"Best" Utility Trailer Tailgate design?

[BLSXJ]

I'm looking to replace my 4x8 Kargo Max utility trailer with something a little bit bigger, and find myself looking at 5x10 sized units. The main factor in the upgrade is my atv w/ snow tracks measures 54.5" wide an 9' long) (I also have a horse trailer and car hauler in the fleet)

I might decide to build this trailer from scratch. I would be using it to move building material, gravel/dirt, fire wood, and the atv.

I dont like the 4' tall ramp gates because they catch wind and are impossible to load fire wood over.

so is it barn doors? bi fold ramp? or truck style tail gate? (are there any other great ideas?)

 

[bigtiller]

It kinda sounds like a small dump trailer would be the thing to have.??

 

[BLSXJ]

It kinda sounds like a small dump trailer would be the thing to have.??

yeap... that would be nice... but they come a a steep price

 

[Shaneard]

What about a drop in tailgate of some sort and 2 ramps that slide under the trailer from the side? Or possibly make the tailgate one ramp and have one slide under the side or in from the back?

 

[dannoGT]

I have the 5 x 10 utility trailer that came with landscaper style expanded metal ramp tailgate. I find it very handy for loading/unloading everything. I was concerned about wind and mileage but reality is that I have a 5000lb SUV that is as aerodynamic as a brick pulling the trailer and I have tried with and without the tailgate on and there is no difference in mileage that I can see!

Danno

 

[BLSXJ]

Danno, my dis-like for the tall tailgate is largely centered around using the trailer for fire wood, and being able to reach over the tailgate.

Another option came up... locally there is a guy making utility trailers that tilt using a 18" stroke manual hyd ram (power up, gravity down). at first glance I think it would be painfully slow to tilt, and only marginally better when loading wheeled vehicles

 

[Bootstrap]

Look at the Diamond C trailers with bi-fold gate. they are very user friendly and I think they have the best design when compared to a PJ, Big Tex and others.

 

[Jstpssng]

Danno, my dis-like for the tall tailgate is largely centered around using the trailer for fire wood, and being able to reach over the tailgate.

Another option came up... locally there is a guy making utility trailers that tilt using a 18" stroke manual hyd ram (power up, gravity down). at first glance I think it would be painfully slow to tilt, and only marginally better when loading wheeled vehicles

It's a bit of a pain but the tailgate can be taken off.

 

[BKBoiss]

What about a drop in tailgate of some sort and 2 ramps that slide under the trailer from the side? Or possibly make the tailgate one ramp and have one slide under the side or in from the back?

What about this idea but make the tail gate two pieces, say 10” wide each and then one piece is a half end gate, both a 20” end gate and each piece would be a ramp. You could add hooks on the sides to hang them when you are using only one, or one on either side when you want the back open.

 

[ArlyA]

BLSXJ, Let us know what trailer you end up with. We own a work type 6x6 boss with Soucy pods (you call tracks). We open our trailers tail gate while loading wood.

 

[Renze]

What weight penalty is acceptable to you ? If you make it single axle, you could add hinge points to the towbar in front of the axle, and a hydraulic cylinder in front of the bed, to tilt the rear end down so you dont need a double folding tailgate.

On a tandem trailer i hate that tilt bed setup, with torsion suspension without equalisers, the rest of the trailer jolts on the towbar everytime the first axle hits a speed bump.

After building a tilt bed for my brother, i decided to make my own, fixed, with ramps that slide under the bed, behind a hatch with the license plate on it.

 

[California]

I have what I think is the ideal tailgate on my little 4x8 utility trailer. First, the front and rear panels are identical, interchangeable. So I carry what should be the rear panel, on front, where its bolted-on ramp additions make it slightly nose heavy so it doesn't bounce on the hitch when empty. That panel would be on the rear if I actually needed a ramp.

Look at the pins that go from the panel into the trailer chassis at a 45 degree angle. After they are in, clevises same as used on 3-point keep them from coming out.

The rear panel can be turned around (inner surface outward) and then the 45 degree pins make the panel become an extended flat floor. Or become a ramp when the trailer is allowed to tip back. (I think these were sold as snowmobile trailers).

Another feature of this trailer is the tongue can be extended and then the front panel reversed, to make a 2 ft front extension of the flat floor, while the rear panel extends the rear 2 ft. I once carried a rolled carpet nearly 16 ft long with its front resting on the tongue and only a few inches overhanging the rear.

Don't know if my winch for tilting is applicable your your use.

Here's the best photo I have showing the 45 degree pins that connect the front and rear panels into the chassis. Here the rear panel is removed, and leaning against the left tire.

 

[WilliamBos]

Bifold gets my vote.

I'm looking to replace my 4x8 Kargo Max utility trailer with something a little bit bigger, and find myself looking at 5x10 sized units. The main factor in the upgrade is my atv w/ snow tracks measures 54.5" wide an 9' long) (I also have a horse trailer and car hauler in the fleet)

I might decide to build this trailer from scratch. I would be using it to move building material, gravel/dirt, fire wood, and the atv.

I dont like the 4' tall ramp gates because they catch wind and are impossible to load fire wood over.

so is it barn doors? bi fold ramp? or truck style tail gate? (are there any other great ideas?)