Bar Top Cattle Trailers — Maximum Ventilation for Working Livestock
A bar top cattle trailer is defined by its open horizontal bar construction along the upper sides and roof — no solid panels, just structural steel bars spaced to allow airflow while keeping cattle securely inside. It's the most common configuration for working cattle trailers in the South and Gulf Coast states, where summer temperatures can turn a poorly ventilated enclosed trailer into a death trap for livestock.
Star Manufacturing builds bar top trailers in all sizes from 14 to 40 feet, available in both bumper pull and gooseneck configurations. Our bar top builds use the same 5/16" thick, 3×5 heavy angle frame and seam-welded construction as every trailer we make. The bars themselves are heavy-gauge steel welded at every intersection — not thin rods that flex and crack under the lateral pressure of 1,200-lb cattle moving in a turn.
What Is a Bar Top Cattle Trailer?
The "bar top" name refers to the horizontal steel bars that form the upper structure of the trailer walls and, in fully open configurations, the roof area. In a standard bar top design:
- The lower portion of the trailer sides (typically the bottom 24–36 inches) is solid steel — keeps waste contained and prevents legs from getting through
- The upper portion uses horizontal steel bars spaced 4–6 inches apart — allows air in and vision out
- The roof area may be open bars, fully open, or fitted with a partial overhang depending on the build spec
This design maximizes cross-ventilation, which is critical when hauling cattle in Texas heat. A 1,000-lb steer generates significant body heat. On a summer haul with outside temperatures at 95°F, interior temperature in an enclosed trailer can spike 20–30 degrees above ambient within minutes of loading. Bar top construction keeps air moving and keeps animals cooler.
Bar Top Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Side Construction | Solid lower panels (24–36"), horizontal steel bar upper section |
| Bar Spacing | Approximately 4–5" between horizontal bars |
| Bar Gauge | Heavy-gauge structural steel, welded at all intersections |
| Available Sizes | 14' through 40' |
| Hitch Options | Bumper pull (14'–20') or gooseneck (16'–40') |
| Width Options | 6'8", 7'0", 7'6" |
| Frame | 5/16" thick, 3×5 heavy angle steel — seam welded |
| Finish | Painted steel or hot dip galvanized |
| Manufacture Location | Wharton, TX |
Who Needs a Bar Top Configuration?
Hot Climate Ranchers
In Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and across the Gulf Coast region, bar top construction is standard. Summer temperatures routinely reach 95–105°F. Bar top trailers keep cattle cooler, reduce heat stress losses, and are simply safer for any haul longer than a few miles in warm weather.
Show Cattle Exhibitors
Show cattle — especially fitted, groomed animals headed to county fairs and stock shows — travel better in bar top trailers. They can see out, experience natural air movement, and arrive in better condition than animals hauled in enclosed trailers. The bar top configuration is essentially standard for the show circuit. See our show cattle trailers page for more.
Commercial Cattle Haulers
Commercial livestock haulers moving large numbers of cattle routinely use bar top configurations — the animals load calmer, travel more comfortably, and arrive in better condition (lower shrink) compared to solid-side hauls. Lower arrival shrink means more money at the sale barn.
4-H and FFA Families
Show steer, heifer, and market animal projects for 4-H and FFA almost universally use bar top trailers for transport to county and state shows. The animals are accustomed to seeing people and moving equipment — bar top construction keeps them calmer in transit. Our 4-H/FFA livestock trailers page covers show animal transport in detail.
Bar Top vs. Solid Side vs. Combination
| Configuration | Best For | Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|
| Full bar top | Hot weather, show cattle, gentle adult cattle | Less containment for young calves that may try to squeeze through bars |
| Solid side | Young calves, wild cattle, winter hauling | Reduces ventilation — risky in summer heat |
| Combination (solid lower, bar upper) | Most working operations — best all-around | Slight reduction in airflow vs. full bar top |
The combination configuration — solid lower panels (typically 30–36" high) with horizontal bars above — is what most working ranchers choose. It contains the legs of even young calves, prevents waste from escaping at road level, and still provides excellent ventilation through the upper bar section.
The Galvanizing Advantage for Bar Top Trailers
Bar top trailers have more exposed steel surface area than solid-side builds — every horizontal bar, every weld point, every vertical upright is exposed to weather, UV, and moisture. A painted bar top trailer requires diligent maintenance to prevent rust from establishing on the bars before spreading to the frame.
Star Manufacturing's hot dip galvanized process coats every bar, every weld, every hidden corner in a bath of molten zinc that metallurgically bonds to the steel. There's no surface coating that chips or peels — the zinc IS part of the steel surface. A galvanized bar top trailer essentially never rusts in normal service conditions. For the full story, see our hot dip galvanized cattle trailers page.
Sizes Available in Bar Top Configuration
Star Manufacturing builds bar top trailers in every size in our lineup:
- 14-foot bumper pull: Weekend rancher and small operation staple. See our 14-foot cattle trailer page
- 16-foot bumper pull: Popular size for a pair of cows or 6–8 weaned calves
- 20-foot bumper pull or gooseneck: Working ranch standard for small to medium operations. See our 20-foot cattle trailer page
- 24-foot gooseneck: Most popular ranching size. See our 24-foot gooseneck page
- 28–40-foot gooseneck: Commercial and high-volume operations
All sizes are configurable with bar top, solid side, or combination builds. Use the quote builder to select your size, top style, finish, and gate options with instant pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bar top trailers safe for cattle in rain?
Yes. Cattle handle rain much better than heat. The bigger risk with livestock transport is overheating, not getting wet. If you're hauling in severe storms, a combination trailer with a partial overhang or roof section can provide some rain protection while maintaining ventilation. For most Texas weather, a bar top trailer is perfectly safe for cattle in normal rain.
Can young calves ride in a bar top trailer?
For very young calves (under 200 lbs), the lower solid panels on a combination trailer are important. Full bar top configurations at the lower level could allow small calves to put legs through and get injured. A combination trailer with solid lower sides (at least 30") is the better choice for calf loads. For older calves, bar top is fine.
Is a bar top trailer harder to clean than solid side?
No — it's actually easier. The open bar construction allows pressure washing from all angles. The solid lower portion contains the bulk of manure and urine. A bar top or combination trailer is generally cleaner to maintain than a fully enclosed solid-side build.
How do bar top trailers handle highway speeds?
Bar top construction has negligible effect on aerodynamics at typical highway speeds (55–70 mph). The cattle themselves create more wind resistance than the bars. Star Manufacturing's 5/16" seam-welded frame handles highway loads without flex or noise issues from bar construction.
Where can I see a bar top trailer in person?
Visit Star Manufacturing at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488, or call (979) 532-1486 to schedule a shop visit. We can walk you through current builds and show you the difference between bar top, combination, and solid-side configurations in person.
Ready to build your bar top cattle trailer? Use the instant quote builder to configure your size, style, and finish. Explore our full cattle trailer lineup, or call (979) 532-1486. Built in Wharton, TX — built to work.