Need some advice on trailers?

pvf · 08-20-2008, 08:06 AM

We are looking for a trailer that can haul horses or cattle with living qtrs in it. The stock area has to be at least 16' (cause thats what our bumber pull is). The cattle won't be wild ones but they could be a little naughty just like any other animal. My daughter wants to show cattle and horses so I thought if we could get a trailer that could do both it would be easier. The only that I have found so far when I looked up cattle trailers was 60,000. Not in my price range.
So I'm asking you guys for some help. Would a horse trailer hold up with 4 head of cattle in it if you took out the dividers?
Would a steel trailer be better than alum/steel or all alum for something like this?

The cattle are tame enough that they load just like a horse in a stock trailer. The walk right in and get tied up. But if they kick or thrash around (worst case) would that be the same as a horse?

Sirita_88 · 08-20-2008, 08:11 AM

wow, 60,000? There are plenty of featherlites/sundowner type stock trailers with enclosed living areas. Actually, I am pretty sure they are usually cheaper than their horse-only fully enclosed counterparts...

Sirita_88 · 08-20-2008, 08:14 AM

Have you tried horsetrailerworld.com ? They seem to have a pretty descent selection of trailers.

version1955 · 08-20-2008, 08:26 AM

$60k! Holy cow, that's a stick-built house!

I don't know if this will help at all, but our solution to a four-horse with living quarters was for him to put a hitch at the end of our gooseneck stock trailer for my Scamp. But keep in mind our stock trailer has doors on the sides so in the case of an emergency we don't need to unhitch the camper. I hope that opens up the possibilities a bit more to help you find what you want.

pvf · 08-20-2008, 08:31 AM

See I thought that it should be cheaper too.. I did look at stock/combos on horsetrailerworld but they only had a couple.. but if I keep looking I might be able to find something. I would like to find a good used trailer..

Boy do I kick myself know.. Our friends sold one a few years back and they only sold it for 15,000 and it had really nice living qts too..

version1955 · 08-20-2008, 08:34 AM

pvf, that's ALWAYS how it is

pvf · 08-20-2008, 08:47 AM

I thought an all alum trailer was a bad thing

I'm only finding combo trailers in all alum..

BarnBum · 08-20-2008, 08:51 AM

Consider getting this.....

www.usrider.com

Its the ONLY roadside assitance for horse trailers. AAA doesn't cover trailers.

Look into it.

I agree, $60k will get a great deal. All LQ are reduced b/c nothing is moving.

**TDH** · 08-20-2008, 08:53 AM

pvf, there's a place 4 miles up the road from me that is a custom manufacturer of both aluminum and steel trailers - it's where we got ours from, great quality, nice folks to work with. No dealer markup, you might be surprised just how inexpensive they would be, if you were to get a new one. Each trailer is basically custom made, no extra cost.

Here's a link to their new/used for sale page, but I think it'd be worth your while to make a phone call and get a quote on a new one....

http://www.komfgco.com/page17.html

jyates · 08-20-2008, 08:53 AM

You might try to do a search on www.ebay.com and get an idea of what's out there. You might even find one listed nearby that you can go and actually look at before you bid/buy.

**TDH** · 08-20-2008, 08:57 AM

Just thought of something you might want to ask, as you're looking at different trailers... I'm wondering if hauling cattle, you might want a heavier-duty floor support system, than you do with just horses...? Thought I'd mention it.

**Applejack** · 08-20-2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarnBum

Its the ONLY roadside assitance for horse trailers. AAA doesn't cover trailers.

I have AAA and paid for the RV option. They won't take care of my horse, but they will change a flat tire on my trailer.

version1955 · 08-20-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pvf

I thought an all alum trailer was a bad thing

I'm only finding combo trailers in all alum..

TDH made a good point. And it isn't that aluminum is bad, its that its light and a lot of folks don't know beans about sizing their vehicle to the trailer and load by weight or length of vehicle to length of trailer. Then there are the considerations on taking hills, turns and side winds. I'm not saying I know this stuff, good heavens no, but I understand a few things to ask.

lopintoo · 08-20-2008, 12:25 PM

As far as alum vs. steel - most of your cow haulers (not just horse folks) use alum trailers. The newer ones are just as sturdy as steel trailers and they weigh less.

I would look at what they call a stock/combo trailer. A few of them have small living qtrs, some have a dressing room, some neither. Usually these types of trailers are made to haul horses as well as other animals. They come with horse dividers or a divider gate. If you do get one with horse dividers and don't want to have the dividers for the cattle, you can always remove them. Or if your cattle are really quiet, I wouldn't worry about it so much and just get a regular horse trailer with a 60/40 rear door (wider for the cattle). You may want the padded walls and drop windows for them also. There are so many used trailers out there right now I'm sure you will find one that is perfect. One of the place we like to look is www.usedtrailers.com www.equine.com is good too.

pvf · 08-20-2008, 03:53 PM

Thanks for all the links and info!!

cameo05 · 08-20-2008, 07:10 PM

This is where I buy my trailers... www.dhmco.com
Mine with 14ft living quarters and it a 3 horse slant was 46k. The site I gave you, they do deliver nationwide. Good luck.

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08-20-2008, 08:06 AM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,447	Need some advice on trailers? We are looking for a trailer that can haul horses or cattle with living qtrs in it. The stock area has to be at least 16' (cause thats what our bumber pull is). The cattle won't be wild ones but they could be a little naughty just like any other animal. My daughter wants to show cattle and horses so I thought if we could get a trailer that could do both it would be easier. The only that I have found so far when I looked up cattle trailers was 60,000. Not in my price range. So I'm asking you guys for some help. Would a horse trailer hold up with 4 head of cattle in it if you took out the dividers? Would a steel trailer be better than alum/steel or all alum for something like this? The cattle are tame enough that they load just like a horse in a stock trailer. The walk right in and get tied up. But if they kick or thrash around (worst case) would that be the same as a horse? __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

08-20-2008, 08:11 AM
Sirita_88 Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Posts: 1,296	wow, 60,000? There are plenty of featherlites/sundowner type stock trailers with enclosed living areas. Actually, I am pretty sure they are usually cheaper than their horse-only fully enclosed counterparts...

08-20-2008, 08:14 AM
Sirita_88 Long Yearling Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Posts: 1,296	Have you tried horsetrailerworld.com ? They seem to have a pretty descent selection of trailers.

08-20-2008, 08:26 AM
version1955 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Minnesnowdah Posts: 6,630	$60k! Holy cow, that's a stick-built house! I don't know if this will help at all, but our solution to a four-horse with living quarters was for him to put a hitch at the end of our gooseneck stock trailer for my Scamp. But keep in mind our stock trailer has doors on the sides so in the case of an emergency we don't need to unhitch the camper. I hope that opens up the possibilities a bit more to help you find what you want. __________________ gonna do what I can instead of complain and fret about what I can't Joanie

08-20-2008, 08:31 AM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,447	See I thought that it should be cheaper too.. I did look at stock/combos on horsetrailerworld but they only had a couple.. but if I keep looking I might be able to find something. I would like to find a good used trailer.. Boy do I kick myself know.. Our friends sold one a few years back and they only sold it for 15,000 and it had really nice living qts too.. __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

08-20-2008, 08:34 AM
version1955 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Minnesnowdah Posts: 6,630	pvf, that's ALWAYS how it is __________________ gonna do what I can instead of complain and fret about what I can't Joanie

08-20-2008, 08:47 AM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,447	I thought an all alum trailer was a bad thing I'm only finding combo trailers in all alum.. __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

08-20-2008, 08:51 AM
BarnBum Greenbroke Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 3,611	Consider getting this..... www.usrider.com Its the ONLY roadside assitance for horse trailers. AAA doesn't cover trailers. Look into it. I agree, $60k will get a great deal. All LQ are reduced b/c nothing is moving. __________________ Murphys Horse Law - A horse's misbehavior will be in direct proportion to the number of people who are watching !!

08-20-2008, 08:53 AM
TDH Welcome and Introductions Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,245	pvf, there's a place 4 miles up the road from me that is a custom manufacturer of both aluminum and steel trailers - it's where we got ours from, great quality, nice folks to work with. No dealer markup, you might be surprised just how inexpensive they would be, if you were to get a new one. Each trailer is basically custom made, no extra cost. Here's a link to their new/used for sale page, but I think it'd be worth your while to make a phone call and get a quote on a new one.... http://www.komfgco.com/page17.html __________________ "Nature, when she made the Arab, made no mistake." -Homer Davenport-

08-20-2008, 08:53 AM
jyates Coming two Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SouthWest Arkansas Posts: 1,504	You might try to do a search on www.ebay.com and get an idea of what's out there. You might even find one listed nearby that you can go and actually look at before you bid/buy. __________________

08-20-2008, 08:57 AM
TDH Welcome and Introductions Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,245	Just thought of something you might want to ask, as you're looking at different trailers... I'm wondering if hauling cattle, you might want a heavier-duty floor support system, than you do with just horses...? Thought I'd mention it. __________________ "Nature, when she made the Arab, made no mistake." -Homer Davenport-

08-20-2008, 12:25 PM
lopintoo Long Yearling Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,239	As far as alum vs. steel - most of your cow haulers (not just horse folks) use alum trailers. The newer ones are just as sturdy as steel trailers and they weigh less. I would look at what they call a stock/combo trailer. A few of them have small living qtrs, some have a dressing room, some neither. Usually these types of trailers are made to haul horses as well as other animals. They come with horse dividers or a divider gate. If you do get one with horse dividers and don't want to have the dividers for the cattle, you can always remove them. Or if your cattle are really quiet, I wouldn't worry about it so much and just get a regular horse trailer with a 60/40 rear door (wider for the cattle). You may want the padded walls and drop windows for them also. There are so many used trailers out there right now I'm sure you will find one that is perfect. One of the place we like to look is www.usedtrailers.com www.equine.com is good too.

08-20-2008, 03:53 PM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,447	Thanks for all the links and info!! __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

08-20-2008, 07:10 PM
cameo05 Bombproof Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 8,843	This is where I buy my trailers... www.dhmco.com Mine with 14ft living quarters and it a 3 horse slant was 46k. The site I gave you, they do deliver nationwide. Good luck. __________________