A Trailer to Haul Livestock - Alpacas
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 8:37 amAfter much searching the web, I found the concept of teardrops last week, and have found this forum exceptionally informative.
My question relates to building a trailer to transport alpacas. We have to transport these guys on occasion, for breeding purposes etc. Last time, I moved a female with her young baby in the back of my Mazda B2200 shortbox. I built a 16 inch spacer between the truck box, and the truck cap, giving about 54" in height. When bringing them back, I had two females onboard , with both their babes - maybe 360lbs total . (Typical weight for an alpaca is 150 lbs. - roughly the size of a deer.) The back of the truck works, but I would like a better approach. (You get the odd strange look when going down the highway and folks see these long necked animals looking out at them.)
Horse trailers are too big - both for my truck - 1,000lbs w/o brakes, 2,000 w brakes. Besides, the trailers are very high for an alp.
I was thinking of building a tiny trailer to haul these guys, something around 8 ft long by 5 ft high. Width can be 4 or 5 ft. There is a flat trailer made by snowbear.com - a M7000 model, available at Walmart. This is 355 lbs with floor. If I managed to keep the rest around 300lbs, then I could haul two alpacas, or perhaps three in a pinch.
The alternative is a 3,500 lb axle with electric brakes at Princess Auto - currently $369 on sale complete. That would let me build a little heavier, and perhaps haul even 4 animals. As said in this forum, I could remove a spring leaf to reflect my relatively low weight. In looking at surge brakes, I would be too light, and of course would likely have to get an auto axle that could be reasonably mounted - again, good stuff on this forum.
In either case, I would have to somehow segment the inside once these guys are onboard, to keep them from moving the centre of gravity. (Alpacas tend to cush - sit while moving, so will be close to the floor.)
I was thinking of a ramp - possibly removable - in front of the door - to get them in and out. Since I am not needing any electrical equipment, or don't need kitchen facilities, I would be building fairly minimalist. Off the designs I have seen, the one by, I believe DanL, is something like what I am considering, since it is higher, but not too long.
Perhaps you folks could offer your thoughts on my unusual requirements?
Thanks.
Mike U.
My question relates to building a trailer to transport alpacas. We have to transport these guys on occasion, for breeding purposes etc. Last time, I moved a female with her young baby in the back of my Mazda B2200 shortbox. I built a 16 inch spacer between the truck box, and the truck cap, giving about 54" in height. When bringing them back, I had two females onboard , with both their babes - maybe 360lbs total . (Typical weight for an alpaca is 150 lbs. - roughly the size of a deer.) The back of the truck works, but I would like a better approach. (You get the odd strange look when going down the highway and folks see these long necked animals looking out at them.)
Horse trailers are too big - both for my truck - 1,000lbs w/o brakes, 2,000 w brakes. Besides, the trailers are very high for an alp.
I was thinking of building a tiny trailer to haul these guys, something around 8 ft long by 5 ft high. Width can be 4 or 5 ft. There is a flat trailer made by snowbear.com - a M7000 model, available at Walmart. This is 355 lbs with floor. If I managed to keep the rest around 300lbs, then I could haul two alpacas, or perhaps three in a pinch.
The alternative is a 3,500 lb axle with electric brakes at Princess Auto - currently $369 on sale complete. That would let me build a little heavier, and perhaps haul even 4 animals. As said in this forum, I could remove a spring leaf to reflect my relatively low weight. In looking at surge brakes, I would be too light, and of course would likely have to get an auto axle that could be reasonably mounted - again, good stuff on this forum.
In either case, I would have to somehow segment the inside once these guys are onboard, to keep them from moving the centre of gravity. (Alpacas tend to cush - sit while moving, so will be close to the floor.)
I was thinking of a ramp - possibly removable - in front of the door - to get them in and out. Since I am not needing any electrical equipment, or don't need kitchen facilities, I would be building fairly minimalist. Off the designs I have seen, the one by, I believe DanL, is something like what I am considering, since it is higher, but not too long.
Perhaps you folks could offer your thoughts on my unusual requirements?
Thanks.
Mike U.
Be cool!