Posted 2018-07-31 11:06 AM (#171754) Subject: 2003 sooner, 1997 4 star or 2003 Sundowner?
Member
Posts: 5
Looking for opinions for a novice horse trailer shopper.
I am wanting to upgrade my old trailer a bit and have my eye on a 2003 21' sooner with AC in dressing but no other upgrades. It is local. Another trailer is a 1997 20' 4 star with nice LQ. It is out of state. The 3rd trailer is a local 2003 21' Sundowner with dressing, no air or upgrades. All are in nice shape. Sooner is $12000, 4 star is @$17000 delivered and Sundowner is $8000.
They are all 3 H slants with GN hitch.
Any strong educated opinions to help me out? I do use the dressing area in my current old Econolite to relax a bit when at clinics, etc.
Thank you in advance.
Posted 2018-08-06 9:47 AM (#171782 - in reply to #171754) Subject: RE: 2003 sooner, 1997 4 star or 2003 Sundowner?
Regular
Posts: 76 Location: Michigan
Be wary of the 2003 sundowner if it is the steel frame, aluminum skin model. That is when they were having major frame failures, I know because I had one.
Posted 2018-08-06 12:21 PM (#171783 - in reply to #171754) Subject: RE: 2003 sooner, 1997 4 star or 2003 Sundowner?
Member
Posts: 5
We did learn through some more research to stay away from the Sundowners during about a 10 year period...1998-2008. Saw that in a few forums. Is it true? Boy, hard for me, the novice to know for sure!!
Starting peeking at some used Harts also.
The 2003 Sooner that is so close is a big temptation, too.
Good thing I don't need it tomorrow.LOL
Posted 2018-08-07 7:18 AM (#171784 - in reply to #171754) Subject: RE: 2003 sooner, 1997 4 star or 2003 Sundowner?
Regular
Posts: 76 Location: Michigan
It's true. I'm not positive on the exact years but what you wrote seems about right. I had a 2003 727 which had the steel frame with aluminum skin. It was not used hard and rarely hauled in the winter and I kept it clean after each use. The frame was visually looked perfect but under the undercoating it was a huge rust fest. I had to have the entire frame sandblasted, undercoated and two crossmembers had to be fully replaced.
Posted 2018-08-07 12:41 PM (#171788 - in reply to #171785) Subject: RE: 2003 sooner, 1997 4 star or 2003 Sundowner?
Veteran
Posts: 146 Location: Cornfield in Iowa
RTSmith - 2018-08-07 8:21 AM For what it is worth, not all Sundowners in that timeframe were steel framed. They made both those, and the all-aluminum models.
True...I had a 2000 and a 2004, both were all aluminum. It's in the VIN # which is which.
Posted 2018-08-17 11:31 AM (#171817 - in reply to #171754) Subject: RE: 2003 sooner, 1997 4 star or 2003 Sundowner?
Location: Brampton, Ontario
HI
We have a 2005 Sundowner and through any proper care haven't had any more problems then any other trailer. we have some rust which is going to happen in winters with snow and salt...I wouldn't have any issues getting another Sundowner.
Posted 2018-08-18 7:51 AM (#171822 - in reply to #171754) Subject: RE: 2003 sooner, 1997 4 star or 2003 Sundowner?
Regular
Posts: 74 Location: NW
My 2 cents worth - while the 4 Star is more than likely very well built, the appliances are over 20 years old. And depending on how they have been used/maintained, it's definitely a possibility of them failing & most are not cheap to replace. If the Sooner is in good condition (I would look it over really well to be sure all welds are good, floor is not pitted, etc & the AC works good), might be worth it to put some insulation & a couple things in it for what you need. On an older trailer like that, I would check them over personally carefully, so if they are a long distance from you, you either need to go see in person or if you know of someone trustworthy/knowledgeble in that area to check for you.
2003 sooner, 1997 4 star or 2003 Sundowner?
