2011-02-02 11:15 AM (#129671 - in reply to #129639) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Regular
Posts: 60
Hi Ponytammy,
The twister trailers look quite nice. It doesn't look like they manufacture 2 horse bp trailers. I only see goosenecks, LQ and no LQ, on the website. They have some interesting options. The push bottom window drop is a new one on me.
Posted 2011-02-02 11:50 AM (#129674 - in reply to #129635) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Member
Posts: 45 Location: Indiana
Like someone else said, there are trailer manufacturers out there that build a variety of trailers that can meet a variety of needs. From your question it sounds like you are looking to find a trailer that fits your needs that you can get for less than what you have paid for in a quality trailer in the past - maybe one out there that is well made but just not too many people know about them as much as a "national brand". There may be, but I think many times price also reflects quality. Some trailer manufactures take "shortcuts" that cost less in product as well as man hours, while the price may be better the quality is not. For many of the trailers that have a high end price, you are also getting a high end trailer - that will infact get you a highter resale value becuase when it comes time to sell, you have a trailer that still looks great and is still a solid and safe trailer. I also think that if you have a trailer that is not as well known, it is harder to value that trailer since there aren't as many out there as the other brands.
Posted 2011-02-02 5:00 PM (#129693 - in reply to #129635) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Veteran
Posts: 104
I have been looking at shadow trailers. They seem to be good quality for the price. I wouldn't mind hearing opinions on other peoples perceptions of the shadow trailers.
Posted 2011-02-02 5:57 PM (#129696 - in reply to #129674) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Regular
Posts: 60
Hi TT's,
Your post is accurate in what I'm thinking and you bring up some valid points for sure. It's not that I don't want to get another 4 star, Hart, etc. but at some point in time those trailer mfgs were probably not nationally known but came to be through their continued efforts of quality mfg, etc. I just figured that there have got to be other trailer mfgs that are newer "ish", more local to their area, etc. that maybe don't have the deep financial pockets like Featherlite, Sundowner, etc. so they aren't able to advertise as much but still make an excellent quality trailer. I certainly understand your point about trailer value but that could work in my favor in terms of buying used versus new but could certainly work against me for selling. I live in FL so most of the used ads that I see here are for Sundowner, Featherlite, Shadow, shadow, shadow (man do they market, market, market) and some others. I could buy new (and still may) but was trying not to take the initial deprectiation hit if I didn't have to especially with as many used trailers as there are on the market right now. I do see other brands but don't know much about them, thus my question for this forum. Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted 2011-02-03 12:39 PM (#129731 - in reply to #129640) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Member
Posts: 24
Location: North Webster,Indiana
I took at look at the Shetron Trailer at Congress this year. It seems like a very well built trailer, Stout. Nice Interior on the LQ. The trailer seems like an up and comer. I can't tell if they sell thru dealers or out of the factory, or both, That would be different. I was looking for a bumper for around town Hard to find at Congress.
Posted 2011-02-03 4:05 PM (#129743 - in reply to #129635) Subject: RE: What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
Member
Posts: 23
Location: Turbotville, PA
I am a dealer for Shetron and yes they are an up and comer. They sell from the factory for now but are trying to get a list of dealers throughout the country so they will only sell through dealers in the near future. We do work very closely with the factory in selling the trailers so that we are not conflicting on the same deals to keep everyone happy. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. www.treashorsetrailersales.com
What are some of the lesser known, quality built trailers?
