Low cost trailer modifications.

[WM75Guy]

Looks good, I like the PVC edge protector idea. I also use 2" straps with twisted snap hooks when I haul hay. My Big Tex 14GN has stake pockets every 2' so I put d-rings in each one. I use an axle strap on the round rub rail support if I need one in between. Makes it easy to strap everything down by myself, plus even if the straps loosen up a little they cannot come off.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I was also looking for a 10k trailer and went to the factory to see one. Then I saw a 14k with the wide ramps. It was a little over $6000, cant remember exact amount in 2023.
Occasionally Sandusky’s in Columbia has aluminum cutoffs fairly reasonable. Ive bought a lot of steel from them.

Thanks for the tip. I live near 206/70 so Columbia is not far.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Looks good, I like the PVC edge protector idea. I also use 2" straps with twisted snap hooks when I haul hay. My Big Tex 14GN has stake pockets every 2' so I put d-rings in each one. I use an axle strap on the round rub rail support if I need one in between. Makes it easy to strap everything down by myself, plus even if the straps loosen up a little they cannot come off.

View attachment 879875

View attachment 879876

No rub rail on my trailer so I rely on the pockets. I use J-hook straps with rub protectors so I can drop the hook through the pocket and bring it up the outside so there is no worry about coming loose should the load move. I have both twisted and straight hooks that I use with axle straps and now the D-rings.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Here is another close up of my hay ramp hooks that allow me to raise and secure it in a near vertical position. Originally, I made the ramp to slide bales of hay onto my trailer rather than to use a sheet of plywood. I used heavy wall conduit to secure it top and bottom. Then I had occasion to load from a ground level barn so I kept the ramp pinned to my lowest angle on the ramps. That did not work so well so I added the aluminum brackets.

That left a large gap which is a safety issue but I rarely load from the ground. The ramp also does not lay flat on the ground.

 

[QRTRHRS]

This is my ramp for loading with a hand truck. This was half of a ramp that I made for the box truck that I used to have. It's heavy and lives out in the weather so it looks rough. The steel tabs perform two tasks. They support the ramp so that the aluminum landing plates does not get bent and the bent tabs hook over the ramp pins to secure it to the trailer. The aluminum plate at the base provides a smooth transition to wheel my hand truck over
.