My new equipment trailer...

[Robbie Hegwood]

Redbug, very nice trailer. The most unique trailer I've seen. As far as axle placement goes,if you haul your tractor with a bushhogg or other attachments and put your tractor on backwards, I believe your weight distrution will be perfect. I haul my father in-laws tractor some and with a frontend loader and bushhogg the weight placement is a pain. It doesn't effect my truck as much as his. I think your too much tongue weight is better than not enough. Money well spent. Robbie

Bigger is better!! 28' triple axle goose 21,000 GVW Mulching on Robbie

 

[Redbug]

Hello Robbie-it's nice meeting you,

Yes, that's good advise and I will try that when I get the tractor, (next purchase). I plan on welding up some low 18" removable sides...like my older smaller trailer, (see earlier pic), and possibly putting a removable winch, (with a plate to hold the winch and 2" reciever type of connection to take the thing on and off). Just a few things to make the trailer more versitile. The spare tire is underneith.

Pat,

That's some interesting information about the paint, etc. Not to stir the pot...but won't the squirrels smell the walnut shells and try to eat the trailer? Ohhh noooo...that's really a bad one!

 

[patrick_g]

Redbud, The squirrels around here have too many pecans to steal from our trees to waste time on walnut shells.

About dump trailers... Our closest trailer manufacturer, Holt Trailers, doesn't build dump trailers. The owner claims when you start to dump, most of the weight is on the rear axle of a tandem rig and that causes premature failure so he doesn't build 'em.

Any comments? I mean excepot build it myself or buy from one of the many builders who do fab dumps.

Pat

 

[Redbug]

Hi there Pat,

Yes, I understand the dilimma. I searched and searched. Like you, I talked to several trailer builders and nobody makes a simple flatbed/DUMP trailer. Especially one with a 20' bed! And there is definately a market for such a trailer, too! An average guy can unload his equipment, then using the tractor to load material on the same trailer...and use it as a dump truck, (within limits)...instead of having to buy a separate dump truck or going back and bringing yet another trailer, (dump), to move the soil or debris. It just makes more sense to have it all in one...for just a few dollars more. But, actually much cheaper than buying the other separate toys. A tilt trailer was an option, but still did not fit the bill. The good news...I finally found a trailer maker who makes these trailers and with the few more add ons I wanted...and that's what you see.

Also, I think that because of the weight shift when dumping...that is why the wheels are a little further back than a normal trailer. But that tradeoff can be worked around with how you load it by keeping most of the heaviest weight in the back half of the trailer...and using common sense. I suppose if you are into road paving and such, you are better off with a dump truck. But, I am just an average guy who likes the versatility of having a dump trailer now and then...even with a shortcoming or two.

I will PM you with more details...

 

[patrick_g]

Redbug, Thanks a lot, man. Things I thought of include a removeble or fold down mid trailer mounted gate so when the trailer is a dumper the "soil" box is not full size and the weight is not allowed too far forward. I also thought I could put some hinged props at the rear of the trailer to contact the ground and take some or most of the load instead of the axles when the bed begins to tilt up to dump.

I like the idea of a Swiss Army trailer. My util trailer is a bit over 18 feet on deck and has a steel tread plate deck and fenders. It has stake pockets all around, a pipe rail in front, and a "half dovetail" so I don't loose too much off road clearance but don't make tractor loading too hard either.

I intend to make a knock down set of panels that use the stake pockets to convert this HD car hauler into a stock trailer. Then I can haul cattle, haul my tractor, haul logs, dump gravel/dirt, or... I'm thinking now that I will settle for the GVWR of 12,000 as is and build an accessory to make this trailer a dumper. It will be a compromise and I will only be able to safely haul about 4 tons or so with the dumper kit on board but the "kit" will be removable and give me back my regular trailer configuration.

Pat

 

[Redbug]

Hi Patrick,

I PM'ed you and sent you some info on my trailer. You have some really good ideas with yours. I am intrigued with the removable dumper kit and cattle hauler plans. Post some PICS! And when you start the project, start a new thread and show PICS! This will be a good project for us to follow. Wow, another Swiss Army Trailer!

PS...I will post pics of my modifications when I do them. Hunting season's in full swing. Not much time right now, when you have to go to work, hunt, maintain a place, keep the wife happy, and live a life. Retirees sure are a lucky lot!

 

[patrick_g]

Dave, Yeah the life of leisure I lead is the envy of the cocktails on the poop deck set. Yeah!!! Actually the reality is that I have worked much harder each year since retiring than at any time in the last 5 years before. I have only had more than a single day off (not to exceed two nights away from home) but 2-3 times in 6 years. I haven't had the camper on the truck in over 5 years. When I worked 40hr/wk I got about a month's vacation a year.

Thanks for the info in the PM. I hope to get started fairly soon on the dump insert project. The down side of yet another projetct is it is just one of many underway. I would still be too busy if I were quints!

Pat

 

[mopacman]

a frind of mine built several dump trailers some with standard axle spaceing. his best was a 20 foot flat bed that the back 14 foot dumped. It was used for roofing jobs the axles were centered under the 14ft dump. you could remove the gates and use it for a car trailer. when used as a dump you can use the front 4ft to haul supplies and tools. If you put non skid surfas on a dump your load will not slide out. Larry

 

[MrJimi]

I found these
All Pro Trailers: Equipment For Sale in , FL

All Pro Trailers: Equipment For Sale in , FL

Jim

 

[BTDT]

This has been a good thread. Lot's of suggestions for your trailer. Here is a drawing, (will have to see if it will work for you) of tall or short sided attatchment. You would have to make dimensions fit your trailer.