The vast majority of farm animals in the UK are transported in a trailer at some point in their lives, whether that is to move them from one part of a farm to another or for a longer journey to a livestock market or an abattoir.
If you are in the market for a new livestock trailer, there are a number of factors it’s important to consider, including what animals you’ll be transporting and how far, how easy it is to load your livestock into your trailer and how stable the trailer is when you’re towing it.
What load weighting should I look for in a livestock trailer?
The gross weight your trailer needs to handle will depend on what type of animals you are going to be transporting. When you are comparing the specifications of different trailers, take the gross weight listed and deduct the unladen weight from it. This will show you how much weight your trailer can safely hold.
From there, you can work out if it is suitable for your purposes. Obviously if you will be transporting cows, you will need a trailer that can handle greater weights than if you are transporting sheep, for instance.
What features should I look for in a livestock trailer to ensure animal welfare?
The welfare of any animals being transported should be at the heart of the process. One of the most important features of any livestock trailer is ventilation. Your animals need to have adequate airflow for the duration of their journey to ensure that they don’t become unwell or suffocate while you’re on the road.
This means that vents are key features on any livestock trailer. Similarly, you need to ensure that the trailer is made of a material that promotes temperature regulation. This is why most livestock trailers are made from aluminum, because it reflects heat in the summer which makes conditions in the trailer more comfortable.
You also need to check the height of the livestock trailer to ensure it provides sufficient headroom for the animals you’ll be transporting. Naturally, sheep and pigs need less head room than cows or llamas, for instance.
What is the best way to load animals into a livestock trailer?
You will usually need a ramp to help your animals get into the trailer. This is where Ifor Williams livestock trailers stand out thanks to their EasyLoad ramp and folding deck system.
This makes it easy to deploy the deck and ramp within minutes, without the need for any additional tools or equipment. Two gas springs assisted the process of deploying the ramp. Once the ramp is secured, you can use it to load your livestock onto your trailer.
Stowing the ramp and deck is just as easy as deploying it, which means you will be on your way within minutes of loading your animals and securing the gate of the trailer.
For additional support and security while loading livestock, you can also add a ramp gate extension to your trailer system.
How can I tell how stable a trailer will be when I’m towing it?
Until you start towing a trailer, particularly when it’s fully laden, it can be hard to know how it will handle. However, the reviews or experiences of other farmers can help here. In addition, there is plenty of evidence that the Ifor Williams trailers remain stable on varied terrain.
The company has designed its trailers with farmers in mind, which means they are both durable and stable when being towed. One of the key components of Ifor Williams’ livestock trailers is the beam axle and leaf spring suspension system.
This mimics similar systems used in other commercial vehicles where stability when under load is essential. It offers excellent stability and therefore provides a smoother journey for both you and your livestock.
How far you’ll transport livestock in your trailer
When you are investing in a new livestock trailer you also need to consider how far you will be transporting animals. If you will be transporting animals for distances of greater than 65km or on journeys of longer than eight hours, you’ll need what’s known as transporter authorisation.
You’ll also need a certificate of competence for transporting animals and you may be required to have an attendant with you who is responsible for managing the animals’ welfare.
If you are transporting animals for longer distances, you also need to consider food and water provision as well as their comfort during the journey. This may therefore affect the type of trailer you decide to purchase.