Adams Horse trailer & sterling horse trailer

[starkissed]

I am not familiar with many trailer brands. But I am looking at 2 trailers, need to decide which one to buy.

One is a '99 adams aluminum trailer 2 horse bumper pull

the other is the same, but '95 sterling BP, steel

I am pulling with a large SUV so the aluminum was appealing because of the weight. But I will only haul one horse and the tow capacity of the SUV is way more than either of the horse+ trailer combos.

SO I would just like an opinion on the quality and craftmnaship of either of these. I looked at the sterling the other day- very sturdy- there weren’t little things to break off- just looked really well made. But I have never seen an adams.

[Yip]

I would call Adam of medium quality.

Not familiar with Sterling.

All things being equal, I would choose alum for its longevity. An acid wash makes it look new.

[Outfxed]

I have a 1998 aluminium Adam trailer, BP, that I purchased off Tack Trader back in 2002. It was hardly used and I got a great deal on it. It was in almost new condition.

I have used this trailer a lot, hauling an 18.1 hd Belgian in it for about 4 yrs. It still looks brand new, other than a few customizations on the chest padding that my draft horse felt compelled to do.

I pulled up the mats and water sealed the floor boards (they looked immaculate) when I brought the trailer home and that is really the only thing that I did to it. Just recently, I had to have a hinge repaired on the escape door.

I love the way this trailer hauls. It is very stable on the road, even when a 2000 + horse shifts its weight. I now own a “small” QH by comparison to the draft and I barely know he’s in the back of the trailer going down the road.

I have nothing but good things to say about this make of trailer.

[Meredith_Clark]

I have a Adams stock bumper pool (not alum) that I pull with my SUV and I love it.

It would be nice to have a dressing room but with the extra weight i’d need a bigger SUV or Truck and that doesn’t work for me.

I got mine from DelWood in DE and they had a great selection and were really helpful

[horsetales]

Adams

We have an adams that we also got from Delwood. Love the trailer and very happy with Delwood. We haul our Irish Draughts, Tbs and foals. Its held up beautifully.

[Lincoln]

Sterling

If the Sterling is one of their stainless models, they are outstanding trailers - beautifully made, enduring, and great hauling. You can’t ever find them because noone ever wants to sell theirs. Probably one of the best made trailers ever - so beautifully made that they were prohibitively expensive at the time. I have one that was an ambulance at the Atlanta Olympics. Gorgeous trailer and looks brand new, and as you said, no little gizmos to break off. I will say that they are seriously heavy, and they can get hot as opposed to a white trailer (they are silver).

[Simbalism]

I have an Adam 2h bp aluminum skin over steel with a dressing room. I have been very happy with the trailer. I purchased it new in 2003, so it is 6 years old. Hauls well and I travel in all kinds of terrain. I live in central Va which is rolling hills, but have traveled to the mountains to camp and ride and it was easy to haul. Condition wise it has held up well. The only things I have had to replace was a bolt on the outside tie ring(mare broke it when learning to tie to trailer for tacking up), and the part that winds around to raise the trailer hitch. This was bent thanks to the guy who does maintenance at the farm where I board. Thought he was helping as wheel had sunk a bit in the mud. Not sure what he did, but he bent the wheel and the bar that goes into the wheel. Luckily it was an inexpensive fix.

[Calling_Duck]

Sterling Horse Trailer Info

Sterling Horse Trailers were made by Smith Wrought (I think that was their name) in Lancaster County, PA. They went out of business in 1999. They were hunter/jumper folks who built trailers of incredible workmanship.

I have the last stainless steel trailer they made. The owner’s manual is very specific as to how to care for the type 304 stainless steel. It wears beautifully.

I have a friend with a painted steel Sterling that must be going on 20 years old. It is in excellent condition, but she is an admitted fussy gal who hoses it out after each use, etc. She had it repainted a couple of years ago, but that was the only thing its needed except new tires.

The downside of these lovely trailers us indeed that they are heavy. BUT, with the proper towing vehicle, and weight distribution bars, I think they are a safter ride than the aluminium/fiberglass over steel frame models out today. Best quality hardware, windows and doors were used. NO corners were cut in their manufacture, and they were not mass produced or available through a bunch of dealers. Which makes them that much harder to find.

[rocky213]

Sterling Trailers

There was a Sterling trailer dealer up near where I live and I remember looking at their trailers. They were beautiful trailers, unbelievably expensive but extremely well made. They had every single bell and whistle you would ever want in a trailer. Very heavy trailers so you definitely had to have a big pickup truck.

I think Nevins Farm which is part of the MSPCA here in Massachusetts put their Sterling horse ambulance trailer up for sale. I saw the ad on Craigslist and that trailer has to be at least 10 years old and it looks brand new. And I know that trailer has travelled up and down the east coast and seen alot of work.

If you have a big tow vehicle, I dont think you can go wrong with the Sterling.

[eks]

I have a 2 horse Sterling that is over 10 years old and it looks brand new…the great thing about stainless is it never rust or even wears. It is so well made. Mine doesn’t have a dressing room and I need the extra room because I have another horse and can’t use the empty side for storage, so I need to sell mine.

I called and left a message at Nevins and am waiting to hear back from them. Do you know how long ago you saw the ad? I searched craigslist and couldn’t find anything…but I wouldn’t hesitate buying 10 year old used one. Do you know if the ambulance was a gooseneck?

[QUOTE=rocky213;4600755]
There was a Sterling trailer dealer up near where I live and I remember looking at their trailers. They were beautiful trailers, unbelievably expensive but extremely well made. They had every single bell and whistle you would ever want in a trailer. Very heavy trailers so you definitely had to have a big pickup truck.

I think Nevins Farm which is part of the MSPCA here in Massachusetts put their Sterling horse ambulance trailer up for sale. I saw the ad on Craigslist and that trailer has to be at least 10 years old and it looks brand new. And I know that trailer has travelled up and down the east coast and seen alot of work.

If you have a big tow vehicle, I dont think you can go wrong with the Sterling.[/QUOTE]

[CLIPCLOP1]

Owner’s Manual for Sterling Horse Trailer?? and how to redo pin stripes???

I would love to get a copy of an owner’s manual for the Sterling Horse Trailer. Happy to pay to have a copy made - or a pdf emailed would work too.

I bought a used Sterling 1999 bumper pull two horse back in 2004 and it still looks great.

Need to get the pin stripes redone and was told to be very careful with the stainless steel. Suggestions? THANKS

[QUOTE=Calling Duck;4599324]
Sterling Horse Trailers were made by Smith Wrought (I think that was their name) in Lancaster County, PA. They went out of business in 1999. They were hunter/jumper folks who built trailers of incredible workmanship.

I have the last stainless steel trailer they made. The owner’s manual is very specific as to how to care for the type 304 stainless steel. It wears beautifully.

I have a friend with a painted steel Sterling that must be going on 20 years old. It is in excellent condition, but she is an admitted fussy gal who hoses it out after each use, etc. She had it repainted a couple of years ago, but that was the only thing its needed except new tires.

The downside of these lovely trailers us indeed that they are heavy. BUT, with the proper towing vehicle, and weight distribution bars, I think they are a safter ride than the aluminium/fiberglass over steel frame models out today. Best quality hardware, windows and doors were used. NO corners were cut in their manufacture, and they were not mass produced or available through a bunch of dealers. Which makes them that much harder to find.[/QUOTE]

[Calling_Duck]

ClipClop1 - I just sent you a pm.

[Humblepie]

I have a 12 yr old 4 horse Adams Gooseneck stock trailer- all aluminum. It’s been used hard and has held up wonderfully. I love it. Pulls beautifully . Their customer service (when needed to repair a custom side ramp) was outstanding.