ATV Dump Trailer

[Newfiestang50]

I have been thinking about building or buying a dump trailer that I can tow with my ATV. I will be using this trailer to move earth (topsoil & general fill) or what ever else comes about around the house when using my Kubota BX25.

I would like a trailer that I can dump automatically from the seat of my ATV but the ones I have available here in Canada are very expensive (> $2500CDN). For this reason I am leaning more towards building. I have found a complete frame from costco (link below) and was wondering if some of the DIY trailer experts could give me an opinion on the actuator I have linked below and if it would work to give me enough lift to dump all contents. I know this is a question not easily answered but just some general concerns would be great.

Trailer link ------> Costco - Linamar® 4 ft. x 4 ft. Galvanized-steel Trailer

Actuator lnik -----> https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=5-1751&catname=electric

 

[beenthere]

You would have too little dump angle on that Costco trailer.

What weight of material are you going to try to dump?

I have a Gator with a dump box (and similar linear actuator). It pivots at the rear, and a load of gravel is too heavy to lift to dump. So I built a longer temporary plywood box to set in it that somewhat balances the weight over the pivot point, and it works fine. But the pivot point is higher off the ground too.

Might be able to retrofit the Costco trailer, but think building a frame from scratch with large diam wheels would be better. Good luck. Don't want to discourage you from getting it done.

 

[J_J]

You say the frame is 48 x 48 in, but will the bed be larger, and how high are the sides going to be, and what kind of load do you expect to lift. That linear actuator should work, but is not the fastest.

You could use an outboard motor 12V hyd tilt pump for the hydraulics source, and a hyd cylinder. They are very small I am using one on a scraper blade to raise and lower the unit. Just flip a toggle switch for up and down.

 

[notme]

heres an idea...u said u live in canada, every once in awhile crappy tire puts there 12v scissor jack on sale for about 40 bucks, thats what i have under my atv dump trailer, if i rmbr right when its folded right up it is rated at 450lbs as it opens it gains its power to its rated 1.5 ton.... and thats how i did it

 

[Newfiestang50]

You would have too little dump angle on that Costco trailer.

What weight of material are you going to try to dump?

I have a Gator with a dump box (and similar linear actuator). It pivots at the rear, and a load of gravel is too heavy to lift to dump. So I built a longer temporary plywood box to set in it that somewhat balances the weight over the pivot point, and it works fine. But the pivot point is higher off the ground too.

Might be able to retrofit the Costco trailer, but think building a frame from scratch with large diam wheels would be better. Good luck. Don't want to discourage you from getting it done.

Not sure what the weight of soil is but I figured since the trailer is only 4x4 I wouldn't be able to get enough of any material in there to stall a 2000lb actuator (unless its over rated). With that said, I only plan on making the dump bed 4x4 as well with 14" sides. Also, I plan on adding bigger ATV wheels and tires as well for better weight distribution.

 

[Newfiestang50]

You say the frame is 48 x 48 in, but will the bed be larger, and how high are the sides going to be, and what kind of load do you expect to lift. That linear actuator should work, but is not the fastest.

You could use an outboard motor 12V hyd tilt pump for the hydraulics source, and a hyd cylinder. They are very small I am using one on a scraper blade to raise and lower the unit. Just flip a toggle switch for up and down.

JJ, could you possibly provide me with a website that sells such a unit so I can take a look.

 

[sizzami]

what size atv are you pulling this trailer with? while focusing on what your trailer will dump be carefull not to overlook what you can safely tow dirt is very heavy and can get heavier with any moisture

 

[Newfiestang50]

what size atv are you pulling this trailer with? while focusing on what your trailer will dump be carefull not to overlook what you can safely tow dirt is very heavy and can get heavier with any moisture

My ATV is a 660 Grizzly. I dont plan on going crazy with the loads but if I can avoid getting off the ATV 100 times a day it would be great. Also, that is why I was interested in the 4x4 frame from Costco because it would kind of limit my quantities, assuming I dont build it with 24" sides......which I am not.

 

[rdbrumfield]

This works for me. I don't mind getting off to manually use the winch, a small electric one would do the trick nicely in the place of the boat winch.

 

[ETpilot]

Here is a trailer I fabricated. I had the wheels and the V axle supports from an old trailer. It is 4x6 and about 18" (???) sides. Since it sits up high I get a good dump angle. The box is well balanced and I can raise the load fairly easy. The box is lined with exterior plywood. Since it is sheltered when not used, it will last a good time. The tailgate slides vertically on the back or I could just leave it off. If anything, I could have used a bit more tongue weight. I use my Honda FourTrax as the tow vehicle.

Talk about useful, it is. I have added folding tool racks on the side to hold the equipment I may need. It is manual lift but it works for me.

 

[J_J]

JJ, could you possibly provide me with a website that sells such a unit so I can take a look.

MERCURY TILT TRIM HYDRAULIC PUMP 828708 REFURBISHED : eBay Motors (item 270611069342 end time Aug-20-10 13:19:59 PDT)

These hyd tilt and trim pumps, are used to raise and lower the boat motor, or adjust the trim. It can feed one or two hyd cylinders. They are expensive when new. Check other sites like Craigs list, and local newspaper, and check out the boat places.

Another linear actuator.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hydraulic-Actua...ic_Hydraulic_Valves_Parts&hash=item43a0975032

 

[Leejohn]

JJ that is just the motor. I don't think it has the base,(pump). But you right about using them, just a little slow for some things. I'm using the I.O. cyl for my little loader i'm working on. I made new pistons for the cyls. to do away with the check valves and took out the floating piston. That gave me 1" more strock. I'm not using there pump i'm going with a power steering pump for more gpm.

 

[J_J]

This is the complete assembly.

MERCRUISER TRIM PUMP NO RESERVE!!!!!: eBay Motors (item 170517196415 end time Jul-26-10 18:20:48 PDT)

 

[Grut]

Anyone here of ATV Wagon?
ATV Wagon high performance ATV trailers- ATV Dump Trailer - ATV Dumping Cart -Rhino UTV Trailer- Hunting Trailer - RZR side by side trailer -Utility Trailer-ATV Pull Behind Trailer
I was about to pull the trigger on a new 1600UT when I found one on Ebay for the right price.. Nicely built and way cheaper than building it yourself with the hours and metal.
Just my 2 Cents...

 

[ericher69]

Frangelli auto out of California is where I bought my electric linear actuator.

Very reasonalble price and quick shipping. 2years use no failures or problems

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Not sure what the weight of soil is but I figured since the trailer is only 4x4 I wouldn't be able to get enough of any material in there to stall a 2000lb actuator (unless its over rated). With that said, I only plan on making the dump bed 4x4 as well with 14" sides. Also, I plan on adding bigger ATV wheels and tires as well for better weight distribution.

It sounds like you're planning on modifying what you get anyway. I'd say build it. You could also keep your eyes on craigs list or the want ads for an old tilt snowmobile trailer or some such. I've picked up a few around here for about $50 a piece. That would give you the basic frame, wheels, and most of the metal you'd need. It seems a shame to put over $400 into a new trailer frame just to change out the wheels and modify it to get a better dump angle.

The best dump mechanism by far is a 12 volt hydraulic system, but they can be spendy. I think that for the size you're planning, a system like rdbrumfield's would be the best. There are already handlebar switch kits for winches, and you'd also have the winch available to pull stuff up into the trailer. You could even sink $50 into the Harbor Freight winch to get you started.

 

[pat32rf]

A 4'x4' box one foot deep will weigh more than your ATV by quite a bit.....Be careful on the hills.

 

[Onthesauk]

I've accumulated 3 of those small trailers for the ATV over the last few years and end up using the Rubbermaid one, 95% of the time. Picked it up on Craigslist for $65, virtually indestructible and easy for the ATV to pull. Maybe carries just a little less then the other two but so much easier to use. Dump is manual but well balanced. I've got a lot of steep hills, not comfortable with one a whole lot bigger.