Muck Boots 'n' Slickers - Life of a Livestock Hauler

Without pictures had never happened.

 

Hey guys been using this forum for years and finally decided to join, love all the knowledge and helpful tips found here! I wanted to start a new thread but apparently I have to post seven times before I can start a new one! So I currently own and pull a 2004 Wilson Silver, 50 foot, closed tandem, punch side, it is set up like a Fat pot with the big back gate, two ramps and no jail but it has a driver side counter balance and a three position nose! I love the setup for what we haul which is mainly killer cows, bulls and big yearling for our ranches and for the public, trailer is just getting worn out and I need to upgrade to a newer trailer. I have looked high and low trying to find a used trailer with this setup and no one has one so I am looking at ordering one. I am currently looking at ordering a new Barrett, 51 foot, slat side configured just like my Wilson. I like the fact that the Barrett factory is close to me in Oklahoma and owned and serviced by King Country Trailer in in Amarillo , which is in my backyard. They offer a two year bumper to bumper warranty and a free loaner. What are you guys thoughts on the new Barretts and slat side versus punch side?

 

I heard someone talking about them slat side are more prone to damage from the cattle themselfs
Might be rembering wrong
And it seem I only see barretts as stright deck pig trailer or out in the field rusting away

 

'Elite cattle': Heavy cow that's 'closest to perfection' fetches millions at auction, breaking world records

I know prize bulls bring a lot of money. I sure was surprised that a cow brought this payoff

 

With friends like this, who needs enemies?!!.... ####ing Gus!!

 

Nothing wrong with a Barrett. I’ve owned several from ol 50 ft tandem slats with suicide nose and full jail to my 53 spread stainless front 3 position nose, 3/4 jail and right hand counterbalance. Stainless rear. Ordering the trailer you want is only way to go. Every one has a different style of doing things it’s definitely not a 1 size fits all. I move a lot of culls from Midwest Missouri and Colorado to Pa. Run lots of feeders west Kansas Nebraska Colorado etc. a tandem there is a bullseye on your back. I do think nothing looks as good as a slat side tandem. Put just as many on too in my opinion. New trailer in this market may get tough, it’s not over yet. I hope I’m wrong.

 

Thanks for the quick response guys. Barrett told me that the slat sides they build are more durable and will get better fuel mileage than the punch side because of less wind resistance. Only complaints I hear from the old guys that used to pull slat sides is you have to be careful climbing on the outsides unloading because they don’t have the railing down the outside and you can get your finger smashed or your feet knocked out from underneath you. Barrett quoted $115, would have it done end of the year and would take my Wilson right now and give me their demo trailer until my new one was done. Wilson was at $135 and next year to have it built. Yes Wore Out you are correct, lots of the surrounding ranches out here have had to sell off due to years of drought, so less work and freight rates not being that great are not the best recipe for a successful business! The guys I run with all pull Wilsons and they say that they will outlast everything else on the road since they are all riveted and not welded, what are y’all’s thoughts on this?

 

I don’t know how the explain this but I’ll try.

The guy who owned the trailers I pulled bought a Barrett a few years ago because a dealer in ND was selling new spreads for around $60k. On the gate going down into the belly he had to have the stationary pieces braced to the wall better than they came from the factory. When he had calves in the jail the back end would flex enough it would pop the belly gate open. After the local welding shop braced everything up he hasn’t had any issues. I can’t speak to the floors and such because that trailer only gets pulled in the fall when calves are busy.

Everyone hears the horror stories but that can come down to brand loyalty too. Stabel in KS bought some Barrett triples and wasn’t happy with them for whatever reason so he ordered some Wilson triples and they wouldn’t take his Barrett’s on trade. But Wilson is also in the business of selling their own product. I like Wilson because the only thing I’ve pulled for comparison was a 4 deck Merritt that took 3 hands to try and open the split center gates, not exactly a fair comparison. Lol. I’m sure an owner pulling their own trailer can’t really go wrong with one brand of trailer over another because it’s going to be taken care of no matter what.

 

Texas truckers now steer Oklahoma livestock trailer maker (With Video)

Here is a good article on the new owners of Barrett since 2020.

 

100 percent. I’m married to my Barrett due to unwillingness to take a bath on it. Not saying it’s a bad trailer but they don’t sell like Merritt and Wilson. Mine was bought at the peak of good times one of a few available at that time.


Let’s just watch this deal a minute these trailers are fixing to fall…..