Cattle Trailers in Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City and Johnson County sit in the rolling farm country of southeast Iowa, an area with a strong mix of cow-calf operations, small purebred herds, and a deep 4-H and FFA culture built around the county fair and Iowa State Fair show circuit. Farm families here need a trailer that can move cattle to the sale barn on a Tuesday and haul a show heifer to the fairgrounds on a Saturday, without a hitch. Star Manufacturing builds cattle trailers to handle exactly that kind of mixed-use demand, and we ship them to Iowa City from our plant in Wharton, TX.
Why Southeast Iowa Cattlemen Choose Star Manufacturing
Every Star Manufacturing cattle trailer is built on a 5/16" thick, 3x5 heavy angle frame that's seam welded for a continuous structural bond, not stitch welded at scattered points. Components are laser cut and tabbed-and-slotted for a precise fit before welding, giving the trailer tighter tolerances and better long-term durability than trailers built with less precise fabrication methods.
- 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'
Galvanized Protection for Southeast Iowa Winters
Johnson County's rolling terrain and heavy clay soils hold moisture, and southeast Iowa winters bring hard freezes combined with liberal road salt use on I-80 and the local highways connecting farms to town. That combination is tough on painted steel — salt spray works into seams and joints, and freeze-thaw cycling speeds up rust once it takes hold. Our full hot dip galvanized process submerges the entire trailer, frame to floor to gates, in a bath of molten zinc, forming a coating that's metallurgically bonded to the steel rather than sitting on the surface like paint. For families hauling through Iowa winters year after year, a galvanized trailer holds its value and its looks far longer than a painted one.
Serving Iowa City, Johnson County, and Southeast Iowa
We regularly deliver to farms and 4-H/FFA families across Johnson, Washington, Cedar, and Iowa counties. Iowa City's position on I-80 makes it an easy hub for cattle and equipment moving throughout southeast Iowa, whether headed to the county fair, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, or a local sale barn.
Delivery to Iowa City and Beyond
Star Manufacturing is located at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488, roughly a 15-hour drive north to Iowa City. 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. Configure your trailer through our online builder and we'll arrange delivery straight to the farm.
Get Your Cattle Trailer Quote for Iowa City, Iowa
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 a small herd or show string? Contact us or call (979) 532-1486. See also our nearby coverage of Des Moines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you deliver cattle trailers to Iowa City, Iowa?
Yes. Star Manufacturing regularly delivers hot dip galvanized and painted cattle trailers to Iowa City and surrounding Johnson County farms from our plant in Wharton, TX.
Is galvanizing worth it for a family show cattle operation?
Yes — even a trailer used a few times a month benefits from galvanizing, since Iowa winters and road salt corrode painted steel over time regardless of usage frequency. Galvanized trailers also hold resale value better.
What size trailer works best for a small southeast Iowa cow-calf or show operation?
Most families running a small herd or hauling show cattle do well with a 16'-24' trailer. Our online builder can help size the right trailer for your specific needs.