ATTN: ALL SUNDOWNER TRAILER OWNERS
[QUOTE=Old Equine Lady;3012654]
I purchased a Sundowner trailer in March 2000. There is an 8 year warranty on structural defects. I found significant failure of the floor structure where the steel is placed against the aluminum. This caused the support for the floor to severely rusted out and become subjected to failure at any given time. When I took the trailer to a qualified dealer, they informed me they could only fix one a month and I would have to wait until April as there were several ahead of me. This should be illegal and is unacceptable as I need a method of hauling my horses. I currently care for several retired horhas come to my attention that there is a serious design flaw in the powder-coated steel frames on the “Valuelite” models of Sundowner Trailers causing these frames to rust at an accelerated rate. Further, I understand that the manufacturer has not alerted the owners of these trailers to the damage occuring and the danger of a major frame failure.
In 1999 Sundowner began building “Valuelite” trailers using power coated steel frames. There is an inherent design flaw in the engineering of this type of frame. Powder coating does not flex with the trailer, and what happens over time, as the trailer travels and vibrates, the powder coating over the steel frame splits apart at the frame joints. Moisture is then trapped between the frame and the powder coating, causing the steel to rust at an accelerated rate, as it has no way to dry out.
Sundowner is aware of the problem. However, to my knowledge, I have never heard of any type of factory recall nor even any type of notice of concern being sent from the manufacturer to all affected customers. It is reasonable to assume that almost every “Valuelite” trailer presently on the road has this problem, and that most owners are blissfully unaware of the problem.
The only solution I know of to “band-aid” the problem is to have the entire frame sanded with a power sander, then a “metal cleaner” should be applied, then a “metal ready” product applied, and finally at least 3 coats of “POR 15” should be applied to stop further deterioration. POR 15 will need to be applied every few years to insure full rust prevention.
If the trailer is still under warranty, Sundowner will do the work, although the trailer owner should make sure that all of the above procedures are done. It is interesting to note that this winter Sundowner announced that they have stopped making Valuelite trailers without any explanation as to why they were discontinuing the model.
I hope this information is helpful to any owners of Sundowner “Valuelite” trailers.
ses that require the best of care. This includes hauling the horses to the hospital or clinic if required. Failure to obtain timely medical services for any one of these horses may result in an untimely death. The design of the special powder coating on the trailer is very unsafe and should be recalled. At any time, one of these trailers floors can fall out with a horse on board and drag the horse down the highway, killing it. Sundowner claimed they solved the problem of steel against aluminum with a special powder coating, but the “powder coating” is failing and an accident is waiting to happen. They have made some changes to the newer trailers, but these also have the possibility of failure.
The inspection station I took my trailer to for inspection stated they have seen over 250 of these failing floor supports. That is just one station. Please, if you own a Sundowner, get a good look under your trailer before you put your horse on it![/QUOTE]
iT has come to my attention that there is a serious design flaw in the powder-coated steel frames on the “Valuelite” models of Sundowner Trailers causing these frames to rust at an accelerated rate. Further, I understand that the manufacturer has not alerted the owners of these trailers to the damage occuring and the danger of a major frame failure.
In 1999 Sundowner began building “Valuelite” trailers using power coated steel frames. There is an inherent design flaw in the engineering of this type of frame. Powder coating does not flex with the trailer, and what happens over time, as the trailer travels and vibrates, the powder coating over the steel frame splits apart at the frame joints. Moisture is then trapped between the frame and the powder coating, causing the steel to rust at an accelerated rate, as it has no way to dry out.
Sundowner is aware of the problem. However, to my knowledge, I have never heard of any type of factory recall nor even any type of notice of concern being sent from the manufacturer to all affected customers. It is reasonable to assume that almost every “Valuelite” trailer presently on the road has this problem, and that most owners are blissfully unaware of the problem.
The only solution I know of to “band-aid” the problem is to have the entire frame sanded with a power sander, then a “metal cleaner” should be applied, then a “metal ready” product applied, and finally at least 3 coats of “POR 15” should be applied to stop further deterioration. POR 15 will need to be applied every few years to insure full rust prevention.
If the trailer is still under warranty, Sundowner will do the work, although the trailer owner should make sure that all of the above procedures are done. It is interesting to note that this winter Sundowner announced that they have stopped making Valuelite trailers without any explanation as to why they were discontinuing the model.
I hope this information is helpful to any owners of Sundowner “Valuelite” trailers.
