livestock trailer shopping

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 29, 2018

Shopping for a new livestock trailer. Nothing fancy, bumper pull, steel is fine, can't afford aluminum.

All the dealers around here want stupid money for new. Used ones, when you can find them, are almost as much as new, or at least way overpriced for their condition. We don't need another rusted out piece of junk, there's already one sitting on a pile in the driveway!

I would not mind driving a few hours for a good deal on one. I'm in Western NY near Buffalo.

pcsaw · Oct 29, 2018

Check out the internet I saved a couple thousand
but had to drive down to N.C.

Hotflashjr · Oct 29, 2018

I am in Western MA and there was a guy over the boarder in eastern NY that had steel bumper pulls last winter for $2k off. He had adds on craigslist and was a listed dealer for multiple brands. Going into winter was a good time to buy but I only run pigs to slaughter 3 times per year so it is hard to justify a new trailer. We borrow one but it is shot and needs work every time I use it before I can hit the road. Found the same with used ones - either as much as new if in decent shape or junk that is pricey.

D beatty · Oct 29, 2018

You might be wise to shell out the extra money and buy new instead of used and somebodys headaches.

ss55 · Oct 29, 2018

Do any local trucking firms have livestock trucks? In the long run, a new livestock trailer might be your best option.

Livestock trailers degrade fast if not kept clean. If you can take care of a new livestock trailer and wash it out after using it, it will be worth close to what a new replacement trailer will cost for a long time.

MJMJ · Oct 29, 2018

Not really enough info. What size, what are you planning to haul, and most importantly, what do you want to spend? CList ads here are full of decent trailers for $4 and under. Unless you're hauling nearly every week, there's just no way a new one pencils out.

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 29, 2018

Again, nothing fancy, nothing big. Steel. 12' to 16', four wheels and a tongue. Budget: AS LITTLE AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.

CL is full of ads for TEN YEAR OLD JUNK at $4000 but a new one that will do the job can be had for about $5000-$5500 at some dealers a ways off.

The local dealerships want $6500-$7500.

There's always that trailer dealer that's "cheaper than everyone else" out there. Factory direct if possible.

What's the premium brand? What's the cheap brand? Moritz(overpriced), Corn Pro(overpriced), Valley(less expensive), Delta(can't really find any prices). Any others?

MJMJ · Oct 29, 2018

So it appears you want a new trailer for used price. Can't help with that. Good luck.

MJMJ · Oct 29, 2018

These are pretty common here if you look.

https://columbus.craigslist.org/grd/d/2017-calico-livestock-trailer/6730355542.html

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 29, 2018

Yeah, you're kinda right, because people with used trailers are nuts. Your craigslist ad proves it.

I already have two verified sources where I can get BRAND NEW trailers in the $5000-$5500 range, so why would I buy a two year old USED trailer for the same money?

M Nut · Oct 29, 2018

I had the same experience 7 years ago. Bought a brand new one for $3800, but had to travel about 4 hrs to get it. Same trailer today is $5200 at the same dealer. Trailers just keep
going up in price each year. The good thing is my 7 year old trailer is still almost new, as it gets pressure washed each time it is used, both inside and out.

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 29, 2018

All I'm trying to find out is if $5200 is the best I can do.

M Nut · Oct 29, 2018

$5200 is the cheapest I know of in MN. I shopped a 250 mile radius of central MN when I bought, and a place south of Rochester, MN was the cheapest I could find.

IA Roy · Oct 29, 2018

If you find where one is substantially less
than others beware of the quality. You may
be comparing Apple's to road apples!

MJMJ · Oct 29, 2018

(quoted from post at 13:19:03 10/29/18) Yeah, you're kinda right, because people with used trailers are nuts. Your craigslist ad proves it.

I already have two verified sources where I can get BRAND NEW trailers in the $5000-$5500 range, so why would I buy a two year old USED trailer for the same money?

This better?
https://columbus.craigslist.org/grd/d/2019-calico-14-stock-trailer/6712376071.html

You appear to be looking at price only, and completely ignoring brands and features. Which is fine if that's all that matters, but why didn't you say originally that you could find one for $5500 and you wanted cheaper? I'd take a used Moritz or Corn Pro over a new "cheap" trailer. But that's just me.

BarnyardEngineering · Oct 29, 2018

That's along the lines of what I'm looking for.

Experience says the expensive Corn Pros and Moritzes are just... expensive. They're not any better. Pay as little as possible and take care of it and it will last just as long.

DoubleR · Oct 29, 2018

I paid a 1000 more for my Corn Pro over the cheapest one I looked at 5 years ago. After comparing the two. Although I still wish I would have just bit the bullet and went with Aluminum.

MJMJ · Oct 29, 2018

Check the weights of the trailers. Typically the more expensive ones have more steel and better axle/wheel components. Paint quality also varies greatly. No matter how clean you keep it, bare steel will rust.

Texasmark1 · Oct 30, 2018

Check out WW brand, covered 6x16, tack room, side entrance door just aft of the tack room, center gate, solid floor with antiskid, swingout rear or
use half width-slide panel, new tires and wheels - 50 miles on them-used once since installing, running gear (shackles and pins) - couple of hundred
miles on it if that, 3500# axles, no brakes as not required here, nor is title for trailers of the sort.....state registration (license plate) current. Trailer is
old from a yearmodel standpoint but functional and safe. Slight minor rust. A paint job would make it really attractive, it's already functional. I could
round up a spare to go with it, nothing special.

$2000 cash. Take a "snow bird" trip down here, enjoy the warm weather and take it back with you. I could put brakes on the rear axle if needed.
Would have to price out the parts, probably would do the labor at no charge.....something to do. Decided that at my age I don't want to get in a corral
with a 3000# bull and attempt to show him who thinks they are boss.

Having had 5' and now this 6', big difference in the widths when carrying large bovines. They can turn around in the 6, even when the mid gate is
closed but in a 5 they can't.

Texasmark1 · Oct 30, 2018

Did a quick scan: https://trailerparts.com/single-axle-electric-brake-kit-10-5-bolt-drum-brakes-with-wire-breakaway-kit-and-plug-3-500-lbs.html

You decide single or dual, will need the 5x5 drum for 12 bucks per pair, you decide if you want never adjust for $32 a pair plus any taxes (doubt it) and whatever shipping charges encountered....$600 for dual axles if needed would be real close for a guess. Deposit would be required if I'm going to add brakes as I don't need them to sell it here.

Since you were looking and I have thought about possibly selling for awhile, and I'm responding to your question, I don't guess I'm violating any site rules.

W_B · Oct 30, 2018

My first trailer was a 13 ft. steel Corn Pro. Used it about 5 yrs. and sold it for a little bit over half what I paid for it new. First guy to respond to the ad bought it, I kept it clean and in good shape, probably sold it too cheap. A friend was getting out of the llama business and offered me his 16 ft. Featherlite V-nose aluminum w/ center divider and double slideout top vents. Has a PT 2x6 wood floor, not aluminum. Llamas don't make much mess so it gets pressure washed about twice a year. It was a stretch to buy it but so glad we did.

My advice if you can't find a good used is to buy a new one. If you ever want to/have to sell you'll get back almost what you paid and it would sell quick. There are some things you just aren't going to get cheap, good stock trailers are one of those.

Good luck with your search.

livestock trailer shopping

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