Dump Trailer build

[Sodo]

LOL thats a pic of a 1998 dumper. Its pretty well tested by now. Probably best to copy old, heavily-used trailers. Mine is 22 years old but I think It had an easy life (before me). But maybe a hundred heavy loads since I got it.

Not real surprising that the pile moves first before the bed but it is pushing directly under the middle of the pile. I dont know if EZ-Dump still builds it this way.

Every extra pound of steel you carry around is one less pound of dirt it can carry (by spec). So for a commercial product its ideal to have minimum steel weight for the strength necessary. If you have a bigger truck to pull it with, trailer weights probably not an issue.

 

[fireemann]

Hey everyone. Just to give a Little back story on my idea. I’m basing my idea off of a pickup I had. For awhile I had an F250 that had a under bed dump hoist from northern hydraulics. The guy I bought it from said he used to haul 2.5 to 3 ton of sand in the bed for putting in swimming pools. The hinge was at the tip of the frame on the truck. The scissor was mounted 60 in from the tip of the frame. The truck was worn out so I saved the hoist and the hydraulic unit. My plan is to build a stout little trailer that is capable of dumping 2-3 ton max. I want the trailer capable of hauling more. Knowing it will not dump it. I came across a pile of 3in angle 1/4” wall at a salvage yard. I ended up getting 14 pieces 10 ft long. I plan on cross members every 12 in for the “box”. The box will be 8x12 with 2 ft high sides. The axles and springs came from an old mobile home and cut down. The main c-channel frame will eventually get more cross members added to hopefully line up and help support the box cross members.

 

[fireemann]

 

[fireemann]

On thinking about the forces with the tip I’m doubling the channel across the back. The rear spring shackle mount is under the back corners to help support the vertical weight from the load and the added channel will hopefully add a bunch of strength to help prevent rotating and twisting when the box is dumping.

 

[davedj1]

With a hoist I would think the bed would be designed with two long channels on either side of the hoist, it will add a ton of strength to the box.
As seen here PIERCE Dump Bed Kit for Flatbeds - Pierce Arrow Inc.

 

[LD1]

View attachment 656915

Looks like a great place to trap moisture and debris and rot from the inside there.

8x12 box is huge for only wanting to dump 2-3 tons.

IS this going to be titled and registered? Or only used on private property?

What is the load ratings of your MH axles? I cringe everytime I see them on a trailer.

 

[CoyPatton]

Looks like a great place to trap moisture and debris and rot from the inside there.

8x12 box is huge for only wanting to dump 2-3 tons.

IS this going to be titled and registered? Or only used on private property?

What is the load ratings of your MH axles? I cringe everytime I see them on a trailer.

I have to agree. It is a common assumption that MH axles and springs are heavy duty. That assumption is usually devastated when MH construction is observed.
Also they are intended for limited use! They are designed to get the MH to the dealer’s lot then to the setup location.

My son several years ago bragged to me about the deal he got on a trailer (short ?12’? Flatbed). He sent me some pictures and it had MH axles under it. I had him crawl under to check se things with the axles and springs. Instead of telling me answers he told me he had ordered axles and springs to put under it. He still came out ok on overall price as it has almost 3’ dovetail, but he could have shopped and found one for not much more money and not had to work on it.

 

[aczlan]

I have to agree. It is a common assumption that MH axles and springs are heavy duty. That assumption is usually devastated when MH construction is observed.
Also they are intended for limited use! They are designed to get the MH to the dealer’s lot then to the setup location.

My son several years ago bragged to me about the deal he got on a trailer (short ?12’? Flatbed). He sent me some pictures and it had MH axles under it. I had him crawl under to check se things with the axles and springs. Instead of telling me answers he told me he had ordered axles and springs to put under it. He still came out ok on overall price as it has almost 3’ dovetail, but he could have shopped and found one for not much more money and not had to work on it.

It does depend on the axle, there are both mobile home axles and Dayton axles which look the same, but Dayton axles are heavier, use standard size bearings and are intended for long-term use versus being intended to be disposable like mobile home axles are.
A giveaway if you look at the brake axles from the back is that Dayton axles will have bolt on brake backing plates whereas mobile home axles have welded on ones.

Aaron Z

 

[LD1]

I have to agree. It is a common assumption that MH axles and springs are heavy duty. That assumption is usually devastated when MH construction is observed.
Also they are intended for limited use! They are designed to get the MH to the dealer’s lot then to the setup location.

My son several years ago bragged to me about the deal he got on a trailer (short ?12’? Flatbed). He sent me some pictures and it had MH axles under it. I had him crawl under to check se things with the axles and springs. Instead of telling me answers he told me he had ordered axles and springs to put under it. He still came out ok on overall price as it has almost 3’ dovetail, but he could have shopped and found one for not much more money and not had to work on it.

And an actual pair of trailer axles aren't super expensive.

Just hate seeing someone put ALOT of time and money in dabbing a trailer, then skimping on axles to save a buck.

Not to mention almost zero resale value.

I see ALOT of trailers for sale all the time. MH axles under a trailer and they sit for months at prices 4 times less than a new trailer. Similar trailers with real axles being 80-90% new price and are gone in less than a week

 

[fireemann]

Finally had some time in the garage to get back on it. Cross members are cut and root welded.

 

[davedj1]

Looking good, I have got to get back to work on mine, if this heat lets up..................

 

[fireemann]

Figured out I suck at vertical welding with the stick welder. So I went and bought some new hardware. Gotta say I’m impressed with the harbor freight welder.

 

[CADplans]

View attachment 662653


Figured out I suck at vertical welding with the stick welder.

I do not understand this term "vertical welding" that you discuss ??

:laughing:

Nice welder, some day, I will break down, and get one of those,,,

:thumbsup:

 

[fireemann]

Lol. It was my excuse to buy the welder. The problem I ran into was my tractor and my mini hoe has been on a job site for 3 weeks. Other wise I would have done the same thing.

My other mig is a Hobart 140. It is a great machine and I’ve welded lots with it. I just wanted a 220 wire feed. All I can say is this titanium welds great so far. Holy cow does it burn hot. Totally different sound and heat when you weld with it. The dump box frame is 3/8 angle. I now have the ability to single pass weld it with this welder.

 

[fireemann]

Here’s to the start of sore wrists

 

[Xfaxman]

I use a hole saw for that size hole. Sore wrist is less likley.

 

[fireemann]

I would have except I didn’t have the right size. Everything but.

 

[Oldpath05]

Hole saws that I used are slow, sharp bit with Tap Magic and second handle should be ok.

 

[fireemann]

Brought her out of the garage today. Going to haul some logs tomorrow to finish up a tree job. Then clean the garage up and figure out where the scissor needs to mount.

 

[Oldpath05]

In other words figure out the hard part and since the trailer is a female it might be even harder.