Trailer Questions

[pjkjr4]

I'm starting to put together some specs for a new show trailer to hopefully order in the next 2-3 months. I'm not wanting to get into the whole which trailer is better than the other. I am interested to hear what you guys have to add as far as options. We will be showing 2 steers mainly within 100-150 miles, maybe sometimes hauling another steer or 2 for friends that we show with. Occasionally, we will show in the spring/summer but mainly fall and winter down here in Oklahoma.
Here's my specs so far:

8'X24'X6'6" (would 7'6" wide be better so I can get chute stands???)
4' Dressing Room with carpeted walls (thinking of bare floor so I can put ruber down....seems easier to clean)
Fold-down ramp on curb side
2 lights in stock area and 1 light in dressing room
load lights for ramp and back gate
1 center floating gate with 1/2 gate inside that
plexiglass window inserts
after-market rubber matting

I can't think of anything else for the life of me. What have I missed??

Thanks

 

[shortyjock89]

Tie rails on the inside and out.  We like to be able to tie them down if we're going more than a couple hours, and the rails on the outside are great for tie outs and for stalling at jackpot shows.

 

[forbes family farms]

I agree with Olson Family Shorthorns you should have tie rails on the inside and outside of the trailer

 

[SouthWest]

Air vents for the summer.  2 for ever 8 ft.

 

[sjcattleco]

Tie rails are a must.... Hay rack on top is not a bad idea along with fold up steps to get up there...  Also have them build a box up in the goose to store the Plexi glass when you are not using it.. I have that and its awesome.... Also if you can get inserts to close off the bottom slats they are nice too.. great for hauling other stuff that you want to keep dry!!! Another great idea would be a cool solution for the generator.  

 

[jmb1498]

A awning from your local RV store is a must in this part of the world with summer jackpots.  I would not think the dressing room is a must for what you described.

 

[pjkjr4]

I had forgotten to write down the tie rails. Thanks!!! In my wife's opinion, the tack room would be alot cleaner and more private for the kids to change clothes than most of the nasty bathrooms in showbarns. I agree. That's why we're doing the tackroom. Plus, I thought it would be a great place for storage of luggage, lawn chairs, gas grill, etc. etc. etc. I also think that I could fit a matress up in the nose, so I can take my nap!!!

 

[j3cattleco]

I have a 7.5X24X6 because I wanted to put chutes outside the trailer instead of in the trailer.  We only do this when we are really full of cattle though.  We also have a hay rack and the the air gap opening down low on the trailer.  That is probably the only piece of plexi we actually use in the winter.  The others we live open most of the time.  Also make sure the 1/2 gate on the floating gate swings instead of slides.  When you get bedding in the trailer the sliding 1/2 gate won't slide. 

Joshua

 

[debtramm]

I thought I would share our purchase w/ you.  A couple of years ago, we decided to do the local shows + one or two several hours away.  So we bought a stock side horse trailer w/ the dressing/tack room.  It's perfect to store luggage, feed, etc. to keep dry as, the pickup doesn't have enough room to accommodate all of this stuff. The inside of the stock trailer is lined w/ rubber.  We keep the first forward horse divider in place and had a rubber mat attached to the bottom of the divider.  So in the first hole, we can put the chute and most of the other equipment needed.(standing it on edge).  We did have ties added at the appropriate height on the exterior for the cows and also added an awning -  which is a must in Florida because if it's not blue blazing hot, for sure it's raining.
We can carry 3-4 in the remainder of the trailer area.  I don't know where you are from but we live in Florida (actually our county is horse capital of the world) and we have many trailer dealerships to choose from.  Hope this helps and good luck. Gator Mom.

 

[blackcows]

I had forgotten to write down the tie rails. Thanks!!! In my wife's opinion, the tack room would be alot cleaner and more private for the kids to change clothes than most of the nasty bathrooms in showbarns. I agree. That's why we're doing the tackroom. Plus, I thought it would be a great place for storage of luggage, lawn chairs, gas grill, etc. etc. etc. I also think that I could fit a matress up in the nose, so I can take my nap!!!

We have a 7 x 20 with a 4 foot tack room and it works great for us.  We show both horses and cattle and like you mentioned it is great to have a place the kids can change without taking cloths in and out.  We have a lot of things like tools, wire, locks, brushes, etc. that stay on the trailer which is nice.  We only go to about 4 cattle shows a year but we go to about 15 horse shows a year so it is nice to have some stuff that is always on the trailer and just have a need to load a few things in the tack room and go.  A few thoughts:

1.  Any reason for a 24' trailer? Four steers would fit in a 7 x 20 with a 4' dressing room with no problem.  I used to have a 24' trailer and while the 20' is only 4' shorter it is so much easier to get around.  Since we use the trailer for shows the majority of time it is nice to have a little smaller trailer that is easier to get around in tight areas.

2.  Our trailer has what I would call a bridle rack running the length of the tack room, basically a strip of metal with rods...a coat rack or sorts.  Very handy for hanging stuff.  I am kind of a neat freak, but also cheap so I haven't done this, but if you want to get really fancy search Google for trailer cabinets, the ones used in race car trailers....very cool.

3.  Camper steps...I wish I had these for my tack room door.  While the step doesn't seem that high in the morning after spending all day at a show it seems twice as high steping in and out to load out.

4.  Battery for lights.  We have lights in the tack room and livestock compartment and I always worry that the kids will leave one on and the pickup won't start when it is time to go home, probably never happen but a seperate battery for the trailer would give peace of mind.

Mike

 

[pjkjr4]

1.  Any reason for a 24' trailer? Four steers would fit in a 7 x 20 with a 4' dressing room with no problem.  I used to have a 24' trailer and while the 20' is only 4' shorter it is so much easier to get around.  Since we use the trailer for shows the majority of time it is nice to have a little smaller trailer that is easier to get around in tight areas.

I will use the back for chutes, showboxes, fan cage, feed, hay, etc., and want to have ample room to do that. My wife will only let me do this once, soI want to make sure that it's big enough.

 

[showsteerdlux]

I'd definately go with the 24, if not a 26 or 28. That extra room comes in mighty handy in alot of cases.