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02-16-2012, 05:19 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 1
SUN #3189
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star ray info
Hi meandtheboys are new here. 1st post hope it works. can anyone give us some info on the star ray line of trailers? are the floor plans close to/same as the sunline? understand they were in business 1989-1996? are they of similar quality? thanks for any info you may have.
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02-16-2012, 06:20 PM
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
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Welcome!
Well, you're partly correct. The StarRay line was just that, a product line, so it really wasn't "in business"- they were produced and badged still as Sunlines.
They were first produced in late 1988 as 1989 models and were produced into early 1991 as 1991 models. They had a strong three year run, and I'm not totally sure why Sunline deleted that line since it was doing so well, other than I think they wanted to restructure their entire product lineup.
Construction wise, they are probably built the same or very similar. If anything, cuts would be made in the R value of insulation. Otherwise, the big differences were found mostly inside- the StarRay line lacked a lot of the extras that the others had. It was like a value model. It didn't have all the detail decorations in the cabinetry. It didn't have as nice of furniture (though sometimes they did specify certain fabrics for the StarRay). It probably didn't have as large of a refrigerator available in it, and a lot of the other appliances were probably rated smaller- like BTUs for the furnace. It didn't come with outside extras like a propane tank cover or nicer radius corner windows.
I haven't compared side by side, so I'm just going to assume most here even though it may be all. MOST StarRay models have a twin model in either Saturn/Satellite/Solaris, or for 1990, no particular model name (except that it isn't StarRay). In all cases, the model numbers align closely with each other too, like the StarRay T-150 is the same as the Saturn/Solaris T-1550. The StarRay T-205 is the same as the Satellite/Solaris T-2050.
The popular StarRay models were the T-170, T-205, T-220, T-247, and T-249. There are others, but they were less popular.
It is getting harder to find these trailers by the model numbers now though, so you just have to look through the brochures and make yourself familiar with the floorplans to look for them in pictures. Most people describe them, like on Craigslist, simply by the rough length.
Jon
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2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
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02-16-2012, 06:51 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 249
SUN #809
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Jon, I've never seen a StarRay, but from the way you describe it, it was a lot like my 96 Saturn T-24A was relative to the Solaris line. Square corner windows, cheaper cabinetry, upholstery, carpet, and mattress, etc. Even the nomenclature was simpler, much as you are describing the StarRay. Is it possible the Saturn replaced the StarRay line?
On edit: This is not to say that the Saturns were bad, but rather when I later got a Solaris T-2570 I was pleasantly surprised by some of the things that were a little bit nicer. It was like going from a Buick to a Cadillac, though maybe not that dramatic of a difference.
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Jeff, Laurie, + kids
Three time former Sunline owner
2011 Big Horn 3670RL Fifth Wheel
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD D/A DRW, Classy Chassis Conversion, aka "Garage Queen II"
Hensley Trailersaver BD3 Air Hitch
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02-16-2012, 07:15 PM
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#4
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ihsolutions
Jon, I've never seen a StarRay, but from the way you describe it, it was a lot like my 96 Saturn T-24A was relative to the Solaris line. Square corner windows, cheaper cabinetry, upholstery, carpet, and mattress, etc. Even the nomenclature was simpler, much as you are describing the StarRay. Is it possible the Saturn replaced the StarRay line?
On edit: This is not to say that the Saturns were bad, but rather when I later got a Solaris T-2570 I was pleasantly surprised by some of the things that were a little bit nicer. It was like going from a Buick to a Cadillac, though maybe not that dramatic of a difference.
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EXACTLY. The later Saturns, '96-'99, were designed in principle to follow exactly what the StarRays had. Sunline really tried to focus on exclusivity for their dealers, since they had a exclusive product. These were answers to the many customers who looked at a Sunline and went ooh, I like, oh wait, I can't afford. So they tried to come up with a product at a cheaper price point that still had Sunline quality, but by that time, people were just so taken away with all the goodies they could get on a cheaper trailer with less quality that that's what most took. So if a dealer did decide to take on the addition product line, they probably didn't sell many or stick with it long since the alternative sold better.
I'm not surprised you haven't seen a StarRay. Now that I think about it, I can't say I've really ever seen one come up for sale in MI, let alone see one in person. I don't believe General sold them then, but of course they did sell the later Saturns. Around 1990ish, they weren't nearly as big as they were in 1996 and later, so they probably didn't want to take on the additional inventory risk.
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2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
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06-25-2014, 08:55 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 22
SUN #6457
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Hi, I am new to the forum but I have a 1991 Star Ray T-170. I will post some pictures to my album. I am in the process of rebuilding the front framing.
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05-29-2018, 11:02 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Indiana
Posts: 7
SUN #10530
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Recently acquired 1989 Sunray StarRay T170
Hopefully this helps with floor plan and what they look like on the Exterior.
Yes it's a little dirty, and could use some lovin'. But It's solid through and through.
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05-31-2018, 10:44 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Maine
Posts: 154
SUN #8853
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Welcome, I have the same trailer only 1990. I converted the rear sofa bed to to a permanent full side bed with storage underneath. We love ours, its small enough to fit it some smaller sites and light enough to tow with my Trailblazer.
Gary G
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1990 StarRay T170
2008 Chevy Silverado 1500
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