Converting small utility trailer into dump trailer?

[LS Tractor Owner]

I built and then later converted my box trailer to a dump just to use at the transfer station pit...

Being the trailer is single axle I used the axle as the pivot and adapted a camper jack to raise the load... work well enough but takes time to pump up the camper jack.

When I needed rock at the lower part of the property I brought it down one yard at a time and the first time had the trailer on an incline and shovel it out... the second time I unhitched and used the loader to lift the tongue which also worked...

This was kinda what I was first thinking, but I think I might try out the "box on rollers" trick on my larger trailer. I can make the box a little wider (thinking 6' wide x 10' long) so i can get 1 1/2 to 2 tons per load. I can pull it off with the tractor. If the angle isn't steep enough with the 10' length, I could always cut it down. Thanks

 

[Teachu2]

As far as doing it again....nope.... Part of me taking this on is for my own benefit. We will be selling this big house in the next year (hopefully) and I will be getting out of this God forsaken state. Worst place I have ever lived!

My Magic 8-Ball says "Rethink this whole idea, and sell in the dry season." Having a poorly half-done road job is probably worse on resale than what's already there - it highlights the issues you are facing.

 

[bcp]

A box on rollers need a way to keep from stalling on a single piece of gravel under a roller. Maybe raised rails? Maybe skids?

Bruce

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

My Magic 8-Ball says "Rethink this whole idea, and sell in the dry season." Having a poorly half-done road job is probably worse on resale than what's already there - it highlights the issues you are facing.

Very true, but the road has been so beat up by the "deadbeats in the back", (driving through the mud / ruts at high speed, bringing in their 4 wheelers on trailers, etc..) that even when it's now dry there are major potholes (3-5' across) and major ruts. I'm pretty sure i need to fill all those in.

My previous next door neighbor had listed his house for sale a couple of years ago (he was from Vermont, had no clue about life out here, and gave up dealing with it after only 3 years). There were quite a few lookers, no takers, but the portion of road in front of his house had similar problems at the time. He contracted a guy to drop some stone and grade out the road for about 300' (he paid somewhere around $2K)...(it was before I had my tractor). He sold the house for asking price within 2 weeks. It may have been coincidence, but it was on the market for 9 months prior.

I figure I might as well just "fix it" beforehand. I will be selling well below 'market rate' for what they will be getting, they could use the equity they will be getting to redo it if they so choose.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

A box on rollers need a way to keep from stalling on a single piece of gravel under a roller. Maybe raised rails? Maybe skids?

Bruce

I also thought about using 3 - 4x4's running the length of the box to act as both skids and support for the bottom of the box. My concern is there would be too much friction between the skids and the trailer bed, then I wouldn't be able to pull it off. Having the pipe rollers under the skids would at least give more clearance for any 'debris' that might get under the box.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Diggin It]

If I were at the front, or near the front, I might be looking at a way for separate access. Maintain that my self and let the others fend for themselves.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

If I were at the front, or near the front, I might be looking at a way for separate access. Maintain that my self and let the others fend for themselves.

I'm third house in. The road is in an easment that runs across the front property line of the first 4 houses. The other (far) side of the road butts up to the "back side" of a different subdivision. There is no other access. Stuck between a rock (or should I say gravel) and a hard place!

 

[DaKing]

I didn't read the whole post. But I'm guessing you are in charge of road maintenance?

We recently bought some land in NM. Come to find out, the gravel road belongs to the property to the right. So, every property on the right has to maintain the road in front. Technically, the road belongs to those owners, but must remain open and un-restricted for the other land owners.

Some of the landowners have " farms ", and thus the equipment to maintain the roads. One lady actually has a grader tractor. Apparently, every few years, everyone gets together and maintains the road. (I hear most do it finicanally, and others use equpment they own. )

We have not owned the land long, so I'm not sure about the details.

I have a 14ft dump trailer that I offered for getting gravel. Good news is Gravel pit is about 1.5 miles away from that land.

Just found it odd that we have to maintain a road...


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I too am looking to take a small trailer and make it a dumper. Or add a conveyor belt or some method to expedite unloading. It for trash though, not heavy stuff, like rock.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I didn't read the whole post. But I'm guessing you are in charge of road maintenance?

We recently bought some land in NM. Come to find out, the gravel road belongs to the property to the right. So, every property on the right has to maintain the road in front. Technically, the road belongs to those owners, but must remain open and un-restricted for the other land owners.

Some of the landowners have " farms ", and thus the equipment to maintain the roads. One lady actually has a grader tractor. Apparently, every few years, everyone gets together and maintains the road. (I hear most do it finicanally, and others use equpment they own. )

We have not owned the land long, so I'm not sure about the details.

I have a 14ft dump trailer that I offered for getting gravel. Good news is Gravel pit is about 1.5 miles away from that land.

Just found it odd that we have to maintain a road...


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I too am looking to take a small trailer and make it a dumper. Or add a conveyor belt or some method to expedite unloading. It for trash though, not heavy stuff, like rock.

No, I 'm not "in charge" of the road, but it has gotten so bad that someone has to do something. There is only one other neighbor (that just moved here last fall), that is even willing to help with their small tractor. Only 3 other homeowners (out of 8) will even contribute to the cost (and at that only a couple of hundred of dollars). There is a road maintenance "agreement" in the covenants of the land, but no way to actually enforce it. Make sure that the land you have has some kind of enforcement on the maintenance costs.

 

[Diggin It]

I did this with one of the HF 40x48 trailers to move dirt around the yard before I got the loader. Brown is a box built on top of the trailer. Green is an A frame I made out of scrap wood. You could do it out of steel tubing or thick pipe. Grey is a winch cable.



Mine didn't cost me anything since I had it all on hand. No idea what it would cost to build a version strong enough for what you need to haul and lift.

 

[jaxs]

No, I 'm not "in charge" of the road, but it has gotten so bad that someone has to do something. There is only one other neighbor (that just moved here last fall), that is even willing to help with their small tractor. Only 3 other homeowners (out of 8) will even contribute to the cost (and at that only a couple of hundred of dollars). There is a road maintenance "agreement" in the covenants of the land, but no way to actually enforce it. Make sure that the land you have has some kind of enforcement on the maintenance costs.

I wouldn't expect method of enforcement to be spelled out in the covenants. In Tx the choices would be (1)filing lien against each property that owed,(2)filing claim in small claims court or(3) hiring a lawyer and that's in preferred order because judgement in 2&3 would likely require 1 in order to collect. I would send registed letter demanding payment. If payment isn't received,file lien. Property owner will be notified by tax office and given opertunity to dispute which some will likely do. Of those that despute,some will likely pay up. Those that refuse to pay will have lien on property until debt is settled. Debt accrue's 9% interest until payed. The dept must be settled before money is borrowed against property or ownership is transferred. It might be 20 years before they sell but they will pay before they sell. Just look at it as savings for kids/grandkids college fund because no bank pay's near 9% on savings accounts.
As to the trailer,even if you cobble something up,you'll be lucky not to be seriously injured while dumping with methods that have been suggested. Used dump trailers hold value (actuall all trailers do) and are easy to sale. A 7k PJ dump sell's new for $4200 and should easily bring $3500 when finished. Inquire at the material supplier if they have belly dumps for owner-operator use delivering material. When given the choice between sitting home waiting to be dispatched or earning something,an owner-operator that
normally pull's freight will deliver a bit cheaper than full time dirt haulers. Besides,belly dumped is a breeze
to spread. I'm not clear on how far down you are on the 1 mile drive. To hold down investment, I would only do the work up to my property but file lien on all slackers since they will travel the repaired section. I don't envy your predicament.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I wouldn't expect method of enforcement to be spelled out in the covenants. In Tx the choices would be (1)filing lien against each property that owed,(2)filing claim in small claims court or(3) hiring a lawyer and that's in preferred order because judgement in 2&3 would likely require 1 in order to collect. I would send registed letter demanding payment. If payment isn't received,file lien. Property owner will be notified by tax office and given opertunity to dispute which some will likely do. Of those that despute,some will likely pay up. Those that refuse to pay will have lien on property until debt is settled. Debt accrue's 9% interest until payed. The dept must be settled before money is borrowed against property or ownership is transferred. It might be 20 years before they sell but they will pay before they sell. Just look at it as savings for kids/grandkids college fund because no bank pay's near 9% on savings accounts.
As to the trailer,even if you cobble something up,you'll be lucky not to be seriously injured while dumping with methods that have been suggested. Used dump trailers hold value (actuall all trailers do) and are easy to sale. A 7k PJ dump sell's new for $4200 and should easily bring $3500 when finished. Inquire at the material supplier if they have belly dumps for owner-operator use delivering material. When given the choice between sitting home waiting to be dispatched or earning something,an owner-operator that
normally pull's freight will deliver a bit cheaper than full time dirt haulers. Besides,belly dumped is a breeze
to spread. I'm not clear on how far down you are on the 1 mile drive. To hold down investment, I would only do the work up to my property but file lien on all slackers since they will travel the repaired section. I don't envy your predicament.

You are pretty much 100% correct. 4 out of the 8 would probably get liens. (Probably won't go that route because of possible retaliation). Out of the mile long road, we are at 2200 feet back from the paved road. The first 500 ft actually isn't that bad because it is on a hill and the drainage is good. The next 1500 ft is relatively flat, the drainage ditches have filled in. This is the area I'm going to "fix". The remainder of the road is where it gets really bad...but too bad! If they would want it fixed any further, it will be cash up front for labor and materials!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I did this with one of the HF 40x48 trailers to move dirt around the yard before I got the loader. Brown is a box built on top of the trailer. Green is an A frame I made out of scrap wood. You could do it out of steel tubing or thick pipe. Grey is a winch cable.

View attachment 596106

Mine didn't cost me anything since I had it all on hand. No idea what it would cost to build a version strong enough for what you need to haul and lift.

I have access to a lot of 3" angle iron for free. Your plan might work with a few alterations. I could use the angle to go around the perimeter of the box to reinforce it. I could also fab up the 'bridge' across the top for the winch cable to go over (I would have to make it removeable, yet very strong. Probably like an upside down "Y" ). I just happen to have a 9000# winch that may now have a job to do..... mmmmm....interesting concept. Thanks

 

[jaxs]

Unfortunately, that also costs money, and the result would be filing liens against those homeowners. The old saying goes "you can't get blood from a stone".

Fortunately, the homeowners that will assist monetarily all live on the first half of the road. We figure that we'll do that part and the rest are 'on their own'. If they can't get up the hill, or out of the mud...too bad.
They are also the ones that make sure they have their party supplies before anything else....so....

As far as doing it again....nope.... Part of me taking this on is for my own benefit. We will be selling this big house in the next year (hopefully) and I will be getting out of this God forsaken state. Worst place I have ever lived!

You are pretty much 100% correct. 4 out of the 8 would probably get liens. (Probably won't go that route because of possible retaliation).!

No wonder you are sick of living in NM but it sound's like bad people rather than bad state.
I'm not trying to derail the conversation nor make lite of your problem but this is so funny I just have to tell you about it. A 30 year old scum bag living with his mother decided intimidation and threats would make me see things his way. The longer I tolerated him,the worse he became. One day while I was removing part of my concrete patio with a jack hammer he called to raise some -ell and my teen son answered the phone.
The guy asked my son what that racket was. Son told him "dad bought a machine gun and he's out back practicing". Never saw nor heard from him again.

 

[aczlan]

No wonder you are sick of living in NM but it sound's like bad people rather than bad state.
I'm not trying to derail the conversation nor make lite of your problem but this is so funny I just have to tell you about it. A 30 year old scum bag living with his mother decided intimidation and threats would make me see things his way. The longer I tolerated him,the worse he became. One day while I was removing part of my concrete patio with a jack hammer he called to raise some -ell and my teen son answered the phone.
The guy asked my son what that racket was. Son told him "dad bought a machine gun and he's out back practicing". Never saw nor heard from him again.

That is great

Aaron Z

 

[npalen]

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...railer-converted-dump-trailer.html?highlight=

Just one more way of converting tilt to dump trailer. The winch and cable are under the trailer. The little wheels on the back are great for maneuvering and unsticking a stubborn load. (Back up and hit the brakes)

 

[sandman2234]

No wonder you are sick of living in NM but it sound's like bad people rather than bad state.
I'm not trying to derail the conversation nor make lite of your problem but this is so funny I just have to tell you about it. A 30 year old scum bag living with his mother decided intimidation and threats would make me see things his way. The longer I tolerated him,the worse he became. One day while I was removing part of my concrete patio with a jack hammer he called to raise some -ell and my teen son answered the phone.
The guy asked my son what that racket was. Son told him "dad bought a machine gun and he's out back practicing". Never saw nor heard from him again.

Definitely have my vote for a good way to reply to that neighbor!
David from jax

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

No wonder you are sick of living in NM but it sound's like bad people rather than bad state.
I'm not trying to derail the conversation nor make lite of your problem but this is so funny I just have to tell you about it. A 30 year old scum bag living with his mother decided intimidation and threats would make me see things his way. The longer I tolerated him,the worse he became. One day while I was removing part of my concrete patio with a jack hammer he called to raise some -ell and my teen son answered the phone.
The guy asked my son what that racket was. Son told him "dad bought a machine gun and he's out back practicing". Never saw nor heard from him again.

That was absolutely awesome!

 

[GLyford]

My thought...

Look up "king road drag", and look up "land plane" on this site. Dig your ditches and get the material on the road, then use the road drag/land plane to crown and smooth off the material. Every time it gets bad, get out and do it again. Avoid adding new material, just get the existing to where it sheds water off the road. Keep that up until you sell. You are spending about the same amount of time as your current plan, with none of the material costs.

Do not do a perfect job, as the speed freaks down the end will destroy it if you do, leave enough of a rough surface to keep them from going too fast and abusing the base. Or put in "water bars" to "help with drainage" that look an awful lot like speed bumps.

Keeping the water off and the speed down will be necessary with the gravel anyway, and it sounds like your wind blown dirt problem will soon have the gravel embedded again.