| Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2716393] |
Sun, 05 August 2012 09:12  |
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Hi all,
I'm not advertising anything as such, but I am wanting to purchase a new float and would like some reviews on the many many brands available in Australia.
I would prefer to buy Australian made as safety is so very important to myself (had a major floating accident a few years back..), but would also like some reviews on the cheaper brands available.
Thanks in advance!
Cheers,
Sarah.
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2716493 is a reply to message #2716405 ] |
Sun, 05 August 2012 11:53  |
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Thank you Martina, I'll check out Brumby though I'm not sure I'm willing to wait 6 months for a float, and am definitely buying brand new, not second hand. =)
Do you have any info/pics on recent Brumby models by any chance? They don't seem to have a website.. and prices if you know roughly? The one pic I managed to find on Google images looks nice.
Cheers.
[Updated on: Sun, 05 August 2012 12:03]
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2716545 is a reply to message #2716511 ] |
Sun, 05 August 2012 14:05 |
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| Teaghen wrote on Sun, 05 August 2012 12:37 |
Hello,
We have recently purchased a "Imperial" float and its brilliant.
Light to tow, very high and very good flooring.
It's brand new and even after a few uses it still looks in 100 %
so defiantly in my opinion i'd buy another.
website: http://www.imperialfloats.com/
hope it helps
Teaghen 
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Hi Teaghen! Thanks for the feedback on Imperial, it's actually one that I'm looking at. I haven't seen any (that I can recall) around so that's good to know.
| jsste4 wrote on Sun, 05 August 2012 13:17 |
We bought a brand new Pegasus. We couldn't be happier with it. I think it took about 3 months to make? We did a lot of research about what we wanted to include etc and the two companies short listed were Pegasus and Rowville.
We also looked at a lot of friends floats as we had never had an angle load before. Very happy to recommend Pegasus even if they can be difficult to talk to.
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Thank you for the response. I have always thought of Pegasus as a top brand, though they are pricey. Rowville are very good in supplying info and will be one brand I seriously consider as I know they are extremelly well built floats, though again, pricey.
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2716786 is a reply to message #2716393 ] |
Sun, 05 August 2012 20:06 |
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Isn't Imperial an import float?
Tender Deluxe, Rowville, Pegasus, Brumby
All great pics
You get what you pay for, if the float is cheap, ask yourself why
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2716793 is a reply to message #2716393 ] |
Sun, 05 August 2012 20:14 |
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There are a number of high quality brands but after extensive research and husband's tick of approval, I went with a Rowville. Most important thing husband and I looked at was the construction of the frame, especially floor. Husband was adament that the frame had to be made of a certain size steel and the quality of the welds,etc. Plus, needed to make sure that the floor itself was well made and would support the weight of my boy (650kg). Some floats I looked at only used marine ply for the floor. Great floats at reasonable prices.
Good luck!
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2716834 is a reply to message #2716793 ] |
Sun, 05 August 2012 21:01 |
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I got my Discovery new and I love it! All the safety features I wanted and so many extras as standard! Also love the paint job!
My husband is also very picky and loved the Discovery! I'm thinking of upgrading one day and will be going straight back to discovery!
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2716889 is a reply to message #2716393 ] |
Sun, 05 August 2012 22:54 |
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Thanks all, I can't believe the amount of float brands around these days, it's ridiculous!
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2716948 is a reply to message #2716393 ] |
Mon, 06 August 2012 08:45 |
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Hi, I had a Gladiator float made, collected a couple months ago. Made in Woollongong. Not many around esp in Victoria. I LOVE it, and so do my horses. I did about 3 months research as this is my first and probably last float, so I wanted lots of different things and wanted it to last. I have only had positive comments (and drooling) by anyone that has seen it. website http://www.gladiatorfloats.com.au
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2716966 is a reply to message #2716948 ] |
Mon, 06 August 2012 09:13 |
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Rayhay
Messages: 1970
Registered: May 2008
Location: Emerald |
Stark, Raving Bonkers |
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My pics are (not necessarily in any order):
Tender Deluxe
Discovery
Brumby
Ranger
Crisfloat
Pegasus
Stallion.
Wont go wrong with any of them.
It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2716985 is a reply to message #2716971 ] |
Mon, 06 August 2012 09:40 |
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Gorgeous float!! I really like the look of the Brumby's and Discovery floats.
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2717041 is a reply to message #2716393 ] |
Mon, 06 August 2012 10:41 |
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I have to recommend the beautiful Strathbogie Floats, I floated a horse in ours for the first time on Saturday and it sits beautifully on the road, everything is finished beautifully, super sturdy floor and a great local business.
www.strathbogiefloats.com.au
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2717617 is a reply to message #2716948 ] |
Mon, 06 August 2012 21:45 |
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| vet@ciderhouse.com.au wrote on Mon, 06 August 2012 08:45 |
Hi, I had a Gladiator float made, collected a couple months ago. Made in Woollongong. Not many around esp in Victoria. I LOVE it, and so do my horses. I did about 3 months research as this is my first and probably last float, so I wanted lots of different things and wanted it to last. I have only had positive comments (and drooling) by anyone that has seen it. website http://www.gladiatorfloats.com.au
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I'm about 98% sure you will find it came out of the same Chinese factory as the Imperial, the Campbell and about 39 other names. If not, it is a remarkable copy.
My short list, in no particular order, would be;
Rowville
Chrisfloat
JR
Marksman
and for a float that was clearly designed by someone who looked at all the floats on the market and didn't like what was offered, the Equitech.
http://www.formtech.com.au/
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me.”
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2717978 is a reply to message #2717184 ] |
Tue, 07 August 2012 12:55 |
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| ellabw6 wrote on Mon, 06 August 2012 13:02 |
I recently went through all of this 
The brands of float that I have narrowed down to are:
Rowville
Rice
Brumby
Stallion
This was due to price, features, reliability, quality and customer service etc.
Obviously this is just from the research I have done, I am sure there are others out there that are good as well.
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I was supposed to buy a new float a year or two back but it fell through so have done a bit of research myself but basically came to the same decision as the poster above, with exception to Brumby being in place of Stallion.
Basically I would be happy to go with any of the three "R"'s... Ranger, Rice or Rowville OR a Brumby. Purely based on materials used in construction (colourbond or zincaneal for external plus hardwood in flooring), highly unlikely to rust (any of them), been around many years, reliable, etc.
I currently am borrowing a friends Tender Deluxe and JJ travels beautifully in it, she's very happy and comfortable in there with the sliding windows and pop up vents, extra space at the front with the tack box etc, it really is beautifully made for the horse, my only gripe is the paint, I mean it is several years old now but does have some rust patches unfortunately 
Werribee & District Riding Club Inc. (WDRC):
http://sites.google.com/site/werribeedrc/
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2719098 is a reply to message #2717978 ] |
Wed, 08 August 2012 23:38 |
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Thanks everyone, I appreciate the opinions.
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2719320 is a reply to message #2716393 ] |
Thu, 09 August 2012 11:08 |
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Rowville for sure 
I've had mine for 11 years and it's still in fantastic condiditon even having been stored outside for the first half of its life! I know that when I put my horses in there that's where they're going to stay! The quality is great and they're Aussie made and having just ordered a new one (bigger to make the big pony more comfortable), I also know that they do their best to use Aussie products wherever possible. They take you right through the process of how the build their floats and are happy to answer any questions then they sit down with you to design your float how YOU want it and within your budget.
And they service them too!
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2719349 is a reply to message #2717617 ] |
Thu, 09 August 2012 11:51 |
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Sorry - don't know how to reply to this in the correct format: vet@ciderhouse.com.au[/email] wrote on Mon, 06 August 2012 08:45
Hi, I had a Gladiator float made, collected a couple months ago. Made in Woollongong. Not many around esp in Victoria. I LOVE it, and so do my horses. I did about 3 months research as this is my first and probably last float, so I wanted lots of different things and wanted it to last. I have only had positive comments (and drooling) by anyone that has seen it. website http://www.gladiatorfloats.com.au
Equivarna wrote:
I'm about 98% sure you will find it came out of the same Chinese factory as the Imperial, the Campbell and about 39 other names. If not, it is a]remarkable copy.
vet@ciderhouse.com.au:
Almost all parts that any float manufacturer use are imported from somewhere as Australia does not make many things. For example the roller rocker suspension is not made in Australia, it has to be imported. Checker plate is not made in Australia because there is no processing plant. Tonnes of aluminium ingots are sent to China and come back as checker plate or other aluminium sheeting. The rubber is sourced from Germany and Canada and also from China. Windows that are used on floats are not made in Australia. Wheels and mags from Bob Jane are all imported. There is not much that is Australian made these days.
Everything as you know is either made in China or some other part of the world.
But it doesn't really make any difference. Before I ordered it I researched thoroughly and could not be more happy with my float. And every single person that I have showed it to - from members of my riding club, judge/assessors, farriers, and other vets, even the auto electrician, has been very impressed with it.
And finally the horses are impressed with it (you can here them skiting about it with their friends 
[Updated on: Thu, 09 August 2012 11:54]
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| Re: Float Brand Reviews Please? [message #2719612 is a reply to message #2716393 ] |
Thu, 09 August 2012 17:15 |
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i personally wouldnt touch a new ranger. we have one made in 2005, all of the ones before that are great and i would buy another one in a heartbeat but i think the original maker of the floats died when ours was half built. so we ended up with a very leaky, badly wired float that keeps falling apart (most of the pop rivets have burst off at one stage or another and have had to be replaced.)
the frame itself is sound but the finish of it is shocking.
a few friends have Strathbogie, Tavare, Amberly, and brumby floats. all good floats.
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Needless to say she got more than she payed, as the new owner wanted the brand and didn't want to wait.
Surely not
also campbells in QLD, haven't seen one, but heard quiet a few bad things 
