The latest in aluminum livestock goosenecks
By Colin J. Cleary
With fall around the corner, the time to bring the girls home from the summer ranges will be here before you know it. In most cases that means hooking up the trailers, so what better time to see what our buddies have from Gooseneck, Wilson, Featherlite, and Elite have for the latest and greatest trailers.
Gooseneck Aluminum
Everything is bigger in Texas right? Well our friends at Gooseneck Trailers Mfg. Co. have a few good-sized Texas-built aluminum models to choose from. With available lengths from 16’-32’ they can fit any size of operation. Available widths are 6’ 8” up to 32’ in length and 7’ 6” up to 28’ in length. The Gooseneck floor has 2” by 6” and 2” by 8” treated lumber, which is secured with ½” spacing between the boards and side runners. Gooseneck trailers boast all stainless steel pins, a rubber dock bumper, pipe tailgates and crossgates, and a 5-year limited warranty. The 16’-24’ length trailers have two 7000 lb. axles, and the 28’-32’ length trailers have three 7000 lb. axles. For more information visit them at www.gooseneck.net or at your local dealer.
Wilson Ranch Hand
No doubt you can’t go far in cattle country without seeing a Wilson trailer heading down the highway. The folks over at Wilson sure do know how to build a trailer, and the Wilson Ranch Hand was built with the working rancher in mind. From its light aluminum sub frame (substituting steel for aluminum eliminates electrolysis damage), rear door slam catch, full-length running boards, to its full-framed gate construction this trailer won’t let you down. The slam catch allows the rear gate to be slammed closed with spring-loaded catch grabs for those quick emergencies.
Full-length running boards make checking in on the cattle a breeze (for short people, especially, like myself). The Wilson Ranch Hand is a completely riveted trailer, which helps the trailer to flex when going in and out of pastures. The Ranch Hand is available in 16’-24’ lengths with a standard 16,000 GVWR, a 7ft. inside width and an inside height of 6’8”. There are multiple door configurations and options available to help suit your needs. For more information stop into your local Wilson dealer or visit them online at www.Wilsontrailer.com.
Featherlite 8127
Featherlite is no stranger to the livestock trailer market. The aluminum Model 8127 has been enhanced for 2017 with redesigned sidewalls and a redesigned slam latch. With lengths from 16’ to 36’ and widths of 7’, 7’ 6”, and 8’ you can customize this unit to meet your working ranch needs. With a skid-resistant extruded aluminum floor you can bet your cattle will be sure-footed when going down the road. The 8127 comes standard with one full-swing center gate, but can have the option to have up to two depending on the length of the trailer.
The standard height of the trailer is 6’ 6”; however, customization is available. The 16’-26’ trailers have two 7000 lb. axles with electric brakes; the 28’ has two 7000 lb. axles on the 7’ wide while the 8’ wide has two 8000 lb. axles. Topping off this awesome trailer is the warranty, a 10-year limited structural and three-year bumper-to -bumper warranty. For more information check them out online at www.fthr.com or at your local dealer!
Elite Trailers
Elite Trailers have just about whatever your working ranch may need. They have a large variety of options and standard floor plans, and they will custom design and build exactly what you’re after. Their models feature aluminum sidewall construction, welded one-piece 3/16” gusset to provide maximum nose strength, and a rear frame which is supported by 2-1/2” by 5” upper header of up to a ¼” thick. For flooring, Elite uses aluminum I-beams on 9-5/8” centers with a 4” height. Elite trailers are built with marine-grade aluminum tread-plate for added strength and to provide long lasting protection against corrosive factors. For more information visit them online at www.elitetrailers.com or at your local dealer.
To wrap this up, as I always say the only way to figure out which trailer is right for your working ranch is to check them out for yourself. Consider a visit to Gooseneck, Wilson, Featherlite, and Elite. With fall closing in, it’s time to start thinking about hooking up to that trailer to bring the herd home for winter.
