I am looking to purchase a new Exiss or Silver Star 2+1 trailer .

The features are all the same - they are virtually the identical trailer with just quite a price difference between them ...

Is the Silver Star a nice trailer for the money and comparing apples to apples WITHOUT a price difference at all, which is the better built trailer and why?

  many thanks everyone!

apples to apples, Silver Star is more comparable to 4 Star.

Of the two in question?  The Silver Star.

I know too many people that have had MANY problems with the Exiss trailers. Even the dealer they got it at, after taking it in for many problems, said that the Exiss trailers arent made to be hauled/used to go up and down the road very much.

I have to step in on this one and say that every Exiss owner that I have met has said nothing but good things about their trailers. That is what pulled me towards purchasing the Exiss Event I currently have. I have been very happy with mine. I see many Exiss trailers on the road over the Silver Star brand, being because the Exiss is just more popular in this area and very few of the other brand are found in this state. I think they are more common out west? I looked at the SilverStar trailers down at the Congress show in Ohio and I thought they were a nice trailer and yes some of their features were comparable to a 4Star but I didn't notice quite the  price difference between it and an Exiss?

The baloney about 'Exiss trailers arent made to be hauled/used to go up and down the road very much'. One person makes that up and then everyone believes it, like fueling a fire. So to each his own. I am sure you will find the right trailer for you and your horses

I too need to put my two cents in on this one.  I have an 2000 Exiss event with well over 55,000 miles on it, I'd say it's been up and down the road quite a bit.  We've had no problems with it whatsoever.  In fact, the independent trailer shop I take my trailer to to have the bearings packed and a safety inspection done has remarked at how well made the trailer is.  I too have have spoken to many other Exiss owners and only one I have spoken to has been unhappy, the others have all been quite satisfied with their trailers. 

With any brand of trailer (or car for that matter), there will be individual trailers that, for whatever reason, will have a greater than usual number of  problems.  For example, a friend of mine has a 2002 4-star that's had several problems from the time it was new, such as back doors not closing properly, tack room flooding (really flooding, not just a little leak), etc.  The 4-star he had before the 2002 trailer never had any problems.  I'm not bashing 4-star, I think they are good trailers too, I'm just pointing out that he had one problem free 4-star and one not so good 4-star; that can be the case for any trailer brand.

If it were me, I would speak to both Exiss owners and Silver Star owners and find out what their experiences have been like with their trailers.  If the person I'm talking to has not owned/used the brand of trailer I'm interested in, I would be less likely to base my decision on their opinions.

As for me I wouldn't hesitate getting another Exiss, although I would not by any of the Exiss 'sport' models.

Anyway like I said that's my two cents on the subject.  I hope whatever brand you buy you are happy with it.  

true,

my 99 Star Lite is a great trailer, completely insulated with a walk-through door, the two features I was adamant about.  when I was looking with my list of must-haves and wants, the Star Lite, Silver Star  kept coming to the top in my price range.  i had never heard of them so i did lots of research and am very happy with my trailer. 

the gooseneck windows are large egress windows for safety, one feature i had not thought of, but very grateful the Star Lite folks did.  

 and i'm SO glad i insisted on the insulated part.   we spent several hours in the Walmart tire shop on a trip last summer on a blistering day  with no problems, horse was cooler in the trailer than out. and seems it's always hot here when i'm hauling.

the floor construction is very solid and everything is functioning well.  it also pulls great, something i was concerned about since it's longer than i was planning on,(the little love seat was just so darned cute!). my 3/4 ton 2500HD chev handles it well.

oh, its a 3 horse aluminum slant with 7' short wall complete LQ, 21' box.

happy hauling   

I am very happy with my Exiss Sport. I know it's not as 'nice' as the Event, but I needed to start somewhere, and I believe it will hold it's value when I sell it later on, or trade it in.

I don't think it's fair to compare Kia's or Merc's- or even fair to Exiss to call it a Kia? How crappy is that? Unless you yourself have had trouble with an Exiss, butt out. Period.

I happen to like my Sport with small LQ: I like it, darn it!

I agree...  do yourself and your horses a favor and go with Silver Star.  I've pulled Exiss, 4-Star, C&C, Silver Star and Hart trailers.  I would gladly own any of those trailers again- except for the Exiss.  I never had any trouble with mine, and I'm sure there are a lot of nice ones out there.  There resale value just doesnt hold up as well as others on the market because of the trouble they have had.

Not knocking anyone that pulls an Exiss, like I said- there are some nice ones out there.  If you're still unsure, ask the dealers about how the floor beams are placed in both trailers.  Good luck on your purchase! 

I'll do that, thanks. Having a 1400 pound, long-backed mare and a 1000 pound, short-backed gelding, it seems like a great idea to me.

So how is it my horses are not "safe" in an Exiss trailer? Washing out a trailer will not make it any safer than if you don't. I am still wondering what the safety issue is with an Exiss, according to you...

They are both good trailers, Look each of them over and pick the one that has the features that fit your needs and you won't go wrong. Both have very good floor support systems and are sturdy trailers. The only problem I know of the Exiss having is a seal problem a couple years ago and They have changed it to take care of the leaks. But even with the problem, they warranted the leaking and fixed the trailers. Most trailer MFG's don't even give a leak warranty. If any of you out there have had problems with the Exiss LQ interior, That is not Exiss, it is the interior Company that built the interior. Yes, the Sport is a lighter built trailer, but it was built so that people that wanted an aluminum trailer but couldn't or didn't want to pay a high price for one could afford it. It is an introductory trailer. Nothing wrong with that either. As far as the pitting of any aluminum flooring goes, It is up to the owner of the trailer to care for the floor. Cleaning and inspecting any floor is a good idea, Also when cleaning you can sprinkle Baking Soda under the mats to break down the acid in the urine and help maintain any floor. The floor system in both trailers are comparable. Both different but both very strong. Like I said before, either one you want is the right choice for you.

Good Luck