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Winterizing Your Stock Trailer for a Fraction of the Cost

10/31/2015

10 Comments

 
Animals are very hardy and God created them to grow thick winter coats to protect them from the elements. So why do we need to worry about winterizing our stock trailer to protect them from the elements?
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Most of our show animals stay in the barn during the winter.  There are several reasons for this, but mainly to keep them cleaner and easier to access for working.  They still grow winter coats and are still accustomed to the cold, but they are just babied a little more.  Last winter was brutally cold.  We traveled to most the shows in below freezing temperatures.  All stock trailers have openings and vents that allow air to move through the trailer.  When that wind is 20 degrees below zero, and you add in rain, snow and freezing rain, you have a recipe for a very cold animal.  Transporting a animal can be very stressful so we try to make it as comfortable as possible.  

Several months ago, we were fortunate enough to be able to buy an older Eby stock trailer.  We had outgrown our other trailer and it was time for an upgrade.  If you have seen some of the newer stock trailers going down the road, you have probably noticed the nice black plexiglass windows running down the sides of the trailers.  

​We had to have some repairs made to the trailer and also wanted to add some upgrades while it was in the shop.  One of the upgrades was adding the plexiglass windows to be able to keep the wind off of the animals in the winter.  It was going to cost about $600 to add the plexiglass all around the trailer.  We quickly decided that that was an upgrade that was going to have to wait.  New brakes were much more important.
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At the time that this trailer was built, they did not have the option of adding the plexiglass.  In order to be able to add it, a channel had to be cut in the aluminum to allow for the plexiglass to slide in.  Since we already had the trailer in the shop, we decided to go ahead and have them cut the channels.  

Daniel found an alternative to the plexiglass for a fraction of the price.  He visited a local sign shop and had them order 4x8 sheets of Coroplas.  Coroplas is the corrogated material that they use for yard signs.  You know, the stuff that is made out of plastic but has the honeycomb center like cardboard.  He ordered 2 of the 4x8 sheets in black for just under $100. He then used a table saw to cut the long narrow strips and slid them into the channels on the trailer.  
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From a distance you can't even tell the difference.  It is not perfect, but for the price you won't hear me complaining.  It serves the purpose of keeping the cows warm and dry.  We don't know what the weather will bring us this year, but at least we are prepared.  If it gets too warm in the trailer, it is easy enough to just slide out our homemade windows.  Just a few hours of work saved us five hundred dollars.  

​I think I'll keep my handy man around for a little while longer...
10 Comments
Laurie link
11/16/2015 03:11:06 pm

Great idea! Love the this quick thinking and your Miniature Herefords!
Thank you for coming to the Country Fair Blog Party! I hope to read more from your blog.
Laurie - Co-Host
countrylinked.wordpress.com

Reply
Kim
3/1/2019 01:26:38 pm

What thickness did you use on the cloroplas?

Reply
Heather link
3/1/2019 03:57:52 pm

It is about 1/4 inch.

Reply
Motion Windows link
7/23/2019 08:16:48 am

the facts have been discussed is really important. Thank you so much for sharing a great post.


Reply
RV Windows link
7/23/2019 08:35:44 am

I like the helpful info you supply for your articles. Thanks for sharing a smart thought.


Reply
Sheila
10/19/2020 03:29:26 pm

I did this. I did mine in white. Cost $40. I love it. Do you trailer with them in or do you take them out?

Reply
Heather Wiley link
10/19/2020 05:06:00 pm

It depends on the weather....and in Ohio it can change hourly. If it is really cold, we will leave them in. When we make stops we check on them and if the cows are getting too hot, just pull one or two out. We just store them in the goose so we always have them if/when the weather changes.

Reply
Leonard Brickner
2/7/2021 05:28:01 pm

16 foot cattle trailer cold whether plastic inserts the weather

Reply
Melissa Coolich link
5/14/2021 09:55:52 pm

Looking at enclosing ours as well. Did you screw them in permanently or do they come out in warm weather? Thanks!!

Reply
Jessie Holloway link
9/23/2022 12:44:54 pm

Thanks for the tips on upgrades that can help you winterize your stock trailer. My sister owns a few horses and she recently got a stock trailer to transport them. We've been looking into getting it winterized for the cold weather so we'll have to find a place that can make a few repairs on it first.

Reply



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    Hello!  I am Heather... the city girl turned mom to manure loving country boys. My husband and I both grew up in the city, but spent weekends visiting grandparents in the country.  We are first generation farmers who learn best by almost always doing things the hard way.  I hope you enjoy following along with our adventures down on the farm.

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