Convertible? Flat bed to enclosed?

farmboyhull · Apr 6, 2011

I have the need for a flat bed trailer, but also an animal hauler. I poked around and couldn't find anything here. Seems like one could pick up some sides with a FEL and drop them down into slots on the frame, and fab some sort of roof that could fasten to the sides.

My guess is that anything is possible, and that this could be cheaper than finding two separate trailers, but I'd love to know more.

Anyone try this?

Thanks.

David

MMagis · Apr 6, 2011

farmboyhull said:
My guess is that anything is possible, and that this could be cheaper than finding two separate trailers, but I'd love to know more.

The first part I agree with. The second, I'm not so sure. I think to make it sturdy enough to stand up to 2000 lb animals bouncing off the sides, I think you'd spend more time and money than just buying two used dedicated trailers.

farmboyhull · Apr 7, 2011

Rats.

Diamondpilot · Apr 7, 2011

I agree with the other guys here. Buy a junk animal hauler and rebuild it over the winter. By the It would take a couple hours each and every time to change it around. Just too much of a pain in the butt.

The only solution I could think of would be getting hold of shipping container and modifying it for animals. It would be plenty strong. If the trailer had a winch you could pull it up on then drag it off when done. I would think 30 minutes to get in on the trailer and chained down and maybe 10 to get it off.

But here again you are most of the way to a used horse trailer. I see 2 horse bumper pull models sell for $800 all the time around here.

Chris

dmay · Apr 8, 2011

farmboyhull said:
I have the need for a flat bed trailer, but also an animal hauler.

I do not approve of this practice... but ... here is what others do...

YouTube - Horse in back of mini truck

YouTube - Patches the Horse

farmboyhull · Apr 10, 2011

Good Lord.

Won't be trying that any time soon.

As far as the convertible trailer goes, I would probably only put the enclosed part on twice a year, so it could be a tougher job.

I'm not sure my truck (5.9 Cummins) would be enough to haul a super souped up trailer, so that may also be the limiting factor.

Thanks for the thoughts, gents.

David

Iplayfarmer · Apr 12, 2011

farmboyhull said:
Good Lord.

Won't be trying that any time soon.

As far as the convertible trailer goes, I would probably only put the enclosed part on twice a year, so it could be a tougher job.

I'm not sure my truck (5.9 Cummins) would be enough to haul a super souped up trailer, so that may also be the limiting factor.

Thanks for the thoughts, gents.

David

Do you really need a roof?

We hauled horses all over the countryside in the back of a pickup when I was a kid. We had a stock rack that would slide into the stake pockets of the truck bed. We'd haul two horses. Dad never even had a horse trailer until I was gone to college. We'd back the truck up to a ditch bank or drop the wheels into the borrow pit on the side of the road to get the bed down to where the horses could step in and out.

It can't be that hard to work up something similar with a trailer. What will you be hauling? I can see concerns if you're move bull buffalo from point A to point B; but gentle horses, sheep, or goats should work just fine with what you are proposing.

farmboyhull · Apr 14, 2011

I don't suppose I need a roof, but I can't put them in back of the truck.

I'll be hauling one or two steer, plus a few pigs or goats or sheep. I figured a roof would be helpful in a few ways, but the biggest being structural.

Iplayfarmer · Apr 14, 2011

farmboyhull said:
I don't suppose I need a roof, but I can't put them in back of the truck.

I'll be hauling one or two steer, plus a few pigs or goats or sheep. I figured a roof would be helpful in a few ways, but the biggest being structural.

I think you can do it. The roof would likely double the cost and fabrication time and then double the assembly time each time you use it. Only you can know if it's worth it or not. If you're hauling steers make the side rails out of steel. Square tube or pipe would likely be best. Either build an arched gate for the rear or design your rear gate so that it provides some structural integrity when it's closed and latched.

What size trailer did you say you are coverting?