Small Utility Trailer with suspension?

tony123 · Nov 15, 2007

I found a 4x8 utility trailer. Homemade and selling pretty cheap. However, it is the first one I've seen with shocks and coil springs on it.

How would this suspension effect its usefullness as a utility trailer behind a tractor?

It will do 90% light duty work, but few times a year will be loaded with firewood or mulch....maybe some topsoil loads.

Thanks for you comments.

greg_g · Nov 15, 2007

Shocks/springs mean it was built as an on-road trailer. Off road you're going to have trouble with it bouncing unless you keep the speed down (or load it up). Have you considered ground clearance?

//greg//

Skyco · Nov 15, 2007

Shouldn't bounce if the shocks are doing their job....

MrJimi · Nov 15, 2007

Tony, it sounds like you found an old Hosclaw trailer. Behind your mower it will not be a problem at all.
Go for it but sites like Northerntool.com and Harborfreight.com also have these small trailer for cheap $$
Jim

tony123 · Nov 15, 2007

It is built as an onroad trailer, has lights. I'm only going to own one trailer, so it will be a compromise. I just don't want something that is too bouncy around the farm.

Greg, what is your concern of ground clearance? that seems about the same on most every trailer I see.

I'll compare it to whats available at Northern and HF. I think its built heavier, but of course it is older and not as pretty (which doesn't matter).

Off road, it will only be used behind the tractor, so speed shouldn't be an issue.

crbr · Nov 15, 2007

tony123 said:
I found a 4x8 utility trailer. Homemade and selling pretty cheap. However, it is the first one I've seen with shocks and coil springs on it.

How would this suspension effect its usefullness as a utility trailer behind a tractor?

It will do 90% light duty work, but few times a year will be loaded with firewood or mulch....maybe some topsoil loads.

Thanks for you comments.

It will work just fine. I used one for years configured like what you described (mine was an old trailer made with a rear-end car axle) before I decided to make it road worthy with a straight axle and leaf springs.

rpoage · Nov 15, 2007

I built a 4 x 8' trailer with leaf springs and proceded to beat the tar out of it for years. The only issue with a suspension trailer and heavy loads is lateral location of the axle. Leaf springs handle this well but a coil system will have to have track rods or a panhard type of support. If I was to build a trailer again I would build a suspension trailer using leaf springs.

Harry c · Nov 15, 2007

tony123 said:
I found a 4x8 utility trailer. Homemade and selling pretty cheap. However, it is the first one I've seen with shocks and coil springs on it.

Since coil springs have no internal friction they will bounce like crazy on every bump unless they have shock absorbers. Leaf springs dampen the bounce with the friction between the layers of leaves. Also the steel used for leaf springs is very different than that used for coils and is not nearly as "bouncy". As a general rule coils ride more smoothly, leaves are cheaper due to lack of shocks and ease of mounting. Trucks usually have leaf springs, cars have coils. As mentioned above, there was a line of coil spring trailers. They were used extensively for motorcycle trailers. I never saw one used in a heavy weight application.

greg_g · Nov 15, 2007

tony123 said:
Greg, what is your concern of ground clearance? that seems about the same on most every trailer I see..

If it suits your needs, that's all that counts. My property is combination pasture and woodland. I like a utility trailer that has ground clearance at or near that of my tractors. That way I have some confidence that - if the tractor can drive over the top of brush/rocks/stumps (or straddle fallen logs) - the trailer should make it too. Plus there are some uneven sections in my pasture where a low slung axle would slice the top off some hummocks. And if you have any farm roads with deep pld wheel ruts, it's very easy to high center an onroad trailer - especially if the suspension is loaded down. Again, I like to know that - if my tractor differentials will clear an obstacle - so will the trailer.

//greg//