Cattle Trailers

Wait times on some brands is quite long at the minute due to Covid/Brexit.

IW reputation has dipped a bit over the years as their trailers seem to be getting lighter. Porter seems to be the strongest and Nugent get good reviews too - although i have seen some complaints on other forums about the finish on some of them.

Here is a price list for IW - is might be a bit dated, but is a good guide: livestockpl.pdf (barlowtrailers.co.uk)

I think pre COVID a tuffmac 10X6 was less than 5K not sure what price now most of the rest are 6K+

I seen a Falcon in the flesh for first time at a mart recently. Nicely finished trailer.

A different size but for comparison we've just bought a new Ifor Williams 5.10 x 12 @ €7,700 straight deal. Includes front flap, no sheep decks. Nugent aprox €7,400.

We went with Ifor as they seem to have a better resale value. We sold the previous one, (same size) @ €4,200, 9 years old in good condition, but has a reasonable bit of work done. Thats €366 per year to replace. Happy with that.

I have a tuffmac here. A seriously well built box and made to take abuse, but it is a heavy yoke to pull, even empty. I bought 2 1/2 years ago for €5,000 straight deal.

They should all glide behind the jeep, most problems are due to the drawbar being too low and not enough weight coming on it. it can make a huge difference to lift it an inch. A neighbour phoned me one day and I could hear the vibration in his voice , he was coming from Kildare with an empty 14ft triaxle livestock trailer, I told him to raise the drawbar on the jeep. He say's it's like a different trailer now even though the road from Kildare to here is a terrible road

Recently purchased a new trailer - I have been trying to keep it right as I want this one to see me out - I have been power washing it out after every use - purchased some cattle recently in the mart and had a awful job getting them to go up the shiney new ramp - I suppose there really is no need to be washing the trailer after every use ? As it does leave stock very hard to load …does the slurry effect the lifespan of the trailer if it’s not washed out ?

I would always wash too, but they do load handier up a dirty trailer. Sometimes think it is the shiny surface and noise that puts them off and a rubber floor would encourage them better. Other times I think the familiar smell of other animals encourage them on.

The trailer will dull down over time, but if you're having trouble I'd just throw down a bucket of sawdust. A forcing gate behind them will also help them load.