Cattle Trailers in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines sits in the middle of one of the most productive livestock-producing regions in the country. Polk County and the surrounding central Iowa counties run a mix of cow-calf operations, backgrounding lots, and diversified row-crop-and-cattle farms, all within a short drive of major sale barns and the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Cattle producers here also share roads and equipment needs with the state's massive hog industry, so trailers get used hard — hauling cattle to auction one week, moving show animals to the fair the next, and running feed and equipment the rest of the time. Star Manufacturing builds cattle trailers tough enough for that kind of mixed-use Iowa farm, and we ship them to Des Moines from our plant in Wharton, TX.
Why Central Iowa Cattlemen Choose Star Manufacturing
Every Star Manufacturing cattle trailer is built on a 5/16" thick, 3x5 heavy angle frame that is seam welded, not stitch welded, giving it a continuous structural bond with no weak points to fail under repeated loading. Components are laser cut and tabbed-and-slotted for a precise fit before welding begins, which means tighter tolerances and a trailer that holds up over years of daily use — not just the first season.
- 5/16" heavy angle steel frame, seam welded for structural integrity
- Laser cut, tabbed and slotted components for a precision fit
- Full hot dip galvanized option — the entire trailer submerged in molten zinc
- Bar top livestock configuration built for airflow and cattle visibility
- Available in 6'8", 7', and 7'6" widths
- Lengths from 14' up to 40' for larger commercial operations
Galvanized Protection for Iowa Winters
Central Iowa doesn't get Gulf Coast humidity, but it gets something arguably harder on steel: hard freeze-thaw winters combined with heavy road salt use on I-35, I-80, and the county roads that connect farms to town. That salt spray works its way into every seam and joint on a painted trailer, and freeze-thaw cycling accelerates rust once it starts. Add livestock waste and wash-down moisture from daily hauling, and a painted trailer's finish can start failing within just a few Iowa winters. Our full hot dip galvanized process submerges the entire trailer — frame, gates, floor structure, all of it — in a bath of molten zinc, forming a coating that's metallurgically bonded to the steel rather than just sitting on top of it like paint. For any Iowa operation hauling through winter road salt year after year, galvanized construction pays for itself many times over.
Serving Des Moines, Polk County, and Central Iowa
We regularly deliver to farms and ranches across Polk, Dallas, Story, Warren, and Madison counties. Des Moines' central location on I-35 and I-80 makes it a natural hub for cattle and equipment moving throughout Iowa, whether you're hauling to a local sale barn, a show at the state fairgrounds, or a backgrounding lot further out in the country.
Delivery to Des Moines and Beyond
Star Manufacturing is located at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488, roughly a 14-15 hour drive north to Des Moines. We coordinate delivery for out-of-state buyers across the Midwest regularly, so distance from our shop is never a reason to settle for a lesser-built trailer. Many Iowa customers spec their trailer exactly through our online builder and have it delivered straight to the farm.
Get Your Cattle Trailer Quote for Des Moines, Iowa
Ready to spec out a cattle trailer for your central Iowa operation? Use our online quote builder to configure length, width, and finish and get instant pricing, or browse our full cattle trailer lineup. For general farm and construction hauling needs, check out our utility construction trailers as well. Have questions about galvanized vs. painted, or need help sizing a trailer for your herd? Contact us or call (979) 532-1486 — our team in Wharton, TX will help you spec the right trailer for Iowa conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you deliver cattle trailers to Des Moines, Iowa?
Yes. Star Manufacturing regularly delivers hot dip galvanized and painted cattle trailers to Des Moines and surrounding Polk County farms and ranches from our plant in Wharton, TX.
Is galvanized worth it in a drier climate like Iowa?
Yes — Iowa's hard freeze-thaw winters and heavy road salt use on I-35 and I-80 corrode painted steel faster than most owners expect. Galvanized trailers hold up significantly longer under those conditions.
What sizes are available for central Iowa cattle operations?
We build cattle trailers from 14' to 40' in 6'8", 7', and 7'6" widths, suitable for everything from small cow-calf operations to larger backgrounding and commercial hauling needs.