Posted 2005-08-08 11:18 AM (#28967) Subject: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Member
Posts: 12
Location: SE Indiana
My wife and I just sold our 2003 Silver Star Starlite LQ to her mother and we are currently looking for a new LQ trailer. We have looked at Sundowner mostly because most of our friends have them. Does anybody know if any other trailer mfg undercoats and does that rhino lining (Suncoat) on their goosenecks and breastplate like Sundowner does?
Posted 2005-08-08 2:01 PM (#28974 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Regular
Posts: 50 Location: Portland, OR
Jake, I was recently trailer shopping and was also trying to find (for comparison), some other brands that have the suncoat. Didn't find any. Although, there are companies that can put it on after-market, just like the spray in bed liner on trucks. Not into the status 'thing' but do feel that Sundowners keep their value well for resale. Last trailer was a Sundowner and ended up buying another Sundowner for several reasons, one being the Suncoat. However, if I were to do it again, I would try to get the factory to put rubber on the stall walls. The Suncoat is easier to clean and looks nice but will dent with kicks, where the rubber on our older Sundowner never dented, it seemed more resilient than the Suncoated panels. Neither of my trailers had LQ, so, can't really comment about that. Good luck in your search for a new trailer!
Posted 2005-08-08 3:16 PM (#28983 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Member
Posts: 33 Location: OUT OF TOWN
JAKE, THE REASON THAT THEY HAVE THE SUNCOAT IS TO COVER THE STEEL FRAME THAT THEY ARE USING ON SOME (MOST) OF THEIR TRAILERS THESE DAYS. MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE A STEEL FRAME WITH AN ALUMINUM SKIN. THE REASON THAT I KNOW IS I WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. GOOD LUCK !!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 2005-08-08 3:53 PM (#28985 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
New User
Posts: 3
Location: North Carolina
Is the suncoat more important than structure and option. What about the over all build of the trailer. I agree the suncoat can be put on any trailer. I also agree that it is hard to determine the steel frame from the all aluminum. Defenetly go with the all aluminum. Why Sundowner? Good luck with your shopping. :)
Posted 2005-08-08 4:04 PM (#28986 - in reply to #28983) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by CMEL8TR on 2005-08-08 2:16 PM
JAKE, THE REASON THAT THEY HAVE THE SUNCOAT IS TO COVER THE STEEL FRAME THAT THEY ARE USING ON SOME (MOST) OF THEIR TRAILERS THESE DAYS. MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE A STEEL FRAME WITH AN ALUMINUM SKIN. THE REASON THAT I KNOW IS I WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. GOOD LUCK !!!!!!!!!!!
"I have no connection with Sundowner Inc."
Sundowner makes all steel, steel frame with aluminum skin, roof & fixtures, all aluminum except hitch & axles, trailers. Each fills a market. I believe, they are big enough to compete in many markets. Other trailer builders can only or choose to compete in limited markets. The Suncoat does a very good job of protecting the undersurfaces from dings and chips. It's an expensive material compared to paint.
(I believe) They aren't trying to fool anybody or hide anything. Just ask the dealer what the trailer is made of, if you can't figure it yourself.
"...Stupidity is forever, ignorance can be cured with learning.."
Posted 2005-08-08 4:30 PM (#28987 - in reply to #28986) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Member
Posts: 33 Location: OUT OF TOWN
ask the dealer? WOW that's a novel idea!!! why didn't I think of that. And the response that I received wasn't anywhere close to the truth. So GENIUS what do you do when it is a factory store that is telling you that it's just a protective coating that they put on their trailers to keep them looking better from the elements.
Posted 2005-08-08 5:04 PM (#28989 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Location: A high mountain peak
Suncoat (Rhino liner) only sticks very well to steel. Where there's suncoat, there's usually steel . Sundowner sprays on their aluminum floor, but it comes off pretty easily.
Posted 2005-08-08 8:42 PM (#29002 - in reply to #28987) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by CMEL8TR on 2005-08-08 3:30 PM
ask the dealer? WOW that's a novel idea!!! why didn't I think of that. And the response that I received wasn't anywhere close to the truth. So GENIUS what do you do when it is a factory store that is telling you that it's just a protective coating that they put on their trailers to keep them looking better from the elements.
So.. what were you told that "...wasn't anywhere close to the truth..."? Suncoat is "...just a protective coating..."
I don't believe it has any structural properties. It's a rubber like coating... Sounds pausible to me.
Posted 2005-08-08 8:51 PM (#29004 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 565 Location: Michigan
Exactly, it(Suncoat or Rhino lining) is to protect the steel or aluminum from the elements and prolong the life of the trailer. I think the stuff is the horse's A@@ myself. I have the Rhino lining in two of my trucks and while it serves no "structural" purpose it sure is prolonging the life of the bed of my trucks from the "elements", weather, rocks, shovels, quads, garbage. I would love to have some of the stuff on the floor of the horse area in my trailer and on the underside of the gooseneck. Bravo to Sundowner for using the stuff in places other than the trailer floor. I hope other trailer brands catch on.
Posted 2005-08-09 10:47 AM (#29021 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Member
Posts: 12
Location: Holstein, NE 68950
I sell H&H Trailers, they don't make horse trailers but, do spray Line X which is like Rhrino lining on the hitch area and rear frame around the doors, of their cargo trailers. It has been a real sells aid when comparing our trailers to the competion. It's not a way to hide anything, but a good way to protect the metal from chipping paint, and rusting, especially on the hitch. I have been considering having the liner sprayed on the front wall under the gooseneck of my Titan trailer.
Posted 2005-08-09 11:16 AM (#29025 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Stuff like the sunoat will catch on only if the public wants it. I don't put gravel, garbage or quads on the hitch or underside of the gooseneck. It maybe a nice feature that would appeal to some and perhaps it will become a industry standard but I don't hink ti would amke me buy one trailer over another especially if price was a factor. All things being equal, that might be a different story....
Posted 2005-08-09 3:55 PM (#29051 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Member
Posts: 12
Location: SE Indiana
I have two trucks both with rhino lining bed liner in them. I have looked at several trailers and everyone of them start rusting under the goosneck quickly. I've been to Congress and seen brand new trailers starting to lose their paint and rust showing already on a NEW trailer. Our 2003 Silver Star trailer was stored inside other than when being used and the goosneck was showing rust on it too as soon as it was bought new. I am a fan of the rhino lining, but only think on a aluminum trailer it needs to be on the gooseneck and breast plate only. That sure would make a nice trailer stand out from the rest!!! Especially if the rhino lining was a color to match the graphics on the trailer like red, gree, blue!! It would be sharp!!!
Posted 2005-08-09 4:17 PM (#29054 - in reply to #28987) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Veteran
Posts: 202 Location: North Texas
Originally written by CMEL8TR on 2005-08-08 4:30 PM
ask the dealer? WOW that's a novel idea!!! why didn't I think of that. And the response that I received wasn't anywhere close to the truth. So GENIUS what do you do when it is a factory store that is telling you that it's just a protective coating that they put on their trailers to keep them looking better from the elements.
Posted 2005-08-09 5:00 PM (#29057 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Oklahoma
Nothing like a question with a brand name in it to get the salesmen stirred up. Some of them provide good advise but too many of them are just slinging mud. Back to the original question, "Does anybody know if any other trailer mfg undercoats and does that rhino lining (Suncoat) on their goosenecks and breastplate like Sundowner does?" I don't recall seeing it on any other brands I've seen at trail rides, shows or barrel races so I'd say no, but never say never. I guess it could also be added aftermarket. Although, its not inexpensive, I think it is probably worth it. The breastplate can take a lot of abuse.
Posted 2005-08-16 11:58 AM (#29267 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Member
Posts: 8
Location: Indiana
The Sundowner trailers can be a "727" (powder coated steel frame) or what the industry refers to as an "all" aluminum trailer in their "725". For the person who was mislead, that is unfortunate from your dealer. ALL of the Sundowner 727 trailers have a powder coated frame, and depending on the model it could be a steel frame (727's) or the equivalent in aluminum frame (725's). The powder coat is different from the suncoat as it is a heat treated application that is run through an oven. The Sundowner trailers come standard with powder coated frames (727), suncoated under the gooseneck, kick panels, and floors, and undercoated underneath the trailer. All of these are different materials and are on every trailer.
Posted 2005-08-16 3:29 PM (#29272 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Member
Posts: 37 Location: Casco,Michigan
In answer to CMEL8TR, and Trailers 21----Trailers, you're pretty sharp and knowledgeable. But--powder-coating is a little more inclusive. There's a five-stage wash----Alkaline wash,rinse,Acid wash,rinse,Sealer-coating. After the wash stage, parts go through a drying oven in preparation for paint. Then the parts move through the paint booth and paint powder is "fogged" onto the parts to insure complete coverage. At this time,powder is attracted to the parts by a difference in "static" charge between the part and the paint powder. Parts then go to the Bake oven where they are heated to melt the paint powder and fuse it to the part !!! And that, my friend, is Sundowner's $1.6 million dollar process !!!! Now, to answer CMEL8TR----- If you had taken the time to look at any of Sundowner's brochures on their various models, regardless of what some misinformed person told you, complete descriptions are listed on each brochure. If it is a steel-framed trailer, it will say so--just as the aluminum-framed trailkers will say so !! A little knowledge can be a powerful thing----casn't it ??? The Suncoat process evolved through a lot of testing and research. Rubber matting can be stretched and torn by a horse that "wall-walks". It is expensive to replace. Rubber matting fades and holds odor. Suncoat does none of these things !! Plus an added bonus--suncoat can be repaired easily if a horseshoe nail gouges it . It stays bright and shiny,is odor-free,doesn't take much to clean--what's not to like?? The breast-plate has always been a hard area to keep clean on an aluminum trailer especially. Mud, road film,stone-chips,oxidation,--they all take their toll. Suncoating this area made sense. It's easier to maintain, and looks good. So, as you can see--Suncoating didn't evolve to "hide" a steel trailer. It's there to make your trailer nicer looking, easier to maintain, and longer-lasting. So I ask again---What's not to like ??? Zane.
Posted 2005-08-19 1:46 PM (#29401 - in reply to #28967) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Member
Posts: 8
Location: Indiana
Thanks Zane! I appreciate your description of the powder coat process to help potential trailer purchaser's understand. As you say....."What's not to like?"
Posted 2005-08-20 6:51 PM (#29430 - in reply to #29272) Subject: RE: SunCoat on Sundowners?
Location: A high mountain peak
Originally written by Zane on 2005-08-16 3:29 PM
In answer to CMEL8TR, and Trailers 21----Trailers, you're pretty sharp and knowledgeable. But--powder-coating is a little more inclusive. There's a five-stage wash----Alkaline wash,rinse,Acid wash,rinse,Sealer-coating. After the wash stage, parts go through a drying oven in preparation for paint. Then the parts move through the paint booth and paint powder is "fogged" onto the parts to insure complete coverage. At this time,powder is attracted to the parts by a difference in "static" charge between the part and the paint powder. Parts then go to the Bake oven where they are heated to melt the paint powder and fuse it to the part !!! And that, my friend, is Sundowner's $1.6 million dollar process !!!! Now, to answer CMEL8TR----- If you had taken the time to look at any of Sundowner's brochures on their various models, regardless of what some misinformed person told you, complete descriptions are listed on each brochure. If it is a steel-framed trailer, it will say so--just as the aluminum-framed trailkers will say so !! A little knowledge can be a powerful thing----casn't it ??? The Suncoat process evolved through a lot of testing and research. Rubber matting can be stretched and torn by a horse that "wall-walks". It is expensive to replace. Rubber matting fades and holds odor. Suncoat does none of these things !! Plus an added bonus--suncoat can be repaired easily if a horseshoe nail gouges it . It stays bright and shiny,is odor-free,doesn't take much to clean--what's not to like?? The breast-plate has always been a hard area to keep clean on an aluminum trailer especially. Mud, road film,stone-chips,oxidation,--they all take their toll. Suncoating this area made sense. It's easier to maintain, and looks good. So, as you can see--Suncoating didn't evolve to "hide" a steel trailer. It's there to make your trailer nicer looking, easier to maintain, and longer-lasting. So I ask again---What's not to like ??? Zane.
Just wonering why so many Valuelites , now renamed 727 (steel framed) are showing so much rust around the window and door openings??? Isn't this problem of rusting from the inside out, the reason Sundwoner went to Suncaot and quite powdercoat????
SunCoat on Sundowners?
Good luck with your shopping. :) 
