When it comes to livestock trailers in Texas, Calico and Iron Bull are two names that show up on ranches across the state. Both brands are carried at Trailer Place in Wharton, TX, and both have earned real-world credibility with cattle producers, horse owners, and livestock haulers. But they’re built differently, priced differently, and excel in different applications. Here’s an honest side-by-side breakdown to help you decide.
Brand Overview: Calico Trailers
Calico Trailers is a Texas-based manufacturer known for producing rugged, no-frills livestock trailers that hold up to the rigors of Texas ranching. Calico focuses almost exclusively on livestock and horse trailers — it’s their core product and they’ve refined it over decades. Their trailers are known for solid construction, treated pine floors, and practical livestock-focused features at an accessible price point.
- Based in: Sulphur Springs, TX
- Product focus: Livestock and horse trailers (bumper pull and gooseneck)
- GVWR range: 7,000–25,900 lb
- Common lengths: 16 ft to 32 ft
Brand Overview: Iron Bull Trailers
Iron Bull Trailers (manufactured in Hondo, TX) is best known for their dump trailers and equipment trailers, but they also produce a strong line of stock and livestock trailers. Iron Bull brings the same heavy-duty construction philosophy from their dump line to their livestock builds — thick steel frames, heavy axles, and commercial-grade components. They’re the choice for buyers who want industrial-strength build quality across the board.
- Based in: Hondo, TX
- Product focus: Dump, equipment, utility, and stock trailers
- GVWR range: Up to 25,900 lb on livestock models
- Common lengths: 20 ft to 36 ft (stock trailers)
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Calico | Iron Bull |
|---|---|---|
| Build Focus | Livestock / horse specialists | Heavy-duty all-purpose (livestock included) |
| Frame Material | Tube steel with angle iron | Heavy-wall structural steel |
| Floor | Treated pine (standard) | Treated pine with steel runners |
| Gate Style | Full-width rear slider + side doors | Full-width rear gate + center cut gates |
| Roof Height | 6’6″–7′ depending on model | 6’6″–7′ depending on model |
| Max GVWR | 25,900 lb | 25,900 lb |
| Bumper Pull Models | Yes (7,000–14,000 lb) | Yes (7,000–14,000 lb) |
| Gooseneck Models | Yes (14,000–25,900 lb) | Yes (14,000–25,900 lb) |
| Price Range (bumper pull) | $8,500–$14,000 | $9,000–$15,500 |
| Price Range (gooseneck) | $14,000–$25,000 | $16,000–$28,000 |
Calico Livestock Trailer Models
Calico 16′ Bumper Pull Stock Trailer
The Calico 16′ BP is one of the best-selling bumper pull livestock trailers in Texas. It features a 7,000 lb GVWR, 4″ channel frame, full-width rear slider gate, treated pine floor, and a standard 2-5/16″ ball hitch. This trailer is designed for ranchers hauling 4–6 head of cattle to the sale barn, vet, or neighboring pasture. Straightforward, reliable, and proven.
Calico 24′ Gooseneck Stock Trailer
The Calico 24′ gooseneck is the first step into serious livestock hauling. With a 14,000–16,000 lb GVWR, heavy pipe runners, full escape doors, butterfly rear gates, and a center cut gate for dividing loads, this trailer handles mixed cattle loads, yearlings, and cows with calves. Popular with medium-scale Texas cow-calf operations.
Iron Bull Livestock Trailer Models
Iron Bull 20′ Bumper Pull Stock
Iron Bull’s bumper pull stock trailer steps up the construction compared to many competitors — heavier steel tubing, commercial-grade axles, and more robust gate hardware. Available at 10,000–14,000 lb GVWR depending on axle package. Well-suited for buyers who run their bumper pull hard and want it to last 15+ years without major repairs.
Iron Bull 28′ Gooseneck Stock
Iron Bull’s 28′ gooseneck stock trailer is a true workhorse — 20,000–25,900 lb GVWR, heavy I-beam cross members, steel-lined walls on the lower half, and an adjustable center gate. This is the trailer for commercial livestock operations, stocker producers, and feedlot buyers who haul large loads over long distances on Texas highways.
Choose Calico If…
- You want a Texas-made livestock specialist with decades of ranch-proven design
- You prefer a slightly lower price point without sacrificing quality for the application
- You’re a small-to-medium cattle operation hauling 6–12 head per trip
- You want a clean, functional trailer without heavy-duty overbuilding you may not need
Choose Iron Bull If…
- You want maximum structural strength and the heaviest build quality available
- You operate commercially and put high mileage on your equipment
- You’re already an Iron Bull customer for dump or equipment trailers and trust the brand
- You haul large, heavy cattle over long distances and need absolute reliability
Also Consider: W-W and Star Brand
Beyond Calico and Iron Bull, Trailer Place also carries W-W livestock trailers — another Texas ranch staple — and our in-house STAR brand galvanized cattle trailers, which are manufactured right here in Wharton, TX by our sister company Star Manufacturing. The STAR brand galvanized trailers resist rust indefinitely — ideal for Gulf Coast humidity. Ask us about availability.
Talk to a Ranch Trailer Expert
Ready to put the right livestock trailer behind your truck? Call us at (979) 532-1486 — our team works with Texas ranchers daily and can help you pick the right brand, model, and configuration for your herd and operation. Browse our full livestock trailer inventory online, or visit us at 2507 County Rd 231 in Wharton, TX. We offer competitive financing and nationwide delivery. Also see our guide to best trailers for Texas ranchers.