Stoll Cattle Trailer Question?

[Tennessee Cattleman]

Stoll makes a nice trailer, but I have noticed there is about a 10 inch gap at the front of the trailer over the neck where the rope is wrapped around a bar. Has anyone had any issues with 5-6 weight calves trying to jump and sticking a leg through the canvas or is this just over thinking about this? Picture attached with red arrow.

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

Another picture with flip phone for size comparsion.

 

[Brute 23]

Ya not sure what they were thinking on that one.

 

[bird dog]

I'm sure it will also be a big collector of manure. What is the purpose of it you think?

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Looks like a perfect place for a calf to get stuck in...

 

[Brute 23]

That's all the way up in the nose, right? Above the gooseneck? They would usually put dog boxes or storage up there if it was full size.

Nothing is impossible but it's 5' or above the floor, I'm guessing? I was thinking it was down low when I originally saw the pic.

 

[Warren Allison]

That's all the way up in the nose, right? Above the gooseneck? They would usually put dog boxes or storage up there if it was full size.

Nothing is impossible but it's 5' or above the floor, I'm guessing? I was thinking it was down low when I originally saw the pic.

Yes, above the gooseneck. You can see pics here. https://www.stolltrailers.com/livestock-trailers/

 

[RDFF]

I doubt that it'd be an issue for the cattle with where it's located, but why would you want a canvas top (keep in mind that I'm up north... down south do you want to be running without a top in summer to let the heat out???)? As open as the trailer is, it'd probably "breathe" just fine anyway. Open "weave" boxes like this create alot of turbulence between the panels going down the road, so pull harder than a enclosed box. But again, I see these all the time down south, I assume for better ventilation when hauling critters. Cheaper with a canvas top? It's gonna need replaced, likely sooner than later (wind tears at it at every grommet)... so maybe not cheaper in the long run. The roof panels on many help to strengthen the overall build too. Question came up on another thread about horizontal vs. vertical bars on "confinement panels"... animals can get their legs through them and get hurt more easily (supposedly)...

 

[bird dog]

Canvas creates some shade. Some shade and a little wind equal cooler cattle. BTW I have and prefer a solid top.

 

[Lucky]

It'll be fine.

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

Lighter colored canvas is a little cooler on hot days, weighes a little less than a steel top, costs a little less up front and if the top gets ripped it's usually easier to fix by installing new canvas. Pros and cons to both type of tops. Stoll no longer offers a steel top on their trailers. It looks like the rumber floor with cleats and the boards spaced a inch or so apart will add some life to a steel trailer. Dealers give estimates of a canvas lasting 10 years outside, 20 inside, of course we all know how it rolls when a salesman is trying to make a sale. Cattlemen west of the Mississippi have different choices in steel cattle trailer mfg's than us on the east side. Picture of a trailer with canvas rolled down in front attached.

 

[cfpinz]

If it bothers you, lay a PT 2x10 across it and secure with some u-bolts.

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

If it bothers you, lay a PT 2x10 across it and secure with some u-bolts.

I have thought about putting a board across it, kinda on the fence whether to use u-bolts or 250 lb. rated zip ties since the nuts on the u-bolts would have to be on the top side because of the canvas. I know there is more than a few Stoll trailers being used by people on this forum, it's kinda interesting that no one has confessed to having a calf hoove go through the canvas or stated they have never had that issue after years of use. Might have to go to the stockyard and peek into the Stoll trailers.

 

[Brute 23]

I have thought about putting a board across it, kinda on the fence whether to use u-bolts or 250 lb. rated zip ties since the nuts on the u-bolts would have to be on the top side because of the canvas. I know there is more than a few Stoll trailers being used by people on this forum, it's kinda interesting that no one has confessed to having a calf hoove go through the canvas or stated they have never had that issue after years of use. Might have to go to the stockyard and peek into the Stoll trailers.

The odds of that happening are rare. One animal would have to throw the calf up in to the top of the trailer for it to be an issue. It's above most calves heads.

 

[Lucky]

I've got a 28' Delco that I've had since 2012 the tarp on it is the same design as your's and I've never had an issue. From 2008 to 2012 I had a 24' Gooseneck brand and never had an issue. We're in cattle country here. It's a rare day we don't see several cattle trailers on the road (99% have tarps) and I've never heard of anyone having that issue. If your worried about it I'd do like @cfpinz says and add a board there.

 

[RDFF]

I'd never go back to a steel trailer again... aluminum only. The manure is probably the worst on them, but of course, we're up here in SALT country as well. Steel is cheaper for sure... but they only last a few years before they're all rotting out.

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

None of them lasts forever, sold my old Stoll steel top last fall after 33 years of use for $1400 more than I paid for it new, but never did have to run it in road salt. Thought about aluminum trailers and priced some, but thinking about how many times I have rubbed fence posts with no damage to the brush fenders other than a few paint scratches swayed me back to steel, plus the money differance and my age. I think the biggest advantage for a aluminum trailer is it being lighter in weight.

 

[bird dog]

Actually the aluminum is probably more dent proof than the steel. Most are made from high tensile aluminum that just doesn't dent easily. Ohterwise the inside would look like a hail storm hit it. I have had both and the aluminum one was dent free after 20 years. I sold it last year.

 

[Brute 23]

Actually the aluminum is probably more dent proof than the steel. Most are made from high tensile aluminum that just doesn't dent easily. Ohterwise the inside would look like a hail storm hit it. I have had both and the aluminum one was dent free after 20 years. I sold it last year.

You don't see any aluminum catch trailers here for a reason. Aluminum cracks and rips. I had a bull start ripping the flat panels off the side of an aluminum trailer one time. He left in an all steel trailer.

 

[Lucky]

Very few Aluminum cattle trailers here. Lots of Aluminum horse trailers though. Nothing against Aluminum trailers and we don't have rust issues down here.