For Cannon Trailers, JOST has been the go-to choice for fifth wheels. Image: JOST
A specialist manufacturer of livestock trailers, Cannon Trailers prides itself on its quality workmanship – with its product renowned for standing up to anything that gets thrown their way.
As such, every part of part of the build process is carefully thought out – from the engineering, using the highest quality Australian steel, through to the choice of component suppliers.
“We only use products that have been tested and proven in the field. Australia is the harshest operating environment on the planet. If it’s going to work here, it can work everywhere,” said Joe Cannon, Purchasing Manager at Cannon Trailers.
“At the end of the day, you don’t compromise on the quality of your product. If you put something on that’s unproven, you’re letting your client down and yourself down. It’s the Cannon name on the side of our trailers, so it’s our reputation.”
And it’s for this reason, that JOST has been the company’s go-to supplier for fifth wheels – namely the heavy-duty 37CX fifth wheel.
The 37CX is designed to stand up to heavy duty applications, such as livestock transport. Image: JOST
A product well suited to livestock transport, the 37CX features an increased imposed load rating, high D-Value, beefed up casting, and foot cushions ideal for arduous applications, including multiple trailer combinations operating in difficult terrain. The product also features JOST’s special E-Coating, for additional corrosion protection.
Based in Queensland, Cannon Trailers was started by Joe’s brother Blu Cannon, a former livestock driver, in 1997. It’s a true family operation, with Blu continuing to lead the business as Director, working together with his sons, Rod Cannon serving as Manager and Dan Cannon as Foreman.
The relationship with JOST is one that has endured since the company’s humble beginnings.
“Everything we do is custom built, however the 37CX is the standard fifth wheel we use. We offer clients fifth wheel options from different manufacturers, but on about 90 per cent of our builds, the fifth wheels are JOST,” said Joe.
“The 37CX is designed with livestock and other heavy duty applications in mind. It has a six-bolt saddle design, rather than the usual four-bolt, giving it extra strength. We’ve had a really good run with this product.”
Along with fifth wheels, Cannon Trailers turns to JOST for its king pin and landing leg needs too.
In terms of support, Joe says JOST’s service has been second to none. “JOST in Brisbane has been exceptional – whenever we’ve needed any help, they’ve bent over backwards. They’ve also got really good stock availability too and it’s easy to get parts through JOST’s national network, if you ever need them,” explained Joe.
Along with fifth wheels, Cannon Trailers turns to JOST for king pins and landing legs too. Image: JOST
Transport operator Shanahan’s Livestock Transport has seen the value in Cannon Trailers and JOST’s products for many years.
Operating for over 20 years, it has two depots, located in Albury/Wodonga and Toowoomba – with its fleet of 35 prime movers and around 85 trailers used to transport cattle mainly across the eastern seaboard, as well into South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Company Owner and Director Dom Shanahan says at least 55 of his trailers wear the Cannon name, operating as B-doubles and B-triples.
“The quality of these trailers is second to none. I wouldn’t keep going back otherwise. We’d be lining up for about the 50th set of B-double trailers from them.
“We turn our trucks and trailers over every six years, and even after that time, these trailers still have a lot of life left in them. I have repeat buyers that keep coming back to buy our used trailers because they know the quality that goes into a Cannon.”
Dom added that he’s used JOST fifth wheels from the beginning. “We’ve had a very good run out of JOST for a long while. We sell those trailers with the turntables on them, and they’re a very good and easily serviceable item, that can eventually be rebuilt as well.
“We always run the heavy duty 37CX fifth wheel – it’s custom built for this application. In what we do, we’re loaded up to our weight limits most of the time. When transporting cattle, with the moving load, it puts a lot of pressure on your fifth wheels, so you really can’t cut corners on fifth wheels in our game.”
The quality and longevity of a Cannon trailer is testament to the workmanship that goes into every build, bolstered by the use of only the best quality components.
“Our trailers aren’t built to a price, they’re built to a standard, that’s our motto. We’re not the oldest livestock trailer manufacturer, but we’ve built a product through listening to customers.
“And that’s why people keep coming back to us, because if you want the best cattle trailer, you buy a Cannon.”