Posted 2012-09-26 9:38 AM (#147233) Subject: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Frenchtown, NJ
I'm about to go look at a late 90s 4 Star GN that's been sitting for the last four years. I've seen other late 90s 4stars for nearly twice the asking price, so I think it may be a good deal, but I don't want to buy a huge problem either. I'm thinking it will need new tires, maybe brakes and brake lines, possibly wiring/ lights. What, if anything, would make you walk away from such a trailer despite a great price?
Posted 2012-09-26 12:02 PM (#147242 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Expert
Posts: 2960 Location: North Carolina
Agreed... A bad floor is $$$ to replace or fix. Almost everything else can be fixed for a few $. Before you say yes to the sale. Pull the mats out of the trailer. Not just lift the mats in a few spots. Bring a flashlight & couple of "C" clamps to help grip the mat. It's a pain to do but a bigger pain after the sale.
Posted 2012-09-26 1:26 PM (#147246 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Expert
Posts: 2615
If the floor is good,it could be sitting up a lot longer than this,and,with nothing major wrong (like the flooring) this trailer would be worth it IMO.We came by a wonderful buy on a 2000 4Star and were offered $2K above what we paid for it, unseen,just this past spring.
Posted 2012-09-26 6:30 PM (#147260 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Member
Posts: 31
I bought a 2000 4 Star and it had 4 small places of that corrosion. On this web site is a fix to stop the problem. Followed directions and it seems to have worked. Not that big of a deal as long as there is not a bunch of corrosion and it is eaten all the way through. Good luck.
Posted 2012-09-27 10:04 PM (#147295 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Member
Posts: 31
Yes, that was Gard's method of treating the corrosion on an aluminum floor. Seemed to be a reasonable solution. I used the acid and then the bed liner. I am curious to see how long that bed liner will last. I did this about 6 months ago and checked the bed liner last month and it was still stuck. Again, this was NOT a huge area and it was not eaten through. Time will tell.
Posted 2012-09-27 10:26 PM (#147296 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Member
Posts: 31
Since I treated those spots I have thought of doing the whole floor with bed liner. If it will stay STUCK then it should prevent that corrosion from spreading. ???? That bed liner will stick to a painted pickup bed then it should stay stuck to the aluminum floor. I may try it and see what happens.
Posted 2012-09-28 6:53 AM (#147298 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Frenchtown, NJ
Thanks for the link to the Double D website. That was helpful, plus there's lots of great info there on everything else related to trailers/ trailering. I'm really looking forward to seeing this trailer now and feel I'll be able to make a decision when I see it based on what I've learned here. Should be going to take a look next week. I'll update here with what I find.
Posted 2012-09-28 7:14 AM (#147299 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Frenchtown, NJ
Part of the decision I have to make is whether to go for the gooseneck at all -- I have a 1 ton pickup but would need to get a gooseneck hitch. Have to figure out if I should go for an older GN or if my money is better spent on a newer BP.
Posted 2012-09-28 8:21 AM (#147300 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430 Location: TN
You won't regret a gooseneck- it is well worth the price of the hitch- and I don't think you can go wrong with a 4 Star. Please let us know what you do!
Posted 2012-09-28 10:23 AM (#147301 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Location: Central Arkansas
Hey, if you decide not to get it, would you please share the contact info for whoever has it? One of us would love to get it , if it is sound and a good price!
Posted 2012-09-28 2:30 PM (#147302 - in reply to #147301) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Frenchtown, NJ
Originally written by brushycreekranch on 2012-09-28 10:23 AM
Hey, if you decide not to get it, would you please share the contact info for whoever has it? One of us would love to get it , if it is sound and a good price!
Posted 2012-10-22 7:13 AM (#147823 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Frenchtown, NJ
UPDATE
I finally got to go see this 4star. Tore up the mats and found one small spot of corrosion that's very superficial. Otherwise, I'd consider it in excellent condition for a trailer its age. It's the setup I want: 3H slant step up stock combo gooseneck with escape door in first stall, separate (large) tack room w/ full wall, no rear tack, single rear door. All plexiglass slats are still installed (I seem to come across some ads where these are misplaced). There is a little "peekaboo" door at the front of the second stall, about 1' x 2', that I'm not sure about. I haul mares and foals and I worry that this could open accidentally (it has a regular door latch, not the super safe kind of latch ("cam locks"?). The plexiglass in the back door does NOT seem to be removeable.
The kicker: it turns out this is a '90, not a '96. Admittedly, the number is quite hard to read on the info plate. How big a deal is this for a trailer that seems to have had very little use?
Posted 2012-10-22 2:46 PM (#147834 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Regular
Posts: 95 Location: Nashville, TN
If you have been looking at trailers for any time, you know finding an all aluminum trailer of any size for $6500 is difficult. Small things that you don't like can be modified or changed. Big things you don't like is another story.
Posted 2012-10-23 11:47 AM (#147858 - in reply to #147233) Subject: RE: 4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Frenchtown, NJ
Thanks. I bought it! I'm moving up from an old steel 2H BP. This is my first GN, first aluminum, and first 4 star. Thank you all for your advice, help, and support!
4star That's Been Sitting Four Years
