I am looking to trade my 2H GN for a stock trailer so - if necessary - horse, pony & mini + mini’s 2-wheel cart can all go somewhere. Also switching to BP as my knees have had it with climbing in & out of the truckbed to hitch,
Found a possible even trade on an '08 Circle J - aluminum.
I’m not familiar w/the brand aside from recognizing the name.
Go for it?
Run away?
ETA: tried Searching & I have to figure that function out as I got nada :no:
We had one many years ago. Had when we were in AK and pulled all the way to AL. Basic 2 horse bumper pull with a ramp. Nice trailer, no bells and whistles, got the job done was a good trailer with no issues.
I bought a Circle J 2 horse BP new and had it for almost 30 years. It was a great trailer, and I had no problem selling it.
Circle J filed for bankruptcy in 2008 or 2009 and was bought by Big Tex Trailers. So, I’m not sure past experience is a valid predictor of future performance for new trailers. The 2008 you are looking at was probably built pre-bankruptcy.
In 2008 Circle J was still making the trailers. I’ve got an '08 steel 2H BP from them that has held up well considering I use it 4-5 days per week and it lives outside attached to my truck. Both the steel and the aluminum ones are very popular around here and I’ve heard very few complaints. They sell fast when they come up used.
@2DogsFarm, I agree, the COTH search function is pretty useless at this point.
Try entering this in your browser -
“circle j” site:chronofhorse.com/forum/
I don’t know about the newer ones, but the older Circle J steel trailers were solid trailers that lasted a long time.
Thanks, All!
Good to hear Circle J makes a reliable product.
Looks like I have a deal.
Dealer is willing to trade even for my GN.
@Scarlet Gilia I did a Google search & came up with an old COTH thread & another from the BB: Horsetopia,
Nobody has anything damning to say about Circle J & most like theirs.
I have a '94 two horse and it is still going strong.
Had one that I bought well used. It hauled beautifully and did its job nicely, needing no repairs while I owned it. (full disclosure: it had the dreaded manger and short escape door, and I ended up selling it to go back to a non-manger arrangement. But it sold very easily for exactly what I paid.) Glad you are going for it, OP.
I had one for 5 years. 2h slant bumper pull…I only sold it because Mr PoPo’s horse we bought was just too long to fit comfortably with another horse in there. I never had any problems with it.
Looks like I may have a Deal
I am wheeling & dealing to get the seller (dealer) to add WDH & stabilizers.
One More Quick Question:
Interior pic shows some wood panels added to the nose - obviously by the former owner.
When I asked, dealer said they were added to prevent horses doing damage to the nose.
Day Late, Dollar Short as pics show some minor dings on the exterior of the nose.
Since this is all-aluminum I was not too concerned.
Dealbreaker for anyone?
No, not for me. I would be happy that they put the wood in to keep the damage down. I would check it every year to make sure that there is no rust happing behind the wood though.
Our Circle J was a 2h slant hybrid aluminum skin on steel frame construction. The aluminum diamond plate nose section on the tack room got pushed in good from a jackknife in the driveway, but it never leaked or compromised the structure.
The axles on ours were leaf spring suspension and the plastic bushings in them wore through several years ago. Replaced it with a “wet bushing” kit and it rides much better and quieter now. They were Dexter axles so it might not have been a Circle J thing, but in any case I will always pay more for Tor-flex type axles now.
We recently sold it to someone we know and if there was any uncertainty we wouldn’t have done that.
I have a 1998 Circle J Riata two horse slant with front tack room. Bought it new in 1998 when we lived in Colorado. The roof faded some in the Texas sun (it’s now under cover) and the dressing room door has gotten water beyond the seal and warped just a tad. It was bought before the sale of the company…there were several trailer companies in Idaho (I believe) besides Circle J, Keifer was the other one I can remember, similar quality. Not a Sundowner, but better than those from C and M group.
The trailer combined with our 1996 F250 pulled beautifully, even in high winds. Haven’t towed it that much with our present vehicles.
Got it!
Wood floor needs to be replaced & fiberglass roof does not thrill me, although no apparent leaking.
Otherwise it is a nice trailer.
Dings in the nose actually not as bad as they seemed in the pics & mats are in great shape. Tires better than the ones on my trade-in.
Plenty room for my 3 & more than enough for mini & cart.
COTH inputs helped + my trailer expert neighbor came with & approved.
2Dogs is happy
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