Below you will find testimonials from some of our many satisfied customers. Please contact us if you'd like to have your testimonial added.

Hawk Trailer Review Mr. Truck

The first thing that sets Hawk apart from the crowd is the brilliant paint scheme. Such sharp looking trailers with matching fenders, roof edges and graphics are painted on not decaled on. Hawk can even match the paint on your truck. It's a lot of fun touring horse trailer factories. The personalities behind Hawk Trailers have a vision for the future and a love for horses. My first trip to Manawa Wisconsin was fun, and it was certainly not the first state I think of when looking for horse trailer manufactures. But it's still an area near steel mills and talented welders. Hawk is primarily sold in the Eastern & Midwest US, not because we couldn't use them in the West, but because the factory is at full capacity supplying inventory to the dealers they have now. While in Ron Winter's office (Ron shown at right talking to customers), I saw the stack of dealer applications waiting to be approved when extra trailer production is available. The 3 owners of Hawk Trailers (Brian Timm, Sean Bruechert and Joel VanDenHout) are conservative and more concerned about quality than growth, a philosophy worth copying.

Usually I headline an article with a new trailer. But a used Hawk (below) could pass for new. I've seen several used ones now and even one rolled by a Tornado. That's a good way to judge a trailer or a truck. Find one 5 years old and see how they're holding up. There's a good reason Hawk owners are proud of their trailers. Proving that small companies with quality trailers paying attention to details and listening to their customers, can compete with the national corporations for trailer sales. Instead of an assembly line, Hawk uses individual booths to handle all the different size trailers. This prevents a large trailer from clogging up the line. Also makes it easier to custom build trailers without affecting the flow. Workers are trained to handle all the building jobs. This flexibility allows technicians to go work on any trailer. There are 26 standard models. In house engineers at Hawk help customers and dealers design custom trailers or rearrange standard models. Farther down the article I explain the raised "people" floor and ramps, yes I'm still raving about ramps. Check out all the pictures, at least a million, I mean several hundred. Composite Process of Galvannealed, Gatorshield, Galvanized, Powder Coat, Fiberglass & T-Coat

Even "all aluminum" trailers have metal axles, axle frame boxes and metal gooseneck coupler frames. So a combination of materials seems logical, just as in the automobile industry. When talking about steel trailers, you hear about Galvannealed often. Just like in the automobile industry, using zinc coated galvanized metal is a mature technology, actually 100 years old. Metal has evolved to keep your new steel truck from rusting and now steel trailers use hot dip galvanizing called Galvannealed. Which is a brand name for a process where carbon steel is dipped in zinc and then heated to coat the metal with zinc-iron alloy. This is a bonding process which makes it superior to galvanized and makes the metal easier to paint and weld. Now the next improvement to metal is Zinc- Iron electro Galvannealed steel from the electrolytic process. Also another brand name for a metal treatment process is Gatorshield which is a triple layer Flo-Coat. The tensile strength in Gatorshield is similar to the frame on class 6 trucks. Hawk Trailers uses some galvanized, some Galvannealed and a lot of Gatorshield galvanized metal in their trailers, each for their appropriate use. Don't let the tech stuff bore you, more exciting details down a few paragraphs. Now we have the frame and interior walls covered. Next Hawk takes the trailer to the paint booth where it is caulked and coated with Epoxy. The floor is built with standard treated #1 Southern Yellow Pine or optional Rumber. In the walls, insulation is added and then the outer aluminum sheets are taped into place. Taping is becoming the standard for aluminum sheets, allowing easier repairs from a traffic accident. Same with the fiberglass fenders, that bolt on, easy replacement. The aluminum sheets are pre-baked in either white or silver. This coating eliminates the need for acid washing the aluminum shell. You know low maintenance, just soap and water and your trailer is clean again.

Now add the one piece Gatorshield steel reinforced fiberglass roof to keep the water out, stay cool and is quiet. Then back to the paint booth for the roof trim, fenders and cool graphics. You can use the color code from your truck or SUV to match the paint. Color coordinated is my middle name. Folks will stop talking just to watch your rig pull up and then they will be excited or jealous. So much care goes in to the details, like fully removable powder coated interior parts, epoxy on all the metal, and painted on graphics. Black T-coated latches, bolts and hardware (right) is another detail to prevent corrosion. Developed for the military & used on boats, Black T is a combination of thin coat polymers so not interfering with latch function.

Replaceable color coordinated fiberglass fenders. We all know fenders are the first casualty of a tight corner. Fiber glass is lighter than steel, cheaper to replace than aluminum. Hawk uses extra core matting on the radius of the fenders. Reinforced fenders (right) you can see the bolts that hold the fender on (left.) I inspected a Hawk trailer rolled in a tornado, the fenders were undamaged even though the trailer was on it's side. Hawk adds aluminum diamond plate to the fenders that match the gravel guard up front. 8 guage galvanized steel is formed into a Z for the frame - at the beginning of the trailer construction.

The goose neck gussets are custom formed using galvanized steel. 11 gauge tubing roll bar, frames the rear door. And yes it's designed for roll over protection. Double walls all the way to the roof, Galvannealed sheet metal inside, strong and washable with soap and water. Insulated inside the walls, outside is aluminum for long lasting beauty. Insulation makes for a quieter ride just like your truck cab. Aluminum skin is taped on. Easier to fix Plasma cutter blowing windows When the frame is galvanized steel, you don't have to "frame in" for the axles Z iron frame reinforced to attach the fenders Inside skin, double walled not just window level, all the way to the roof. Hawk makes their own doors with stainless steel piano hinges Piano hinges on tack/dressing room and LQ have a seal on both sides. Tie downs are anchored to the wall posts Gussets are added to LQ's as the steel liner is replaced with conversion components Barrel hinges have grease zerks. Stainless steel pins and plastic bushings. Roof

#1 Roof frame jig for bows and reinforced plates for air vents and AC.

#2 The fiberglass process, harder than you think. #3 Impregnating the Gatorshield steel frame into the fiberglass roof. It becomes one and one piece, nice. #4 When it's finished, it's gorgeous, strong and brings out light. Reinforced for vents, stall dividers and AC. Lets see you walk on a RV Roof, left. Roof fits the walls and nose to a T, (right.) I wanted to show you that the fiberglass top is white, from the side you just see the matching paint. It's one cool roof. Raised Dressing Room-LQ Floor Pay attention here, this is unique, Hawk raises the floor on dressing rooms and LQ's. So the urine, water etc, doesn't roll under the wall to the dressing room smelling up your area. This also gives you a flat door threshold, easy to enter and sweep out. Great idea ! Raised LQ floor frame, such a unique feature. And it provides the perfect place to mount and protect the holding tanks for your LQ. Dressing room flat floor, no threshold, great for sweeping out, staying dry and not tripping over. Rumber is my favorite option, with it's 20 year warranty. Forget mats, forget wood. Made out of 65% recycled rubber, 35% recycled plastic. It has a surface like rubber mats for traction. Tongue and groove so it fits like wood. But it won't splinter, rot or crack and no maintenance. And it's only a few hundred dollars more than wood. A wise investment. Ron Winter (sales manager) built a trailer using the ideas we had on the forum at HorseTrailerWorld.com using my survey. Ron gets points for listening to us.

Most of the features on the list can be added if not ordered that way. We're talking 4 LED tail lights, an organizer added to the tack/dressing room, bucket attached to the outside, open slatted stall divider, rear spot light, more outside ties etc.

Ramps

It's no secret I'm a fan of ramps. Ramps are standard on Hawk trailers. You can choose other doors too for a slant load and with rear tack room you can have 60/40 doors. Hawk trailers are not high off the ground and can be stepped into easily enough, but this is what I talked about earlier, that vision thing from the owners of Hawk trailers, they want safety first for your horses.

Hawk ramps are strong but light. I like ramps, put them on both ends and I'm even happier. If I was a horse I would want to walk in and walk out, forget reverse. Side ramp hinges (right) are covered and seal up well when closed. Rubber covered ramps are spring loaded and built into the trailer, not an add-on. This makes it look sharp and not stick out like a delivery truck. You know what I'm talking about. Spring loaded ramps are standard with storm doors. The walls and doors are fully lined and insulated. With the fiberglass roof, windows galore and opened storm doors, you have a comfortable ventilated summer horse transport. Close it up and your are ready for winter. The galvanized steel framed fiberglass roof and insulation make the trailer much quiter. Less stress on your horses. Our horse model was an Arabian Pinto (below) 14.3 hands. And his friend Judy Barth modeled loading and closing the easy ramp. We appreciate the help from Jeff and Judy Barth of Sunset Ranch with their beautiful Egyptian Arabians. Judy is 5'1" and had no problem lifting the ramps.

Goosenecks Yes Hawk passed my test for reinforced necks. On flatbed trailers I've owned decades ago on the farm, I actually pulled a few necks apart. When a gooseneck becomes a bumper pull accidentally, that made me nervous. When we fixed those necks I learned what to look for. Hawk gooseneck frames use the same main frame galvanized metal and are epoxy coated after the welding is done. As the pictures show, the metal isn't butt welded, it's lapped over and shaped and fish plated. Yes More Details and Custom trailers below

Sealed fuse box like your truck, with emergency break-away battery. The black wire in the fuse box gives you a constant hot wire when the trailer is connected to the truck. You can turn on dress area, horse area, and load lights without turning on your clearance lights. Pads, everywhere your horse goes, all Hawk trailers have the head bumper at the rear opening above door (left). Pads are on the side walls and dividers for the side by side trailers and on the dividers on the slant loads. Light interior, bulkhead window, it's just plain inviting. Bulkhead window slides (right). Feed bags are standard. Solid center dividers and head dividers are standard. Tubular dividers are optional. Plenty of happy horse options. The dividers are all made to completely come out of the trailer. This helps move your teenagers to college and you could take the insides apart by hand to get a spooked horse out of a jam. The divider posts are anchored to the roof to allow the divider to swing and not need a rear post that just gets in the way. All removable interior parts are powder coated. This means the stall dividers, breast/butt bars, and posts. Butt and breast bars are self aligning to their pins (right). Cam latches on full rear doors (left). Hawk has shields over the operating rods for the cam latches on upper storm doors (Doors over Ramps) right. A butterfly latch with paddle latch can be used on walk out and escape doors for extra safety and security This works out great on a living quarter trailer with a escape door for the first horse. You can open the door from the inside to get out of the trailer. Another unique feature for adding convenience. I like cameras for seeing the horses and backing up. Makes since to utilize the latest technology for safe backing. One of my favorite safety features (right) Weight Distributing Hitches. Very glad to see WDH spring arm brackets option. The outside skin is on (left) and the roof is up on blocks waiting to be fitted. Seeing trailers go from start to finish is a thrill watching Hawk Trailers do it right.

Tornado, this gooseneck of 2001 vintage was tossed around by a tornado and landed on it's side. Very little damage, just a crack in the roof and minor scrapes. The reinforced fiberglass fenders held the weight of the trailer as it landed on it's side. The fenders were just scratched.

Custom Trailers and Miniature Horse/Llama

Hawk Trailers make custom miniature horse trailers. Cute as a button miniature horse and llama trailers. Made like their bigger cousins. Yes mini's have ramps along with personalities. I may have to go in the mini business!

Hawk Trailers also custom builds horse trailers for the Equispirit Trailer Company. Can't keep Ron away from the horses, shown here in conference with his horses, Smokey and Dancer. Ron Winter and his wife were trailer dealers for years before coming to Hawk. This gives Ron a unique understanding of what customers want and what trailer dealers need to give those customers what they want. Ron's talking to more customers, classy Egyptian Arabians from Jeff and Judy Barth of Sunset Ranch. Ron Winter, a Viet Nam Vet, kept Hawks flag from 9/11. I'm still amazed at how affected we all were by 9/11 as I travel around the country. Can you tell which trailer is 8 years old (left)? I told them to stop parking used trailers next to new trailers, I get confused. Can't tell the story without loads of pictures to load. to view supporting pictures of the article visit www.horsetrailerworld.com -- trailer reviews

Mr. Truck Hawk Trailer Review

I bought my first Hawk in June of 2005, a 2 horse slant. After showing that season and realizing how comfortable I and my horses were, the decision was quickly made to purchase a 3 horse with full living quarters. Once again I chose the Hawk and plan on showing extensively in the future.

Yves Dubois

Chrysler Canada, Shelburne ON

Hawk 4 horse warmblood slant

Dear Barb today I took a few hours to go to the H.I.T.S meet at Ocala Florida and after going in and out of several trailers all I can say is why are you showing us such a small 4 horse trailer? Just kidding, but there are some great units out there and almost everyone says they could use more room. Some beautiful horses. Therefore the 4 horse unit is looking better every moment. Another interesting event happened while I was making my way to Florida. A fairly fit looking women sat down beside me. I was reading a book by a German re riding made fun. She noted the book and stated she knew the author, was born in Holland, has been riding for 40 years and is a horse trainer. Imports, trains and sells horses at the Grand Prix level and gets 100,000's for horses. She was doing jumping and dressage demo's at the event. I asked what she trailed her horses in and her comment was: HONEST: "a HAWK, they are the greatest, built only with the best interest of the horse in mind, as if they were designed by a horse for a horse." Her newest trailer is 3 years old, and is as good as the day it was delivered. WAYNE GERRY

Wayne Gerry

Hawk Trailer - a tornado victim

this gooseneck of 2001 vintage was tossed around in a tornado and landed on its side. Very little damage, just a crack in th roof and some scrapes. The reinforced fiberglass fenders held the weight of the trailer when it landed on its side. The fenders were just scratched

Mr. Truck

HOW DO HAWKS STAND UP

HERE IS A PHOTO OF A 1999 HAWK 2 HORSE GN TRAILER FOR SALE PRIVATE IN THE US

LOOKS PRETTY GOOD!

My Hawk Trailer

Just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying my Hawk, two horse trailer. As this is the first trailer I have ever pulled, I cannot believe how easy it is to tow and also, how nicely my horse loads and unloads. I am sure it is because even inside the trailer he has a bright light space to enter with plenty of air circulation to keep him comfortable while in transit. Thanks again for the before and after sales service you have provided.

Sheryl Schlichtman

Stouffville, Ontario

Hawk Custom Mini Donkey Trailer

Hi Barb and Ron,

The trailer towed beautifully, just like your delivery man said “You’d hardly know it was there!”

The girls haven’t been aboard yet, the weather is foul up here, snow and wind….I will wait for a nice day before introducing them to their “carriage”!!

We are very impressed with the workmanship on this trailer; it looks as if the people who build these trailers take a great deal of pride in their work, so nice to see in this day and age.

Thank you very much for all your help and for making this purchase an enjoyable experience. I will send you photos of our “donks” when we have them in the trailer!

All the very best,

Pete and Sue.

Peter & Susan Bennett

Minden On

Love my Hawk

As you know, we recently purchased a Hawk trailer from you. My horse would not back off a trailer so we decided to purchase one with a front ramp for him to just "walk off". Well, we loaded him on, and thought we would try to back him off just to see. Needless to say, we haven't used the front ramp at all! Your trailer is so roomy and bright, that he no longer has issues with backing off. Love the trailer and highly recommend it to anyone. Thanks Barb for all your assistance in our purchase. Just thought I would share this with you. Sue

Sue Hopkins

Innisfil Ontario

Another happy customer

Dear Barb and Ron, Just a note to say thank you so much, for your kindness, help (a lot of help), patience, a beautiful trailer. I couldn't find a better deal, even if I tried. It pulled like a dream. I truly appreciated your honesty, over the phone, and I know Ron did more than the average bear, without charge. I was not talking in slight when I stated, when my time comes around again, to up grade or do whatever, parts etc., you will be the only people I will be contacting. It was well worth the drive, but more than that a pleasure. I would not hesitate in recomending you, and you business to any one. Wish you all the best. Sincerely Cheryl

Cheryl F

Hamilton

Happy 3 day eventer

Dear Barb, Our new Hawk trailer has made showing "3 day" much more pleasant. Lots of room in the tack room area for all the tack, etc. required. The stalls are extra large to make tacking up in the trailer easy. The horses and myself like the smooth ride and ease of towing. Thanks for the recommendation,

Bud McLean

Bud McLean - Sprucewood Leasing, vehicle and equpment leasing made easy 416-200-0700

King City Ontario

Love Our Hawk

I just wanted to pass on that we love the trailer and we are looking forward to the upcoming show season. Chloe's first show this season is at Grandview at the end of May. Storm is really a different horse in the trailer. As well, due to the placement of the windows, we are able to monitor him through the rear window in our truck. He used to arrive at the show grounds drenched in sweat, very anxious, and on many occasions, with minor injuries. Now, he steps calmly in the trailer. We open the windows and he keeps himself busy watching the cars and scenery. Most importantly, he arrives at the shows relaxed, happy and safe. We are so very pleased. Thank you again for all your help. We definitely made the right decision with the Hawk Trailer.

Nancy

Mike & Nancy Graham

Oshawa

Thanks From Frank Feb 29 2012

Hi Barb

Thanks for the pictures , and I just want to mention that I can,t believe how nice this trailer pulls , i,m glad I picked a Merhow , thanks again for your great service and I will recomend Hepburn Sales to anyone interested in purchasing a trailer .

Thanks

Frank J

Niagara Ontario

Thank You

The drive home went great ... very smooth even on our Quebec roads.. Unhitched at the stable at 8h30PM...

It was a pleasure meeting you and your husband Ron, and even more of a pleasure dealing with professionally run family business. I would not hesitate in referencing anyone Hepburn sales.

Steven P - Delson QC

Steven P

Delson QC

Thank you from Seastar Stable

Barb,

Thank you so much for helping us to get our trailer - we LOVE it! Such a nice easy trailer to work in and drive. My young horse loves riding in it! He's the only one that has been able to get a ride so far but he was always a bit tentative to get on my other one. I've gotten tons of comments on how beautiful it is!

Thank you again for everything!

Take care,

Kara

Seastar Stable

Brentwood New Hampshire

Happy Hawk owner

Barb:

Just wanted to let you know that the trailer is getting lots of comments. It arrived in Ottawa with our horse and a spare last night. Both horses walked on the trailer without an issue and travelled well. Despite the weight of the horses, a locker full of tack and supplies and the trailer it is easy to drive and my truck has no issues. Your advice to add 6 inches in the back and at the front worked out well as our horse is a good fit and might have been tight without the extra.

A couple of people asked where we purchased the trailer and may give you a call, the lady where we are boarding would love to buy the one we have. We might just have to have a chat about being a rep for the east.

Thanks for the great advice and we look forward to many more years of great service from this trailer.

John, Nancy and Jacqueline

Ottawa

Thanks for all your help.

I wanted to say how much we liked the trailer. It trailered on the RV really well with very little sway. I don't think we will need the extra stabilizers. The horses loaded so easily - just walked right on. The ramp being shallow and all the light and air inside the trailer made it so much less scary for them. On the way home, on a 'feels like 33C' day, with the windows opened, it was really cool inside. The horses were barely sweating when we got home. Even when I first opened the trailer after it sitting at the show for four days in the heat, it was not so warm inside.

All those little 'adds' you had the manufacturer put in really help. I am really impressed with the trailer and your service was amazing.

I will certainly recommend you and Hawk trailers to anyone I know looking for a new trailer. Thanks you as well for all your advice and help in selling my other trailer. I will certainly return to you for my annual inspections!

Pamela Cuddihy

Pamela

Caledon

New Hawk - Hepburn shipped to Fort McMurray Alberta

Hi Barb,

Recieved the trailer today! It looks amazing, and I am so very happy about it's condition/quality!

First off I'd like to thank you a ton for being so patient, and helpful in the purchasing process. It really means the world to be able to own such a nice trailer and not have to had driven across Canada with my daughter to get it. I will and have continue to recommend you to anyone looking for a trailer... I love this unit!!!

Secondly, Norm the driven was an absolute gem. Such a kind person, and he was very thorough with going over the trailer with my other half and I. He really took the time to ensure everything was all good, and we would have loved to spend more time chatting with him if we hadn't needed to go to work tonight.

I went to register it today but I need a bill of sale. I had the origin certificate, but my registry needs a bill of sale. Would you be able to fax something along those lines to my registry? It won't be moving for at least a week but I'd like to get it done over the next few days.

Thanks again, you sell amazing trailers! I can't wait to load the horses up to try it out:)

-Heather

Heather

Fort McMurray Alberta

Re: WHY HAWK - A MUST READ (on your web site home page)

>> Hi Barb

I got the trailer home safe and sound. I read the article and just

wanted to say that it described very well why I bought a Hawk. I am

a chemical engineer and have dealt with corrosion issues of different

metals throughout my career. Buying a composite trailer (steel

alloy, aluminum, fibreglass, and wood floors) over an all-aluminum

trailer was a no-brainer for me. When people have asked me why I

didn't want an all-aluminum trailer I have given them all the reasons

described in the article.

Sandy

Sandy just purchased a lovely 2hr gn slant Elite model

Sandy

Tottenham On

Thanks so much for my awesome Hawk trailer!

Hi Barb,

I purchased a trailer from you this past spring and had questioned the 3M tape\'s ability to withstand frigid temps. Just wanted you to know that we have experienced -45 degrees C for extended periods of time here now, and no rippling of the panels!

Just in case you have more clients living in the deep freeze oneday.

Thanks so much for the awesome trailer!

-Heather

Heather

Fort McMurray