Livestock Trailers

[ddivinia]

I am looking for input on my next purchase: a livestock trailer. We have 10 longhorns and we need a trailer. I have been looking at the CM trailers. 16' long 6'8" wide with 16" wheels.

I want a gooseneck.

Still a debate on steel vs. aluminum.

What else should I consider?

Thanks,
D.

 

[JESSE1]

I have an '81 16' Neckover brand that I bought new. Only had to replace the floor once. A 16' trailer won't weigh much so the extra cost of aluminum probably isn't necessary. Rinse it out after use and rust shouldn't be a problem.

If I was buying a new trailer, I would probably get a Gooseneck brand, built in Bryan, Texas. Make sure you get a treated floor. A steel top is good if you transport in bad weather. Most trailers will have 16" wheels and electric brakes. I recently added thick rubber pads on the floor and that has really helped with slipping during transport.

 

[cowboydoc]

I wouldn't even consider anything but an aluminum trailer. Resale will be much better. It will last three times as long. It will weigh less. I would get at least the 6'8 wide and 6'6 or better 7' tall. With the longhorns the taller and wider trailer is going to be better. CM is a good trailer but I don't like the fiberglass tops. My personal favorite is the featherlite stock trailer. They have made a science out of that 16-20' stock trailer that everyone has copied.

 

[ddivinia]

The CM is 6'6" tall and I was going to get the 6'8".

I have not been able to find the weight difference between the steel and alumnium trailers.

I have a covered area for my trailers, so the steel ones should last a long time. Of course with aluminium is not an issue.

I will have to compare prices.

Also, the CM has a steel top. The Brush Buster MT does atleast.

I will look closer at the aluminuim models.

What kind of axles are people getting? I was thinking it would be wise to match up wheel size & lug pattern to my Big Tex 24' so I can swap tires around which are 16" 8 lug.

What kind of nose should I get? Just squared off? Storage model, etc? I am not sure I will ever use the storage.

Thanks,
D.

 

[cowboydoc]

There is no way I would get a steel trailer. 20 years from now I don't care how good you take care of a steel trailer it will be rusted out. We have 20 year old aluminum trailers that are still going strong with no problems at all.

With the nose I would definitely go with the aero nose. I have had both and can tell you firsthand that it makes a difference pulling both in mpg and ease of towing. BE CAREFUL on your axles. Most of these cheaper trailers, not that CM is cheap, have way too light of axles for hauling cattle. If you have say 10 head avg. weight of 1500 that is 15000 lbs. just in cattle weight. Then you have to add the weight of the trailer. Now you are at probably 18k. That means you need 20k rated axles. Don't scrimp on the axles.

I wouldn't discount the storage. You will probably use it at some point. Or just get the gooseneck with the gate on the gooseneck part. Then you have the gooseneck area to store stuff.

 

[ddivinia]

Thanks for the solid advice. There is a show coming up this weekend and I am not in a hurry to get a trailer. I should do some more homework.

Thanks,
D.