Darned New Trailer Has Trouble With Lawnmower Decks Scraping

[drizler]

its a nice trailer but sits very high on 225 75 14 tires . It is nice and level as it sits on the truck . The problem is the fold down gate is too short. It gives it a very high approach angle so the JD riding mower just drags across the fold where the gate mounts. I couldn稚 find my tool so I couldn稚 get the exact angle of that gate but its very steep. It will be hard to climb when wet for sure.
The tailgate is 1x 3 box steel with mesh top. Pretty simple stuff just too short .I have the same stock kicking around the shop and some mesh to boot . I am considering making a 2foot extension of the same steel and simply bolting or hinging it from the bottom so it doesnt stick up so high. It wouldn稚 be such an issue but the trailer will see a lot of on and off so jury rigging it is not really and answer. I値l try to post the pictures if I can manage to get them off my phone.

 

[flyerdan]

You'll need some support at the joint, and the best way to achieve that would be to have the extension fold back into the trailer when it's up, that way it could have a ground contact bar across it spaced out the 4 or 5 inches needed. With some notched pieces that attach the bar, it could also bridge the hinged joint and contact the exiting ramp as well. i can see it in my head, but can't quite explain it right, but it would make perfect sense.
I did something similar for someone's motorized wheelchair carrier, but had to make it a bi-fold to use the existing securing pins.

 

[TractorGuy]

A hinged extension would be the best way to go. The extension would need to fold to the rear of the existing gate. A good heavy duty piano hinge would be best but you may get by with three hinges at the mesh support tubes. Might want to put a latch on the extension instead of letting it bang back and forth.

 

[4570Man]

It doesn’t really matter if a single axel trailer sits level. Can you just raise the hitch?

 

[jaxs]

In the end simply making the gate higher might be easier and stronger than having it fold. It will require huge oversized hinges to withstand torque at joint. If ground contact braces are added at joint,truck and trailer must be on level surface for them to work (ask those with folding ramps on dovetails).

 

[aczlan]

It doesn’t really matter if a single axel trailer sits level. Can you just raise the hitch?

Good point, flip the hitch over so that the front of the trailer is 4-6" higher than the rear and see how it goes on.

Aaron Z

 

[bcp]

Would a curve or angled bend would do any good? Same idea as these portable ramps.

Bruce

 

[aczlan]

Would a curve or angled bend would do any good?

Bruce




View attachment 599146

It might, or it could cause it to bottom out in two places instead of one.

Aaron Z

 

[Beltzington]

its a nice trailer but sits very high on 225 75 14 tires . It is nice and level as it sits on the truck . The problem is the fold down gate is too short. It gives it a very high approach angle so the JD riding mower just drags across the fold where the gate mounts. I couldn稚 find my tool so I couldn稚 get the exact angle of that gate but its very steep. It will be hard to climb when wet for sure.
The tailgate is 1x 3 box steel with mesh top. Pretty simple stuff just too short .I have the same stock kicking around the shop and some mesh to boot . I am considering making a 2foot extension of the same steel and simply bolting or hinging it from the bottom so it doesnt stick up so high. It wouldn稚 be such an issue but the trailer will see a lot of on and off so jury rigging it is not really and answer. I値l try to post the pictures if I can manage to get them off my phone.View attachment 599138View attachment 599139

 

[drizler]

It doesn稚 really matter if a single axel trailer sits level. Can you just raise the hitch?

We tried raising the tongue 2 by flipping the hitch over. Still no dice. It didn稚 help enough difference to be worth the trouble. That gates gotta be longer. It would be great for ATV or Side by side just not great for mowers. Backing is the same as driving. Both work but the angle creates a clearance problem at that joint. I知 likely just going to have to make the deck extension.
I changed it some and gained a bit of clearance by laying a 2x8 across the back with 2 short 3’ runners facing forward for the wheels to run on till it’s up and on. Not the most desirable thing long term:confused3:
Thatç—´ not from. Costco. Itç—´ from Sams. Well built. From the look of it. These 2 pics show what the ramps made from. If anyone has a pic of a workable hinging setup please post or link to it. If I can see it I can usually make one.