I’m planning to buy a new trailer soon and curious what people recommend the most. Right now I’m most interested in Hawks and Kingstons because they have good reputations and resale value. Is this still the case for the new models? Are there other brands I should be considering instead? Looking for a 2h BP w/ DR, straight load.
If you’re in MA, the Kingston will probably be more affordable due to the lack of freight. Strong resale as well.
Yered also carries Trailers USA which I have found to be a good value.
I’vie had a Bison, two EquiSpirits (made at that time by Hawk) Lakota Challenger and currently have a Merhow. What I’ve learned is you get what you pay for. The Bison was a cheap trailer and cheaply made. The EquiSpirits were well made, moderately priced trailers --they had a really good warranty that was honored by the company --even broke a window and that was under warranty. Lakota’s Challenger had problems that the company worked very hard to address --but Challenger was their “lower end” trailer --I had trouble with window screens, and rubber on the walls (seemed to kind of rot at the bottom despite the fact my horses don’t wear shoes). Great customer service, but trailer was definitely not the quality of the EquiSpirts. Hands down, the Merhow (2004, bought used) is the finest, best made trailer I’ve owned. The only trailer I’ve seen that is better made is Hart. The Merhow is solid and looks great --despite being 14 years old! All the pads, windows, paint, chrome, fenders are original and work great. The previous owner had it sitting behind her barn (never inside) for 10 years --I’ve owned it 4 and with a little wax and chrome polish, it looks (literally) brand new. (ok, husband is a classic car guy and has lots of toys and polishes that make a older car or trailer look new) --but this trailer is solid. The only thing I had to do after the trailer sat for 10 years was replace the tires and the brakes and wiring. Then it was all wash, clay, and wax --polishing chrome is laborious --but wow does it come up bright. Anyway --that’s my experience.
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Kingston. Can’t go wrong with one. I bought mine new in 2004 and it still looks as good as the day I picked it up. A lot of people love Hawks but I’m not much of a fan. Old BO had one and had it parked next to my Kingston. Mine just looked more open, bigger and more inviting. I take mine in yearly for its state inspection and to have it thoroughly checked - never had an issue except for needing new tires but that’s normal.
Kingston was the only trailer my father would buy back when my sisters and I were “juniors” and showing heavily. He swore by them. They hold their value and seem to last forever.
The only other brand I really liked are Jamcos - those are ridiculously nice but way out of my budget!
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I have a 2004 Kingston as well and it still looks pretty good (bought it brand new). Mine is steel with aluminum skin but I think now they’re made completely out of aluminum. Back when I got my trailer I was also considering a Hawk trailer but for me it was just easier (I’m in MA) to get a Kingston.
I would say Hawk if you’re getting a BP 2h skipper tripper. Galvanized frame, fiberglass roof, alum sides. Resale very strong, they last a long time.
Kingston, well built sturdy–I find the interior details a bit “meh” but lots of people like them strong resale
Merhow…they DID have a good reputation with old ones. New ones…um, definitely do not get alumasport they are junk flimsy crap. The higher end models are OK but…seriously much better trailer out there for the money. (hawk or kingston definitely better made trailer than merhow)
Bison…no, chincy.
frontier NO! TERRIBLE!
Sundowner— OK/goodish, they don’t hold up to heavy use/abuse, avoid cheapest models, everyone knows the name, resale good , popular with weekend warriors.
Featherlyte - Good yes, good resale, last a long time, will take a lot of wear tear fine
Sooner…is the same as Featherlyte
Adam-- all aluminum top end line is really nice and good value price in New England. Rugged-- many harness racers in new england run them year round and they take beating/hard use, winter,…last a long long time. BUT lower end models are not that great. It’s the top end all alum line that’s good. See more of these in mid atlantic as they are made in VA—but orchard in MA sells them.
4star…oh hell YES but expensive…but you will never buy another trailer and resale HIGH values
Jamco…oh hell yes “ditto”
Eby …oh hell yes “ditto”
No experience with Hawks, but I LOVE my Kingston. It’s a '96 and still looks great. My horses love how open and airy it is, and I plan to buy a new model in the next year or two. It’s been a great trailer.
If both are in stock the best thing to do IMO is enter each, jump up and down stomping hard as you can, bang on the walls hard as you dare… Run your hands around the trim, push on the ceiling, compare the size of the rear main frame and ramp thickness, wall thickness etc, totally different construction between the 2 brands, you can see if you feel and notice the difference
Risa
I LOVE my Hawk 2H, bumper pull, dressing room, ramp, straight load. Hauls like a dream, horses love to ride in it. Mine is tall (7’6") and extra long. Super resale value too. It has worn like iron with nearly weekly hauls (I share it with my SIL) .
The only trailer I’ve ever owned is the 2006 Hawk two horse straight load gooseneck I currently have.
All I can say is that it’s still in great shape despite its 12 years of regular use. I particularly like the insulated
fiberglass roof and the rumber floor and the light weight, easy-to-manage ramps. . .
And I like that I don’t need a heavy duty truck to pull it. I haul with a 2004 Nissan Titan with zero issues.
We love the Kingstons. And they hold their value if you maintain them. There is a dealer not far from the Kingston factory in Hanover, MA that has really great prices due to his proximity.
4 Star is what I bought. I would also suggest you look at a small NC company called Shetron. They are the new version of Collin Arndt. They are all custom built to order. I sold my 18 YO Collin Arndt which was better than anything else on the market new that I could find locally with the exception of the 4Star custom that I bought. I would have gotten a Shetron but it was too far away to be practical as I wanted to hand pick every detail. I would have LOVED to have a Jamco, but they are twice what I paid for my custom 4Star. I did stuble across two very nice used Jamcos after I had placed my order 
I love my Hawk 2 horse BP with dressing room. My favorite feature is being able to just plunk the hay down into the tray instead of stuffing hay bags. I think the only notable difference between Hawk and Kingston is the Kingston is a lighter trailer in terms of weight.
My first trailer was a second hand Kingston- steel frame aluminum skin, which was a very nice trailer (traded it for a bigger trailer). Living near Kingston MA I feel like I grew up with everyone having one- they’re very nice. My second trailer was a Trailers USA bought second hand in practically new condition from Yered in MA that held it’s value extremely well (sold it to get a trailer with the exact specs I’d been wanting).
I was between a Trailers USA and a Hawk when I was trailer shopping and ended up with a Balance Ride (Hawk). My favorite! Despite the distance for delivery the price was right for my BR/Hawk. Obviously it’s new so still in the honeymoon phase, but I’m finding it to be a quiet ride, bright with big windows, solid but parts are light & easy to handle.
Thanks for all of the feedback! I plan to go visit a couple dealers and look at the newer trailers in person and price them out. I got a couple recommendations elsewhere to look into buying at Equine Affair in Nov for a good deal, so definitely considering that. Looks like I can’t really go wrong with either brand…
I must have the oldest Kingston. Mine is a 1990. I had it refurbished by the son of the Kingston founder in 2006. Getting due for some more cosmetic work, but it is really in great shape. My horse hated the Hawk and objected to loading into it. I always feel like he knows something that I don’t. I would get another Kingston in a heartbeat, but I cannot justify buying another when mine is doing great.
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I also have a Hawk, LOVE IT, and just want to add that mine was delivered to me for free. Manufacturer is in Wisconsin, I’m in Colorado, and they had me purchase through a dealer in Oregon – and then they dropped it off in my driveway at no cost since we are “on the way”. Apparently this is a normal thing!!
I have had both and I dont think you can go wrong with either one.
I’m in the midwest, so I see a lot of Hawks and zero Kingstons. They are very easy to customize. Several friends have Hawks and are very happy. For a two horse straight load the side unload ramp is pretty nice (although I would do that option with a gooseneck). Another friend had a warmblood sized two horse BP. She only got rid of it to get a gooseneck (also Hawk). I’m not sure if I like the ramp and curtain doors or not, personally.
Unless I find something amazing used (4 Star, etc.), I think my next trailer will be a 7.5’ wide Hawk slant with oversized stall width and rumber flooring. My two horse Featherlite is not the right set-up for a mare and foal. Unless I can talk my husband into a bigger truck. 
I got rid of my older Kingston (TB sized) to trade up for a Sundowner (WB sized) and I wish I had never done it. My Kingston was awesome - so user friendly and I swear horses just LOVED it. They jumped right on.
My friend has a very nice Exiss. I don’t know much about the brand, but it is a super nice trailer with user-friendly features.
