Adding Hydraulic Lift to Trailer

[dougmch]

Hi:

I own a custom tilt trailer, bumper pull, 12K, to which I would like to add hydraulic up/down capability. As it is, the trailer has no dampening on the tilt, which makes for excitement when loading/unloading my tractor etc. Plus, it's long enough where I could load multiple items, if I had control of the platform. The trailer is quite nice and in my mind would justify the investment (my wife probably has a different idea though)

I am "doing the math" to assess the loads.

Can anyone direct me to sources for the hydraulic components? Does anyone have a reference for representative hydraulic schematics?

Have any of you thought of the failure modes? For example, I am wondering if I need two cylinders for redundancy, and what I need to do for check valves/isolation valves to ensure that a single broken hose won't result in the trailer slamming down one way or the other.

Thanks for your help.

Doug

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I would think a nice shock absorber would slow down the trailer, Im pretty sure E-trailer would have something for that. As for the hydraulic options, It might get pricey if you dont have some fab skills!

 

[George2615]

I converted my 24' tilt bed trailer from a manually pumped hydraulic jack tilt to electric / hydraulic tilt. I bought the 12V power up unit and hoses from Graingers and the cylinder from Northern Tool. I had to adapt the mount points for the cylinder and mounted the 12V power unit and winch inside an aluminum box obtained from Tractor Supply that I mounted on the tongue. Total cost to me was about $600-700 for parts. Now the trailer power tilts up and stays in place to drive on. Then I release the pressure control lever to lower it back to level position.

 

[J_J]

Why not just use a DA cyl or a SA cyl and use only air to slow the rise and fall of the bed.

Just screw some needle valves in the ports and adjust for the air release, slow or fast.