what to look for in a livestock trailer?

[moloss]

I'm a gooseneck man so it will be gooseneck trailer and I like a steel trailer.....that said what should I look for in a well built livestock trailer? what about brands? any and all opinions are needed, I'm looking for something in the 20'-30' range......thanks Chris.

[PaulChristenson]

M.H. EBY...says it all...

Aluminum Livestock Trailers by M.H. EBY

[Diesel-ME]

moloss,

I'm no livestock trailer expert, but I'll 2nd Paul's Eby recommendation. A friend of ours has an 8-horse Eby horse trailer. It has taken some serious use and sometimes abuse and has held up remarkably well over the years. Other than normal axle/wheel bearing/tire maintenance they are easy to take care of. Just remember to hose it out after every trip else the urine will eat metal like you can't believe.

Of course here in the north aluminum is king due to road salt. Perhaps in the heart of Dixie you don't have those problems .

Having recently bought a new gooseneck horse trailer, we found that the price premium for all aluminum was not bad at all.

Look for full tube upgright posts and not just C-channels. American made axles would be on my requirement list. LED lighting is nice.

~Paul

[Soundguy]

2 doors.. one mid way up, so you can sort/seperate a load..

soundguy

[moloss]

I like steel b/c it's easy to weld and repair.....but like I said any and all suggestions are needed...thanks.

[MikePA]

Steel frame, aluminum upper. Storage area with water tank in the gooseneck. Two 'human doors' on either side at the front. Full width, divider in the middle to divide trailer into a front and back. Full width door across the back makes for a nice wide opening for loading horses. Inside lights. Outside rings for tieing up horses. If you plan on ever sleeping in the gooseneck, add windows. If you plan on carrying large amounts of gear, add the appropriate pieces on the roof. Rubber mats on top of the oak floors. Protective heavy plastic half way up the inside walls. Removable windows on the sides and back.

[chh]

Steel and Gooseneck brand. Torsion axles instead of springs. Mine is a Gooseneck 24 x 6'8". The extra width is great over the standard 6' model.