Trailers

[countryguy]

Can't seem to find a used trailer to suit our needs so it looks like we may have to consider new.

I like the looks of the Norberts trailers but don't really like the price.It looks to me like Real Industries has a Norberts knock off but I can't seem to find one anywhere to look at.

What is everyone pulling and how do you like them?

[WoolyBear]

Check out the Duncan Trailers in Russell MB. They are more $$ than a Real, but definitely of better quality. They are less $$ than a Norbert and no doubt will be all the trailer you will need.

I was impress with the Duncan myself. The welds are neat, the paint is well done, and I like the "peaked" roof. Its slightly peaked to let the water run off, rather than pooling on top. Now that the cattle prices are better, I might just get up the courage myself to actually try to buy one.

[Horse]

I bought a new Real in 93 and in about 5 yr the metal was erupting all along one side and the paint is falling off with metal stuck to it and the end gate has rotted holes in it now in all fairness at the time there was a big demand for trailers but they must have used very poor steel. I have seen rusty trailers but not the total metal roting away . Mabey they make a better trailer now.
If anyone has had good or bad luck with aluminun I would like to hear as I am thinking of an aluminum.

[newguy]

I owned a new Real trailer arond 91. 18x6.5 gooseneck. At the time was all right but I sold it 2 years latr when I won a use of a featherlite. I bouht the featherlite and realized how heavy the real pulled and how small it was compared to the 20x7 . My trailer is now 13 years old and never had a problem. pulls great. It is still worth what I paid for it. A very good investment. I am sure the steel real would have been worth nothing long ago.

[grassmarketeer]

I've been pulling a 24' aluminum Wilson for 9 years and found it realatively problem free. Still think it was a good investment.

[cowman]

I have a steel gooseneck about 15 years old. No rust and still in good condition. Had to replace the jack last year other than that just tires. Not sure about the make.
Never thought I could justify the cost of an aluminum trailer but then only have 140 cows and until recently didn't have to transport cows...just calves, yearlings, culls to the mart(about 8 miles). Pull it with a one ton dually(deisel) which has good power. Darned 3/4 ton will hardly pull it(gas).

[paladin]

We're on our 2nd custom-built 36' Bluehills (steel). Retired the 1st one after 16 years of our own and custom hauling. They are located near Brandon, MB.

http://www.bluehillstrailers.com/bh/

[rkaiser]

Had some steel including a Real (traded before much trouble) and working on our second aluminum. The first aluminum was great, and yes the cracks can be repaired with not much problem. Working with a used 20 ft. featherlite now that I feel I stole for 12 and a half bucks. 1996 with tits still on the rubber. Elk guy had it, and then a rancher who retired 4 years ago. Aluminum is certainly nicer to pull empty, and holds value well.

[rookie]

A tri axle liner. Was cheaper to rig up with a tractor that also hauls grain and more efficient for me than a dually pulling a few head around at a time in a goose neck.

[ivbinconned]

"15 years old and no rust"!!

Oh well cowman...your eyes are poor but your mind is sharp.

If you are going to be in this business for the next ten years one can not justify paying less, for steel.

Alunimum is the only way to go. With a bit of preventative maintance when new these trailers will last a life time.

Hang a piece of three inch angle across the front with a 3/8th gap so that you can slide a sheet of puck board in between it and the under side of the floor. Then drill 3/8th holes in the puck board and using 1/4 inch blind rivits with large washers fasten the puck board to the complete under side of your trailer. Even angling it down to protect your torsion axels if that is the kind of axle you have.

This will protect the complete under belly of your trailer preventing the slow but sure bending and deteriation of the ribs,as well as the axel.

I have seen gravel damge wear right through those axels exposing the rubber!!

Having seen this done on trailers I will share one mans comment after having this done to his...he said he felt it pulled easier!! Less wind drag he suggested.

[cowman]

Well ivebiconned, I can't see any. A wee bit of pitting at the front but then it is covered with this sheet stuff...maybe aluminum? I believe this was a top of the line trailer in its day?
We only use the darned thing about three or four times a year. Put some really good tires on it last year...and was horrified at the cost!
This past summer was the first time we were faced with having to haul cows any distance? The boy bought 320 acres 12 miles from home and we had to haul cows there? Due to time restraints we got this guy with a big trailer to haul them out there and back home in the fall. Seemed to be pricey, in my opinion, but the boy seemed to think it was cost effective? Time against dollars...always a consideration?