Dump trailer for cord wood

[ktm250rider]

Ive read many of the posts about home built and store built dump trailers. Does anyone use them for cord wood and how have they held up?
Currently, Im using a snow bear 4x8 utility trailer to get my wood out. I have to load by hand and then unload by hand. I use the trailer for road use (dirtbike, snowmobile, trash) and its taking a pretty good beating working in the woods.
Im thinking about one of the country manufacturing dump trailers (4x8 tandem axle) trailer for wood duty. Most of my roads are pretty smooth. The couple of rough sections I could smooth out if needed. Im more worried about the longevity of the trailer with throwing wood in and being able to dump the full load in one shot. Also, if I could pull a full cord per load would be nice too.

 

[lhfarm]

I haven't used my Country Manufacturing tralier for cord wood, but I've loaded it with heavy/wet clay/muck while cleaning my pond. I don't think you can beat it for the price. Do some searching and you will read about several owners who have really put them to work.

My only concern is the bed w/sides is pretty high off the ground if you are chucking big hunks of wood. I also had some issues getting my hydraulic system to match up to the cylinder requirements. I was using a 12v pump setup. Once I got that fixed, I didn't have any problems dumping a full load.

 

[newlife]

I use my country way trailer to haul fire wood, but I put 5/4 decking on the sides and bottom instead of the 3/4 they supplied with the trailer. I works well for firewood now.

 

[ktm250rider]

Thanks, I planned on beefing up the floor on what ever I choose. I have a piece of 3/4 currently on the floor of my trailer to help save it a little.

 

[Dirtnut]

This is my dump trailer. 4 x 8 all steel 1/8 in steel floor 3/16 diamond plate sides. 4 inch bore hyd. cylinder; I use this primarily for firewood and hauling rock. Extended the gate height so the wood/rock comes out without hanging up. Have not had any trouble. Can stack the wood as high as the gate. With the steel floor whatever I am hauling, slides out with great ease. Also have a tool box at the front for my chainsaws, gas, tools, etc. The lid opens level toward the front making a table to work on the saws, fill them with gas and oil.

 

[ktm250rider]

That looks nice.
Would love to build something like that. Even the way I treat stuff, that looks like it would hold up. What is the bed frame made out of?

 

[cjcocn]

This is my dump trailer. 4 x 8 all steel 1/8 in steel floor 3/16 diamond plate sides. 4 inch bore hyd. cylinder; I use this primarily for firewood and hauling rock. Extended the gate height so the wood/rock comes out without hanging up. Have not had any trouble. Can stack the wood as high as the gate. With the steel floor whatever I am hauling, slides out with great ease. Also have a tool box at the front for my chainsaws, gas, tools, etc. The lid opens level toward the front making a table to work on the saws, fill them with gas and oil.

That's a pretty trailer (and I mean that in a nice way!).

How heavy are those axles?

Did you add the tool box yourself?

.... oh yes ... did you build it or buy it?

Thanks for the pics!

 

[Dirtnut]

this is when i was building it. the bed frame rails are if memory is correct.(cant measure its buried in snow)4''x 2''x 1/8'' I beams reinforced down the outside web with 3''x3''x1/4''angle. the cross members where the cylinder attaches are the the same way the rails are. the rest are 3''x3''x1/4 angle.the two long angles running back to the the lifting rail are 2''x2''x1/8'' to help spread out the pulling pushing forces. l then got a 4'x8'x1/8'' sheet of steel and stitch welded everything together. i have filled it many times to the top of the gate front to back with rocks picked from my food plot & never had any trouble when dumping. dont know how long the tires will last probably the weakest link.

 

[cjcocn]

You built it!

That makes it even more impressive in my eyes - great job!

 

[Dirtnut]

i built it from scratch. if you could see it up close most of the steel is scrap pieces 1'to5' a friend gets me from work (favor for favor)that i have to weld together to make long lengths. takes extra time but for free steel im not complaining. not sure how heavy the axle is. its a Rice horse trailer axle. the paint was most expensive!!!!!! i knew it would be outside all the time so i used automotive paint so it would last longer. still shines a few years later, with some dings of course.