Help ! Trailer mod needed by Wednesday !

[CATMAN]

At the cattle auction barns that I have been to in Iowa years ago, they always had the ability to load pickups w/stock racks. Sometimes it was a different loading chute than the big semi-trailers, othertimes the chute itself has the last 3 feet of the ramp is adjustable up and down to match whatever vehicle backs up to it. My dad's portable chute is built this way, and everybody that uses it loves it.

 

[jmc]

Be sure to post before and after pictures of what you come up with.

Of the trailer or the calves?

 

[CATMAN]

Well, Did the calves make it home,OK?

 

[bcarwell]

Final Report, as promised: I attended the auction today that started this whole thread. Thought I had gotten a pretty strong, stable setup together with cattle panels connected together and to the trailer frame with pipe clamps and standard gate joinery. Couldn't find a trailer to rent. At the last minute, got cold hooves and decided to have the critters delivered for only $75. The auctioneer said he personally wouldn't use a jury rigged trailer and the calves might go over the top, a clerk in TSO told me of a pig falling out of a kludged trailer and causing a mess (though, unlike the episode one of you mentioned, there were no fatalities). That was enough for me to call it quits. BTW I inspected trailers at the auction. Several were pretty sorry, but they were all <welded> mods. Also noted the grating on the floors to keep the animals from sliding around on their droppings. Also noted the solid panels extending up 1-2 feet (some improvised) to prevent what one of you noted- the legs slipping through the panels from the sliding. I still think I can come up with a satisfactory mod package to save having to buy a second trailer now that I will have more time, as that was the real issue- having to cobble something together less than optimal (e.g. pipe clamps, etc.) in a few days.

Anyway, I learned alot and appreciate all your advice and cautionary inputs. I now have a nice new contented 400 lb heifer bedded down (200 lb proplapsed steer unfortunately was returned but they'll make good). Next time I think I will have my trailer ready...

Thanks again all,

Bob

 

[Frostyford]

Might be a little late, but you could hit the big box stores (HD, Lowes, etc.) and pickup a few of the dog kennel panels. They bolt together just fine and have a really nice door. Then just strap the whole thing down to the trailer bed with chain/straps/duct-tape(mmm duct-tape).

When your done, take it back and say the dog died before you could assemble it ;-)

Frostyford (Scott)

 

[rambler]

I'm trying to grasp why cattle panels cost over $60???? They are under 20 everywhere I look.

So, you had 2 foot sides. Obviously you have stake pokets in your trailer?

Use the sides you have, nail the 3 cattle panels (one on each side, 1/2 one front & back) on top about a foot or 18" up, wire the ends together real well, add a few 2x4 verticals to keep the panels upright even when the cattle push on them. Wire another one across the top, and you are good to go for lighter cattle.

A spooked bovine is no fun to be around. They will jump 5' if they have to. If you were to see the ground move by through open wire 2' from you, you will spook too. You need them totally caged if you are going this temp route. Make sure your sides are held down in the stake pockets, so critter can't jump up & pull the top off the trailer.

Total cost, 4 panels - $60. (6) 2x4x8' - $12. Few bolts & wire. $80 and you should have it. The bottom 2' are solid to keep their feet in, sides & top are enclosed & held together with stout wire & 2x4.

Don't try the old fence wire or other low or springy stuff - that is a disaster. You need a frame around them tough enough to handle them bouncing off of.

--->Paul

 

[weldingisfun]

I'm trying to grasp why cattle panels cost over $60???? They are under 20 everywhere I look.

Rambler, the panels he was talking about using are the corral panels like this one from Tractor Supply. I was thinking, like you were, of using the wire feedlot panels. They cost in the $20 - $30 range in this area.
It all worked out for him and once again the contributors to this site helped another fella to "git 'er done".

 

[bcarwell]

Correct, I was talking about the steel pole livestock panels at Tractor Supply, which are about $55 each, not the heavy gauge wire cattle panels which are 16ft. and $16 but need additional support to be used for my purposes. Check steel/pole prices due to China's insatiable demand and you will understand why <new> livestock panels are $60 and up now.

We had the animals delivered for $70. Unfortunately one of them, "Houdini", escaped two days later to the neighbors so we had a low risk chance to test out my jury rigged low trailer in a low risk transport from just next door. Took two 12 ft. livestock panels parallel attached to each other and the trailer sides with ratcheting cloth tape hold-downs and a dog kennel gate at the end and were ready to go.

After moving the 420 lb. calf just from next door, 5 minutes, I understand now what all you experienced folks were saying about spooked calves of this size. She immediately tried going over the top and stuffing her head in a panic between the horizontal panel bars until she realized her *** would never fit. She was also slipping and sliding on the wood floor (I've since learned from observing at the cattle auction to lay down some of the cheap wire cattle panels on the floor for footing next time.

No, I don't have any of those short vertical pipe receptors for holding trailer sides on the trailer, but as soon as I get my welder that's the first mod for my trailer.

Bottom line is we got Houdini back using my dry-run of the trailer from which I've now learned how to make good solid safe mods for next time, got the escape route of the fence fixed, and all's well. Am glad I didn't try it for the first time on the 45 minute haul. And also got to know my good ol' boy experienced neighbor in the process who laughed at my "rig" and has the right attitude of "whatever works" is good, and promised that what he sees on my place stays on my place.

Thanks again all, and Happy New Year !!!

Bob

 

[Dachshund]

Here is a set of "Redneck Stock Racks" I used to haul goats home from Missouri (about 220 miles) in the back of my F-150. Worked pretty good and was dirt cheap! We tied the goats to the front and tied the backends of the bed springs together. Worked great!

 

[mitchell574]

A good stock trailer is a must if you haul animals. You do not want to be stuck beside the road wondering just where did I leave that spare anyway. Went to the sale yesterday. On the way home I was behind a fellow pulling a load of cows he just bought. Tire started smoking and blew out. Axel had broke under trailer tire tilted and rubbed. I stopped to help him he said " I almost made it only got 10 more miles to go!" I haul cows alot. I pull a 20 ft gooseneck stock trailer with a top. I have seen cows run into a trailer and never slow down. If they ever get their front feet over the top they are gone. Had a friend about ten years ago when to a sale for registered stock. Bought a fine bull. Ground off a foot on the way home after his foot went through the floor. That like burning $3000. Cows from the auction are often wild and scared. Cant look at them and tell what they will do. By the way what is a prolapsed steer. Did you mean he was rubshured.