Menu

Stay in Touch
Sign up for ENews
Subscribe Now

Unlimited access >

Menu

Aluminum Trailers - what do I need to know? *I BOUGHT THE TRAILER*

Around The Farm
#1

I’m slightly interested in a 2004 Silver Star 3H GN trailer that’s for sale locally. This would be my first GN and my first aluminum trailer. It has a factory installed roof-mounted AC, a 30 amp breaker box that connects to an extension cord to power the outlets in the dressing room (also factory installed by the looks). The short wall is longer than the shortest, but I can’t remember the length. The dressing room is fairly decent size. It’s a step-up with a rear tack.

  1. Anybody have experience with Silver Star trailers? Everything I’ve found says they are a well made trailer but no longer manufactured.

  2. What’s the deal with acid washing? Is it something that needs to be done regularly? I have seen some folks say never do it, and others say they do it twice a year.

  3. What are some things to look for specifically when checking the underside of the trailer? I know what to look for from the floor up, but my dad will be checking the underside. He’s pretty knowledgeable about these things, but I want to make sure we check everything.

  4. The woman selling it said it has good tires on it “they are truck tires, 10 ply, not trailer tires” - I know tires are a hot topic here. The manufacturer sticker on the trailer says “TIRE: LT7.50X16(D)” – I’m assuming this means a light truck tire, load range D?

  5. Assuming the frame/electrical/etc is all good, I may make an offer. From what I can determine, the trailer is in great shape, clean, nothing broken, no leaks that I can see, etc. She is asking $12,000, but said she would take $10,000. Is this reasonable? The trailer has been for sale for at least a year, she hasn’t used it in 2 years she said.

Thank you in advance! I know this is an excellent source for info!

#2

My aluminum two horse has a clear-coat, so not been acid-washed.
It is about 20 years old, has spent every night of its life in the open and we get lots of rain here. Still in very good condition and has been maintained by Trailer Guy since new. Local school buy washes it for me every year!

Sounds like a good deal but I’m not where you are.

#3

Was actually just about to post regarding a 2002 silver star bp I’m looking at. Its in great condition etc but haven’t been able to find out much info on Silver Star other than they’re out of business. Anyone else have one? Seems like a great trailer but I want to make sure it will last/there’s no common manufacturing problems with it

#4

It sounds like you will need new tires if it has sat unused for 2 years. Be sure to figure the cost of new tires when you are calculating the true cost of the trailer to you. I would pay a good trailer mechanic look it over. If it needs frame work due to corrosion, or has a bent axel, you may have to pour a lot of money into it. Maybe, nothing needs to be serviced and it is fine.

#5

The assumption is new tires - I know for sure it sat all last summer on grass, and who knows where it sat all winter. She said the tires are a few years old, so I’m going to plan on new tires for sure (if I buy it of course)

#6

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;8678590]

  1. Anybody have experience with Silver Star trailers? Everything I’ve found says they are a well made trailer but no longer manufactured. [/QUOTE]

I guess I’ve never even heard of that brand so I can’t comment.

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;8678590]

  1. What’s the deal with acid washing? Is it something that needs to be done regularly? I have seen some folks say never do it, and others say they do it twice a year.[/QUOTE]

Depends. Is this trailer PAINTED aluminum? Any painted aluminum you do NOT acid wash. But for the shiny aluminum, it can be nice to regain that “showroom shine”. When I bought my horse trailer, this is what it looked like (no, it was not dirty. That “brown” color was just the aluminum NOT being shiny anymore!):
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k27/r_beau/photo.jpg

This is what it looked like after I got it acid washed (like new!! :yes: ):
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k27/r_beau/Shotgun%20and%20Reckless/2013-05-16ShotgunFunnyFace02_zpse7c3ab1a.jpg

I bought my trailer in 2012 and so far I have only had it acid washed one time. It probably could use it again next year, so it is certainly not something that has to be done every year.

I know some people that do it themselves, but I took mine to a guy who was a friend of my father-in-law’s who did semi-trucks all the time. I think he only charged me about $50 to do my trailer because it was a pretty “small” job for him in the grand scheme of things! I’d rather have someone experienced do it who does it for a living, so I know it’s done right. IMO

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;8678590]

  1. What are some things to look for specifically when checking the underside of the trailer? I know what to look for from the floor up, but my dad will be checking the underside. He’s pretty knowledgeable about these things, but I want to make sure we check everything. [/QUOTE]

I am not at all mechanically inclined, so if your father is, certainly have him take a look underneath.

Of course, “deep” things (inside of bearings, brake pads, etc) you won’t be able to see without digging into things, but I would probably take it in to get basic work done anyway after purchasing; just for my own piece of mind.

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;8678590]

  1. The woman selling it said it has good tires on it “they are truck tires, 10 ply, not trailer tires” - I know tires are a hot topic here. The manufacturer sticker on the trailer says “TIRE: LT7.50X16(D)” – I’m assuming this means a light truck tire, load range D? [/QUOTE]

Yeah I’d probably bank on putting new tires on it, that are meant to be on a trailer.

Seems reasonable.

#7

I have a Featherlite all aluminum trailer and love it! I wouldn’t bother with acid washing. It will look super shiny, but in no time at all will be back to matte finish. You are correct, you absolutely will want all new tires and a new spare. And as beau159 said, there are some things you won’t be able to see. When I bought my trailer I immediately took it for new tires & a safety check and it actually ended up needing a new axle and new bearings. But I was happy to do it and know that it was safe. The $10,000 sounds good to me, but I’m in New England where things are expensive.

#8

I’m in VT and so is the trailer. Everything is expensive here :lol:

#9

You could join the Horse Trailer World forums and search there for more info.

This old thread from HTW has positive reviews of Silver Star trailers.

#10

I bought a '98 3H GN Silver Star a few years ago. From someone on this board, actually!

It is a seriously solid trailer, pulls straight and easy. Our trailer mechanic says it’s very well made. I love mine.

The Story I heard on Silver Star was that a group of folks splintered off of 4Star a few years back. Made an excellent trailer like 4Star, but eventually petered out on the business side.

I can’t speak to some of your other questions, except that, especially if a trailer has been sitting for a while, I’d get the brakes checked and repacked and add all-new tires plus spare before I hauled in it.

#11

Trailers that have been outside need new tires every five years at least, and in your case I’d probably put them on now…They look like new but we replace anyway.
and make sure they are trailer tires (not light truck tires unless they are rated for horse trailers. The tire salesman may not know.

#12

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8681219]
…and make sure they are trailer tires (not light truck tires unless they are rated for horse trailers. The tire salesman may not know.[/QUOTE]

I would prefer light truck tires. (LT) on my horse trailer. Trailer tires (ST) are only rated at 65 miles / hour. My wheel size / wallet prevents that though.

“If the tire salesman may not know” … he/she is not much of a salesperson. All tires have the rating LT or ST molded on the side wall.

#13

Update: the person selling it is agreeable to bringing it to the local horse trailer dealer/service shop for an inspection, that I will pay for. It’s $35, so pretty cheap for a trailer PPE.

I am calling the trailer shop now to schedule it.

I figure this is the best way to have knowledgeable folks look at it.

#14

Good luck! Sounds like a great resolution. And if you can get it for $10K in VT, go for it!

#15

I’m the owner of a new to me 2004 Silver Star trailer :smiley: the trailer shop said it’s in great shape, he recommended getting new tires within the next year. I got the trailer for less than
10k.

This is my first gooseneck so I’m spending time over the next two weeks just driving it around to get used to it before I haul to my next show in two weeks. I am very skilled at driving and backing my bumper pull so I’m confident I’ll be fine with thus one in no time, just takes practice!

#16

Congratulations on your trailer. I would get those new tires as soon as possible. Have fun with your new toy!

#17

Congratulations and safe travels! You will love both the aluminum and the gooseneck!

#18

Congrats on the new to you trailer. I will be picking up my new to me trailer in a week or so.

#19

Congrats on your new trailer! VT has so many spectacular places to go. Happy travels.

#20

Thanks all! I’ve taken it for a few short test runs just to get used to it, and I’ll get it in no time flat! Already backed it into the parking spot next to my barn, which isn’t the easiest spot to get into. It’s too long to stay parked there, it hangs into the driveway, but the fact that I got it in there is promising for my “adapt to backing a gooseneck” skills :lol:

Get your Digital Subscription here - only $21.95 / year

Subscribe here
See gift options

Sign up to our monthly newsletter!

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.

Copyright © 2023 The Chronicle of the Horse