Hawk Trailers

[TWH_Girl]

I have a 2007 Hawk 2-horse bumper pull with dressing room that I bought brand new for $9500. I love the trailer, but I think the price should be more in the $7k range for the one you’re considering. Hawks were started in WI as an offshoot of Trailet. They are well made and handle well. Mine is exactly what I wanted and need and is perfect for some shows, trail rides, helping out others in a pinch, and the occasional haul to the vet clinic.

To answer your questions:

Do you still like your Hawk trailers? I do, it’s very well made. Perfect for my needs.

Would you recommend them to a friend? Yes, and even strangers over the internet.

Any qualms about an older but well-kept model? Not at all, but I would see if you can negotiate on price. You would likely be able to get a new one for about the same price.

[Twistedpony]

Thanks so much for the input guys! I have decided (after more research, and reading your responses) that I’ll be looking for a new trailer. The difference in price isn’t super significant from what I’m seeing, and not having to worry about how the trailer has been maintained will be good for peace of mind. I’m going to start visiting various dealers in the coming months and looking at trailers in person–I have a good idea of what Hawks are, so that’s nice. Going to look at Shadow trailers too. There is a dealer near(ish) to my house, so I figured it can’t hurt to look–it’s not a brand I have seen much of, so I want to go physically see them for myself. Featherlites, Sundowners, and Equispirit are more prevalent in my area.

[Horse2019]

I bought a 2021 hawk elite 2 horse bumper pull in April 2021. Brand new off the lot. 10.5 months later as I got the trailer ready for it’s first annual maintenance appt, I couldn’t believe what I found. The paint on all 3 door hinges is flaking right off. There’s a crack down the middle of each little hinge and you touch it and off it falls! There’s a bit of rust on one door hinge including between the hinges. The paint is also coming off the interior head wall inside the horse compartment, there’s a line from floor to ceiling where there’s a ridge and it’s falling off. There’s significant rust underneath the trailer on the support beams and axels. I called in on my 7 year warranty on workmanship and structure and they said only 90 days on the paint. They said it was probably welding splatter. I’d think that’s workmanship. But it’s on me to fix. They mailed me spray paint can. The weather stripping under a door is coming off and they mailed me weather stripping. I’m having my dealer talk to hawk because all the paint falling off my door hinges is not what I’d expect in less than a year old trailer!!! Buyer beware!!!

[Horse2019]

My 2021 brand new hawk has all the paint cracking and peeling off all the door hinges. Less than 1 year old. Plus rust on one door hinge

[Horse2019]

I bought a brand new 2021 hawk and all the paint on the door hinges is cracking down the middle band flaking off. Found this at 10 months old. I’m super disappointed. And they are saying no warranty on paint although this clearly was a total mistake on the paint job. I have rust as well on a hinge. They mailed me a spray can of paint for the dealer to use.

[quietann]

3 messages??? Whatever.

I have a 2010 2H BP that I bought new. Yes, there are now some rust issues, mostly superficial but not all. It has been keep outside the entire time I’ve had it, and current barn is a couple of miles from the beach, so that may be a cause. I’d definitely be replacing some of the rusty bits before putting it up for sale. (But no, I am not planning to, yet.)n

[ThreeFigs]

Horse2019, perhaps it has to do with where you are in the USA? I don’t know – my 2008 Hawk lived most of its life in Colorado, no problems with the paint. A few months ago we moved to Florida – so far no problems, but I do see some “changes” happening on the door latches. Nothing that makes the trailer unsafe or unsightly so far.

I am sorry you are having problems with yours. You are the first person I’ve heard with a complaint on a Hawk.

[tobruk]

Pretty sure Hawk is steel frame/alum skin, wood floor. Need to verify with Risa though.

[horsejumpguy]

bought a new hawk about 6 months ago, no issues yet. Looks to be a very good trailer. really liked the fit and finish. was recommended by my trainer. I think a paid a premium, but prices are up on everything, two years ago i think i could of purchased it for 2,000 less. as far as used goes i was trying to buy pre owned for the longest time. they go fast (less than 24 hours) so they must be in demand, 9,500 well its all what the market will allow right now.

[Janet]

@tobruk

Pretty sure Hawk is steel frame/alum skin, wood floor. Need to verify with Risa though

Mine is steel frame/alum skin, Rumber floor.

[tobruk]

That’s even better.

[Cowgirl]

I have a 2003 2 horse bumper pull with some custom upgrades that I bought new. It is a great trailer and the only complaint I had was with the door locks, but I understand that there is an easy fix. (They are complicated and you always have to lock the deadbolt or the door will open). Otherwise, the trailer looks really good. I have replaced the ramp wood and matting and the butt bar and chest bar pads and added some lights, but otherwise it stayed in really good shape. I am getting ready to buy another trailer because I need a bigger trailer for my young horses, and I am looking at Hawk, 4Star and Cimarron. I think the Hawk is the best value. That said, I think the one you are looking at is overpriced. I would expect to get 6-7k for mine.

[Unfforgettable]

I have an '05 2H Hawk with dressing room, and have been thinking about going to a 2H gooseneck. All three dealers have offered me 8500+ for my trailer in trade.

[Horse2019]

The dealer I bought it from said they’ve not had problems with hawk trailers either but they confirmed all the things I found. They had to repair the running board that was coming loose, paint the underside of the trailer which already has rust etc. Nothing could be done about the paint falling off the door hinges. No one would take ownership. I just assume since my trailer was made during covid times it wasn’t done right. It problem didn’t get treated before the paint went on. What makes it bad is hawk just kinda said good luck…

[Cowgirl]

I have to update this as my farrier told me, at least in our area, that used horse trailers are so rare at the moment, he thought I should ask $10k for mine. I was kind of surprised by that, but then he told me that he sold his fiance’s rusted old beat up trailer for $8k recently…

[Horse2019]

Update - my hawk at 1 year 10 months old went for annual service. This time it needed new barrings and a fuse went out in a light and the vehicle plug in had to be replaced. Wow. The amount going wrong at year 1 and 2 is nuts. $650 was my bill this time to fix up my less than 2 year old trailer.

[trubandloki]

Wow. Thank you for the update. That is sad. Is there no warranty at all?

[skip99]

Sorry to hear you are having problems. My annual service cost (repacking wheel bearing and replacing inner seals as standard) on a 2 horse bumper pull starts at ~$480 plus tax, add a couple of small things (lights, breakaway connection, etc) and yes I generally expect the bill each year to be between $520 and $750 all said and done.

[quietann]

I’m assuming you service trailers. The cost you quote is in line with what I was paying for yearly service.

I sold my Hawk trailer recently, to a dealer because sitting around outside, unused since last July, really accelerated the rust, and it needs a lot of work, plus a couple of cosmetic repairs, e.g. replacing the damaged fender that happened in 2015 or so. I’m expecting to see it for sale for at least twice what he paid for it, and even with all the needed repairs, he’ll make a profit. I still really like Hawk trailers and would buy another if I needed a trailer. (My mare is retired and I’m not likely to buy another horse.)