Posted 2007-01-11 11:34 AM (#53705) Subject: Trailer Brands
Veteran
Posts: 192
Location: Kentucky
Hello, I am trying to understand the hierarchy of the aluminum goosenecks. Can someone help me understand.
From what I have learned, I would rate 4-Star, Elite, Hart, Platinum,Bloomer, C +C as highest.
Then in the above average class would be:Cimarron, Sundowner (all aluminum only after 2006 and 8'wide), Keifer Built (Genesis), Silver Lite, Exiss (if the dealer is great about warrenty work), CM (Norstar only)
Then in mid range would be: Cherokee, Silver Star
My understanding is that Bison, Logan, Kiefer Built (except Genesis), CM (exept Norstar) and most Sundowners are aluminum with steel frame.
Posted 2007-01-11 1:34 PM (#53712 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 309
Location: MO
Originally written by arlene21 on 2007-01-11 11:34 AM
Hello, I am trying to understand the hierarchy of the aluminum goosenecks. Can someone help me understand.
From what I have learned, I would rate 4-Star, Elite, Hart, Platinum,Bloomer, C +C as highest.
Then in the above average class would be:Cimarron, Sundowner (all aluminum only after 2006 and 8'wide), Keifer Built (Genesis), Silver Lite, Exiss (if the dealer is great about warrenty work), CM (Norstar only)
Then in mid range would be: Cherokee, Silver Star
My understanding is that Bison, Logan, Kiefer Built (except Genesis), CM (exept Norstar) and most Sundowners are aluminum with steel frame.
Arlene - Bison makes both steel frame/aluminum skin (Alumisport) and an all aluminum (Stratus) trailers. They are worth looking at. The best value for the $$ IMO. Their web site is
Posted 2007-01-11 2:04 PM (#53717 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Regular
Posts: 54
Location: IL.
I have owned different types of trailers and in my opinion most are way overpriced for the quality of trailer,In my humble opinion if you want a high quality all aluminum trailer take a hard look at Eby trailers.We have our second one on order and would not have anything else.Good luck on your search there are alot of choices so choose carfully.
Posted 2007-01-11 2:16 PM (#53720 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Expert
Posts: 1283
Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
I would agree there are other brands that are not so popular that deserve to be in the top Eby, Stidham and really Jamco you don't see alot of these brands but they are excellent trailers.
Posted 2007-01-11 3:52 PM (#53722 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Regular
Posts: 54
Location: IL.
Egyptian? never heard that one.Eby horse trailers are built in pennsylvania USA.Don't know much about Stidham but heard good things about Jamco.Like he said some trailer company's don't need to spend millions on advertisments.
Posted 2007-01-11 7:31 PM (#53735 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Veteran
Posts: 192
Location: Kentucky
Last weekend, a dealer in Tennessee told me that (either EBY, Jamco or Silver Lite) had been in bankruptcy and that someone from Egypt had purchased the company.
Posted 2007-01-11 7:42 PM (#53738 - in reply to #53735) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
New User
Posts: 1
Has anyone ever heard of Dream Coach? I'm looking for a 3 horse bumper pull and living in California, none of these trailers are made here and the selection is very limited especially in used trailers.
I'm thinking it might be worth it even with shipping to get a trailer from the midwest. Do you have a rating for Featherlite? Is Dream Coach like Featherlite in anyone's opinion?
I have an old one that has been great. Also my old Sooner (2001) has been a great trailer.
Posted 2007-01-11 8:24 PM (#53741 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Veteran
Posts: 246
Location: Northern IN.
Glad to see that HWBar brought up Stidham trailers! They are tops in my opinion! I don't think that you can find more trailer for your money on the market today. We bought 3 last year alone and any future trailers will be Stidhams, I truck livestock for a living and like to think I know trailers pretty well, when you use them every day in every way you find out real quick what works and what doesn't, what holds up and what doesn't, what pays for itself and what doesn't. That's MHO, talk to y'all later...
Posted 2007-01-11 8:45 PM (#53742 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Regular
Posts: 54
Location: IL.
We have been working with Eby since early november,we have been in close contact with Eby,the dealership and the conversion company trying to get everything perfect (my wife said get it right,it's your last one) and we have not heard anything about a buyout. sorry can't speak for the other companies.Did you say the rumor came from a dealer???
Posted 2007-01-12 5:49 AM (#53752 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
Location: md
I also think EBY is the best. They are built for the long haul. I don't believe for a second that they got bought out. They h ave been around for a long time.
Posted 2007-01-12 6:30 AM (#53753 - in reply to #53750) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
I think Trails West is still making a Steel Trailer. I don't remember seeing them add an aluminum line yet.
Classic makes a good aluminum trailer, but they are a small company and only have 10 dealers. They are priced similar to Exiss or Featherlite. But I think they have more features for the same price. The resale on my 1st trailer was great after 5 years of heavy use. I'm on my 2nd classic and they have held up well. One piece insulated fiberglass roof. Never had a leak. Rumber plank floor and rumber sheets on walls.
Posted 2007-01-12 8:34 AM (#53756 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Regular
Posts: 54
Location: IL.
Hey HWBAR this computer stuff is new to me so i started looking around yestrday and finally had some results,them Stidham trailers do look like a fine piece of equipment i'm looking forward to doing more research and looking at one in person.
Posted 2007-01-12 8:47 AM (#53758 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Veteran
Posts: 112
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Have heard of stidhams being of excellent quality but have never seen one. Saw a C&C at Congress, seems similar to 4Star. Of others I've actually poked around in, for all alum. felt the 4-Star was the best- but small and pricey. For alum. over steel Merhow, Hawk, and Logan. Looked strongly at Sundowner but felt they were pricey. I personally ended up with the Logan due to longer stall length and the plank alum. floor which came with the protective spray (like what Sundowner Does). These are all 2h bp slants.
The alum. floors on some models just seemed 'weak'. I'm sure its a perception thing but they are nothing more than flat sheets of alum., of varying thickness (although the Merhow was signif. thicker than featherlite) with drain holes drilled in them. I'm sure they are fine as there are so many but when I would jump around in the trailer felt they were noisy and gave an unstable feeling. Good Luck!
Posted 2007-01-12 9:28 AM (#53760 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Member
Posts: 29
Location: Wisconsin
as a SilverLite dealer I can affirm that SilverLite is not the company recently sold to an Egyptian co. SilverLite is going strong spreading out to the east coast after more than ten yrs on the west. When comparing make sure you look at the welds, aluminum thickness and spacing of crossmembers. And don't forget how the companies back up their porducts with the warranty. SilverLite offers a ten year structural warranty. Several very good brands have been mentioned and mostly it comes down to personal needs and pocketbook.
Posted 2007-01-12 11:34 AM (#53765 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Veteran
Posts: 192
Location: Kentucky
Thanks for all of the responses. Everything really boils down to purpose and pocketbook but it is helpful to at least know which trailers seem similar. In cars, I don't even go to look at the Cadillacs, Lincolns, Lexus etc. but what is in my price range that fits my purpose best and is going to stand the test of time.
I can get a new trailer for the same price as another brand but which is the best choice. All of you that frequent this site and have pulled trailers for years know the answers better than those of us that are new. It isn't putting any brand down, but there are hierarchies. Changes are made and it is difficult to keep up with the latest company acquisitions, new line additions ect. Knowledge is power.
A diamond isn't just a hard stone, there is clarity, size, shape, ect. but knowing that lets me make the decision about what is best for me.
Posted 2007-01-12 1:54 PM (#53774 - in reply to #53738) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792
Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
I tried really hard to buy a Dream Coach trailer a few months ago. I was dealing with the Iowa dealer. IMHO...she's worthless. Didn't know her own trailers, or even the MSRP. More than half the time I called her, she was sleeping! And told me to call back. Grrr!
So, if you decide to go with a Dream Coach, don't contact her.
Posted 2007-01-12 2:31 PM (#53777 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 474
Location: White Mills, Ky.
Does anyone know anything about Double D trailers? I have been looking at their website and I really like the way the tack area is made to swing completely out and open up the back of the trailer. Anybody have one? Comments?
Posted 2007-01-12 2:37 PM (#53778 - in reply to #53705) Subject: RE: Trailer Brands
Expert
Posts: 1283
Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
So much of the overall satisfaction of any purchase lies in the transaction itself, So usually there are three factors involved in the deal, A Buyer, A Seller and a Product. The transaction will only be as strong as the weakest of those three. I being in sales, understand this more than most, and work very hard not to be the weakest link in this chain.