24-Foot Gooseneck Cattle Trailer — Star Manufacturing's Most Popular Ranch Size
The 24-foot gooseneck cattle trailer is the single most popular size in Star Manufacturing's lineup. It's the sweet spot for serious ranching operations: enough floor space to move 8–12 head in a single load, gooseneck stability for highway hauling, and a length that pulls cleanly with any properly rated 1-ton truck. If you're running a cow-calf operation, weekly sale barn trips, or moving stocker cattle through the season, the 24-foot gooseneck is where most serious cattlemen land.
Built at our Wharton, TX facility with a 5/16" thick, 3×5 heavy angle frame that's seam welded from end to end, these trailers are made to work hard for 20–30 years without structural compromise. Every laser-cut component tabs and slots into precise alignment before welding — you won't find a sloppily fitted joint on a Star Manufacturing trailer.
24-Foot Gooseneck Cattle Trailer Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 24 feet (deck length) |
| Width Options | 6'8", 7'0", 7'6" |
| Height (inside) | 6'6" standard; taller options available |
| Frame | 5/16" thick, 3×5 heavy angle steel — seam welded |
| Hitch Type | Gooseneck (2-5/16" ball or adjustable coupler) |
| Axles | Tandem axle standard; triple axle available for heavier builds |
| GVWR | Approximately 20,000–24,000 lbs depending on configuration and axle package |
| Finish Options | Painted steel or full hot dip galvanized |
| Cattle Capacity | 8–12 head of mature cattle; up to 18–22 weaned calves |
| Gate Configuration | Rear slam latch gate standard; center slider gate, nose cut, sorting gate available |
| Floor | Treated hardwood standard; rubber mat option |
| Manufacture Location | Wharton, TX |
Why Gooseneck at 24 Feet?
At 24 feet, the gooseneck hitch isn't optional — it's the correct choice for the load. A gooseneck distributes tongue weight over the rear axle of your truck rather than hanging off a bumper hitch receiver. At loaded weights of 18,000–22,000 lbs, gooseneck stability makes the difference between a trailer that tracks cleanly at 70 mph and one that pushes and sways in crosswinds or on uneven roads.
The gooseneck neck also adds effective total length without adding more cattle floor. Star Manufacturing's 24-foot gooseneck has 24 feet of cattle-carrying floor space, with the neck structure carrying the hitch coupler over the truck bed. The truck bed stays open for tools, hay, and ranch gear.
Cattle Capacity: Practical Loading Guide
In a 7-foot wide configuration, a 24-foot trailer provides approximately 168 square feet of floor space. Loading density guidelines per BQA transport recommendations:
- Mature cows (1,000–1,300 lbs): 8–10 head, allowing 15–18 sq ft per animal
- Mature bulls (1,500–2,000 lbs): 6–8 head with adequate room; use slider gate for separation
- Yearlings (700–1,000 lbs): 10–14 head
- Stocker steers (500–750 lbs): 14–18 head
- Weaned calves (350–500 lbs): 18–24 head
- Cow-calf pairs: 6–8 pairs
These are guidelines, not maximums. Adjust for weather conditions, haul distance, and individual animal temperament. Overcrowded cattle on long hauls arrive stressed and shrunk — it costs you money in performance and dockage at the sale barn.
Hot Dip Galvanized — Why Every 24-Footer Should Have It
A 24-foot gooseneck cattle trailer represents a major investment. The hot dip galvanized finish option is the single best way to protect that investment over a 20–30 year working life.
Star Manufacturing's galvanizing process submerges the entire completed trailer structure in a bath of molten zinc at 840°F. The zinc bonds metallurgically with the steel — not as a surface coating but as an integrated alloy layer. Every weld seam, every hidden interior surface, every joint in the gooseneck neck structure gets the same protection. There's no spray can, no brush, no roller reaching those spots.
Working cattle trailers are the harshest environment for steel: constant urine and manure exposure, pressure washing, sun, rain, mud, and mechanical stress from animal movement. A painted 24-footer needs touch-up within 3–5 years. A galvanized 24-footer doesn't need paint — ever. Read more about the galvanizing advantage on our hot dip galvanized cattle trailers page.
Configuration Options for the 24-Foot Gooseneck
Star Manufacturing builds every trailer to order. The 24-foot gooseneck is available in these configurations:
Top Style
- Bar top: Open horizontal bars across the top — maximum ventilation, required for show animals and hot-weather hauling
- Solid side: Full steel side panels — better for calves that bolt, weather protection on long hauls
- Combination: Solid lower section with bar top upper — the most popular configuration for working cattle
Gate Options
- Rear slam latch gate: Standard on all builds
- Center slider gate: Divides trailer into two compartments — essential for hauling mixed loads or bulls
- Nose cut: Forward compartment at the gooseneck for separating a few head
- Sorting gate: Allows sorting while loading or unloading without additional equipment
Additional Options
- Width: 6'8", 7'0", or 7'6"
- Floor: treated hardwood or rubber mat
- LED lighting package
- Triple axle for higher GVWR
- Upgraded tires and wheels
Use the quote builder to configure exactly what you need and get instant pricing. No waiting on a callback — configure, price, and order from your phone or computer.
Tow Vehicle Requirements — 24-Foot Gooseneck
A loaded 24-foot gooseneck cattle trailer can weigh 20,000–24,000 lbs gross. Minimum tow vehicle requirements:
- Truck minimum: 1-ton dually (F-350/450 DRW, Ram 3500/4500 DRW, Silverado 3500 DRW)
- GCVWR rating: Your truck + trailer combined gross weight must not exceed the truck's GCVWR
- Gooseneck ball: 2-5/16" gooseneck ball rated to the trailer's GVWR, installed in truck bed
- Brake controller: Required — gooseneck trailers at this weight must have trailer brakes synchronized with the truck
- Payload: Account for tongue weight (typically 10–15% of trailer GVWR) in your truck's payload calculation
Frequently Asked Questions — 24-Foot Gooseneck Cattle Trailer
What's the difference between a 24-foot and a 20-foot cattle trailer?
Four feet of additional floor space adds approximately 28 square feet of cattle room — enough for 2–3 more head of mature cattle. If you frequently max out a 20-footer and make double trips, the 24-foot gooseneck often pays for itself in reduced trips and fuel within a few years.
Can I haul a 24-foot gooseneck with a regular cab F-350?
Yes, technically. But a crew cab or extended cab provides better stability and handling with a long gooseneck at highway speed. More critically, your truck's GCVWR and payload ratings must match the trailer's loaded weight — cab style is less important than ratings.
Is a 24-foot gooseneck legal to drive without a CDL?
In most states, cattle trailers under 26,001 lbs GVWR operated on a private carrier basis (moving your own cattle, not for hire) don't require a CDL. However, regulations vary by state and change over time. Consult your state's DMV and check commercial livestock hauling requirements for details.
How does Star Manufacturing's 24-foot gooseneck compare to competitors?
The key difference is frame thickness (5/16" vs. 3/16" or 1/4" in many competitors), seam welding vs. stitch welding, and the availability of true hot dip galvanizing. Many trailers marketed as "galvanized" use spray zinc or galvanized panels — not full immersion galvanizing. Star Manufacturing's process is a true hot dip bath.
How do I order a 24-foot gooseneck from Star Manufacturing?
Start with the online quote builder for instant pricing on your configuration. Then call (979) 532-1486 or visit us at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488 to confirm your order and lead time.
Build your 24-foot gooseneck today. Use the instant quote builder, call (979) 532-1486, or explore our full cattle trailer lineup. Built in Wharton, TX — the heart of Texas ranch country.