5 Sundowner Horse Trailers Reviewed

Every detail of a horse trailer matters: how it hauls, how it rides, and how it holds up over time.  When you’re hauling long distances or trailering frequently, you can’t afford issues with balance, poor airflow, or weak structural design. The right trailer isn’t just about convenience, it’s about safety, comfort, and reliability for both you and your horses. Choosing a well-built, dependable trailer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your program.

That’s why we prefer Sundowner horse trailers. They’re reliable over long distances, easy to tow, and comfortable for your horse.

Sundowner’s legacy of reliability

Since 1976, Sundowner Trailers has built its reputation on quality, innovation, and reliability. The company began in Coleman, Oklahoma, when four brothers—John, Larry, Gary, and Jerry Shipman—took up their father’s challenge to build a better trailer than what was on the market. They poured concrete in their hay barn and got to work, eventually expanding their operation into a major local employer. With long days that often stretched past sunset, the name Sundowner Trailers came naturally.

Today, tens of thousands of Sundowner trailers are on the road across the U.S. and Canada. Known for their consistent quality and smart, durable designs, Sundowner trailers are built to last. Choosing between models often comes down to your specific needs—because every Sundowner is built to exceed expectations.

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What makes Sundowner Trailers a top choice?

Over the last 50 years, Sundowner Trailers has established themselves as a favorite among horse owners. Here are some of the reasons why:

Built for reliability

Sundowner trailers are engineered to last. They’re built from the ground up to endure heavy use and keep you on the road year after year. With top-tier construction and materials, Sundowner horse trailers are designed to provide safe and reliable transport for your horses for many show seasons to come.

Easy handling and maneuverability

Sundowner trailers are designed to balance your load and give you more control, so you can haul your horse with less stress and more confidence. Features like rubber torsion axles help reduce road vibrations, while low-profile designs improve the center of gravity and lower the risk of tipping or shifting when rounding corners. Sundowner Trailers designs their models to make towing smoother and more manageable.

Industry-leading warranty coverage

When you invest in a Sundowner trailer, you’re getting one of the best warranties in the industry. While other trailer brands have piecemeal warranties for specific parts, Sundowner Trailers stands behind the whole of their products with a 3-year warranty on everything “hitch to bumper.” Even if you’re buying secondhand, you can benefit from the transferable 8-year structural warranty on every model. Sundowner’s warranty is a testament to their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Comfort for horses and haulers

Sundowner Trailers puts comfort first for both horses and their owners. Their trailers feature efficient ventilation systems, floor mats, and smooth ride technology to maintain a calm journey for your horses. Sundowner also puts the owners first by leading the way in first-rate living quarters, giving you the opportunity to comfortably rest and recharge after a long day of driving, riding, and showing.

Premium aluminum construction

When transporting horses, lightweight and tough is the name of the game. Sundowner horse trailers are constructed with aluminum, which resists rust and corrosion, making them low-maintenance and perfect for long-term use if you're looking for a durable trailer that won’t weigh you down.

Constant innovation

Innovation is in Sundowner’s DNA. From the founding of the company, they have continually improved their trailers with practical, user-focused features like telescoping rear dividers and spring-loaded latches and ramps. Sundowner constantly listens to its customers to solve everyday problems with smart, functional design.

You’ve either witnessed or been the person straining your back by lifting up on a sagging slant-load divider to latch it into place. Sundowner horse trailers are built with bolts on the top and bottom of the divider hinges so you can easily tighten or loosen the divider for the perfect latch every time. If you have a young horse kicking with its leg caught over the divider, the latch is also designed to be let loose from a distance with a muck rake tine.

Construction that holds up

Built tough from every angle, Sundowner trailers feature hollow-core extruded sidewalls, welded hinges, and secure latch systems to stand up to years of hard work. They’re built with materials that can take a beating while staying strong and reliable. Add in sturdy steps, secure hardware, and full-length running boards, and you get a trailer that’s ready for anything.

Curb appeal that performs

Sundowner trailers are designed to impress. With sleek, polished finishes and professional color choices like white, silver, black, and champagne, Sundowner trailers combine good looks with outstanding functionality. Whether you’re at a show or hauling across state lines, you can take as much pride in your Sundowner trailer as you do your hard work.

Our top 5 Sundowner horse trailer recommendations

Whether you’re looking for a lightweight bumper pull for quick hauls or a fully equipped gooseneck for multi-day events, here are five models we think deserve a closer look.

1.  Sundowner Charter TR SE

The Charter TR SE, most popular with haulers who prefer straight loading their horses, comes in both bumper pull and gooseneck models to fit individual needs. This trailer is the perfect choice for a hauler who needs to prioritize both space and efficiency, designed to maximize storage space without sacrificing your horses’ comfort or unnecessarily increasing the bulk and size of the trailer.

If you prefer a straight-load trailer, both models are designed to maximize every inch to save time and simplify your experience. The secure chest and butt bars, along with convenient front doors on each side, ensure safe and efficient loading and unloading. Sliding windows in the rear tail curtains offer better ventilation when needed.

Key features of the Charter TR SE:

• Straight load
• 2-horse capacity
• Compact size
• Comes in two models (BP & GN)

Sundowner Charter TR SE bumper pull model

We recommend the 2-horse direct load bumper pull for easy loading and unloading at events. The quality shows in the fit and finish of this trailer, and the rubber torsion axles give the smoothest ride for the horses. The stalls also have an open, airy feeling, giving the horses good visibility.

The bumper pull model of the Charter TR SE offers an excellent balance of compact size and ample storage for a 2-horse trailer. The spacious tack room provides generous storage while maintaining the trailer's manageable size. The v-nose design adds comfortable elbow room in the tack room with potential for customization to fit your needs.

Convenient for longer distances and multi-day events, the Charter TR SE GN significantly increases your storage capacity without a significant increase in size. This model of the Charter TR SEl provides a built-in front jack and two 20" x 36" windows and four feet of storage in the nose.

This horse trailer is uniquely designed for competitive equestrians needing a show-ready space. The Sundowner Super Tack trailer showcases an expanded dressing room with multiple features that give plenty of storage and space for changing. The slant load configuration, available in 2- and 4-horse models, is often preferred for easier loading/unloading, and the construction of a slant load often improves overall maneuverability.

We love the Charter TR SE 2+1 GN because of its clean functionality and versatile design. The full ramp and versatile space makes this trailer a great option for those who need to haul horses and heavy equipment in one trip.

The extra space in front of the stalls not only offers room to haul a third horse or extra gear, but it’s also large enough to accommodate a small ATV or golf cart. Horses can be loaded easily from either the rear or the 60” side ramp, allowing you to choose whether your horses are facing forward and backward—a highly practical choice for safe and efficient loading and unloading. Another helpful feature is the door leading from the tack room to the horses, giving you easy access to either compartment without stepping outside the trailer.

If you need to haul something other than your horses, all components are removable to convert it to an open trailer. Some of our other favorite features include dropdown feed doors with dropdown face guards on each side, full-length running boards, flip-up air vents, and tail curtains that swing to latch on the sides of the trailer.

When hauling several horses in the same trailer, functionality and ease are key. The Sundowner Transporter is a 4-horse head-to-head GN model with a practical design. It offers ample storage space, with room to organize tack, stable supplies, and equipment you need on the road. The back doors and full side ramp allow for loading and unloading from both the rear and side. Because this trailer allows you to remove any of the four horses without disturbing the others, it’s a top choice for events.

 

If you prefer a no-nonsense slant-load design, the Sundowner Sportman BP is the way to go. This trailer comes in 2-, 3-, and 4-horse models and features drop-down feeder windows that securely fasten in place on the go. While capable of being fully enclosed, it allows extra air flow through sliding or drop-down rear windows. The slanted tack room includes a swing out saddle rack and six tack hooks, just what you need for a smooth and simple experience. The Sportman is ideal for lower towing capacities

Key features of the Sportman BP:

• Trailer length: 12’ 9”, 16’, or 19’ 3”
• Trailer width: 6'9"
• Inside height: 7'
• Stall width: 39"
• Slant-load
• 2-4 horse capacity
• Spare tire: inside tack room
• Drop-down feeder windows
• Ideal for lower towing capacities
• Tack room with:
  • 6 tack hooks
  • Blanket bar
  • Locking door with sliding window
  • Dome light
  • Brush tray
  • Saddle rack
  • Rubber floor mats

Horse trailers designed for the long haul

Because the Sundowner brand is so consistent in its innovative design, high quality, and practical features, you can trust that their trailers will meet the needs of both you and your horses. Whether you're looking for a compact, easy-to-maneuver model or a spacious trailer that does it all, Sundowner provides efficient and hassle-free options that give you the reliability you need every trip.

If you’re interested in more information or looking for a quality Sundowner horse trailer in Asheville, Hendersonville, Spartanburg, or Greenville, SC, we’re right down the road in Campobello, SC, off of exit 5 on I-26. Come visit us, or give us a call–we’re always happy to help.

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