Custom Cattle Trailers — Built to Your Specs in Wharton, TX

Every Star Manufacturing cattle trailer is a custom build. We don't pull from a lot of pre-built inventory and call it customization — we build each trailer to order from the ground up, to the specifications you choose. That means your choice of length, width, top configuration, gate setup, finish, flooring, and accessories, all assembled on our 5/16" seam-welded frame in Wharton, TX.

For ranchers who have figured out exactly what their operation needs — or who've been disappointed by off-the-shelf trailers that almost fit their requirements — the custom build process at Star Manufacturing is the answer.

Why Custom-Built Beats Off-the-Shelf

The cattle trailer market is full of inventory trailers: standard sizes, standard configurations, and standard compromises built for the median buyer. They're available quickly and priced competitively. They're also designed for nobody in particular.

Here's what a custom Star Manufacturing trailer delivers that off-the-shelf builds can't:

• Right size for your operation: Moving 8 head per trip? Your 24-foot gooseneck doesn't need the extra weight and cost of a 28-footer. Moving 12 head? A 28-footer means one trip instead of two. We build the trailer that fits your actual load, not the nearest standard size
• Gate configuration for your workflow: Sorting gate at the front, center slider, full-width rear gate with a person door — your cattle-handling process defines what gates you need, and we build them where they belong
• Hot dip galvanizing when you want permanence: Off-the-shelf trailers rarely offer true hot dip galvanizing. At Star Manufacturing it's a standard option on every build — not an afterthought
• Dimensions that work with your chutes and facilities: If your loading chute is 7' wide, building a 6'8" trailer means fighting width every time you load. We build the exact width that works with your setup
• No wasted options you'll never use: You pay for what your operation actually needs

Custom Configuration Options

Length — 14 to 40 Feet

Star Manufacturing builds cattle trailers from 14 feet to 40 feet in length. Most ranchers land in the 16–32 foot range. Commercial operations and semi-livestock configurations extend to 40 feet. Tell us how many head you move per trip and we'll tell you what length makes sense for your operation and truck.

• 14–16 ft: Small operations, secondary trailer, 3–6 head
• 20–24 ft: Primary ranch trailer, 8–12 head per trip
• 24–32 ft: High-volume ranching, commercial operations, 12–20 head
• 32–40 ft: Commercial livestock hauling, feedlot operations, 20+ head

Width — 6'8", 7'0", or 7'6"

Width affects floor space, cattle comfort, and compatibility with your loading facilities. The 7-foot wide trailer is the most popular configuration. The 7'6" width gives your cattle more room to stand comfortably and turn, which reduces stress and injury on longer hauls.

Top Configuration

• Bar top: Full horizontal bar construction — maximum ventilation, essential for Gulf Coast heat. See our bar top cattle trailers page
• Solid side: Full steel panels — better for young calves, cold weather, or wild cattle
• Combination: Solid lower panels (30–36") with bar top above — the most popular all-around configuration for working cattle operations

Gate Configuration

Gates are where custom builds earn their money. The right gate setup for your operation can eliminate the need for additional handling equipment and cut loading time in half:

• Rear slam latch gate: Standard on all builds — single-person operation, heavy-duty latch mechanism
• Center slider gate: Divides trailer into two compartments — essential for hauling mixed loads, separating bulls from cows, or creating a calf compartment
• Nose cut: Small forward compartment at the gooseneck — isolates 1–2 head separately from the main load
• Sorting gate: Full-width gate that allows sorting animals while loading or unloading — reduces the need for separate sorting facilities
• Person door: Walk-through door for handlers to enter and exit without opening the full gate

Finish — Painted or Hot Dip Galvanized

This is the most consequential option choice on any cattle trailer order. Painted steel is less expensive upfront. Hot dip galvanized costs more but lasts 2–3 times longer in hard use, requires essentially no maintenance, and holds its resale value dramatically better.

The galvanizing process at Star Manufacturing submerges the entire completed trailer structure in molten zinc at 840°F. Every surface — including the inside of hollow sections, weld seams, and gooseneck neck structure — receives complete zinc coverage. No brush-on, no spray zinc, no galvanized-only-on-the-outside shortcuts.

For ranchers who plan to keep a trailer for 15–25 years and work it hard, hot dip galvanizing is almost always the right call economically. Run the numbers: a galvanized trailer that lasts 25 years vs. a painted trailer that needs replacement at 10 years (plus maintenance costs) is usually a clear win for galvanized.

Flooring

• Treated hardwood: Traditional choice — provides natural grip, insulates against temperature extremes, drains well through floor gaps
• Rubber mat flooring: Better traction on wet surfaces, easier to clean, reduces leg and joint stress on cattle — preferred for show animals and high-end operations

Additional Options

• LED interior and exterior lighting package
• Spare tire carrier and mount
• Upgraded heavy-duty axle packages
• Triple axle for maximum GVWR on longer trailers
• Electric or hydraulic brakes
• Upgraded coupler and safety chain hardware

The Build Process

Ordering a custom cattle trailer from Star Manufacturing is straightforward:

1. Configure online: Use the online quote builder to select your length, width, top style, gate configuration, finish, and options. Get instant pricing before you make a single phone call
2. Confirm your order: Call us at (979) 532-1486 or visit our facility at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488 to confirm specs and place your order. We'll review your configuration, discuss any special requirements, and give you a production lead time
3. Production: Your trailer goes into our production queue. We use laser-cut components that tab and slot into precise alignment before welding — consistent quality on every build
4. Hot dip galvanizing (if selected): Completed trailers going for galvanizing are transported to the galvanizing facility for full immersion processing
5. Pickup or delivery: Many customers pick up in person from Wharton — it gives you a chance to inspect the build and meet the team. We also arrange shipping nationwide

Frequently Asked Questions — Custom Cattle Trailers

How long does it take to build a custom cattle trailer at Star Manufacturing?

Lead times vary with current order volume. Use the quote builder or call (979) 532-1486 for a current estimate. Custom builds at our size typically range from several weeks to a few months depending on configuration and the galvanizing queue if you choose hot dip finish.

Can I specify a non-standard size or unusual configuration?

Yes. Star Manufacturing regularly builds non-standard configurations for operations with specific requirements. Call (979) 532-1486 to discuss your requirements directly with our team — some requests are standard custom builds, others require engineering discussion.

What's the price difference between painted and galvanized custom trailers?

The hot dip galvanized upcharge varies by trailer size and current zinc market pricing. Use the quote builder to see the current price difference for your specific configuration. Typically, galvanizing adds 15–30% to trailer cost depending on size.

Do you ship custom cattle trailers outside of Texas?

Yes. Star Manufacturing ships trailers nationwide. Many customers drive to Wharton, TX to pick up in person — it's worth the trip to inspect your custom build. For those who can't travel, we arrange transport through livestock/trailer shipping services.

Can I visit the shop and see trailers being built?

Yes. We welcome customers who want to see the operation. Call ahead at (979) 532-1486 to schedule a visit to 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488. Seeing the 5/16" frame steel and the seam welding in person makes clear why these trailers last the way they do.

How do custom Star Manufacturing trailers compare to custom-order trailers from dealers?

When you order "custom" through a dealer, you're often selecting from a manufacturer's option list — limited configurations, long waits, and a dealer margin added to the price. At Star Manufacturing, you're working directly with the manufacturer. No dealer markup, direct communication about your build, and the full range of our production capability available to your order.

Build your custom cattle trailer today. Start with the instant online quote builder to configure and price your build, then call (979) 532-1486 or visit 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488. View our full cattle trailer lineup for size and configuration comparisons. Built in Wharton, TX — built your way.