Help ! Trailer mod needed by Wednesday !

[bcarwell]

Hi all,
I have a very sturdy 16 foot dual axle "normal" looking trailer. The sides are unfortunately only about 2 feet high.
I am picking up 2 calves about 300-350 weight next Wednesday. I only have to go about 1/2 hour's drive and can take it plenty slow. I can't borrow a livestock trailer and don't want to rent one just for this if I could put the same money into altering the trailer for these limited and rare transport purposes that I could reuse again for the same purpose later.
I have thought of 4x8 plywood sides, front and back, with the sides and front tied in to the steel trailer framework sides with wire or steel strapping tape.
Also considered buying some cattle panels from TSO I could reuse as a catch pen, and steel strapping them to the sides, but they're $90 each for 16 foot lengths.
Also thought of attaching fenceposts at 4 foot intervals with strapping tape and then just routing 5 ft. fencing I already have on them.
I know, I know. Really ugly. But with only 20 acres and 1 cow now I can't justify a cattle trailer yet. I have not transported animals before and don't know if they are less skittish to travel if they can't see out (suggesting I use plywood panels, although maybe they could see over 4 feet) or more skittish if they can't see out (which would suggest wire or panels). But instinct tells me 2 feet sides ain't gonna do it.
Just moved in, so don't want to bother the neighbors just yet as a "borrower".
Any suggestions ? I gotta do this on Saturday and Sunday. Thanks.

Bob


Bob

 

[bcarwell]

Also, forgot to ask: do I need to go up 5 feet if the two calves are haltered or is 4 feet enough, and any further tips on transporting (should they be side by side; its a 7 foot wide trailer) ?

Presently I'm inclined to go get two 16 ft. cattle panels from TSO and be done with it, though they're $85 each.

Bob

 

[gordon21]

This is my 16'trailer with one big cow. Notice there are only four web straps.

 

[gotrocks]

The only experience I've had moving a calf was back in the '40s.
We purchased a young calf (don't know the weight) and brought it home in the back seat (seat removed) of a 41 Buick (two door). Still remember the slober and do-do that got spread around during the trip.

Can you find a pick up that would do the job for you?

 

[Bird]

I have not transported animals before

I don't have a solution for your problem, but it sure does sound like a disaster waiting to happen. Be sure to post before and after pictures of what you come up with.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Bob,

Not sure if you find this helpful but I saw a pickup with calf on it just tied to a compressor or whatever it was up there in the front of the bed. The calf was moooooing at the traffic light a lot - but thats about all it did.

My experience is only with sheep. I transported two of them in borrowed big dog cages about 50 miles and they did find - with some noise of course Kids got a lot of kicks out of it - when we went through Burger King drive through with two load sheep on a trailer.

Than my oldest had a sheep in country fair competition (4H) and I had to get it back but had no cage - so I tied her by the halter to the front of the trailer and went for it - it was only 6 miles or so and she made a lot of noise but I went slow and kept checking on her and she did fine. The setup I used is on the picture, only the trailer has plywood sides.

Now when we borrowed balls from a friend - i.e. we had their ram for a month to do the job - his daughter brought Dodge (ram's name) in the trunk of an old chevy impala.
Also one old farmer when in need to move sheep - he puts them in a grain bag, tied around the neck and they ride on the straw bed on the pickup.

 

[Hosskix]

You'll probably be fine with any of the above options.
If it was me, I'd probably go ahead and use the 5' fencing wire.
Just be sure and load the calves up and let them get use to the trailer before you take off down the road with them.
If you can get a halter on them and tie them in the middle of the trailer you'd be even better off.

I've hauled goats in the back of a pickup before by just tieing them in the middle of the bed with a rope from side to side.
I've also hauled a pony in the back of a pickup with homemade stock panels on the sides of the beds.
(Learned that from an old rancher i use to know, he'd hauled his horse so many miles that way that the old horse didn't even need side rails anymore, he'd just step up into the bed and look around like a dog!)

 

[montejw]

Make sure the floor/deck is sturdy enough for their hooves. Hate to see one of them punch through with a foot, it get's ugly fast I've heard.

Monte

 

[Birdhunter1]

I woudl build sides onto a truck bed before building side on the trailer to transport livestock.
If you hit the brakes fast those sides your talking about building on the trailer will fail and the cows willgo flying through it. Or if the calves decide to move.

 

[bcarwell]

A big thanks to all for the quick responses and great advice. Will let you know how it works out. BTW I do have a Ford 150. I hadn't even considered using the truck bed with some panels. It would sure make it more conveninet going through the car/cow wash on the way home. 8>0.

But I think truck w/sides is probably not an option w/ 350 weight, as I'm not sure if I'd be able to get them up in the truck easily. I don't bench 350 and don't know if the auction in Taylor, TX has a loading dock truckbed heighth. My brother in law ex-farmer suggested shorter, less expensive dog panels on the sides of the trailer since the calves will be tied anyway (assuming I can get a halter on them). I may just have to go with the 16 foot stock panels though once I see them, as I'll need a make a catch pen anyway when I get them home. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

And Lewis, got a big kick out of your big cow. I can imagine the size of those plotchits.

Farmer Bob