Travel trailer to euipment trailer, thoughts anyone?

[Big Wave D]

I've thought about maybe scaling it back from being a standard flat bed into being more of just a specialized carrier. Cut the length down to around 18' or so with 2 large c channels for the tires to rest on. That way, the axles capacity aren't being taken up with decking and other capacity sapping weight. Sort of the skeletonized approach.

The width thing is a concern and I'll have to check that, but I think 70" is enough for my tractors width, maybe even less as far as the actual distance from edge to edge of the tires. They are narrower than the bucket's width.

I know that the axles are rated for 3.5K pounds, so even if I pare everything down that I can, I am still over their rating with the backhoe on.

It's kind of looking grim for this project as a tractor hauler. I might just convert it into something to sell and use that to go towards a properly rated and built trailer.

Again, thanks to all...

 

[Soundguy]

sounds like a light duty flatbed with some wood decking.

might be a great landscape special... with not much money invested....

 

[dusty3030]

Does it leak? Is it at all useable as a deer camp / fishing camp trailer? One that gets hauled to a spot and left there forever? If so clean it up, caulk up the holes, and put it on Craigslist. You can get enough for it to go buy a good used or even new equipment trailer.

 

[Cantoo]

Big wave d, I have a dozen or so trailers that started out as campers. Heaviest was a tandem axle that I hauled my 1520 ford tractor on, I also hauled cars on it. I hauled the tractor, loaded tires, loader and snowblower on it often, this was the upper limit of weight for it. It was a 20' cut down to 16', tube style frame. I have a 20', 4" C channel frame one that I use for 3 lawnmowers and it works great, again gotta keep the weight down. The others are singles and tandems for a variety of uses, cheap and easy to work with. Make sure you realy go over the frame, lots of them sat around and if it's a tube frame there is likely almost complete rust thru on it. The C channel frame are great to work with, cutting them down to a usable length is easy. Width can be an issue if you plan to haul cars on them, can be done but it's tight. I usually built a 8 to 12" side rail frame on them for extra strength. Here's the tractor one loaded with a few logs.
I have a factory built trailer that I haul my Kubota tlb on. I'm always looking for a heavier trailer.

 

[Big Wave D]

Cantoo, thanks for the picture.


It seems like until I really give the old girl a thorough inspection; we don't really know what we have to work with. I need to see what style of frame it was built with and in what condition it is now.

Several people have commented on the railing for structural integrity. So if I do this project then I believe I'll be adding one. I know that it means that pallets aren't easily loaded/unloaded. As for now, I don't really do much with palatalized goods.

Basically looking to make something that can haul my tractor around. I don't plan on making long hauls with the old girl, so I am wondering how much I am pushing things by making this trailer as light as possible and strictly dedicated to moving the tractor. At 7K pounds with the hoe on, I am pushing the axles a bit past their ratings with the combined weight of the trailer and tractor.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

If your goal is a purpose built specialty trailer just for hauling your tractor, you can reduce weight by only decking the part where the wheels will ride. Leave the rest open.

 

[Big Wave D]

Iplayfarmer,

It's looking more and more like that is going to be my best and maybe only option for utilizing this donor.

Does a backhoe have to hang 'over' part of the trailer while towing? I don't want the bucket hovering over the truck bed; plus, I am pretty sure that DOT frowns on towing a tractor that way.

If I go uber minimalist, then I might be "bending" the weight issue just a bit.

I've seen similar ideas for skid steers. Literally a place to park and chain points with nothing else but axles, tongue, and lights.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Iplayfarmer,

It's looking more and more like that is going to be my best and maybe only option for utilizing this donor.

Does a backhoe have to hang 'over' part of the trailer while towing? I don't want the bucket hovering over the truck bed; plus, I am pretty sure that DOT frowns on towing a tractor that way.

If I go uber minimalist, then I might be "bending" the weight issue just a bit.

I've seen similar ideas for skid steers. Literally a place to park and chain points with nothing else but axles, tongue, and lights.

If I were doing this I'd have some place for the backhoe to rest. You may even be able to put the hoe off to the side resting on the ramp area that you drive the tractor on.

I don't know if there's a way to try it before you start cutting, but you may consider test fitting your tractor to find the best place on the trailer to get optimum tongue weight. Once you find this spot you can design around it. You may find that your axle placement is slightly forward or backward of the 60% mark.

I'll warn you at the beginning, though. From my experience, modifying an old trailer is usually a bigger project than it seems.

 

[2458n]

Most travel trailers are built light so they do not need a really big truck - OR remember when cars pulled those things ? That thought makes me think your trailer is starting out to lightly built for your current needs.

 

[Soundguy]

once you see what the floor / under frame is.. you will know what you have to do / what it will handle.

soundguy