After much searching the web, I found the concept of teardrops last week, and have found this forum exceptionally informative.
My question relates to building a trailer to transport alpacas. We have to transport these guys on occasion, for breeding purposes etc. Last time, I moved a female with her young baby in the back of my Mazda B2200 shortbox. I built a 16 inch spacer between the truck box, and the truck cap, giving about 54" in height. When bringing them back, I had two females onboard , with both their babes - maybe 360lbs total . (Typical weight for an alpaca is 150 lbs. - roughly the size of a deer.) The back of the truck works, but I would like a better approach. (You get the odd strange look when going down the highway and folks see these long necked animals looking out at them.)
Horse trailers are too big - both for my truck - 1,000lbs w/o brakes, 2,000 w brakes. Besides, the trailers are very high for an alp.
I was thinking of building a tiny trailer to haul these guys, something around 8 ft long by 5 ft high. Width can be 4 or 5 ft. There is a flat trailer made by snowbear.com - a M7000 model, available at Walmart. This is 355 lbs with floor. If I managed to keep the rest around 300lbs, then I could haul two alpacas, or perhaps three in a pinch.
The alternative is a 3,500 lb axle with electric brakes at Princess Auto - currently $369 on sale complete. That would let me build a little heavier, and perhaps haul even 4 animals. As said in this forum, I could remove a spring leaf to reflect my relatively low weight. In looking at surge brakes, I would be too light, and of course would likely have to get an auto axle that could be reasonably mounted - again, good stuff on this forum.
In either case, I would have to somehow segment the inside once these guys are onboard, to keep them from moving the centre of gravity. (Alpacas tend to cush - sit while moving, so will be close to the floor.)
I was thinking of a ramp - possibly removable - in front of the door - to get them in and out. Since I am not needing any electrical equipment, or don't need kitchen facilities, I would be building fairly minimalist. Off the designs I have seen, the one by, I believe DanL, is something like what I am considering, since it is higher, but not too long.
Perhaps you folks could offer your thoughts on my unusual requirements?
Thanks.
Mike U.
Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailersor t n ttt for short (tnttt.com) |
A Trailer to Haul Livestock - Alpacas
23 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
A Trailer to Haul Livestock - Alpacas
by NBMike » Thu Oct 20, 2005 8:37 am
-
NBMike - Teardrop Inspector
- Posts: 2
- Images: 1
- Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2005 12:47 pm
- Location: New Brunswick, Canada
by Chris C » Thu Oct 20, 2005 9:17 am
Mike,
I raise llamas. I decided a long time ago not to haul them in a two-wheeled trailer. Their lives are too precious to me. (used to be financially precious, now just precious) Blow a tire and you have time to stop without incident with a 4-wheeled trailer. I've seen two wheeled trailers weaving all over the road when a tire blows. Think of those poor little alpacas being tossed from side to side. Talk about a trailer being out of balance!!!!! It should be pretty easy to build a small trailer for them. But have you ever traveled in the back of a livestock trailer? I have, and it's hell to ride in. An almost empty trailer beats you/them to death. If I were transporting them, I'd build a dual torsion axel trailer. Build it any width, length, or height you like. As you mentioned, you certainly don't have to build as high as most trailers because they are such short animals. Personally I'd recommend electric brakes. Surge brakes aren't nearly as smooth. Surprisingly, when they cush, they lower the center of gravity much theier arrangement doesn't really affect the balance of the trailer..........or so I've found. I've carried as many as 15 llamas at once and haven't had a problem. Good luck on your build.
I raise llamas. I decided a long time ago not to haul them in a two-wheeled trailer. Their lives are too precious to me. (used to be financially precious, now just precious) Blow a tire and you have time to stop without incident with a 4-wheeled trailer. I've seen two wheeled trailers weaving all over the road when a tire blows. Think of those poor little alpacas being tossed from side to side. Talk about a trailer being out of balance!!!!! It should be pretty easy to build a small trailer for them. But have you ever traveled in the back of a livestock trailer? I have, and it's hell to ride in. An almost empty trailer beats you/them to death. If I were transporting them, I'd build a dual torsion axel trailer. Build it any width, length, or height you like. As you mentioned, you certainly don't have to build as high as most trailers because they are such short animals. Personally I'd recommend electric brakes. Surge brakes aren't nearly as smooth. Surprisingly, when they cush, they lower the center of gravity much theier arrangement doesn't really affect the balance of the trailer..........or so I've found. I've carried as many as 15 llamas at once and haven't had a problem. Good luck on your build.
Chris 
The tension between what is good enough and what is beyond that creates the space for character to become our work.
Teardrop Trailer Build Pictures: http://tinyurl.com/px5cd
The tension between what is good enough and what is beyond that creates the space for character to become our work.
Teardrop Trailer Build Pictures: http://tinyurl.com/px5cd
- Chris C
- .
- Posts: 3302
- Joined: Sun May 15, 2005 7:24 pm
- Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Be cool! 
