Bifold hinged trailgate

[clee4020]

I have a 6'x14' utility trailer with a tailgate that is at least 4' long (probaly longer). I would like to cut in half and weld some type of hinge to fold it in the middle. Shouild I buy a heavy duty hinge or fab my on out of pipe and round stock? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[wvpolekat]

My trailer as the same thing, but it folds. It has a couple of heavy regular hinges. But, mine is on the side and doesnt take much weight. I would build them to drive anything heavy up.

 

[clee4020]

Pics would help if anyone has any.

 

[wvpolekat]

When I go to lunch I will grab some of mine if it's not too muddy.

 

[MikeA57]

What are you going to put on the trailer? A smaller CUT may work fine but anything larger I'd be concerned about bending the tailgate (depending of course on the strength of the stock that is framing and supporting the gate.) But, cutting the tailgate in half and adding laterals across the top/bottom of the 2 sections ought to add strength to it.

Edit: Looking at it closer though, I missed that it's only a single axle so I guess anything larger than a small CUT probably wouldn't be feasible anyway...

 

[Snaker]

Idea. How about making hinges from pipe as you say. On each hinge, include a swinging leg that will sit on the ground when the ramp is down. That would give you plenty of support and let you "roll and unroll" the ramp rather than pulling the end out and having the center slam down.

 

[Rickstir]

I have a trailer like that. Pain in the *** to get the tailgate up! Because of the weight there is no leverage on the part nearest you. You have to start with the end on the ground (bent over) and in mid-stroke move your hands up the rails on the side of the thing. I have thrown my back out twice.

 

[Scooby074]

i didnt use pipe on mine

just some 3/8 plate cut into tabs and 3/4" bolts for pins. alternate the tabs like a butt hinge on a door.


Problem with pipe is corrosion. Yes you can drill and tap for zerks but...

Youll also have to weld 2 pieces of square tube in to have something to close against. Basically the new tube will go acrosss both sides of the hinge plane, parallel to the plane, to give an area under compression when the ramp is fully extended and a place to weld the tabs to.

When i built mine, i pieced 4 smaller pieces of tube in each side between the existing supports. This didnt work well and resulted in twisting once the piece was finished welded. A better solution is to leave the new pieces full width when installing. This will give a better finished result plus save half the welding

 

[High Compression]

Are you struggling with the weight or the length??? If it is just the weight, try adding some gas shocks to aid in lifting. My gate is 90" wide and I can lift it with one finger. Otherwise if you need to have it shorter, I would go to a good trailer supply place and buy some pre-fab hinges to weld in the middle. Or if you have machining ability, fab your own hinges on a lathe.