Where To Find Affordable Livestock Trailers For Sale
If you’re reading this, you likely have cattle, sheep, hogs, chickens, or other livestock to transport, which puts sifting through the many new and used livestock trailers for sale on your to-do list. And as with most of the equipment you need for your operation, livestock trailers (also referred to as “cattle pots,” “stock trailers,” “hog carts,” “livestock boxes,” and “livestock show trailers,”) aren’t a one-size-fits-all affair, so it’s important to do your homework before putting cash on the barrelhead.
A trailer for moving a passel of hogs across the farm, for example, can differ significantly from one a rancher needs to transport a large group of cattle to market. So keep the following trailer shopping tips in mind to find an affordable livestock trailer that’s right for you. And when you’re ready to buy, head to TractorHouse.com to check out the new and used livestock trailers for sale on the site.
Critter-Moving Criteria
The first thing to bear in mind is that there are differing trailer types that are better suited for hauling specific types of stock. Cattle livestock trailers provide sufficient space, durability, compartments and dividers, and ventilation for moving cattle safely and with less stress on the animals. A single- or tandem-axle trailer is a fine choice for transporting sheep and goats and may include partitions to separate animals.
For transporting hogs, look to a hog trailer with slatted or porous flooring to prevent slippage and enhance waste drainage. Featherlite livestock trailers, for instance, come with optional Easy Care Flooring, a liquid-permeable surface that provides cushion and drainage, ensuring animals don’t slip and simplifying the cleanout process.
If transporting chickens or turkeys, a poultry livestock trailer will provide good ventilation and possibly multiple levels with compartments or containers to keep the animals safe during transport.
Hitch Types
It’s important to determine how you’ll tow your trailer so you know which types will hitch correctly to your vehicle.
Bumper-pull livestock trailers are usually smaller models that hitch to a standard ball hitch and are great for transporting just a few animals over short distances. They’re compact and lightweight, easily maneuverable, and require less storage space.
Gooseneck livestock trailers are more expensive and require a truck with the right hitch but are larger and let you haul larger livestock and/or larger groups of animals.
Wilson gooseneck livestock trailers, for example, and goosenecks from other manufacturers, also tend to provide a smooth, stable ride. If you run a larger operation and have lots of stock to haul, you may want to move up to a fifth-wheel or gooseneck livestock semitrailer.
Size & Capacity
Your ideal trailer size will hinge on how many animals you’ll be transporting and how far you’ll need to transport them. For example, a 12-foot (3.7-meter) Neckover livestock trailer with bumper-pull hitches is a solid option for moving a few sheep to town, while something like a 30-ft-long by 7-ft-wide (9.1 by 2.1 m) Exiss gooseneck livestock trailer is well-suited for hauling cattle.
Small livestock trailers typically have a single axle and are 8 to 14 ft long (2.4 to 4.3 m). Medium-sized trailers usually have dual axles and are 16 to 20 ft long (4.9 to 6.1 m) and up to 8 ft (2.4 m) wide. Large livestock trailers can surpass 30 ft in length and often include separate compartments for hauling a mix of livestock.
Body Construction
Livestock trailers are typically constructed of steel, aluminum, or a combination of the two. Aluminum livestock trailers from Featherlite and other manufacturers are durable, lightweight, and rust-resistant. Steel livestock trailers are also durable and usually less expensive but heavier and susceptible to rusting. When buying a used livestock trailer, look for signs of rust, cracks, dents, leaking, or other damage in the walls and roof.
Flooring
Livestock trailer floors are constructed of aluminum, steel, pressure-treated wood, rubber, or polymer materials. Some trailers have mesh-like or textured flooring that enhances airflow and prevents animals from slipping and injuring themselves. Although mesh flooring is a great option for larger animals, it can be less so for smaller livestock.
Design & Ventilation
Many livestock trailers have a basic metal frame with or without a roof and slatted sides. Other trailers are enclosed structures with windows or other vents to provide airflow and ventilation. Enclosed models are typically heavier but provide better safety and security for livestock.
You’ll also find low-profile livestock trailers that have a lower roof. These “low-pro livestock trailers” are handy for pulling behind smaller vehicles and/or for backing into sheds and other enclosed spaces. Some, like low-pro Exiss livestock trailers, still offer interior heights up to 6 ft, 2 in. (1.87 m).
Livestock trailers can also have differing interior layouts. Some have a wide-open interior in which animals can move about freely. Others have divider doors, crowd or calf gates, or other partitions to keep animals from crowding together, which helps with load balancing. For loading and unloading, some trailers have a rear door that doubles as a ramp or a hydraulic lowering system. Many models have a side door for loading and unloading and for entering the trailer.
Find Livestock Trailers On TractorHouse.com
In the Livestock Trailers category on TractorHouse.com, you’ll find trailers primarily used for hauling animals around the farm. Popular manufacturers include Alum-Line, Amacsa, Calico, Corn Pro, Eby, Elite, Exiss, Featherlite, Ifor Williams, Neckover, Rolland, Sundowner, and Wilson.
To explore all ag trailers for sale on TractorHouse.com, click the Ag Trailers icon on the homepage. Then you can click the Category filter and select Livestock Trailers (or a different category) if you want to limit your search.
TractorHouse.com also includes livestock trailer listings cross-posted from TruckPaper.com. Links to these categories—Livestock Trailers – Semi-Trailers and Livestock Trailers – Trailers—are available on the homepage.