Iron Bull Trailers has rapidly grown from humble beginnings to become a leader in the trailer manufacturing industry. What began as Norstar Truck Beds, a small truck bed manufacturer, evolved into a multi-faceted company offering a wide range of trailers, mowers, and implements, all driven by family values and innovative designs.
Starting Norstar and Launching Iron Bull Trailers
Norstar was initially founded by Abe Harms, a former employee of Load Trail, who started the company focusing solely on truck beds. After a few years of success in truck beds, customer demand for high quality, durable trailers surged—dump trailers, equipment trailers, and tilt trailers. This increasing demand led to the formation of Iron Bull Trailers. The Harms family, including Abe and his brothers Jake, John, and Dave – each manufacturing experts – grew the company into what it is today, with a focus on quality and customer satisfaction. Sons Ronnie and Randy work in the business following the mantra of the first generation founders: arrive early, stay late, people first, never stop.
Iron Bull’s philosophy centers on overbuilt, professional-grade trailers. This commitment to durability and high performance is what has propelled the company to become the fifth-largest trailer manufacturer globally, achieving in nine years what other companies took over 25 years to accomplish.
Innovation Through Feedback and Trailer Design
One of the hallmarks of Iron Bull’s success is its approach to innovation. While Iron Bull has its own talented trailer design team, much progress is driven by customer and dealer feedback. The company actively listens to its trailer dealers and customers, incorporating their insights into product development. This partnership has led to groundbreaking innovations, such as the design of the 8-inch I-Beam split tilt trailers.
For example, one of the most significant issues in the dump trailer industry was the warping of trailer floors due to the heavy equipment loaded onto them. Iron Bull addressed this by designing a trailer with runners placed specifically where skid steer tracks land, preventing floor warping. Additionally, innovations like stainless steel latches, side-arm support, and full-width ramps showcase how the company continually evolves to improve user experience and functionality.
It is a simple formula:
Norstar Success = seek user feedback + innovative design solutions + execution
Let’s dive into a few industry-leading innovative designs. When you demand that your tools and equipment to work effortlessly, you will appreciate Iron Bull’s attention to detail.
- Trailer Side Armor. Iron Bull’s dump wall sides “Side Armor” are legendary – they eliminate upright supports to create stronger and more durable sides that look awesome and add more cargo volume.
- Fully enclosed top rail on both sides
- Reenforced four corners, tapered in
- Oversize break prevents bowing
- Standard on DTB and DWB models
Check out this video outlining the performance benefits of Iron Bull Side Armor. It looks great and performs even better.
- Stainless Steel Trailer Components. Tired of handling rusty components? Tired of looking at rust on an otherwise quality trailer? Then go stainless. Stainless Steel components function better, last forever, and are easily replaced if you damage those parts with the bucket loader.
- Protected Trailer Tarp Kit. Of note:
- Iron Bull’s tarp kit sits in front of the trailer box and below the top plane – it is naturally protected by the box strength.
- The tarp is shielded on 5 sides, leaving only the bottom face exposed for ease of use, cleaning, and drying.
- The mechanism is lockable – no more runaway tarps when deployed or rolled.
- The tarp has two feet of extra length for when you employ side extensions or a proud load.
- And of course, stainless steel components.
- Standard Components. Most Iron Bull trailers come with standard premium components such as Stab Jack Mounts, Spare Tire Mount, and a 10K Side Wind Jack.
Iron Bull Trailer Spotlight: 7×14 14K DTB (DTB8314072)
The Iron Bull 7×14 14K DTB Dump Trailer is the flagship dump trailer and truly unique in the trailer industry the way it stacks two 6” I-Beams – one on the box and one on the frame. The combination creates an effective 12” stacked beam with 24 pounds per foot when you need it: during loading and during travel. Compare this to the industry norm of a single 8” I-Beam. The DTB dump trailer also has bed runners sized for skid steer tracks to increase support and eliminate floor warping. The DTB is a monster and favored by professionals who demand a lot from their equipment.
Iron Bull also manufactures “baby bull” trailers which use the same stacked twin 6” I-Beam and bed runners:
And if you want a lower profile standard 8” I-Beam, consider the Iron Bull 7×14 14K DWB. This dump trailer load rides lower to the ground and includes the extra detail found in all Iron Bull trailers.
A Cutting-Edge Trailer Manufacturing Process
Iron Bull’s commitment to quality trailer is evident in its state-of-the-art manufacturing process. The company uses advanced Bystronic laser cutters, robotic welders, and enormous brake presses to ensure precision and efficiency. The entire process, from cutting steel to final assembly, takes only two to three days, allowing the company to produce a significant volume of trailers while maintaining the highest quality standards.
An integral part of Iron Bull’s trailer manufacturing process is bead blasting and powder coating. Bead blasting ensures that trailers are stripped down to pure metal, creating a clean surface that ensures longevity. The trailers are then powder-coated, a process that involves baking the powder onto the trailer at 400°F for 20 minutes. This ensures a durable finish that outperforms traditional wet paint. Iron Bull also tests the thickness of the powder coat on every trailer to ensure consistency. Iron Bull enlisted IFS Coatings for their expertise to perfect the powder coating process.
Iron Bull Trailer Spotlight: Iron Bull 7×20 14K Flatdeck Equipment Trailer with Rampage Ramps
The Iron Bull 7×20 14K Equipment Trailer with Rampage Ramps is one of our best sellers for a reason. It is a solid equipment trailer built to last. It starts with a heavy duty 8” I-Beam frame at 19 pounds per foot.
Why demanding professionals love this trailer:
- Heavy Duty 8 inch I-Beam (19#/foot): enough said
- Supersized Toolbox: everyone wants an oversized toolbox
- 10K Drop Leg Jack: the extra capacity provides longevity and peace of mind
- Rampage ramps: stop worrying about precision loading that expensive equipment
- 8 D-Rings: secure your load without having to get creative
- Removable fenders: great for accommodating those wide and awkward loads
The EWBs are available in lengths from 18’ to 24’ and have other options. Contact one of our trailer professionals today to learn more or set-up a time to visit and inspect one for yourself.
Iron Bull Trailer Spotlight: 7×20 14K 16/4 Split I-Beam (TWB8320072)
The Iron Bull 7×20 14K 16/4 Split Tilt I-Beam is an industry leader. Iron Bull was the first manufacturer in this category, and we all know about the view if you’re not the lead dog in the pack.
Iron Bull’s TWB is a split deck / tilt deck trailer so you get the lower loading angles and fewer hang up points from the ramps of a traditional flat deck trailer. It has an 8-inch I-Beam frame for higher capacity loads and durability.
A very helpful feature is the standard tilt lockout so you can load the trailer locked in the tilt position and then lower it when you want, safely. Arguably, the ginormous toolbox is worthy of “favorite feature” status.
- Heavy Duty 8 inch I-Beam (19#/ft)
- 14-degree deck angle plus knife edge tail approach
- Lock Deck Position while loading with Standard Control Valve
- Torsion axles for lower deck height, less maintenance
- Removable Diamond Plate Fenders
Too much trailer for your needs? But still want an Iron Bull Tilt Deck? Check out the Iron Bull Split/Tilt Deck Trailers here.
Materials and Components: Built to Last
Iron Bull Trailers takes great pride in using top-tier materials. The company sources grade A steel, ensuring the integrity of every trailer frame. Lumber used in trailers is #3 pressure-treated, providing durability for any job. Beyond materials, Iron Bull also manufactures its own components under the Apex brand, including scissor hoists, axles, and pumps. This allows Iron Bull Trailers to maintain full control over the quality of key parts and ensures compatibility across models. We mentioned the premium stainless-steel components above.
One standout feature is the lifetime LED lighting on Iron Bull trailers. These lights are not only bright but also incredibly durable, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
New Models and Continuous Innovation
Iron Bull continues to innovate with new trailer models, catering to both professional contractors and homeowners. The DCB (Dump Compact Bed) trailer models, for instance, are built with a focus on affordability without sacrificing quality. The DTB (Dump Trailer Bed) models and DWB (Dump Wide Bed) models, on the other hand, cater to professionals who need a more robust, overbuilt solution.
Iron Bull Trailers has also expanded its product line with the UCB (Utility Compact Bed), a versatile and lightweight trailer designed for homeowners and hobbyists who need a reliable, cost-effective option. This model features a cleaner design with ramps stored underneath the trailer, offering a streamlined appearance similar to larger, professional models.
These new models exemplify Iron Bull’s dedication to overbuilding their products for added durability while remaining mindful of consumer needs for more accessible, cost-effective trailer options.
Trailer Warranty and Support: Industry-Leading Confidence
Iron Bull’s warranty is another area where the company excels. In addition to standard structural warranties, the company offers roadside assistance that covers both the trailer and the tow vehicle. This service provides peace of mind, ensuring that customers can get help for both trailer and vehicle-related issues while on the road. It is one of the best, if not the best, warranties in the country.
The company’s approach to trailer warranty claims is remarkable, often working directly with component suppliers to resolve issues quickly. This commitment to standing behind their products sets Iron Bull Trailers apart in an industry where reliability is crucial.
Looking Ahead
With its roots in family values and a focus on innovative, customer-driven design, Iron Bull Trailers continues to lead the industry. From high-end professional-grade trailers to more economical models for homeowners, the company remains committed to overbuilding its products to ensure durability and customer satisfaction. Iron Bull’s partnership with trailer dealers, along with its cutting-edge manufacturing processes, ensures that it will remain a leader in trailer manufacturing for years to come.
As the company continues to expand into new areas, such as Mohawk Zero-Turn Mowers and Empirian Buckets and Grapples, Iron Bull’s future looks incredibly bright. By staying true to its core values of innovation, durability, and customer collaboration, Iron Bull Trailers is poised to remain a dominant force in the trailer industry.
