Stoll Cattle Trailer Question?

[Brute 23]

I want a the regular bar cattle trailer like that but aluminum with the hard top. I just want to keep the weight down.

 

[bird dog]

I just want to keep the weight down.

How much difference is there and does it really matter? I read 10 to 15%. On a loaded 32' trailer you would have 25,000 lbs for steel, maybe 24,000 for aluminum. Not much difference unless you run empty a lot.
What matters the most for efficiency is really the shape of the nose. My mileage with a 20' aluminum trailer with a squared off front was 9 1/2 to 10. With my 24' steel, I routinely get 11 to 11 1/2. It has a sheeted tapered front.

 

[Brute 23]

How much difference is there and does it really matter? I read 10 to 15%. On a loaded 32' trailer you would have 25,000 lbs for steel, maybe 24,000 for aluminum. Not much difference unless you run empty a lot.
What matters the most for efficiency is really the shape of the nose. My mileage with a 20' aluminum trailer with a squared off front was 9 1/2 to 10. With my 24' steel, I routinely get 11 to 11 1/2. It has a sheeted tapered front.

You run empty half the time unless you just cruise around with cattle. #1000 is a lot especially when most people are running overloaded. Most cattle trailers have way more room that weight capacity. Plus, trailers end up getting used for a little of every thing. They might have atvs or sxs or feed. We have loaded them with gear to go hunting.

 

[kenny thomas]

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.

Its according to the trailer brand. A Wilson has almost no welds. Its all riveted. I have a 2002 model that has probably hauled 10,000 head and never a weld done to it.

 

[kenny thomas]

You run empty half the time unless you just cruise around with cattle. #1000 is a lot especially when most people are running overloaded. Most cattle trailers have way more room that weight capacity. Plus, trailers end up getting used for a little of every thing. They might have atvs or sxs or feed. We have loaded them with gear to go hunting.

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You bring up a good point, every time its loaded its over the recommend weigh capacity.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I had a 16x6 steel GN and it weighed 1000lb more than my 24x7.5 Wilson currently weighs... empty I forget that aluminum trailer is back there.

 

[GoWyo]

I have an aluminum Merritt trailer. Love the trailer, but if the wind is gusting 50+ mph it better have a load on or stay in the yard. I think it only weighs maybe 3600# empty.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

I have an aluminum Merritt trailer. Love the trailer, but if the wind is gusting 50+ mph it better have a load on or stay in the yard. I think it only weighs maybe 3600# empty.

Eh you just have to huge the opposite side of the lane. Ha

 

[GoWyo]

Eh you just have to huge the opposite side of the lane. Ha

Yah I pay taxes for both sides of the road so may as well use them.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Yah I pay taxes for both sides of the road so may as well use them.

May as well use the entire lane centerline to gravel, and if nobody is coming towards me use some of their lane as well.

 

[Stonewall Joe]

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

I've had both, current one had a clothtop, now has no top. I've never seen one last 10 years unless maybe you store it undercover and don't use it much

 

[Brute 23]

The canvas tops are not that expensive. Friend of mine had one put on 16' trailer for like a grand. The old one was every bit of 10 years old. The second one looks like it's a lot better quality than the original.

 

[hurleyjd]

Covered top trailers have a tendency to rust out from manure and urine even washing them out you will still have some corrosion from the soaked boards. I like a open type trailer. Cows only ride it a little less than an hour. There or three sale barns with less than a 20 mile radius from me.