Trying to get started in livestock hauling.

One more thing, some people on this board prefer cat, some cummins or detroit. I can tell you the truck I drove with 1.3 million miles on it had a 500 hp detroit with an aftermarket borg warner turbo and the ecm had been adjusted so it was getting more fuel. The truck had a 10 speed and I believe 3.55 gears, and that truck would get 6 to 6.5 running 70+ mph pulling a 2001 Wilson 50 foot trailer. When I was running 80 or better it would drop down to 5 mpg, but those are exceptional numbers, usually because what Detroit lacks in strong pulling torque, it makes up for in fuel mileage.

Just consider the terrain you are pulling, if its a lot of hills then go with a 475 or 550 cat with an ecm tune from Mr. Haney. If its mainly flatlands then go with either that or a detroit, just make sure it has at least a 13 speed so you can split the top half of the gears in the hills.

 

Another thing to consider is what torque setting an engine is set to because you can have a 500hp engine with only 1650 torque or a 500hp with 1850 torque.
In my case I run a 1996 pete 379exhd with a 12.7 detroit 500hp/1650tq, 15 speed, 3.36 rears, 11r24.5 tires puling a 50'x102" Eby pot. I average anywhere from 4.8 to high 5's. I have a buddy that runs a pete with a 3406 B model cat that I run with and yes he can leave me in the hills but he averages high 3's low 4's in fuel.

One more thing aren't you limited to 48' in California?

 

I would get a pre-emission motor for sure. As far as trailers go I have a 52' Wilson spread that I really like. One of my favorites is a 50' Merritt cattle pot with a 12" tuck. They load easy and you can get equal weight on the trailer and truck axles. If your going to go into California you'll have to get a 48'. Because of bridge laws they will not let you have anything longer.

 

are cattle regulated or exempt My boy just asked I would think they are exempt

 

Regulated or exempt from what?

 

They are exempt. Research "exempt commodities", for others.

 

Have you tried kicking it at the truck stops, analyzing trucks and talking to cattle haulers?

 

Cattle trucking is a very hard game to be in. Don't sleep for days. Make 1500 miles run in 24-30 hours. These people are picky about how much wight they will lose on a trip, always overloaded Cows lay down n die driver pay for them the list goes on. I've done it but not with a pot I do ground loads. I've been ran my ### off so hard that you just wanna die. I have a 475 cat n I mantaince it very good I don't break down but I run hard n manage not to lose a single cow on my trailer have good reference n results

 

u wanna get a good reliable truck that has hp but has torque too. u definitely want a cat motor nd a 13 or 18 speed tranny. i would go with a 98-03 model pete or find a cabover in good condition nd i would go with a 53x102 Eby bullride pot. the eby pots r easy to load nd easy to unload nd r good pots too. i run a 03 379xh pete wit a c15 cat nd a 18 speed pushing 700 hp nd 1900 f/lbs of torque hooked to a 53x102 eby bullride nd i love it. i run a lot of hogs nd feeders. jus when i load hogs in these trailer u have to watch the cut in the nose because they will over heat so fast in the summer. i also run a 89 362 pete cabover with a c15 cat nd a 18speed pushing 650 hp nd idk the torque. goin thru PA with that cabover is so nice nd it takes them mountains so easy.