DIY Sheep Trailer (Small Livestock Hauler)

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This simple DIY Sheep Trailer turns your pickup truck into a secure livestock transport system. Skip the expensive commercial livestock haulers and build your own versatile sheep trailer for dirt cheap!

A black sheep with yellow ear tags stands on hay in the bed of a pickup truck, enclosed by a metal cage that resembles a sheep trailer. The truck is parked outdoors on a cloudy day.

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Table of Contents

Why Build a DIY Sheep Trailer?

This DIY sheep trailer is one of the best projects we have ever done on our farm! Why is that? Because it has made hauling livestock SO much easier. We used to have to borrow a trailer, but now we never have to do that.

Building your own sheep trailer means never again having to coordinate schedules with neighbors or worry about whether equipment will be available when you need it most. There's nothing quite like the freedom of being able to load up your animals and head to the vet, market, or new pasture whenever the situation calls for it.

This isn't just a sheep trailer – it's a versatile livestock hauler that works perfectly for goats, calves, and even chickens, making it a true multi-purpose investment for any small farm or homestead.

Plus, since you're building it specifically for your truck and your animals, you can customize the height, width, and features to match exactly what you need rather than settling for a one-size-fits-all commercial option.

Materials and Tools Needed

Materials:

Corner bars - slide into truck bed corners to form the frame foundation
Cattle panels - create the walls while providing ventilation and visibility
Heavy-duty wire - temporarily secures panels during construction
Welding materials/gas - permanently joins all components together

Tools:

Welder - creates strong, permanent joints (can be borrowed or rented if needed)
Wire cutters - trim panels to proper size
Measuring tools - ensure accurate fit in your truck bed

How to Make a DIY Sheep Trailer

A close-up of a black metal post inserted into a rectangular slot on a textured plastic surface of a sheep trailer, with snow-covered ground visible in the background.

A metal fence panel stands upright on snow-covered ground near a sheep trailer and a garage with tools and equipment inside; evergreen trees are in the background.

Step 1: Start by purchasing corner bars designed to fit your truck bed and insert them securely into each corner. These bars will serve as the main support structure for your entire livestock hauler.

Step 2: Line up your first cattle panel against the corner bars and temporarily secure it with heavy-duty wire. Trim the top of the panel to be level with the bars, ensuring you maintain a full section height – we made ours about 6 feet tall to accommodate calves.

A person in black work clothes stands in the bed of a black pickup truck with a spare tire and sheep trailer, set against a snowy mountain landscape and bare trees.

A black pickup truck with wire fencing panels in its bed, resembling a makeshift sheep trailer, is parked on a snowy road, with snowy mountains and trees visible in the background.

Step 3: Secure the back panel with heavy-duty wire in a way that allows it to open like a door. This design makes loading much easier when combined with your truck's tailgate and a simple ramp.

Step 4: Add cattle panels to all remaining sides, keeping the back panel level with your tailgate height. Leave a small gap when the tailgate is down – this space proves surprisingly handy for arranging things when you already have animals loaded.

A pickup truck bed with a spare tire and metal fencing, resembling a sheep trailer, parked in a snowy area with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.

The bed of a black pickup truck with a spare tire lying flat in the center, parked on snowy ground with mountains and trees in the background. The truck has a metal cage frame around the bed, similar to those used for a sheep trailer.

Step 5: Extend the front panel all the way down to the truck bed to prevent animals from wiggling through any gaps near the cab window. While this might be not necessary, it provides extra peace of mind during transport.

Step 6: Once all panels are positioned correctly, weld all joints permanently to create a solid, secure structure. Don't worry if your welds aren't perfect – functionality matters more than appearance, and cattle panels weld reasonably well even with basic equipment.

A wire fence with a black mesh cover partially shading an outdoor area stands beside a parked sheep trailer. Patches of snow and dry grass are visible on the ground around the fenced enclosure.

Step 7: Install a cover or additional panels on top since sheep and goats will attempt to jump out of an open hauler. Consider building a simple wooden ramp for easier loading, though lifting smaller animals directly into the hauler works just as well.

DIY Sheep Trailer FAQs

What size truck do I need for this DIY sheep trailer?

This design works with most full-size pickup trucks, as the corner bars are adjustable to fit different bed widths. The key is ensuring your truck can handle the weight of the livestock you plan to transport.

How many animals can this trailer hold?

Capacity depends on animal size – it can comfortably hold 2-3 adult sheep, 4-5 goats, 1-2 calves, or several chickens. Always prioritize animal comfort and safety over maximum capacity.

Do I need welding experience to build this?

Basic welding skills are helpful, but this is a great beginner project since the welds don't need to be perfect. If you're not comfortable welding, consider asking a friend to help or having a local shop do the welding for a small fee.

Can I make this trailer permanent instead of removable?

Yes, you can weld the corner bars directly to your truck bed, though this limits your truck's versatility for other hauling needs. The removable design offers more flexibility for most farm operations.