offroad trailer

[debushau]

I wanted to find a trailer that I can use to haul stuff around my land - pulled either by a tractor or a 4x4. The two immediate uses I have are something I can load cut (not split) wood into and also to move soil around.

A dump facility would be great too. I don't need something that can be registered so a home build type thing is an option too. Life's too short to carry stuff around in the loader bucket.

I got one of those twin axle Agrifab ATV trailers but after using it about 6 times, it's pretty much falling apart. It was also way too small and could not take much weight. I was using it with an ATV. I knew better but ignored my good sense.

From the looks of it, hay wagon type things are just too long and lack any kind of suspension. Those small military trailers like M101 or M416's are small, have no tailgate and are really pricey. The Bri-Mar and EZ Dumper trailers are really nice too but they are a lot of coin - plus they don't seem to be designed for offroad use. Perhaps a single axle version might be okay? I have thought about a Mule/Rhino type thing or a mini-truck but I don't really want another engine to maintain (plus, I could get a supernice Bri-Mar for what those things cost).

Is there anything out there that would suit or somewhere plans can be located that will work?

 

[soarkrebel1]

Those cheap agri fab type yard carts need some serious modification to be worth anything!
I modded one over a decade ago and just recently had to overhaul......well completely redo it.

 

[Shmudda]

If you are handy with a welder and fabrication tools you are further ahead to purchase an axle, tires/wheels and build your own. I did that and now have triplets (3 trailers) because I had so much fun building them! You can get an axle with hubs for less than 100 bucks on Ebay, and tires/wheels for 35 each or so. Depending on size the steel will cost you 250 or so, but you will have something built hellful strong and last a lifetime.

I'll get some pics of mine and post them, its truly worth the time and effort to build them.

Craig

 

[john_bud]

I built a 5x10 trailer for off road hauling, but also to haul the 4x4 to the off road, then use the 4x4 to haul the trailer. Getting torsion axles eliminates most of the stuff that gets hung up on logs, stumps, rocks etc. Way smoother riding too.

jb

 

[debushau]

I have been thinking about building something - I have a welder (only a 135), cutting tools and some fab tools. I also have a bunch of spare wheels/tires from old Landcruisers. I have a set of decent leaf springs and hangers too that could be put to use. I guess leaf's will bounce around but they're tough.

I went on to the trailer plans site and they have various plans for dump and utility trailers - though I imagine for low speed use in the woods, almost any kind of frame sitting on a straight axle will work since I don't need electric brakes or even lighting.

Is adding a dump a lot of complication - I notice there's something called the pneulift that's supposed to be a simple install.

 

[mnbowhunter1960]

I HAVE USED MY OTTER TRAILER FOR YEARS, I HAVE NEVER HAD IT ON THE TRACTOR BUT I AM SURE IT WOULD WORK FINE,WORKS GREAT FOR THE ATV. LOTS OF SIZES AVAILABLE AND THEY ARE REALLY TOUGH LITTLE TRAILERS.

ATV trailers, atv trailer - X-Series, by Otter Outdoors!

 

[dogtired]

Those cheap agri fab type yard carts need some serious modification to be worth anything!
I modded one over a decade ago and just recently had to overhaul......well completely redo it.

What mods did you make ?

 

[czechsonofagun]

I built this trailer to pull with my CJ7 - here it is pictured with GC - but I use it behind a tractor too. Trailer

 

[john_bud]

Is adding a dump a lot of complication - I notice there's something called the pneulift that's supposed to be a simple install.

Yes. You need to build 2 frames, one on top of the other. Both must be strong enough to carry the total weight. The top frame pivots at the back and is pushed up, normally from a sissors lift in the middle.

It does sound like you could do it, but it will add more complexity.

jb

 

[wushaw]

I built this for my place http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/116440-building-dump-trailer.html

I have 1500.00 into it and its 2.1 cu yds, it would be a little heavy for a four wheeler ( actually alot ), I usually pull it with my Jeep when moving dirt and use the little tractor for tree trimmings.

 

[debushau]

That's a nice looking trailer. I will have to start gathering parts for a winter build. I started to look through the Dexter catalog - the torflex system looks like a nice compact solution.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

How much weight are you planning to haul with it?
What's your ground like... rocky, hilly, flat, rough?
What kind of speeds do you think you'll go?

I have about $300 into a double axle hydraulic dumper that I built with recycled metal and lawn mower axles. I has no suspension, but it will haul and dump about a ton. I have really used it a lot since I built it. The nice thing about building it myself was that I was able to include the features I wanted, like removable sides.

 

[debushau]

How much weight is mostly a function of what I can fit in it but I think 2 ton would be adequate. It would be pulled at a speed of no more than 5mph. Terrain is hilly and bumpy.

I went and bought one of those trailer kits for a 5200lb single axle together with some dump trailer plans as I don't really have any spare bits lying around other than the wheels and a set of trailer lights.

I have been looking at some scissors lift hoists on Ebay and Pierce Arrow. The logic generally seems to be that a scissors lift works much better than a single cylinder although the single cylinder is less expensive and probably adequate for my needs. One thing that's a little unclear from looking at pictures is how a single cylinder setup needs to be mounted. I would think it needs to be mounted at a shallow angle to the bed. Also, not sure how the pivots at the end of the bed are best made - I should probably go to a trailer dealer and take photos.

My plan would be to run the hydraulics directly from the tractor rear remote as this would save the need to put in a valve, pump, motor, battery, etc. I figure that even if I use something else to pull the trailer in place, I can plug it into the tractor to dump.

Hopefully I wont get a shock when I price some steel.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

If you can run it off the tractor hydraulics it will save you some significant cost. It will also make it pretty easy as you will be able to run it from the tractor seat.

 

[natem]

Check out the ATV Wagon, by Boski. I bought one a few months ago and love it. type in "atv wagon" on you tube and you can see it in action.

 

[wushaw]

My cylinder is mounted a 10deg angle, I got that from the blue prints, I just took a measurment straight off the page since it wasn't written anywhere....it works
I used iron pipe and cold rolled solid bar for the pivot.
There are other methods, like two ears and a bolt.

I also went to the trailer place and took many photos of a 14k dump trailer and used some of their ideas like the double action pump and some of the assy ideas.

Just remember several here have built trailers of some form or fashion so just ask if you need any ideas or answers.

 

[debushau]

I just got a set of plans and I see that they use the pipe and bar method for the hinge. I also took a look at a trailer in a local store which used the ear and bolt with a grease fitting. I am a little surprised that these systems dont use some kind of bearing but I guess it's very slow mo. Most bearings aren't really rated for the potential force generated by the cylinder.

Anyway, I have my plans and already put a few calls into some local steel suppliers. I will have to modify the plan so that I can meet the quantity minimums - everything is sold in 20ft lengths.

 

[wushaw]

I put in a grease fitting on the pivot of the pie & bar.

Take your digital camera and take many pictures so you can have them on hand for reference.

 

[debushau]

I did actually build the trailer referred to in this thread. I finished it about a year and a half ago but I figure I should provide some evidence by attaching some photos.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Very nice. Is it powered off the tractors hydros?

Chris