Posted 2005-11-27 12:52 PM (#33470) Subject: Buying first trailer
Member
Posts: 10
Location: pleasanton, ca
I plan on buying a new trailer soon. I want a 2-horse bumper pull, slant load, with tack/dressing room, steel. I also like the rumber floors and composite roofs of some brands. I don't want to pay over 10,000 total. I live in northern California. Does any one have suggestions on trailers or dealers?
Posted 2005-11-27 6:38 PM (#33478 - in reply to #33470) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 565 Location: Michigan
Yeah but you won't be able to buy a 4Star(all alumy) for under $10k or a Jamco(all alumy), Reg's other fav trailer brand.
In your area, Logan Coach, Trails West, maybe a Titan trailer would work best for you and your price range. They are nice trailers and I would think you would be very happy with them.
Posted 2005-11-27 10:38 PM (#33492 - in reply to #33478) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Veteran
Posts: 190 Location: Texas
I'd still check with Reg first to find out if other brands are good. A used 4Star might be better than the ones you listed. There are used ones on this site for 10 grand and under.
Posted 2005-11-28 11:28 AM (#33512 - in reply to #33470) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Veteran
Posts: 127 Location: Fort Worth, Texas
If you are looking for a steel trailer, you don't want a 4-Star as it's aluminum. I would contact several dealers within 200 miles and let them know what you're looking for. Get a list of all the things you definitely want (for example...must be slant load, 2H, dressing room, drop down windows, maximum proce of $10,000, etc.) and have them price both a new trailer or anything used in good shape. Have them contact you if they get anything in that meets your criteria. Most dealers will be willing to work with you and the ones that aren't are ones you probably don't want to buy from anyway.
Posted 2005-12-10 12:13 PM (#33927 - in reply to #33512) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Member
Posts: 15
Location: Union Grove, WI
Since you are looking for a steel trailer you might want to check out the Bee trailer. I don't know if you have a dealer in your area, but you can get to their website and find out. They have great quality. Galvannealed steel and undercoated even the fenders and they have fantastic customer service. I am a dealer, but I am located in Wisconsin and obviously of no use to you. Check out bee trailers.com. I think you will like what they have to offer. Good Luck
Posted 2005-12-10 12:24 PM (#33928 - in reply to #33470) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Member
Posts: 47 Location: defun,fl
Do bee trailers have easy slam/open divider latches? Do they have any rattles? How are they on vibration as compared to the more expensive,over $10,000 trailers? Do you need a special bar for a 3h bp not to have unnecessary motion(sway or other)? Not to sound too picky for the price, just trying to see the best value within a budget. Thanks.
Posted 2005-12-11 11:29 PM (#33971 - in reply to #33470) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Expert
Posts: 2689
I'm on the "other" coast, so brand names that are popular and well thought of here may have a different reputation there (CA).
Having said that, I think if I was looking now I would consider Hart based on the ones that I see regularly at shows around here. I do quite a bit of truck and trailer chat with other "mere drivers and insignificant others" while the riders ride. Hart owners really seem to like their trailers. I'd also consider Kingston, partly because they're made about 50 miles from where I live. They've been around a long time and the old ones that I see have faded a bit but seem to have held up well.
I was given prices of Harts just over a year ago, I'd guess about $9K for what you described.
Not sure, but I think 4-Star MIGHT have a steel model...
Posted 2005-12-12 10:32 AM (#33976 - in reply to #33974) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by Mr. Trailer on 2005-12-12 9:33 AM
4 Star does not have a steel model...
I must have had (another) brain fade.
It might have been Featherlite that I was a bit surprised to find had a steel trailer - up 'til then I had thought of them as being an allie only builder.
{'cept for the axles and coupler and all the "hold it together bits" that the steel enthusiasts INSIST on reminding us of (-: }
Anyway, I'd still take a HARD look at Hart and Kingston, THEN go through all the ads in the hossey mags, kick tires, quiz sales people, etc.
After that I'd buy whatever I'm told to buy.
Posted 2005-12-12 10:49 AM (#33977 - in reply to #33470) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Veteran
Posts: 169 Location: CA
Hi a2e2. I live near you, in San Jose. A couple of trailer dealers near us that carry a variety of models: 1.The Trailer Specialist in Lockeford 800-835-1554 2.Traveln Toys in Tracy 800-370-7575. 3. D2 Trailer Sales in Galt 800-839-9477. There's others, but those are some of the closest. Traveln Toys is easy to get to from Pleasanton. When I started looking at trailers, I went to every dealer in our area for information. Those salespeople were exhausted after my volley of questions! Just go look....and ask lots of questions! With your budget you should be able to find near-exact what you want. A friend recently bought a Trails West 2h BP with tack room, 7H/7W, for around $7,000, and loves it. Good luck in your search.
Posted 2005-12-12 2:20 PM (#33985 - in reply to #33977) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Member
Posts: 10
Location: pleasanton, ca
Thanks for all your suggestions. I will continue to look and compare trailers. I really like the idea of having a trailer that has a composite roof. Most of the trailering I will be doing will be during the warmer months and it can get really hot here so I think that type of roof makes sense. The problem is that will limit my trailer brand choices.
Posted 2005-12-12 11:43 PM (#34001 - in reply to #33976) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
I have a steel featherlite. I have had quite a few strange looks, and I think one guy called me a liar when he turned away, when I told them it was steel.
Posted 2005-12-13 5:01 AM (#34002 - in reply to #33470) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
we bought a steel featherlite stock trailer 10 years ago or so. Its says STL on the side, which i assumed meant "steel" but a friend of mine didn't think so as Featherlite didn't make steel. But they do.
Check out Trails West- you can buy a pretty decent trailer for a reasonable price....
Posted 2005-12-13 5:56 AM (#34003 - in reply to #33470) Subject: RE: Buying first trailer
Regular
Posts: 51 Location: Jeddo, MI
My first trailer is a Trail-et. I purchased it used for $6000.00..It was only used 5 times and is a1999. I love it and probably will have it for many years unless I upgrade to a LQ. It pulls wonderful and I have the sway bars and the equalizer. I was told when I purchased they ordered that extra. It is made very well and I think they are made on the west coast.
Buying first trailer
I plan on buying a new trailer soon. I want a 2-horse bumper pull, slant load, with tack/dressing room, steel. I also like the rumber floors and composite roofs of some brands. I don't want to pay over 10,000 total. I live in northern California. Does any one have suggestions on trailers or dealers?
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who are you talking about when you say to check with reg????