I assume it is not one of the Sundowner models, right??
xhalt
I really don’t plan or want to start over so. I have a 2 H slant GN . It’s one of the "black " models. I just love it . It’s not a perfect trailer but it’s been good for me. I also have a son heading off to college so I can’t devest (no horse related item in my life has been an investment 
in something right now. Budgets are set.
Just as an FYI to the poster who bought her trailer elsewhere…
I purchased my trailer from a dealer in southern Ct . Orchard is almost 2 hours closer. I have had them service it from day l. I am pleased and do promote their service department.
I would expect any dealer or authorized service agency for sundowner to provide you service. Fortunately I’ve had no problems with the warranty stuff so far.
Ok, I too spent a good deal of time with the service department on the phone. What I will tell you all who have the 700 series trailers is to be sure you have them monitored and checked on a regular basis. There are some theories going around including the coating issues but it’s likely much deeper than that. If it falls within the warranty they will cover. It’s just timing. If you are past your 8 years and it’s structural or if it’s just surface and you are past your 3 years be prepared to write the checks.
I’m waiting to hear what the actual costs and damages will be.
I live in NE. I clean my trailer out after every use. I hose it down. I routinely pull the mats . I don’t use bedding but use straw to avoid debris getting trapped. Guys this is a concern. Be very careful, especially if you haven’t been getting them checked or live in areas where temps can vary quite a bit.
At this point I would still get a sundowner as I loved everything about my trailer . There were “extras” that weren’t in some of the others. However, I’m very concerned and have advised people to be sure they are getting routine maintenance on their rigs. But that should be happening regardless of the brand or any “internet” concerns.
I think that I am one of those who posted about the ramp/door falling off my Sundowner trailer, and I had a b*tch of a time getting the dealer to honor the warranty. I only had the trailer for about four months when this happened. They tried to blame me, saying that I didn’t sweep all the manure from the hinges - huh? This is a HORSE TRAILER. If I didn’t get every last microscopic piece of manure, the ramp shouldn’t fall off the d@mn thing! I was lucky in that it just popped off after I loaded my horse up in the trailer, not while I was moving, but that was a waking nightmare for me for weeks after.
It was a Sundowner Valuelite, btw. I’ll never buy another Sundowner again - you wouldn’t believe the phone calls that I had to make to get the thing serviced, and the whole time I was praying that I wouldn’t need my trailer for an emergency while I was duking it out with them.
Add me to the list of people with a Sundowner problem. I brought my trailer in to the dealer a week or so ago for its annual servicing. Last year, I paid to have all the superficial surface rust stripped off the frame and have the whole thing done with a new undercoating & paint etc. So, imagine my surprise when the dealer called to say that my frame was shot…completely rotted out. The rotting started on the inside of the frame and worked its way out, so there was no way to know it was there until the rotting worked its way all through the frame. As I understand it, it has to do with the fact that the steel Sundowner used is actually compressed layers of steel. Once moisture finds its way into the middle of the layers, it rusts and just works its way through the steel, from the inside out.
The service manager told me that my trailer was one of the worst Sundowners they have seen. But they are happy to have it because I have it serviced annually there, and they have full documentation on all the maintainence that was done every since I bought it (it is a 2000). Apparently Sundowner claims that the structure failure is due to owners not maintaining their trailers properly and the dealer can prove that is not the case with my trailer.
I loved my Sundowner (is is a 2000 Valuelite, 2 horse bumper pull with dressing room). I cleaned it religiously, totally pulling the mats out, scrubbing the trailer clean regularly, inside & out. It looked fabulous, I must say, on the outside. Everytime I read something about ramps falling off or structures failing, I was all like: “Oh, not my trailer! I love my Sundowner!”.
As of yesterday, I now own a Jamco.
Lisa; that is exactly what the concern is. That is the compressed steel is creating a structural problem NOT the coatings. If you repair the surface you don’t get to the core. It covers the problem.
Re: the hinges-Sorry Mr. Dealer, but 3 years bumper to bumper is what it is. I know I never had a problem with repairs like that and believe that is a unethical dealer vs national issue. I do know that any dealer that is not responding needs to know the name of your lawyer, several hundred internet friends etc. Now I’m into the remaining portion so I have to have a structural problem. It’s all in the matter of interpretation. I can’t and won’t put my animals at risk.
Check your frames carefully. If you service yourself-keep all your records. Take annual photos.
Check for recalls and more.
Husband and I talked about getting another brand of trailer but again, the timing is poor. I purchased a brand new trailer so as to have one for years especially once it was time for son to go to college. The same with our vehicles. Besides I do love my trailer -I just want to know that my precious cargo is safe, which of course is why we chose this trailer in the first place.
sundowner
Enjoy your trailet. The good news is if there are any concerns, you will find them out here
At the time I purchased my sundowner we were traveling all around to go to hunts and hunter paces here in NE. My riding partner and I even planned to go further north and catch some of the hunts there but it never worked out as she became ill. The goose offered flexibility for housing/staying overnight places. I love the GN I have. It’s likely not practical with the price of fuel rising . Many of my friends have gone smaller and plan to stay that way. I’m debating about that but again, the costs of starting over are something I wish to avoid.
I have to trust that a company with a lot of positive press on the internet will come through. I am fortunate that the service agent is thorough and keeps great records. I have been reading and researching and since I too have cared for my trailer like Lisa -I have to believe there will be a solution that is safe . But if there isn’t I’ll not be silent!!
Lisa-thanks so much for the PM. You helped answer some questions I did have. Infact, I think your trailer was the one he used for an example when talking to me. No names of course
[QUOTE=c_expresso;3016389]
Yikes…
I would never buy a Sundowner. My friend’s trainer was driving her brand new Sundowner for the first time with her horse in it, when the ramp just fell off and her horse fell out onto the highway and was THANK GOD somehow okay… that story turned me off Sundowners.[/QUOTE]
Ditto! I’ve heard WAY too many bad things about them. Enough to totally scare me away from them! :yes:
[QUOTE=magnum;3020319]
When I custom designed and ordered my CURRENT trailer, I actually had them hold production on it in the structural phase until I could get to the factory to inspect it myself. I took photos (with film, as digital is not admissable in court) from every angle. I told them the story about previous experiences … I then politely let them know if anything went wrong or if any aspect of the trailer was stucturally compromised resulting in harm to me, my horse or other travelers on the road, that I’d pursue legal action against them.
Only after it passed my own inspection did I give them the green light to continue finishing my trailer … (talk about a PITA customer!). They were actually GREAT about it and they wecolmed all of my input, including design revisions for future similar models.
Magnum[/QUOTE]
Magnum,
Out of curiosity, what brand is this new trailer whose customer service was so great ?
Damn, I need to get my trailer in for inpection too. I love mine - it’s a 777 BP with DR, but it’s not used all that frequently. We bought it in MA, and I think it’s a 2003 or 2004 - have to look it up. Now we’re in FL, so the weather is very different. Not sure how thorough the maintenance has been on it… How much $$ are we talking here for a good inspection?
I don’t know what the going rates are but typically I have them check the brakes, wiring, repack the bearings and of course they do little things like replace lights, etc. The brakes were done a year or so ago-but in general it’s a couple hundred dollars some of which was covered by warranty. I’ve also purchased an extra rim just in case I need a 2nd spare tire. You just never know-so that did increase my bill a bit last year :).
Others can jump in but have them look carefully at your frame. If there is any sign of rot explain that it may be coming from the inside out. Look for rust coming up on the inside wall and the floor.
If you have a sundowner dealer/service agent down there , they should know about this . However, one of the things that happens here that may not happen in FLA is the extreme temp changes we get. The expansion and contraction of the metal may be more severe up North.
I would suggest you swat up on the reaction between dissimilar metals when placed together; http://www.legendmfginc.com/Promotions/Steel_Alum.htm
This is most certainly a flaw caused by faulty design. Buy ALL steel or ALL aluminum - never mix the two.
Is the problem the steel frame rusting out or the aluminum floor or both ? I don’t own a Sundowner, a 1988 Four Star, 4 horse gooseneck aluminum stock trailer but it does have a steel frame and an aluminum floor. I crawled under it, the frame had no rust, no bubbling paint and I couldn’t see any damage or discoloring of the aluminum. I’m I missing something? I live in Florida so salt and extreme temperatures are not an issue. Is the problem mainly up north and only Sundowner Trailers ?
Well, J Swan, I’d be happy to pay more to make sure the trailer I’d buy met safety standards and would more likely keep my horses from falling through the floors or flying out the back and into the traffic following behind!! (Which in fact, if my friend pulling a Kieffer trailer at about 15 mph in a residential neighborhood, probably would have seen her horse fly out of the back at 55 mph, with a high probability of causing a serious traffic accident/injuries/possible deaths of her husband and children following behind in her mini van.) So yes, I’d be willing to pay more.
The only possible solution is to write legislators and demand that stock trailers meet safety standards as well.
If I remember correctly (and I may not so double check) there seems to be a bit of a gap or loophole or something in the fed DOT regs.
I’m just talking about accident reporting - the type of reporting that the feds would use to determine if a problem exists with a certain mode of transportation.
The threshold for reporting is based not on the trailer - but on the GVW of the tow vehicle. The figure I recall reading was 10,000. So if I was in an accident with my horse trailer - that accident would meet the threshold for reporting. So you do see a couple of horse trailer accidents being reported - and that would include trailer failure.
But since the threshold is the GVW of the tow VEHICLE - the vast majority of horse trailers may fail, result in an accident or injury to human or live cargo - and it’s simply never reported except to the police dept as a regular old traffic accident.
I guess that’s why we read or hear a lot of anecdotal evidence - but not a lot of facts.
I did see in some PE journals that metallurgical failure analysis was used in some lawsuits - but again - that information would be scattered among court documents, maybe profiled in a journal somewhere - but there it stays. On the other hand - google isn’t exactly the best way to search for scientific information.
When we read about semi’s full of livestock being involved in accidents - other than the fact they are high profile - another reason those can get national attention is the involvement of the feds. Interstate transport, combined with the GVW of the tow vehicle.
Anyway - I don’t think I have any point to make except that it’s possible for any trailer manufacturer to point to the lack of accident data as proof that their trailer is well built and safe. However, that really isn’t the case - lack of data does not mean anything but that data has not been collected or stored in an easily accessible location. And there appears to be no duty on the manufacturer to disclose that data even if it did exist.
I’m less concerned about the Sundowner stories than I am with the design of all trailers. Any component can fail on any piece of equipment - so a failure here or there may not be significant.
Any manufacturer can make any claim they want and point to the lack of data to support their claim. And a consumer really has no choice except to rely on the dealer/manufacturer.
But I’d also like to point out that mechanics aren’t saints, either. Some of the information about the steel used in the frame of this trailer is wrong. Mechanics are pretty good about scaring customers into unneeded repairs - and when I learn of that crap it makes me furious.
All aluminum trailers have their own dangers. All steel trailers have their own dangers. No design is the best or safest. But I really would like for accident data involving any livestock trailer - no matter what size or GVW of the tow vehicle - be reportable. At least that way - if legislation or regulatory change is needed - there is verifiable, objective data to support it.
Fact;
Galvanic or Two-Metal Corrosion
A potential difference usually exists between two dissimilar metals when they are immersed in a corrosive or conductive solution. If these metals are placed in contact (or otherwise electrically connected), this potential difference produces electron flow between them. Corrosion of the less corrosion-resistant metal is usually increased and attack of the more resistant material is decreased, as compared with the behavior of these metals when they are not in contact. The less resistant metal becomes anodic and the more resistant metal cathodic. Usually the- cathode or cathodic metal corrodes very little or not at all in this type of couple. Because of the electric currents and dissimilar metals involved, this form of corrosion is called galvanic, or two-metal, corrosion. It is electrochemical corrosion, but we shall restrict the term galvanic to dissimilar-metal effects for purposes of clarity.
Well yeah, everyone knows that. Which is why if you use dissimilar metals you place an insulator between them. Or you should.
On the other hand - even all aluminum trailers use steel bolts - without insulators. You don’t hold them together with aluminum. Maybe corrosion minded trailer owners are best advised to go with all steel trailers?
Dunno.
Well …It really should be corrosion minded trailer builders that design better trailers to avoid the corrosion problems!
[QUOTE=TouchstoneAcres;3044922]
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Rest easy, Touchstone! I can think of dozens of people I know who have various models of Trail-et trailers in our area, many of them 10-20 years old ath this point and still looking practically new. I’ve used many different models of varying ages myself as well, and have always been impressed with the quality and general safety of these trailers.
I don’t know of a single person who has owned a Trail-et in my area who has had a trailer accident or major problem with one that wasn’t maintenance-related (ie. broken wire or needing new tires/brakes, etc).
Because of that they are absolutely my first choice in horse trailers. I have also heard (but can’t confirm) that Hawk trailers are nearly identical to Trail-ets. I haven’t seen any first-hand, however.
Spectrum.
