We are currently looking for a new trailer and have deciede on the two Featherlite or Elite. We have both dealers in our area and would like to know what people think of the elite trailer. We had a featherlite (8541) 2 horse gooseneck and like it but didn't love it. Also, we have morgans that range from 15 hands to a 16 hand. We where looking at a 7' ft or a 7"6 ft. Please give your opinions
Posted 2008-10-13 4:34 PM (#92998 - in reply to #92997) Subject: RE: Elite Horse trailers?
Veteran
Posts: 195
Location: Atlanta, GA
Your pulling our leg, Right? The Featherlite is not even close to the Elite in quality or design. You will pay more for it but you will have a much better trailer. Stay with the Elite, if it's in your budget. If it's not then buy the Featherlite and later down the road, trade it in on an Elite when it's in your budget.
Just playing with you...
Really though, the Elite is a better trailer. If both dealers are close to you, go and look them both over for your self. Then you decide which is best for you. Don't listen to the sells persons pitch. Use your own eyes, open and close all the doors and windows, knock on the sides, open and close the dividers, look at how they are put together. If you see what you like, buy it... There are truly not too many bad trailers out there these days so get what works best for you and your budget. If you don't like what you buy, someone else will love it.
Posted 2008-10-14 8:45 AM (#93024 - in reply to #92997) Subject: RE: Elite Horse trailers?
Member
Posts: 29
Location: Okla City, Okla
Elite, at this time, ranks as one of the best trailers built. Structurally very sound. We see many Elites with large living quarters that have no problems and are pulled a great deal. Featherlite is a nice, mid range trailer, but is not in the same class as Elite.
Posted 2008-10-14 9:42 AM (#93027 - in reply to #92997) Subject: RE: Elite Horse trailers?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
Check out the drop down feed doors, the rest of the doors, hardware and overall construction. There is a BIG difference. The F/L is a lower priced trailer for a reason. The Elite trailer is one of the most respected trailers on the market today. They are also one of the more pricey trailers. Kind of the old "you get what you pay for" syndrome.
Posted 2008-10-14 12:41 PM (#93038 - in reply to #92997) Subject: RE: Elite Horse trailers?
New User
Posts: 4
Location: ridgefield washington
I have owned (and worn out 3) 4 new FL trailers over the years and used them hard hauling cattle commercially. All have been 16-24 ft. GN's, some combo's. They pull very well and have have held up pretty good. With that being said, when my kids started down the rodeo path, I bought an Elite (for alot of reasons stated by earlier posts) 4H 14ft LQ, with all the bells and wistles. The rig loaded, pickup/trailer/horses/water/feed/spurs/hats/macncheese/panels/etc weights over 26k. I am amazed at how balanced the trailer is loaded. Balance is a very big issue when we are hauling this much wieght. I can name a few brands that look good, have it all, and pull HARD because they are not balanced correctly. Elite builds each trailer individually, most engineer a standard length and then add to it, thus not being balanced from the drawing board. I use mine regularly and travel alot on steep, rough hiways. Braking is not a problem as the trailer doesn't shift to much weight to pickup. I have weighed my pickup and trailer several times fully loaded with 1100-1350# horses and I am only 7000# on the rear axle of my pickup. Ask about the trailers you are considering. If the transfer to much forward, you can exceed the tire capacity along with the unbalanced problems, making the trailer pull harder than nessesary.Good luck.
Posted 2008-10-14 5:47 PM (#93053 - in reply to #92997) Subject: RE: Elite Horse trailers?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS
Hang on here. The poster may be looking at an Elite Mustang. This is their lower priced trailer and might be closer comparable to the FL. Windows, hinges and drop-down bars are not as beefy on as the regular Elite trailer.
When looking for a day trailer, I looked at an Elite Mustang and was quite surprised how many differences it had compared to my regular Elite LQ trailer. But I would still go with the Mustang over the FL for resale value, structural integrity and warranty.
Posted 2008-10-15 9:19 AM (#93077 - in reply to #92997) Subject: RE: Elite Horse trailers?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
You know, the Featherlite warranty is probably better. But with the Elite, you won't likely ever need it. I'd go with an Elite every time. Other than drop bars, haven't noticed much differences in the Mustang version over the regular Elite. And the mustang bars are much better than those pre-fab like so many others use.