Charmac Livestock Trailer

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Pnw Farmer

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Hey all, I've decided it's time to invest in a trailer. Between playing with the dozen cows across 3 little pastures and my oldest child's love of all things horses and involvement in horse 4-H I can't keep borrowing a trailer. I've got a couple options close by, one is a 1994 Featherlite going through auction and the other is a 1989 Charmac aluminum that a friend is selling. Both goosenecks, tapered nose and 7x18 dimensions. Featherlite is rated at 14k while the Charmac is 12k, both have 8 bolt hubs though. We've used the Featherlite quite a bit as it's a neighbor's trailer, pulls nice, it's still in decent shape, floors, brakes, etc. but I'm guessing it's going to run up in price. I've never been around Charmac trailers so I thought I'd see what folks on here have to say about them, he's asking $8k and said it's in decent shape, I haven't gotten eyes on it yet though. Has 2 dividers, mats, and new heavy ply trailer tires. Thanks in advance.

Farmer
 
I have never seen a Charmac but $8,000 for a 35 year old trailer is pretty high. It probably cost $5,000 new.
Are they both Aluminum? Im guessing the Featherlite is for sure.
 
I've never owned an aluminum due to the price. For the use you're describing a good used 16' steel would suffice and be much cheaper. In my area you can pick up a real nice one for under $4,000. Although I guess aluminum would last longer but a good steel will last a long time, especially if cleaned up after use and stored under cover.
 
I have never seen a Charmac but $8,000 for a 35 year old trailer is pretty high. It probably cost $5,000 new.
Are they both Aluminum? Im guessing the Featherlite is for sure.
Both are aluminum, Charmac is rivet construction on a lot of it, Featherlite is welded. I agree steel would be cheaper but hauling 8 breds on the Featherlite was a load with our grades this summer, couldn't keep the pickup from getting overheated. Yes I do need to blow and wash my radiator out but I don't think it would of been a cure all. 3/4 ton Chevy with a Duramax. Seems like anything aluminum around here brings a premium if it's in good shape. Even a steel trailer is around 4-5k that needs TLC. Thanks for the input so far.

Farmer
 
Hey all, I've decided it's time to invest in a trailer. Between playing with the dozen cows across 3 little pastures and my oldest child's love of all things horses and involvement in horse 4-H I can't keep borrowing a trailer. I've got a couple options close by, one is a 1994 Featherlite going through auction and the other is a 1989 Charmac aluminum that a friend is selling. Both goosenecks, tapered nose and 7x18 dimensions. Featherlite is rated at 14k while the Charmac is 12k, both have 8 bolt hubs though. We've used the Featherlite quite a bit as it's a neighbor's trailer, pulls nice, it's still in decent shape, floors, brakes, etc. but I'm guessing it's going to run up in price. I've never been around Charmac trailers so I thought I'd see what folks on here have to say about them, he's asking $8k and said it's in decent shape, I haven't gotten eyes on it yet though. Has 2 dividers, mats, and new heavy ply trailer tires. Thanks in advance.

Farmer
Last time I know of that Charmac did horse/livestock trailers was 2012. Back then, they had a good Aluminum GN stock combo, 7' tall and 7' wide, escape door., etc. If you are going to haul horses too, get a trailer at least 7' tall. 7.6" if she shows warmbloods over 16 hds. As long as it is tall enough, and doesn't have a floor with cattle panels etc nailed down on it, it is easy to haul horses in a stock trailer. It is hard to get cattle to load into a horse trailer.
 
Hey all, I've decided it's time to invest in a trailer. Between playing with the dozen cows across 3 little pastures and my oldest child's love of all things horses and involvement in horse 4-H I can't keep borrowing a trailer. I've got a couple options close by, one is a 1994 Featherlite going through auction and the other is a 1989 Charmac aluminum that a friend is selling. Both goosenecks, tapered nose and 7x18 dimensions. Featherlite is rated at 14k while the Charmac is 12k, both have 8 bolt hubs though. We've used the Featherlite quite a bit as it's a neighbor's trailer, pulls nice, it's still in decent shape, floors, brakes, etc. but I'm guessing it's going to run up in price. I've never been around Charmac trailers so I thought I'd see what folks on here have to say about them, he's asking $8k and said it's in decent shape, I haven't gotten eyes on it yet though. Has 2 dividers, mats, and new heavy ply trailer tires. Thanks in advance.

Farmer
I love my Charmac aluminum trailer. I have a 16-footer. It has held up well for many years with heavy cattle hauling, and cleans up easily. I've used it for everything, from cattle/horses, furniture, equipment, and even camping. I don't think Charmac makes a stock trailer anymore, so it might be a real find.
 

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