Trailer Dimensions
Length
Trailer length is important in determining the overall set up of the trailer. When we talk length we mean useable floor space. This does not include the hitch or the gooseneck nose. One thing we hope helps people build custom trailers to fit their needs is we allow lengths to be very custom and not set at every foot or two foot. Length plays a vital part in overall trailer layout and it is important to determine this before moving onto other questions.
Bumper Pulls
Because many of our Bumper Pulls are built for the pen system show star trailers the best way to figure length is to determine how many pens you want the trailer to have. Best rule for that is that every set of pens takes up 4' of floor length in the trailer. Example: 6 pen trailer needs to be 12' in the stock then if you want a 4' tack area the trailer needs to be 16'. The most common set up we sell is an 8 pen trailer with a 4' tack giving you an overall length of 20'. We can of course go bigger or smaller but we really try to keep the length below 22' because they just pull so much better.
Goosenecks
These trailers most typically go from 20' floor length up to 45'. If you are looking at a showstar pen trailer same rule of thumb applies on the 4' for every set of pens. It helps to remember if you are worried about overall length that the nose is roughly 8' long. So on a 20' gooseneck floor the overall length is roughly 28'. If you are looking for a gooseneck to use to haul show cattle a good rule of thumb to figure out how much space you need is for every animal allow 3'6". This number can be somewhat deceiving because as we all know cattle come in numerous shapes and sizes.
Width
Width of the trailer is also important in determining overall usefulness of the trailer. Listed below are the width options and some of the things to think about when determining if this width is right for you. One of the largest reasons we see people trade in a year old trailer is because when they purchased the trailer they did not take into consideration how important width would be in hauling their stock or cargo.
6'10"
This is what most people consider a standard 7' wide stock trailer. Biggest reason most people choose this option is because it has no fenders on the inside of the trailer and all the fender is on the inside. With this option it also gives you the opportunity to have a running board full length on the trailer to stand if needed when loading and unloading stock. Most standard stock trailers you will find on lots are this width.
6'10" Wide Outside
6'10" Wide Inside
7'6"
This is what we consider the middle option when looking at width. Many of the Showstar trailers are this width because it allows for somewhat larger pens and still does not put a large fender in the livestock space. It also can leave a little running board on the outside of the trailer. This option gives you a little more width inside while still being able to see around it easily
7'6"
7'6" Inside
8'0"
This has been the most popular option for the cattle trailers and becoming increasingly popular in the Showstar trailers as well. We would say 90% of the new cattle trailers sold are 8' wide so people can load tack and equipment more effectively and have a space for the cattle to stand that keeps them from rubbing on the wall and standing square in the trailer. This option has very little fender on the outside. On the Showstar trailers people like it because it gives you the biggest pen dimensions possible.
8'
8' Inside
8'4"
This width is one you don't see much in livestock trailers but has been somewhat used in the cattle trailers. This width is mainly been for the Transtar cargo trailers
Height
This dimension is also equally important in determining overall function of the trailer and usability to the customer. Height is something I refer to as relative to the customer buying the trailer. Most people want to purchase a trailer they do not hit their head in. Therefore the customer usually will buy one that fits their height and not the height of the animal being hauled. It is important to keep in mind when we talk about this measurement is at the side walls of the trailer. Therefore, at the rear entrances to the trailers it will be shorter than this. Also, good to keep in mind that the center of the trailer is also somewhat taller than the sidewalls because of the slope to the roof.
5'6"
This height is usually reserved for the Showstar trailers but can be incorporated into other models. This height a few years ago was extremely popular in trailers but has slowly become less popular because people realized hitting your head hurts. Still this height is popular with people pulling the trailers with SUV's or light duty vehicles.
5'6"
6'0"
We consider this our standard height Showstar trailer. This height has also been popular in the cattle trailer lines as well especially with the show steer exhibitors.
6'
6' Inside
6'4"
When it comes to building a good looking Stierwalt or Lonestar cattle trailers this height has been the most popular. This measurement has also been popular in the Showstar trailers that have bus windows.
6'4"
6'4" Inside
6'8"
This is what we refer to as standard cattle trailer height. Within a variation of an inch or two most manufactures standard cattle trailer height is 6'8". This height also gives someone the opportunity to haul horses in the trailer or even some of the new ATV'S.
6'8" Inside
6'8" Outside
7'1"
This taller trailer is mainly been focused on the horse trailers and will somewhat be used when people are wanting a stock combo option.
7'1"
7'4"
This is the standard when it comes to building living quarter trailers. This height gives enough room to provide space in the gooseneck so you can set up in bed and have wardrobe cabinets.
Even taller
From 7'4" there is not really another standard height but we have built several trailers taller for either extra hauling space or to make them follow the lines of the two vehicle.
7'4"
This area is the best place to start the overall design of your new trailer. Knowing the dimensions helps determine many of the other options available to you.