Trailer as a bridge

[wendlingknives]

Is this a dumb idea? Theres a creek that runs through my place and its at the bottom of a big hill. Usually not much flow, but when there is heavy rain, it gets to flowing. Its about a 3-4' drop and maybe 10' wide from trail to trail that leads to it. In the last couple years ive owned it, i tried to make a culvert crossing. First time i put in a 12" culvert, concrete bags on the ends and filled with dirt. That was destroyed in the spring rains. Next attempt i put in two 24" culverts with concrete bags at end and filled with dirt. Washed out again after getting some heavy rains in spring. I dont know if its getting washed away because of all the force on the upcreek side, or if water is coming down enough to wash out the fill, and then the sides collapse. Either way, it isnt working. I was thinking of getting a 16' or so flatbed and spanning it, then remove wheels. My thinking is even in higher water flow, theres not a wall so to speak that the water is pushing against and it should stay put. Mostly it would be for crossing in my SxS so i dont think the weight would be in issue. What about a tractor thats probably 5-6K lbs? The trailer would prob be supported by 3' or so on each end by the earth and/or concrete. Anyone ever done this?

 

[dodge man]

I’ve seen it done and it works well. You might or might not need some kind of footing on each end. Your culverts probably washed out because they weren’t big enough.

 

[Happy in NC]

I gave it some real consideration when Helene took ours out. It would have been just a little shorter then I would like. I've seen them and they look like a great idea for the right situation

 

[scootr]

I strongly considered a trailer as a bridge for my little creek. Only thing stopping me was the price of even old trailers around me. I ended up building a stone bottom ford as the creek is very seasonal... only impassable in the mowing season

 

[wendlingknives]

Yeah, thats been my issue. I can find a trailer for about 1k. The 2 24" culverts and concrete bags were about 1k as well. Just really wasnt sure how the structural design of a trailer would hold for a tractor weight. Meaning when its supported on the ends and not by axles under the center

 

[scootr]

Yeah, thats been my issue. I can find a trailer for about 1k. The 2 24" culverts and concrete bags were about 1k as well. Just really wasnt sure how the structural design of a trailer would hold for a tractor weight. Meaning when its supported on the ends and not by axles under the center

You will be stressing a little extra supporting the ends only so make sure it over rated for the tractor weight. Would you take the axles off of it?

 

[wendlingknives]

You will be stressing a little extra supporting the ends only so make sure it over rated for the tractor weight. Would you take the axles off of it?

Maybe? Hadnt really planned on that. I think most 16' are rated for 7500-10k

 

[dodge man]

When you said trailer I was picturing a semi trailer.

 

[4570Man]

I don’t know what kind of trailer you can find for $1,000 that’s structurally solid. If you actually did I wouldn’t be apposed to the idea. A 16ft 5k load capacity bridge would be simple enough to build yourself. If it’s a house trailer or a camper absolutely don’t use it. If it’s a 10k equipment trailer it should be fine.

 

[rangerfredbob]

My brother needs a bridge for similar and I happened on a '90's F250 frame that I bough for the axles and other bits but that would leave me with a ~16' frame, build a deck out of scrap lumber and it should handle a 4 wheeler without losing any sleep...