Best Truck for Pulling a Cattle Trailer in Texas (2026 Guide)

Texas has more cattle than any other state — and the ranchers who run those cattle operations need the right truck-trailer combination to move livestock safely and legally. Whether you’re hauling a dozen cows to the stockyards in Lockhart, moving a load of stocker calves to summer pasture near Beeville, or running full loads of bull calves at weaning time, the truck you choose matters enormously. At Trailer Place in Wharton, TX, we sell the livestock trailers that Texas ranchers depend on — and we know exactly which trucks to pair them with.

What Size Cattle Trailer Are You Pulling?

The right truck depends heavily on the trailer’s GVWR. Here’s a quick breakdown by cattle trailer size:

  • 16’–20′ bumper pull cattle trailer (10,000–14,000 lb GVWR): Requires at minimum a 3/4-ton truck; a 1-ton is better for safety margins
  • 20’–24′ bumper pull cattle trailer (14,000–16,000 lb GVWR): Requires a 1-ton truck (F-350, Ram 3500, Silverado 3500HD) with diesel power
  • 24’–36′ gooseneck cattle trailer (20,000–25,000 lb GVWR): Requires a 1-ton diesel truck; DRW strongly recommended for heaviest loads
  • 36’–40′ gooseneck cattle trailer (25,000–30,000 lb GVWR): Requires F-350 DRW, Ram 3500 DRW, or Silverado/Sierra 3500HD DRW with diesel — at minimum

Best Trucks for Cattle Trailer Hauling

Ram 3500 Cummins Diesel — Most Popular Choice

The Ram 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins High Output diesel is rated up to 37,090 lbs gooseneck and produces 1,075 lb-ft of torque. Texas ranchers have used Cummins-powered trucks for decades because the Cummins engine is simple, rebuildable, and designed for high-mileage work truck use. A Ram 3500 DRW with the Cummins High Output can pull the heaviest cattle trailers in our inventory without any drama. The long wheelbase dually configuration also provides a more stable, less sway-prone towing experience with loaded gooseneck livestock trailers. See our Ram 3500 gooseneck guide.

Ford F-350 Super Duty — Maximum Payload Option

The Ford F-350 DRW with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel is rated up to 40,000 lbs gooseneck and offers some of the highest payload ratings in the 1-ton class — often exceeding 7,000 lbs on DRW Cab & Chassis configurations. High payload is critical when hauling cattle: a 30′ gooseneck loaded with mature cows can put 4,000–5,000+ lbs on the hitch. The F-350 handles this with headroom. See our F-350 towing guide.

Chevy Silverado 3500HD / GMC Sierra 3500HD — Smooth & Reliable

The Silverado 3500HD and Sierra 3500HD DRW with the 6.6L Duramax diesel deliver up to 36,000 lbs gooseneck capacity. The Duramax-Allison powertrain combination is known for exceptional fuel economy at highway speeds — relevant when you’re hauling cattle several hundred miles across Texas. These trucks are popular in East and Central Texas cattle country where fuel stops are sometimes few and far between. See our Silverado 3500HD guide.

Ford F-250 / Ram 2500 — Best for Mid-Size Cattle Trailers

For ranchers running 16’–20′ bumper pull cattle trailers with 10,000–14,000 lb GVWR, the 3/4-ton trucks (F-250, Ram 2500, Silverado 2500HD) are fully capable and more comfortable to drive daily. You get gooseneck capacity in the 22,000–23,000 lb range, which covers most mid-size bumper pull cattle trailers. These trucks are also easier to park in town and more fuel-efficient when running light.

STAR Brand Galvanized Cattle Trailers — Built for Texas Conditions

At Trailer Place, we manufacture our own line of cattle trailers under the STAR brand right here in Wharton, TX. STAR trailers are hot-dip galvanized — meaning the steel is immersed in molten zinc to create a corrosion barrier that lasts decades in Texas humidity and coastal conditions. Our STAR cattle trailers feature:

  • Hot-dip galvanized frames and components
  • Solid floor options or wood floors
  • Slide cut gates and escape doors for safe cattle handling
  • Available in 24’–40′ gooseneck configurations
  • GVWR options from 20,000 to 25,000+ lbs
  • Built to spec for Texas ranching operations

We also carry Calico and W-W livestock trailers for buyers wanting additional options. See our full livestock trailer inventory.

Tongue Weight & Safety Margins for Cattle Trailers

When cattle are loaded, weight distribution inside the trailer changes continuously. A full load of cattle can shift significantly during transport, affecting tongue weight dynamically. For gooseneck livestock trailers, target 15–20% of loaded trailer weight as tongue weight. On a 24,000 lb loaded gooseneck, that’s 3,600–4,800 lbs of tongue weight — make sure your truck’s payload rating accommodates this before loading. Always weigh your rig loaded at a CAT scale to confirm you’re legal and safe.

Find Your Cattle Trailer in Wharton, TX

Trailer Place has been serving Texas ranchers from our location in Wharton, TX — the heart of Texas cattle country on the Coastal Plains. We stock STAR galvanized cattle trailers, Calico livestock trailers, and W-W livestock trailers in sizes from 16′ to 40′. We offer financing for all credit situations and can arrange delivery across Texas and Louisiana.

Call us at (979) 532-1486 or stop by 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488. We’re here Monday–Saturday to help you find the right cattle trailer for your truck and your operation.