Tractor Drawn Livestock Trailer Project

[hutchy143211]

Been thinking about making a tractor drawn livestock trailer as its something we could do with for moving cattle/sheep but the cost of even used containers to go on the back of straw trailers seem daft money. I was planning on cutting down an artic trailer as a basis (around 33ft), adding a drawbar (sprung) then building a shell and adding a steel or aluminum floor. Finally finish it off with LED lights, hydraulic/air brakes, air suspension which can be dumped and potentially a lifting axle to help when turning unloaded. I reckon a budget of £5-6k (£1500 chassis, £2000 steel and cladding, £1500 wiring, air system repairs and hydraulics) could go a long way to making something which would last much longer than a used container and a fraction of that for a purpose built newer trailer. What are peoples thoughts on this and any suggestions?

 

[Paul E]

https://www.jonburgess.co.uk/used-livestock-containers

 

[case 5140]

Been thinking about making a tractor drawn livestock trailer as its something we could do with for moving cattle/sheep but the cost of even used containers to go on the back of straw trailers seem daft money. I was planning on cutting down an artic trailer as a basis (around 33ft), adding a drawbar (sprung) then building a shell and adding a steel or aluminum floor. Finally finish it off with LED lights, hydraulic/air brakes, air suspension which can be dumped and potentially a lifting axle to help when turning unloaded. I reckon a budget of £5-6k (£1500 chassis, £2000 steel and cladding, £1500 wiring, air system repairs and hydraulics) could go a long way to making something which would last much longer than a used container and a fraction of that for a purpose built newer trailer. What are peoples thoughts on this and any suggestions?

you could buy a nice used container for that

 

[hutchy143211]

you could buy a nice used container for that

Yeah there's some good containers for that money my problem was then needing a trailer to go under it. We do currently have one trailer but it's floor is a bit worn and the cost of adapting it and repairing it for longevity might be quite high.

 

[Matt-P]

Yeah there's some good containers for that money my problem was then needing a trailer to go under it. We do currently have one trailer but it's floor is a bit worn and the cost of adapting it and repairing it for longevity might be quite high.

Any progress? Will the trailer be low enough to load cattle once the air has been dumped?

 

[Blue.]

Been thinking about making a tractor drawn livestock trailer as its something we could do with for moving cattle/sheep but the cost of even used containers to go on the back of straw trailers seem daft money. I was planning on cutting down an artic trailer as a basis (around 33ft), adding a drawbar (sprung) then building a shell and adding a steel or aluminum floor. Finally finish it off with LED lights, hydraulic/air brakes, air suspension which can be dumped and potentially a lifting axle to help when turning unloaded. I reckon a budget of £5-6k (£1500 chassis, £2000 steel and cladding, £1500 wiring, air system repairs and hydraulics) could go a long way to making something which would last much longer than a used container and a fraction of that for a purpose built newer trailer. What are peoples thoughts on this and any suggestions?

I bought a ally sided box trailer to make my base out of,air suspension and a floor in excellent order due to being dry,cost me £400 dropped in the yard so I can spend a bit of time cutting the sides and shortening it.

Every ready done flat trailer I find is on poxy axles so 10stud and mini super singles on air should give an excellent ride,all I need to do now is decide on what length the mrs can manage.

 

[hutchy143211]

Any progress? Will the trailer be low enough to load cattle once the air has been dumped?

I'm afraid no progress and the project has kind of been put to one side for now with no design or further research. I do hope to get it back on track at some point though when possible. Ideally a trailer on mini super singles would be best with air dumped as that would be the lowest though I think you could easily get a 6 inch load height reduction with standard super singles. That coupled with a longish end door should hopefully give a low enough loading angle.

I bought a ally sided box trailer to make my base out of,air suspension and a floor in excellent order due to being dry,cost me £400 dropped in the yard so I can spend a bit of time cutting the sides and shortening it.

Every ready done flat trailer I find is on poxy axles so 10stud and mini super singles on air should give an excellent ride,all I need to do now is decide on what length the mrs can manage.

I like the sound of that! Any pictures of it?