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.

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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
.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I had posted this photo of my trailer with 60 40lb round bales of hay on another thread awhile back. I had it "trussed" up like a Thanksgiving turkey due to not having the right tie down points so I got busy since then.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I added rub rails to the stake pockets on both sides. The driver's side had three pockets so I added one more.

The passenger side also had three stake pockets but the spare tire is mounted in between.

So, I welded a "D" ring to the tire mounting bracket.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I had a local gate shop fab up a six foot high corral panel to fit within the ~84" wide deck side rails for a head board. A little more security when I haul small square bales stacked five layers high. I made brackets that the panel sits in. In order to further stabilize it I added the diagonal brackets. The panel can be pulled out of the bolt on support brackets as needed.

I already had previously welded two "D" rings onto the factory vertical brackets about 1/3 of the way in from the sides. I added "D" rings to the sides and the center.

 

[QRTRHRS]

There are two stack pockets behind the fenders. Since the ramp support brackets are in the way, I could not ad a rub rail so I welded "D" rings there as well.

I had previously welded "D" rings to the center of the fenders. That was an easy ad on because the verticle support was already there. I just needed to add a horizontal and diagonal support to it. For the front and rear rings, I welded 3/16"x3" flatstock to the trailer frame inside of the fenders. I then welded 3.5" x 5/16" angle and 3"x1/4" angle to more 3" flatstock. Picture a "square" Z. I welded these to the frame behind the tires then bolted the flatstock together through the verticle fender sheet metal.

Except for the two front corner "D" rings, I used overkill 1/2" rings. Mostly for looks and not much more expensive.

 

[QRTRHRS]

But I was not done yet. I picked up this set of steps locally for 20 bucks.

After a bit of cutting, grinding, welding and some paint, I have a "catch all" rack within my trailer tongue strong enough to dance on. I think that I am done now, at least my wife thinks so.