4-Star trailers: what wears first and what it costs

4-Star Trailers is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and builds aluminum horse trailers, bumper pull and gooseneck. 4-Star’s own care guide lays out the schedule: mats out and floor rinsed every 6 months or 6,000 miles, Dexter bearings repacked and seals replaced every year or 12,000 miles, frame bolts, rivets and welds checked yearly. We are independent, not a 4-Star dealer. Typical prices: bearing repack $150 to $250 per axle, aluminum floor work about $12 to $20 per square foot, weld repairs $145 to $435.

What fails first on a 4-Star

• The floor. 4-Star’s manual says the rubber floor mat is there to keep shod horses from slipping on the metal underfloor, and its care guide says to pull the mats, clean and rinse the floor and reinstall once dry every 6 months or 6,000 miles. Aluminum is light and durable, the guide says, but susceptible to corrosion. See trailer floor replacement.
• Bearings. 4-Star runs Dexter axles and calls for a repack and new seals every year or 12,000 miles, and prompt replacement if bearings are immersed. See wheel bearing service.
• Brakes. The care guide says to adjust the Dexter brakes monthly as needed unless they are self-adjusting, and to test the electric brakes every 6 months. See trailer brake repair.
• Welds, bolts and rivets. Checked yearly in 4-Star’s schedule. A cracked divider hinge or a loose rivet is a welding and frame job.
• Hitch. 4-Star’s manual says to inspect the hitch for wear, corrosion and cracks before coupling, and replace worn or cracked parts. See coupler won’t latch.

4-Star’s schedule at a glance

Typical 4-Star repair prices

Same ranges as any make; see the pricing page.

Warranty first

4-Star’s care guide lists an 8-year structural warranty on the frame assembly, 2 years on 4-Star manufactured components and 1 year on sealant. If your trailer is inside those windows, start with a 4-Star dealer; we do not handle warranty claims. For everything else, see horse trailer repair.