new trailer

[plbcattle]

I have out grown my 20" gooseneck trailer. I am thinking about a 24 or 28 foot. I priced an aluminum and steel. the steel runs about $8500. the aluminum runs about $12500. is the aluminum trailer worth the extra money. I know they say they pull better but the extra $4000 will buy a lot of gas.
for those who have 24 or 28 foot trailers how many cows or pairs can you run in your trailer

 

[msscamp]

We have a 35 foot Titan. As far as pairs go, we put 4 cows in each of the front and middle sections, and their babies in the back section. That leaves the cows enough room to move around.

 

[TheBullLady]

Personally I don't see the added value in aluminum versus steel. We bought a steel 32' about 7 years ago that has really been a good trailer, and easy enough to pull. I still can't justify the added cost of aluminum.

The steel trailer you can weld on. Steel washes up easier than aluminum. Have you really looked at an older aluminum trailer? Have to use the acid wash to get them clean. When I want to clean the steel trailer, the good old pressure washer works really well.

I have also heard aluminum doesn't hold up as well in the pasture or field.. which we spend a lot of time pulling out of. Of course if you want to look good going to the shows, then aluminum is the answer. ;-)

 

[Bez]

Well, you folks down in the warm country might now see a difference, but us folks who deal with salt on the roads sure like the aluminum if we can find it at the right price.

My latest steel trailer is only a 99 model and it is rusting bad. I usually only keep them for 5-6 years. It just does not mix well with salt and slush!

My neighbour has aluminum and his is 10 years old and in dynamite shape.

Bez

 

[msscamp]

That is a very good point, and one I hadn't thought of. ;-)

 

[stocky]

I have a 24 foot steel trailer that is about 6 1/2 feet wide inside. It is 20 years old and I have to put a new floor out of treated lumber every 6 or 7 years. I can haul about 14,000 pounds. It has 3 equal compartments. I can haul 4 cows in each compartment that weigh 1200 lbs. Or I can haul 21 calves at 600 lbs if i gate them, 23 if i dont, but i think they ride better if i gate them. Some months, I haul 100 loads in the month, and some months, I haul 5-10 loads. It has lasted well and as long as I can just replace the floor and a new set of tires every few years, I wont be spending money on a new one

 

[polledbull]

I have a 28' alumium and I like it. Around here at alot of the auctions with used aluminum trailers end up bringing more than they costed new . Is not uncommom to see a 12 year old trailer still bring 8000$ or more for 28'.So what im saying is the aluminum will always be worth alot more . They just down go down in value like a steel trailer.