Older Featherlite trailers? How do they hold up?

[LessonLearned]

I have a lead on a 94 Featherlite all aluminum horse trailer for a GREAT price. I know that I like the Featherlite trailers but I didn't know how well they help up over time.

Anything you would specifically look at/for in a trailer of this age? I plan to take it in to be checked over at the local trailer repair shop.

I just thought I would check in with the good folks of COTH first!

[Lady Counselor]

The older ones were built well. I would stay away from any that are less than 5 or 6 years old. (the company changed hands a few years ago, Universal Trailer owns them now :( )
Have the brakes, tires, wheel bearings inspected. You will want to do a full service on them if you buy it.
Have the floor inspected for any signs of rot. Examine the outside, look for ripples in the skin (possible signs that the frame was compromised at some point)or signs that rivets came out and were redone. If it's a longer trailer, stand back and look at the trailer's appearance, specifically if there is any sort of a bow in the floor (frame)
Check all doors and windows. If any don't work correctly, find out why.(again, a racked frame can cause your doors and windows to not open or close correctly)
Check all lights and wiring, be sure that if you buy it, all work and you have everything lubed.

[tuppysmom]

We have a fairly long LQ Featherlite. It isn't as old as the one that you are looking at, but we haul a LOT of miles per year and it is holding up very well. This is our second Featherlite and I would buy this brand again. We do have local service available that we do take advantage of on a regular schedule.

[olympicdreams04]

I think my trailer should be a spokestrailer for Featherlite. It is an '88 model, Aluminum skin Steel frame, $H LQ with a 10' short wall. It has changed hands several times but always been kept up well. I have had it for 5 years, atleast 3 of which I have lived in it full time. I think I put a new meaning to the word "living quarters". Last year, I was in a serious accident that totalled my truck and injured my horses. The trailers nose was bent at a 45* angle because of the force of the truck stopping and the trailer being shoved against the ball. Amazingly though, they took the hitch and the nose off, slapped new ones on, and its good as new. Would never know it had been in a wreck. Prior to the mid 90's, everything on Featherlites was bolted together instead of welded, which likely saved my "home" from certain death. Good luck!

[subk]

...Aluminum skin Steel frame... The trailers nose was bent at a 45* angle because of the force of the truck stopping and the trailer being shoved against the ball. Amazingly though, they took the hitch and the nose off, slapped new ones on, and its good as new. Would never know it had been in a wreck. Prior to the mid 90's, everything on Featherlites was bolted together instead of welded, which likely saved my "home" from certain death. Good luck!
That is also because your frame was steel and not aluminum.

To the OP, if the frame is aluminum make sure you have someone well versed on aluminum and what oxidation looks like. No aluminum doesn't "rust" but it still can have oxidation issues which can be dificult for a layman to spot.

[hastyreply]

I had a 94 Featherlite that my daughter now has (3 horse slant). It has held up well, thought I didn't put a lot of miles on it. I had to replace it because I couldn't pull it with our 1 ton Dodge dually 4x4. It would hit the tailgate and sides.( we tried all different arangements changing the nose length and didn't like the slant it put on the trailer) I ended up getting a new model featherlite that fit my truck better. So I would check the clearance with whatever truck you plan to pull it with.

[shawneeAcres]

I cannot say how a featherlite would hold up, but I will say the older aluminum trailers were generally better made and much thicker aluminum. I have a 1986 Sooner aluminum 4 horse and it is in great shape and I love that trailer!!

[CANTEREOIN]

I went to the dealer that I bought it from (used in 2005) and wanted to trade it in. He told me that it was too good to get rid of... that a comparable one would cost me a fortune and that if I really wanted a new one... come back in two or three years and get a gooseneck.

There you go... great trailer and honest dealer...

[Calhoun]

I have a 96 2H bumper pull and have always kept it in good condition. It has been a wonderful trailer. Featherlite has good customer service when you have questions or need parts.

[Snapdragon]

I have a 96 2H bumper pull as well--may be a 94, can't quite remember. It's held up very well. I did have to have the hinges redone on the ramp about 2-3 years ago (and have had normal maintenance done), but other than that, it gets us where we're going just fine.

[Jumphigh83]

IF it was made by Universal trailers RUN SCREAMING! Yes they do have good customer service because we are all on a first name basis, we correspond so much. :no::no::eek::eek:

[Comfortably Numb]

Be very careful, I have a 2002 Model, use it five or six times a year, never on salty roads. Just today, I was cleaning it out for winter storage, and the aluminum floor has two or three holes in it, there as a ton of oxidation, and the floor on one side has worn extremely thin. I intend to go looking for a trade in ASAP.