Posted 2025-05-12 12:13 PM (#185902) Subject: SundownerTrailblazer II, corrosion issue??
New User
Posts: 1
Looking at buying a 1996 Sundowner trailblazer II. It actually looks newer like it would be from the early 2000s. Waiting on the VIN number to help in my research. Nonetheless, so far looking to be in exceptional shape, and condition. I will see it for the first time next weekend in person.
In the meantime, I’m reading a lot about corrosion issues for the value light/sunlight.
1) trailblazer II… Is that just a living quarter conversion package name or is that an actual trailer model? So could a value light still be a trailblazer?
2) does the trailblazer II trailers have any similar corrosion issues because of the powder coating?
3) also looking for confirmation of the first year and last year of corrosion problems.
Posted 2025-05-13 9:14 AM (#185905 - in reply to #185902) Subject: RE: SundownerTrailblazer II, corrosion issue??
Elite Veteran
Posts: 807 Location: Tenn/Ala.
Hello! Your questions and data aren't quite adding up. The TrailBlazer II was a budget interior package that was generally installed in the steel framed trailers- yes. Could be in an all-aluminum model but generally wasn't. Long time ago, but memory had them in the '00 or so start date.
But- GN steel framed trailers didn't begin production until the '98 model year. The early steel framed Sundowners were not powder coatedfor the first couple of years so no more or less issues than the other steel framed units of the era. SD stopped steel framed production around '08.
Posted 2025-06-05 5:56 PM (#185923 - in reply to #185902) Subject: RE: SundownerTrailblazer II, corrosion issue??
Member
Posts: 9
Trailblazer II is often the name for a living quarters package, not a separate model—so yes, it could be a Valuelite with that package.
Yes, some Trailblazer IIs had corrosion issues, especially around steel frames or under powder coating.
Corrosion issues were more common in Sundowners from the late '90s to mid-2000s—roughly 1995–2005—due to frame bonding and coating flaws. Always inspect carefully underneath.
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