How to Choose a Livestock Trailer: Some Rules to Follow

Buying a Livestock Trailer is about getting the correct piece of machinery to enable you to transport your animals effectively and safely. Livestock trailers are made by various reputable manufacturers and are available in a variety of sizes and designs. It can be useful to divide your decision when buying a cattle trailer because there are so many options available to you.

To make it simpler to select the most suitable livestock trailer for your needs, the following guide will take you through everything you need to know before buying a livestock trailer.

Guidelines To Consider While Choosing A Livestock Trailer

Choose The Appropriate Size

Depending on the size of the livestock you are carrying, and how many animals you intend to tow at once, your trailer’s height, breadth, and length will need to be adjusted.

Your choice of the towing vehicle must be taken into account. It is crucial for the safety of both you and your cattle that your livestock trailer matches your towing capacity.

Consider the dry weight of the trailer with the anticipated weight of the cattle you’ll be hauling to determine the appropriate trailer size for your tow vehicle. Additionally, you should allow yourself a smidge of wiggle room for the water, food, and supplies you’ll bring.

Various Flooring Options

Either an aluminum floor or wood plank flooring is a common feature of livestock trailers. Rubber mats or other non-slip surfaces are also used to ensure that animals have a secure footing while being transported.

Steel frames are typically used with wood flooring, but if you choose a wood floor, you’ll need to check it frequently for degradation. In humid environments, wood is especially prone to rotting and may require treatment.

Aluminum is more resilient but less comfortable for livestock because it doesn’t absorb road vibration as well as wood. Additionally, it might make the interior of the trailer warmer.

Select The Proper Wall Type

Solid or slatted walls are common in livestock trailers. In colder climates, solid walls are a suitable alternative. Animals will be better protected from the cold and inclement weather thanks to this. For hotter areas, slatted walls are a wonderful choice since they allow for airflow. This is essential for moving livestock during periods of high humidity and intense heat.

In the case of slatted walls, the trailer may either have solid walls at the bottom and slats closer to the roof or both.

Examine Frame Options

Typically, the frames of livestock trailers are made of either steel or aluminum. A manufacturer might occasionally provide a hybrid frame style that uses both steel and aluminum.

Although steel is a strong material, it may rust easily. If you decide on a steel frame, make sure to either purchase a trailer that has been coated to prevent rust or have painting plans for it after purchase. This is crucial if you’re transporting cattle through places where the roads have been salted or treated with mag chloride.

For livestock frames, aluminum is a fantastic lightweight, rust-resistant material. These are a bit more expensive, and aluminum may degrade more quickly than steel over time. Using both materials will create a durable and robust livestock trailer, which is one of the most viable options.

Pick A Ramp Entrance

For simpler loading and unloading, livestock trailers may have a ramp. Alternatively, they may just have doors that open, requiring livestock to step up into the trailer and down when exiting. A ramp is helpful for loading difficult-to-load cattle. The animals are more at ease and have less joint discomfort as a result.

Create A Rough Budget

The cost of livestock trailers varies greatly. A simple pull-behind bumper tow trailer made for small animals may only cost a few thousand dollars. A luxurious cattle trailer with living accommodations and the newest technologies may cost substantially more.

At The End…..,

Now, you know all the things that need your consideration while looking for livestock trailers. So consider all the points and schedule a call with the manufacturer for final discussion about your doubts and queries. It is also possible to explain the other requirements/features that you want in the livestock trailer to a custom trailer manufacturer like Fueltrailers.