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When shopping for a livestock trailer, there are plenty of questions to ask. You want to make sure you choose a trailer that fits your needs, your vehicle’s needs and your livestock’s needs.  Stock trailers are good for multipurpose uses, safe for different species of animals and for any farm supplies you might need to tow. Stock trailers usually have slatted sides for the comfort and safety of your animals and can be equipped for both long and short trips. They’re built to load horses, cattle, pigs and any other farm animals or farm supplies. This blog will guide you through all the most important considerations, other than budget, when choosing a livestock trailer.

Size

Size might be your most important quality when choosing a livestock trailer. The size of your trailer will decide what animals you can tow and how many. For your animal’s comfort, you should choose a trailer with adjustable dividers. This way you can change the size of the animal’s space to keep them safe and comfortable when on the move. Be sure to choose a trailer that’s larger than the biggest animal you ever plan to haul, but make sure the weight fits your vehicle’s towing restrictions too.

Hitch

Bumper-pull and gooseneck are the most popular hitch options you’ll find. Bumper-pull trailers usually work better with less weight, but you don’t need as big of a vehicle to tow them. Gooseneck trailers tend to be easier to tow with a tighter turning radius. Gooseneck trailers also have larger stock space and most have storage or even living areas in the neck of the trailer.

Roof and Floor

Be wary of trailers with framed tops instead of solid, and avoid trailers with no roof entirely. A solid roof works best, even though they’re heavier. They’re safer for the animals, preventing them from jumping out. Trailer flooring is also essential to the safety of your livestock. A floor that’s too smooth or weak can spell disaster. Look for a trailer with rubber mats that are easy to stand on when wet, or trailers with rubber planks in place of wood. Aluminum floors with a treaded non-slip surface also work, but aluminum doesn’t absorb heat or vibrations from the road which can be stressful to animals and hard on hooves.

Entry and Doors

Easy-access for your livestock is essential. Ramps are often better for livestock than step-up trailers, and ramps often make it harder for small animals to escape and hide underneath the trailer. Doors are also important, as you never want to put yourself between your livestock and the door, or between the door and the fence. Slam latches on trailer doors are often the safest option, because they remove you from the situation. Additional pins and latches are also helpful in keeping the doors closed when you’re on the road.

Choosing a livestock trailer is a complicated process, but with proper research it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Once you decide on a price and read through our list of things to consider, you can look online at what trailer dealers near you have in stock. When you’re choosing a livestock trailer, have a professional inspect the rig, then look over things yourself. Consider test driving your trailer with your windows rolled down so you can listen for unusual noises, and make sure you’re comfortable towing the trailer with your vehicle.

When you’re ready to choose a livestock trailer, or any other type of trailer you might need, our helpful staff at Country Blacksmith will be more than happy to help. Our sales staff can give you advice and help you find the exact trailer you need. Browse our online inventory today or give us a call at our Mount Vernon and Carterville locations to see what we can do for you.

With the variety of different trailers available on the market, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one you should buy. While some trailers are more versatile, like enclosed trailers, others, like tanker trailers, have a more specific use. To help you figure out what you need, we gathered advice on some of the most popular trailers we carry. From horse trailers to flat beds, here is your guide to choosing the right trailer for the job.

Dump trailer

Dump trailers are well-known for their versatility. They’re built to be put to work on your toughest jobs and carry as much weight as you need. You can use dump trailers to haul any variety of goods. From dirt to lawn equipment, you can toss nearly anything into a dump trailer. Of course, they’re named after their most well-known feature – the hydraulic cylinder that dumps for you. The dumping feature is obviously your biggest decision-maker. If you’ve got to carry heavy loads from Point A to Point B on the job, a dump trailer might be the choice for you.

Flatbed trailer

Flatbed trailers are good for carrying heavy items, but not so good for towing loose items like dirt or supplies. They’re well-suited for moving large single objects that can be easily strapped into place. Often ATVs or heavy equipment are perfect for flatbeds. We offer a variety of flatbed trailers, from traditional car trailers to tilt decks and goosenecks, our knowledgeable staff would be happy to help you find the exact flatbed best suited for your work.

Enclosed trailer

If you have similar needs to those who choose flatbed trailers, but wish to keep your supplies safe from the snow, rain, and sunshine, an enclosed trailer might be the right choice. Enclosed trailers are also preferable when hauling smaller supplies, like lawn equipment. Unlike flatbed trailers, you can safely and securely store more small items in enclosed cargo trailers. These trailers come in many different sizes, depending on what your vehicle can tow and how much you need to store. The variety of choices and versatility of use in enclosed cargo trailers often make them the best choice if you’re not sure exactly where your trailer needs will take you.

Livestock or horse trailer

Obviously built to transport horses specifically, a horse trailer is the best choice if you only plan to use it for horses. They often come with specific amenities, like saddle racks and dressing rooms. If you plan to transport any livestock in addition to horses, a livestock trailer is probably the way to go. Better suited for cattle or other livestock, these trailers are often more open and have smaller pens. Though able to carry them, livestock trailers are not very well-suited for horses.

Tanker trailer

Similar to horse and livestock trailers, you probably already know whether or not you need a tanker trailer . Tanker trailers are mainly used to carry products that, frankly, couldn’t be carried by any other trailer. Tanker trailers are often suited for liquids like gasoline, but some can be used to carry dry goods like grain or sand, or even to transport gases. While our tanker trailers are mainly used to transport fuel, there are plenty of tanker trailer options out there for any variety of jobs.

Overall, choosing the right trailer for the job is often straightforward, but if you’re looking for a multipurpose unit, things can become a little more complicated. If you need help choosing the right trailer for the job, call us at (618) 242-0800 or visit our site. If you don’t see what you need in our online inventory, contact us about our custom trailers. Our goal is to make sure you leave with a quality, dependable trailer that is perfect for whatever you need.

You’ve decided to purchase a concession trailer – great! In order to make this purchase well worth it, there are a few things to know and be well-versed on. You can trust the staff here at Country Blacksmith Trailers to support you through each step of the buying process, and they’re always ready to answer any questions you have.

Here are a few things to look for when shopping for a concession trailer!

Your Budget Matters

How much you want to spend upfront on a trailer depends on what kind of trailer you’ll be browsing for. Think of a clear budget and stick to it. Once you have a range in mind, it’ll be easier to knock out any trailers with fancy bells and whistles because they’re simply out of your budget. It’s great to arm yourself with this information so you don’t waste time considering any that are too expensive.

New or Used?

Once you settle on a budget, you’ll need to decide if you want to buy a used trailer or a new one. Can’t decide? There are pros and cons to both.

If you choose a new trailer, you’ll be backed by its warranty. And, they’re in near-perfect shape. You won’t have as high of a chance for a breakdown, maintenance issue or system failure. Expect to pay a bit more for a new trailer, of course.

Used trailers, however, are often much more affordable. You can compare them online to see where you’ll get the best deal. Buying used will save you a ton of cash up front, but be careful. Some used trailers are covered with maintenance problems, so be sure you ask for a list of everything that’s been fixed on it maintenance wise.

Storage Capacity and Capabilities

Now that you’ve decided on your budget and whether you’re buying new or used, it’s time to look at the actual trailer. To ensure enough storage space, you should ask yourself a few questions:

• What kinds of food am I selling?
• Will I need any special storage, like refrigeration or freezer storage?
• How many customers do I expect to feed?

So, looking at how much storage space a trailer has compared to how much space you anticipate needing is important to a successful concession stand business.

Power and Plumbing

These two aspects are huge and really cannot be overlooked! For power, think about all the equipment you’ll have in the trailer and whether or not the trailer in question has the right outlets to power them. If so, does the circuit board have enough energy to power everything, at the same time, on the busiest day? It’s not a bad idea to ensure the board can handle even more than that. You might also want to consider investing in a good generator. If you plan to travel, your energy sources can be inconsistent. A generator will be a reliable source of power – regardless of whether you plan to travel or not

When it comes to plumbing in a concession trailer, you’ll learn it’s actually required to have some sort of water supply. You’ll need at least one sink for hand washing and a set of three sinks for cleaning and sanitizing any dishes or appliances. You’ll also need a fresh water tank, a waste water tank and a hot water tank. Make sure the trailer comes with all of these or has the room for these to be installed.

Construction, Materials and Durability

Because you’ll be handling food, the materials your trailer is made from is a bit different than any other trailer. Food-grade stainless steel is always a great option for surfaces that food will touch. It’s sanitary, easy to clean and can handle the harshness of a daily food business.

For the walls, ceiling and flooring, think about how messy your food prep will be. If grease will be splattering constantly, you’ll want to steer clear of vinyl or any slippery flooring.

There’s a lot to consider when you’ve decided to buy a concession trailer. Put time and dedication into these decisions, and you’ll find a trailer that will help you create a killer concession stand business.

Have a concession trailer of your own? Let us know about it in the comments!

A great pickup truck can be the best companion at work. But if you’re in a field such as agriculture, towing, or construction, there are some jobs that an everyday pickup truck just can’t handle. If you’re looking for a way to up the ante and use your pickup truck as a heavy-duty work truck, we recommend converting your truck to a flatbed pickup. Pickup flatbeds can make carrying oversized loads or awkwardly shaped items a breeze, and with how much more they can handle, they can dramatically cut down the number of trips it takes to finish hauling a load. They’re also easier to clean and easier to load than a traditional pickup bed. Here at Country Blacksmith Trailers, we’ve got everything you need to get the job done. We’ve come up with a few things you need to know in order to choose the perfect pickup flatbed and get your truck ready for heavy-duty work in no time.

Identify the size you need

The first step in your search for a pickup flatbed is to know what size flatbed you’re looking for. Though we carry pickup flatbeds in every size, we’ve broken our search features down into the most important identifiers: dual vs. single wheel, and shortbed vs. longbed. For example, you can search for a 7 foot single wheel shortbed or an 8.6 dual wheel longbed, as well as every variation in between.

Decide on aluminum vs. steel

Pickup flatbeds are made out of one of two materials: aluminum or steel. There are pros and cons to both types, so it’s best to decide ahead what’s important to you. Typically, steel is more low maintenance and can give you greater hauling power, but aluminum is lighter and less expensive. If your priority is to keep things lightweight, you may want to go aluminum. We stock Aluma Trailers aluminum flatbeds which rival steel in terms of load capacity. Bradford Built is one of the most popular brands we carry, and we also sell Zimmerman, CM, Cadet, and Knapheide, which all provide a variety of aluminum and steel.

Know what kind of hitch you need

Depending on the kind of work you’ll be doing, you may want to look at a flatbed with a gooseneck hitch, which uses a ball and coupler in the center of the bed. This is helpful if you also plan on towing in addition to hauling. You can also buy beds with straight or tapered corners – the tapered corners allow you to have a better turn radius if you’re using that gooseneck hitch, so keep that in mind if you decide on a gooseneck hitch.

Figure out the extra features

Once you’ve decided on the big things such as the size, construction material, and the type of hitch, there are plenty of extra features you can get to dress things up as little or as much as you’d like depending on your needs and price range. Headache racks can be simple and straightforward, or they can be lighted or tapered. We also have service bodies with custom toolboxes built-in, some of which are complete with flat siding so that you can add decals to brand your truck for your business. You can also add on things like tie downs, ball hitches, and tongue toolboxes when you purchase a Country Blacksmith Trailers pickup flatbed. The options are endless and we stock a pickup flatbed for every need.

Find an expert to complete the installation

This is where you need to be picky and where we can make things extremely easy. When you purchase a pickup flatbed with us, our experts will install it while you wait. Our staff is experienced in installing aftermarket bodies on pickup trucks and we will take great care of your truck and ensure the flatbed is installed correctly.

We offer a courtesy car for your use on the day we install the truck bed. We can typically install your new truckbed in one day and install price is generally $785.

There are a lot of things to consider when you’re wondering how to choose a pickup flatbed, but our online search makes it easy and our in-person staff can match you to the perfect flatbed for you. We’ll have you back on the job, hauling and towing like never before when you convert your pickup into a flatbed work truck with us!

So, you’ve decided to start a landscaping business. Or, you’re in the market for a new trailer to haul your materials in because your current one is on its last leg. Before you make the decision on which trailer to buy, you’ll need to do ample research and shopping around before you find the right one for you.

There isn’t a one size fits all deal when it comes to trailers.  Everyone has different needs, so having just a few trailers to choose from certainly wouldn’t make sense.

That’s why you should choose an experienced dealer to help you with choosing the perfect landscaping trailer for you. We’ll help you every step of the way, but here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding which trailer to buy for your business.

Safety and Quality

The main purpose of a trailer is to safely transport all your equipment from site to site. You’re more than likely hauling thousands of pounds of equipment around, so your trailer needs to be sturdy and efficient. It’s also important to consider ease of loading and unloading your equipment to make sure your work as safe as possible. Think about the quality here, too, because you don’t want to save a few hundred bucks now just to keep replacing cheap parts down the road.

Size

It’s a good idea to think about how much equipment you have now or may accumulate over the years. How much space does your current equipment take up? How much does it weigh altogether? Is there a possibility of you buying more equipment to keep up with business demands? All of these questions factor into the size and finding the right one for you. Knowing the dimensions and weight of all your tools will give you a great starting point on what size trailer to look for. If you do plan to grow your business (we’re sure you do), think about buying a trailer you can grow into. It’s also unsafe to overload a trailer, so giving yourself a bit of wiggle room will save you from a possible disaster later on.

Also think about where you plan to store your trailer. Do you have space at your house to store it? Will it be outside or in a garage? If it’s outside, how will you shield it from the elements? All of these questions you should consider while figuring out the right trailer size.

Design

Last but not least, let’s talk about the design! It’s loads of fun sorting through all types of landscaping trailers, imagining yourself using each and every gadget your dream trailer comes with. Before we get to the bells and whistles, think about your equipment and their shapes. Do you want an enclosed trailer? Or, will you need an open one? Have you considered a lift or would you prefer a ramp? Each design has its pros and cons, but it’s up to you to decide what you can and can’t do your best and most efficient work without. Once you choose which of these options is right for you, you can move onto the smaller details.

Open trailers may seem like they’d ruin your things, but they have a lot going for them! First, you’re able to reach in for whatever you need without having to crawl into a hot trailer in the middle of the summer. They can be more convenient and significantly lighter because there simply isn’t as much material used as an enclosed trailer. And, because they don’t have as much resistance to wind, they’re easier to haul and are better for the gas mileage of the vehicle you’re towing with.

Enclosed trailers tend to be more expensive, but offer more security than open trailers. Rather than having to lock every piece of equipment you have onto your open trailer, it’s just one simple latch with an enclosed trailer and you’re ready to go! Theft isn’t as much of a problem either, because all of your items are hidden and the temptation simple isn’t there.

Considering all of these factors is critical in finding the ideal landscaping trailer for you, thus keeping your business booming. If you’re in the market for a new trailer, we know it can be easy to pick the first one you see because you’re so excited to buy it, but it will pay off to do plenty of research on figuring out what your perfect trailer looks like. It could be different than your competitors, and that’s okay! It’s just important to think about safety, size, and design before you buy it.