Cattle Trailers with Slider Gates: Divide and Sort Without Unloading
A slider gate — also called a sorting gate — is an interior gate that rides in a track along the length of the trailer, letting you divide the compartment into two or more sections without unloading anyone. It's one of the most requested upgrades on Star Manufacturing cattle trailers because it solves a real, everyday problem: you rarely haul one uniform group. You're hauling pairs and singles, or mixing weight classes, or need to pull one sick or aggressive animal away from the rest without a second trip.
Every Star Manufacturing trailer with a slider gate is built on our standard 5/16" thick, 3x5 heavy angle steel frame, laser cut and tabbed-and-slotted for a precision fit, then fully hot dip galvanized — including the gate hardware and track — so the sliding mechanism doesn't seize up with rust after a season of manure, mud, and moisture. Manufactured in Wharton, TX, available on trailers from 20 feet up through our largest 40-foot goosenecks.
How Slider Gates Work
The gate rides in a track welded into the trailer's ceiling or upper frame rail, spanning the full width of the interior. You slide it forward or back to whatever position splits the load the way you need, then drop the locking pin to hold it in place. Because it's a track-mounted gate rather than a fixed divider, you're not locked into one compartment size — move it to the front for a small isolation pen, or to the middle for an even 50/50 split.
Slider Gate Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gate Material | Laser cut steel, hot dip galvanized |
| Mounting | Overhead track spanning full interior width |
| Positioning | Adjustable — slide to any position along the track and pin in place |
| Number of Gates | Single gate standard; multiple gates available on 28' and longer trailers |
| Compatible Trailer Sizes | 20' through 40' gooseneck |
| Finish | Full hot dip galvanized, including hardware and track — no exposed rusting steel |
Why Ranchers Add Slider/Sorting Gates
- Sorting pairs from singles — keep cow-calf pairs separated from open cows or bulls during transport
- Isolating a sick or injured animal — pull one animal into its own compartment without a second trailer trip
- Splitting weight classes — separate lighter stockers from heavier finished cattle so nobody gets crowded or bruised
- Order buying and multi-stop routes — load cattle destined for two different locations in the same trailer and unload each group separately
- Reducing bruising and stress — smaller, more evenly matched groups per compartment mean less fighting for space and calmer cattle at the destination
Slider Gates on Larger Trailers
On our 28-foot, 32-foot, and 40-foot goosenecks, we can build in two slider gates instead of one, creating three separate compartments. That configuration is popular with order buyers and commercial haulers who routinely move mixed groups on a single run — one gate splits pairs from singles, a second isolates a problem animal, and you still get to your destination in one trip instead of three.
Pairing Slider Gates with Other Features
Slider gates work well alongside other configuration options. Many buyers combine them with a bar top or solid side build depending on climate, add slam latch gates at the rear for quick one-handed loading, and choose rubber flooring for better footing when cattle are shifting weight between compartments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a slider gate be added to any Star Manufacturing trailer size?
Yes, slider/sorting gates are available on gooseneck trailers from 20 feet up to our 40-foot build. Talk to us about placement if you're ordering a custom split.
Do slider gates rust or stick over time?
Not with our build — the gate, track, and hardware are all hot dip galvanized along with the rest of the trailer, so the sliding mechanism stays free-moving even after years of manure and moisture exposure.
Can I get more than one slider gate?
Yes. On 28-foot and longer trailers we can install two slider gates, creating three separate compartments for more complex sorting needs.
Does a slider gate reduce how many head I can haul?
Only slightly — the gate itself takes up minimal floor space. The bigger consideration is how you split the compartments, since uneven splits can waste some capacity on one side.
Is a slider gate the same as a nose cut?
No. A slider gate divides the trailer's main compartment into sections. A nose cut is a modification to the gooseneck's front end that adds usable floor space. The two features are independent and can be combined.
Build a Cattle Trailer with Slider Gates
Configure a Star Manufacturing cattle trailer with the exact slider/sorting gate layout your operation needs. Get instant pricing at /build, or browse our full gooseneck cattle trailer lineup. Questions about placement or custom configurations? Contact us or call (979) 532-1486.