Trailer length issue solved!

[teach]

I recently purchased a brand new 14' tandem axle landscape trailer. It will mainly be used for hauling around my Bota b7500, but it will also be used for hauling lumber, firewood, dump runs, etc. on occasion. I, like many others, was torn about which size to buy. Aparently size does matter. I'm glad I went with the 14' since it is very manuverable around town and in my yard. I solved the dilema of being able to haul the tractor with implements like my brushhog or york rake by designing a tailgate system like on a pickup. I picked up the basic gate from my neighbor who wasn't using it anymore, then welded on two tabs for the latches, some new hinges, then some adjustable chain holders and finally welded the chain to the gate. I had a set of 5' aluminum arched ramps from my last trailer that work perfectly. Behold, a 14' trailer that instantly converts to a 16' without the wind drag of a full size gate!
Teach

 

[BillP603]

Looks good, one thing I might be concerned with is it bouncing during travel and putting a shock load on the chain. Technically I think tail lights are also supposed to be within 36" of the rear of any trailer, but you could probably get around that by "red flagging" anything longer.

 

[wdchyd]

Teach:
How much does your B7500 weigh?
Nice trailer :thumbsup:, after I take delivery of my new "Bota" later this week, a new trailer to fit will be on the agenda this summer...just trying to figure what GVW I should shoot for....

BillP,

thanks for the "Heads up " on the taillights cuz I'll figure that in my plans...Oh BTW I see you are just around the corner from me

Thanx, BillC

 

[Diamondpilot]

Very nice idea. I have never seen one done like that. If it works for you its perfect.:thumbsup:

Chris

 

[RTII]

Looks good. Does the gate need to come off to use the ramps?

 

[teach]

Bill,
Bouncing gate---I thought about that too. I would only ride with the gate down if I needed to have something long on it like the brushhog or york rake, so they would be resting partially on the gate and that should keep it from bouncing (hopefully).
Tail lights---I should be pretty close on that one, the gate is only 24" long. But thanks for the heads up.

WDCHYD,
B7500 weight--- it comes in roughly around 2,600 lbs with an implement like my 42" brushhog and loaded rear tires (beat juice). Not to beat a dead horse on this one, but trust me, go with at least a 7000 GVWR tandem trailer with breaks. I have gone with smaller, and lighter capacity trailers without brakes, not a good idea.

RTII,
ramps---I can leave the gate on when I use the ramps if I drop it all the way to the ground. If I have the slightest incline to use, I can load the tractor without an implement without even using the ramps if I put the gate all the way down to the ground. I am also planning on trying to weld a set of cleats on the top of the gate bar so that when the gate is down level with the ground, I can use the ramps and drive on. The chains are each rated for 1900 lbs so that shouldn't be a problem. I just hope the welds on the chains hold up where they are attached to the gate.

Thanks for your input everyone!
Teach

 

[timswi]

I like that design..I have to get a bigger trailer because none of my stuff will now fit on the one I have...I'll keep my eyes open for a design like that.

 

[LBrown59]

Looks good, one thing I might be concerned with is it bouncing during travel and putting a shock load on the chain. Technically
1*I think tail lights are also supposed to be within 36" of the rear of any trailer, but you could probably get around that by "red flagging" anything longer.

1*He only added a 2 foot tail gate which is within the 36'' range.

Looks good.
2*Does the gate need to come off to use the ramps?

2*T thought the gate was the ramp.

 

[scallywag]

I did something similar, although not as professional. I just wrapped a heavy chain around the back (through the handles) and used locks to make sure it didn't go anywhere. I was able to put 17 foot lengths of steel into a 10 foot trailer. Not entirely legal, but it worked well.

 

[Larro Darro]

Good looking trailer Teach. I also have a B7500, and I guess I am the Goldilocks of trailer owners. I have a 12' for my riding mowers, which is a touch to short for the Kubota with mower attached. My other trailer is 16', and while the tractor fits on it with room left over, it is bigger than I like. I bought the Kubota used. It came with the trailer, bush hog, tiller, plows, boom and box-blade. It all fit on the trailer, which has 4' sides, 3' of which is boarded up. I have a small truck and the trailer acts as a wind brake. Until you want to stop. Then if it's loaded, it tries to push me through the stop sign. {No brakes on the trailer.} And the ramps are heavy enough to load my Ford tractor. Each one weighs about eighty five pounds. Luckily I don't use the small tractor away from the house all that often. And I can haul it on the 12' if I take it easy. I mostly use the bigger trailer around the farm. {Like taking a load of tubes, canoes and kayaks to the Chipola River or Ten Mile Creek.} If I do use it on the highway, I use Mama's old truck to pull it.