Posted 2011-01-23 7:04 PM (#129180) Subject: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
Member
Posts: 7
Hello Folks, Got a 99 aluminum Featherlite 3-horse slant gooseneck model# 8546 with overnite/weekend living quarters. Black skin w/corrugated aluminum sides, two 5200 lb. axles w/torsion suspension. It trailers and rides exceptionally well for its age. This trailer was very well built and it is still in excellent condition. Thinking about upgrading to a 4-horse w/larger living quarters and based on what I have, planning to stick with Featherlite. Here is the question. Are the new/newer Featherlite trailers constructed as well and as solid as the older models? Would hate to give this up and end up with less trailer.
Posted 2011-01-24 3:18 PM (#129219 - in reply to #129180) Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Iowa
Hello, The newer Featherlite gooseneck 8540 series and 8580 series horse trailers actually have equal to or better structure and structural integrity than the Featherlites manufactured in the 90s. Also, you'll find the warranty is longer on the new Featherlites than on the old one you have. It is now an 8-year limited structural warranty, whereas yours is a 6-year limited structural warranty. Also Featherlite warranties on new trailers are now transferable when trades are made for new Featherlites at an authorized dealer. The strength and durability of Featherlites have always put them at the top for re-sale. The transferable warranty only enhances this! Thanks for the post!J. Hall, Featherlite Director of Communications.P.S. Featherlite living quarters also are miles ahead of where they were 12 years ago!
Posted 2011-01-25 3:42 PM (#129261 - in reply to #129180) Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
Member
Posts: 22
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
I thoroughly researched Featherlite a few months back when I was considering buying a used Featherlite. I wound up purchasing a 1986 Featherlite 3-horse gooseneck that was built to last forever. The man who did some work and upgrades to this trailer also does warranty work for the local Featherlite dealer. He did not speak favorably about the newer Featherlites made since the company was bought out by Universal about 5 years ago. He said Featherlite had been a really reliable solid trailer until this time. In fact one of the trailers he was repairing was a newer Featherlite gooseneck where the gooseneck top part kept separating from the frame below. Not good!
Posted 2011-01-28 11:25 PM (#129445 - in reply to #129180) Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
Member
Posts: 7
Thank you all for the info. Featherlite and it's dealers would love to sell a new/newer trailer, however I'll stick with the pre 2005 models. It's really helpful to have such a wonderful resource. Thanks again!
Posted 2011-01-29 10:09 AM (#129464 - in reply to #129180) Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
Member
Posts: 29 Location: Harbor Beach ,Mi, 48441
They have Thousands of Trailers out there.I dont think I would just listen to 3 or 4 negative post,Its all opinion what they heard from someone else and not backed up by fact.Compare the weight and see how much less they weigh today.That might help you more
Posted 2011-01-29 11:49 PM (#129493 - in reply to #129459) Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
I have been looking at the older model Featherlites. I think the 80's and 90's models were the most solid I have seen. I don't know what model #'s they were. Just been looking for a Gooseneck 2-horse, 7'6" tall with at least a 4-5' short wall in the front. I have been thinking on selling my 2006 trailer ( it's not a Featherlite) and purchasing an older model Featherlite than I can pay for with cash. ( I will owe on the newer one for a while ) Don't want payments anymore. I have seen some older Featherlites around for sale and really like the way they were built. Most of the older ones are insulated too. A REALLY NICE FEATURE. Why pay the insane prices for these newer trailers??!! I am sick of making payments on anything any more. Sorry about that rant- anyways, I saw some really nice older model all aluminum Charmac and Sooners too. In my opinion, these 3 older makes are the thing to look for. Can't beat the older used prices either.
Posted 2011-01-30 2:40 PM (#129511 - in reply to #129180) Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
Member
Posts: 36 Location: The Natural State
I'm not a trailer expert but wanted to offer my 2 cents on the older all aluminum trailers. We recently purchased a 1998 Sooner 3H GN with a 4' DR for our "run-around" trailer. Very impressed with the quality construction of this older trailer... seems to be built like a tank. The floor supports are on 12" centers, the white aluminum wall panels are riveted every 18" and all welds are smooth and solid. Someone else took the depreciation hit and I feel like by buying an older trailer I got more features for my money like drop windows on both sides and insulated roof in the DR and horse area. Is it as nice as our 2004 4 Star LQ? No, but it sure didn't cost as much either. And, I bet I get more of my money back when I sell it!
Posted 2011-02-03 8:17 AM (#129720 - in reply to #129180) Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
Member
Posts: 23
Location: Turbotville, PA
Jessica if you are still looking for a trailer I may have one that could interest you. Check out my website and look at the Exiss, if you are interested give me a call. www.treashorsetrailersales.com
Posted 2014-07-23 7:34 AM (#160091 - in reply to #129180) Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
Regular
Posts: 73
We just traded off a 2011 Featherlite stock combo, what a pile of junk. First the walls are to soft, one trainer horse kicking the wall wound up bowing the wall so bad that to keep the tack room door shut it had to be dead bolted. Second a neighbor had one that the back gate kept falling off and we had to go back to Featherlite to order more hinges to weld in between the original three.
Posted 2014-07-24 5:42 PM (#160135 - in reply to #160091) Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720 Location: Never miss a good chance to shut up.
If I had a horse that was kicking the insides of my trailer apart, there's not a trailer on the market I would want to load him into in the future.As for the trailer hinges on the older trailer. You say three hinges just "fell off"? Amazing. I've never seen or heard of that happening. What happened to the door? Did it skip down the highway behind your neighbor? Now wait. You said it "kept falling off". He was very fortunate to retrieve it for reuse each time. Must be a very sturdy door.
Posted 2014-07-24 7:26 PM (#160137 - in reply to #129180) Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
Regular
Posts: 73
First off were ranchers and horse trainers our trailers are not pavement princesses, we haul colts to weaners to darn near outlaw horses so we don't just haul fluffy to the local trail head. As for the door falling off, you can say that three cracked hinges later and welding three more for a total of 6 to keep it from cracking and sagging.
Posted 2014-07-27 9:43 AM (#160161 - in reply to #129180) Subject: RE: Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
Regular
Posts: 78
I bought a new Featherlite in 1998 and proceeded to spend hours filing sharp points and edges off the welds that would have sliced a horse to pieces. Was not impressed.
Old Featherlite vs. New Featherlite
I own an 8587 2006.....