Home built 5'X8' dump trailer

[Oldmax]

This is an onging project I have been working on for about a year .

 

[Sherweld]

Very nice indeed. Exactly what I have in mind. Keep us posted please.

 

[alltoys]

This is something I have to build myself. I do have a question though. Doesn't your axles have to be twisted down more? Center of your axles look even with the frame not much distance for movement of the tires.

 

[Oldmax]

The axles are 3500-lb Torsion axles With Brakes from Travel Trailer. and I have my doubts about ground clearance myself. But was all I could come up with at time. Chould be OK for road. Worked last winter on it but haven't had time to work on this summer. Built from parts collected over the years & from my scrap pile.

 

[alltoys]

I am curious about your axles because the torsion rubber block I have seen the support arms hang down almost at a 45* angle. Yours are level with the frame, not much suspension from what I see from your pics. Just my observation might be something to watch for later on.

 

[Tig]

Very nice project. Can't wait to see more.

 

[Oldmax]

alltoys : The axles are from a Travel Trailer "an older one same hight as a 4" dropped axle " I mounted them same as on trailer. There isn't much give to them . If they don't work I will be looking for some stright axles with springs.

 

[Renze]

If they don't work I will be looking for some stright axles with springs.

I dont know how strong these axles are, and where you would use this dumptrailer: However i can imagine a swing arm of a torsion axle bending, when you pull it around the corner with a tractor in a rutted field.

I worked at a trailer manufacturer (till last week) and we found many torsion axles to bend when people cornered too tight around kerb stones... Those were 1800kg (3500 Lbs) Knott axles. Your Dexter axles might be stronger though, i dont know, the only times i saw Dexter axles was when we converted big North American horse trailers and camper trailers, to European axles with air brakes (above 3500 kg axle weight, a powered braking system (air or hydraulic) with ABS is required in Europe)
The Dexters i've seen, just rolled on and off a lowboy into our workshop and never saw any real life excersise

 

[RWolf]

To give a bit more clearance remount the axles under the frame. IMO better to have the loade on top of the axles instead of under. Also would give you abit more clearance in the field.

 

[alchemysa]

I've often wondered about the use of trailers in the US. Here in Australia is seems that every second person I know owns a trailer (usually a 6x4) but I never see them in US movies or TV shows. Are they uncommon in the US? Personally I have an 8x5 and couldn't live without it. We've never really been big on 'Pickups' over here so perhaps that explains the popularity of trailers.