I am not familiar with this brand but I know some of our COTH buddies must be. I am considering buying a used one. Do Shadow trailers have a good reputation?
Bump
I just bought one last year in October, and I am very happy with it. I have the two horse straight load bumper-pull Stablemate model with dressing room.
My only concern is that it is a little bit narrower than my older trailer, but my horses are not oversize models, so they have no trouble fitting in the trailer.
I bought a Shadow two horse bumper-pull with tack room on '05 and have been happy with it. I would agree that it is a little narrow which has not been a problem for at least 5 different horses I have hauled, and too narrow for one. It is easy enough to take out the divider and make a large stall for the one guy to travel alone in style (he doesn’t show).
I haven’t had any problems with any parts of the trailer, and the ramp is still much easier to lift than any other I have tried. So I would still recommend it after 4 years and would buy another Shadow as my next trailer.
I also live in Florida (where they are made) and have several friends who own Shadows and are all happy with them.
Love my Shadow- I bought the gooseneck extra tall extra wide 2 horse, and have been very happy both with the trailer and the great customer service.
I’m starting to look for a new (used?) LQ trailer and found the Shadow brand. I’ve heard that an all-aluminum trailer isn’t as safe in a crash, since the framing will bend or break. Does anyone know how these trailers hold up in an accident?
Also, do these trailers have anything lining the walls (wood?) to prevent a horse from kicking through?
[QUOTE=Tiffani B;4368575]
I’ve heard that an all-aluminum trailer isn’t as safe in a crash, since the framing will bend or break. Does anyone know how these trailers hold up in an accident?
Also, do these trailers have anything lining the walls (wood?) to prevent a horse from kicking through?[/QUOTE]
I was told by the Shadow people that the aluminum they use is “aircraft grade” which is stronger than typical aluminum used for horse trailers.
The walls in my trailer are lined with the same rubber material as the floor, half way up the sides. So a kick would most likely hit the mats. It does make the bottom of the trailer dark so if you have hesitant loaders the darkness might be an issue.
I bought a Shadow 2H Stablemate BP w/ dressing room from the dealer in Ocala a few years ago. Mine is a slant load and is very short and narrow in the front stall when compared to other slants. Not a problem until now as we have only shown ponies but kids are moving up to horses and the trailer will have to be replaced. The front stall will hold a small TB or QH but if I have to haul a clients WB to the vet clinic, I have to remove the divider and use the trailer as a box stall. I love everything else about the trailer though. Very well made and I have had no problems with it in the three years I’ve had it.
I’m looking at their 8’ wide trailer, so the size isn’t going to be an issue (I have Saddlebreds). I’m just concerned about the strength. My horse is a horrible kicker and has pounded out some unbelievable dents in my steel trailer. I’m afraid he’d damage the aluminum even through the mats, unless they are ultra thick.
Do they offer a heavier liner of some kind?
Bringing back an older topic. I’m also interested in the Shadow trailers. Dealer told me that the walls of the straight load 2+1 & head to heads are all lined with Rumber Flooing material. Says it give the trailer a heavier/commercial feel to it & protects the walls more.
Anyone else use these trailers & if so have you had any problems with the construction or quality?
I’m also curious about the paint jobs. I’m borrowing an Adam trailer right now from a client, and while I like the trailer, the paint job is crap. They’ve spray painted it :no: and that looks even worse IMO. It’s also REALLY heavy.
There’s a Shadow dealer close to me, and I’ve been lured by the ads that state how lightweight and easy to haul their trailers are. I’ve been curious about quality as well.
I’m going to ask this on the around the farm forum & see if anyone else will respond.
Bumping up the old thread - anyone else have experience with these trailers - or anyone who previously commented, if you could let me know how they have held up that would be great. TIA.
When I was shopping for a trailer 2 years ago, I saw a Shadow 2+1 that wasn’t that old. This was a while ago, but I think at the time it was maybe 2-3 years old. From that one trailer, I crossed the Shadow brand off my list of prospects.
This trailer looked like it was far more “worn” than its age would suggest it should be. It kind of felt cheap, and that wherever corners could be cut on manufacture, they were cut. The seller’s farm was very nice and well kept up, so my impression was that the trailer’s wear and tear was probably normal, and not necessarily because the seller had misused it or abused it.
I would also like to hear if anyone has checked out Shadow trailers in the last couple years. I was really thinking about getting one when I found out they are now making trailers with fiberglass roofs. Maybe some other improvements have occurred? Maybe someone going to one of the horse festivals this spring could make a point of looking at Shadow and getting back to us? I wish I could make it to Midwest Horse Fair…hmm maybe I’ll have to ask friends if anyone is going (and see if Shadow will be there.)
I would ask for a wall liner behind the 1/4" rumber wall panel, otherwise it is only the wall panel then the outside skin or if used as the front wall get something behind it, the fiberglass roof appears to have struts laid across but no support for the roof radius, I would ask to full roof and radius support
My Opinion / Observation
Bump, anyone else with recent Shadow experience?
Getting on here a bit late but I LOVE my Shadow 2+1 with living quarters & slide out. Beautiful rig & pulls like a dream. Friends have one, also a 2+1 with dressing room that has gone so many miles it’s actually on its third truck, each on replaced due to high mileage. It’s still in excellent shape. No problems at all & they’re on the road all over the country. Never seen one with a fiberglass roof as another person posted. All I’ve ever seen are fully insulated, meaning the entire wall height & the ceilings. Coolest trailers we’ve ever used down here in the hot hot south. Great trailers, well made & we’ve haul big warm blood mares & foals & the occasional kicker without problems.
The fiberglass roof is an option starting this year. What year is yours?
I have a 2016 stablemate 3h slant with dressing room. I LOVE my trailer. I had fans and a stud divider installed prior to delivery and it’s great! I do plan to have it insulated and eventually a rear tack put in so that my dressing area is a dressing room only. It’s light enough that I can haul fully loaded with my F-150 which is exactly what I was looking for.
It’s large and airy, my horse jumps right in to go. We hauled from Florida to Missouri right after I purchased it, which happened to be one of the hottest weekends of the year last year and with the drop down windows on all sides including the rear door, he stayed cool. I did opt for the wood floor because frankly having an aluminum floor didn’t sound safe to me but I do have the fiberglass roof and it keeps things so much cooler inside!
The only thing I recommend is not doing business with the Ocala dealership. They gave me one heck of a run around, lied to me then promised items to make up for the hassle and never delivered. I wouldn’t recommend anyone do business with them.
