Dump Trailer

[sandman2234]

I didn't want to reinvent the wheel, so I converted a 45' fifth wheel commercial boat trailer into a 20' flatbed. I had an old trailer that was given to me, and I probably wasn't going to ever sell it, so rather than it sit in the yard another 5 years, I took a torch to it. Cut the fifth wheel hookup off it, pulled the frame rails together and welded on a plate for an adjustable pintle hitch. Probably not most peoples choice of hitches, but I needed to be able to haul it with my tractor or my p/u. I wanted a trailer to haul my JD2555 on, but needed a dump trailer to haul some free dirt on that was too far for my scoop. So I compromised... and built a 20' flatbed, with the rear 12' of it being a dump trailer. Because I was going to haul the tractor and it was stretching the limits of the fender wells, I decided not to put sides on it, just a piece of angle iron that I could bolt a 2x6 to. That would give me some sort of a side without keeping wide mowers and such from being hauled on it.
A friend gave me a scissor lift that he had stashed, but due to axle placement, we couldn't put it where we wanted it, and it was too short to go out near the end. Another compromise, but the drawback was a 40 degree dump, or thereabouts. I used some aluminum for the deck, but didn't have quite enough for the whole trailer, so just the dump got that.
Other events caused the dirt to be needed immediately, so anything not required to move dirt was put on the back burner.
I removed the flail mower from my boom/ditch mower on the Ford 7710, built a 42" bucket and used it to load the dirt, and the JD to haul the trailer to the house.
Basically, I have a triple axle trailer for my tractor that will also haul dirt, and I have $110 in it, not including electricity for the welder. It isn't much to look at, but hauls six yards of dirt and dumps it fine.
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

My ugly trailer...not finished, but already working!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/sandman2234/tractors/myuglytrailer.jpg
Another ugly trailer picture
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/sandman2234/tractors/myuglytrailer2.jpg
The back end of the ugly trailer and it's four hinges I made.(opps, only 3 showing)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/sandman2234/tractors/rearofdumptrailer.jpg
This is the $110 part after tax that I had to buy. I could have bought a lighter duty version, but wanted the insurance of the heaviest one I could find.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/sandman2234/tractors/onlypurchasedpart.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/sandman2234/tractors/2inchreceiverfortractor2.jpg

Hope you enjoyed looking at my ugly trailer pictures,
David from jax

 

[dangier_VA]

Iplayfarmer,

"How does that tailgate ramp work? What do you do with it when you are dumping? Post more pics if you have them. I'd like to see you loading/unloading and what it looks like when it's dumping a load.

Since you mentioned brakes, I'm still wondering if there's a way to rig my mechanical brakes that are integral in the axles I'm using so that they can be useful on this trailer. If anyone has ideas, let me know."

The tailgate has two pins on the top and two on the bottom. Pull the two bottom pins and it will dump. Pull the two top and the tailgate will lay down for a ramp. I am kind of mixed on the tailgate-it is very heavy but usefull for smaller equipment (lawn tractors, etc). It also is a large sail when trying to tow on the highway at speeds. I have more pictures of it and will forward them later (I don't have them with me now). I didn't take any pictures of it actually dumping a load. Will try next time. I have used it more for equipment then soils. I plan to find a local farm for manure this fall. Will take operational pictures then.

The brakes I have are electric and run on a 12 volt controller. As I recall the lawn mower transaxles I had were a lever with a small disc setup and had very little travel to actuate the braking action. You may be able to set up a dual mechanical connection with each brake assembly and some kind of method to operate.
David

 

[patrick_g]

I didn't want to reinvent the wheel, Basically, I have a triple axle trailer for my tractor that will also haul dirt, and I have $110 in it, not including electricity for the welder. It isn't much to look at, but hauls six yards of dirt and dumps it fine.
David from jax

David, I nominate you for clever recycle guy of the year!

Your project is the "BEE'S KNEES."

Patrick

 

[sandman2234]

Thanks Patrick,
I will take that as a compliment, and my wife takes it as more junk sitting around getting moved out of the backyard.Being unemployed, it gave me something to finish. Since the trailer was 5th wheel, and I don't have a truck to pull it, it was going to waste. The 5" channel I used in the top frame came out of a rollerbed tractor trailer that I bought for the rollers. The channel was just thrown in to get rid of it. Some required careful choice of which piece I was going to use to keep it straight and a lot more work removing the braces welded on every 10 feet. The aluminum deck was the center section of a flatbed T/T I bought back in 1990. I used the outer sections for a 33' carhauler I built for sale.
Those outriggers on the trailer were left in case I wanted to add a removable deck for hauling wider loads, or using the front ones as points for a landing gear. (square tubing inside square tubing sliding up/down with a cable comalong to push it down). Still need to deck the front, but am considering splitting the front deck down the middle and having each side dump. Would require pulling the trailer thru the small dirtpiles, but would add more capacity. There is going to be more dirt available in the future, as my Church is planning another building, which generates dirt. Lights will also be required if I pull it behind my truck.
David from jax

 

[patrick_g]

David, That absobloominglutely was a compliment. We see a lot of neat adaptations and custom stuff here on TBN where a lot of clever dudes hang out but your project just really caught my attention. It is some seriously good reuse.

I have a HD car hauler a bit over 18 ft on deck (diamond plate) with half dovetail. I have considered removable sideboards and sloping bed liner over a sliding belly dump trap door.I thoiught of a box sitting at the back with electro-hydraulic ram to dump. I eventually gave up on my transformer toy idea as the belly dump doesn't fit my needs, a side dump was a possibility if I used swing down jacks to hold up the side where you dump but I want an end dump and my axles are just way too far from the back end. I have abandoned the project in favor of getting a purpose built dump trailer.

I really didn't want more rolling stock with more bearings to maintain, more tires, and such but looks like that is the way it will be when I can find a dumper I like at a price I am willing to pay.

Pat

 

[sandman2234]

If you do the geometry right, fixed sides can still be side dumped, as long as you leave room for the pivot pin. Plus, higher sides get the dirt out of the way of the tire path. End dumps seem easier, but controling the twist of the bed without fixed sides can be problematic. The biggest problem with mine, and anyone building one should consider, is it is built too well. When dirt gets between the frame and the bed frame, it won't close correctly. I have to sweep the frame rails off every time I dump it. Doesn't take long, but requires me to get off my tush while the bed is still in the air. I am working on a fix for that, for later implimentation.
For simplicity, my cylinder is powered by the tractors remotes. Should I ever need to dump behind my p/u, it will require a 12v pump.
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

I went back out tonight after I got the kids in bed to admire my excellent paint job...

I really suck at painting!

I think every piece had a place that I either missed or painted too thin. The only exception was the subframe that I painted with the brush and roller the first day, and it had drips. I'm having second thoughts as to whether the spray gun was really better than the roller. Of course I did go back over the subframe with the sprayer to get the parts I missed with the roller.

I do have this to say though: The places where I got good coverage look really good. It's amazing how much better crappy welds look with a good coat of paint on them.

I'm going to have to get the paint back out again after I get the wood deck ready. I may just touch up then.

IplayFarmer,
I am sure your painting skills far excel mine, as you at least do add paint to your projects. I simply add a thicker piece of metal, so when it rusts, it will still be strong enough.
David from jax

 

[Iplayfarmer]

IplayFarmer,
I am sure your painting skills far excel mine, as you at least do add paint to your projects. I simply add a thicker piece of metal, so when it rusts, it will still be strong enough.
David from jax

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I've been that way with all of my wood projects. I very seldom paint or stain anything. I kept trying to get my wife all enthused about painting and staining so that she'd want to take care of all the stuff I made, but she never really caught the bug either.

Metal seems different to me. It just needs to be painted or protected somehow.

 

[Nasty135]

Pat,
It's a 12' premier (2005). Brakes on both axles. Came with a landscape ramp. Don't think I would have requested it though. That sucker is heavy! Empty weight is around 2300# and max weight is 10000#. New was at $5600. I paid around $3500 with very little use. Don't think I will be parting with it any time..... I can haul my L3130 with the front loader attached. If I remove the tailgate, I can have the backhoe attached. Trailers very well with my dodge 2500 diesel.
If one keeps their eyes open, a good deal can be had on ebay.
David

So your the guy that beat me out on the dump trailer....

Just kidding I've seen them on e-bay out of WV I think? Maybe one-day for me... For around the house I got an old boat trailer & cut it up rewelding it together with wood sides 4x8 sheet of plywood ...It'll carry three full scoops from my 60" FEL and I tote it with my 4wheeler ... Ok for now but wouldn't want a steady diet of it...

Iplayfarmer Good project ,I hope the weight of it all loaded doesn't become to much for the axles, but you could always upgrade them...pretty cool project ...Lots of work for sure... Good pics & description of your progress

 

[sandman2234]

Iplayfarmer,
I think I know what they look like, but just in case I am wrong, can you post a picture of then side of the wheels on the trailer, as to how they are held onto the axle. (bolt pattern, E-clip, etc)
David from jax

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Iplayfarmer,
I think I know what they look like, but just in case I am wrong, can you post a picture of then side of the wheels on the trailer, as to how they are held onto the axle. (bolt pattern, E-clip, etc)
David from jax

Sure. Why?

In the first picture if you squint you can see the flat top and bottom of the bolt as it comes through the matching hole in the wheel. This is how the axle turns the wheel (or in my case now how the wheel turns the axle).

The second picture shows how a single bolt holds the wheel to the axle.

I actually tried taking the wheels off before I switched axles and None of the six wheels I had to work with would even budge. They're on there pretty good.

 

[sandman2234]

I was hoping that your axles had bolt patterns, instead of the E-clips. I am going to be building a pair of axles for my buddies mini dump trailer, and thought I might build four instead of two. However, adding the costs of the hubs and rims and tires, plus freight, it gets kind of expensive to change out an set of axles that there is nothing wrong with. I was just thinking that I could make you a set that would last that would still match your existing rims. Thanks for taking the time and effort to satisfy my curiousity.
David from jax

 

[patrick_g]

David, I do check on eBay some for dump trailers but I have found none in my size/condition/price range that are within a days drive, roundtrip. Some of the eBay sellers have a thing on their listing that is supposed to get you a shipping quote but you have to have their zip and many don't include that info in their listing and are slow to respoond to email queries so having the shipping quote THING in their listing is a useless gesture. Some require you to pick up, no shipping.

I'll hang in there and hopefully find something before too long. I have seen some rated at about 6-7000 lbs for cheap but I want a gross trailer weight in the range of 10,000 to 14,000 lbs, I think. One of the speakers at the next cattleman's association monthly meeting is a highway patrol officer to explain the details of an increased diligence in enforcing some old laws re trailers, loading, etc. Could be a lot of cattle producers and horse fanciers will be looking for a higher class of lisc or will reduce loads on their trailers. The meeting is tonight so after the meeting I will know better the gross weight I will be interested in. I really don't plan on going on the highway all that much (mostly on my own place) but I want to be able to do so legally and within insurance coverage.

Related thing: The other day with my HD car hauler trailer just parked, the spare tire which is mounted horizontally on the tongue blew out. It didn't just go flat or develop a bubble on the side wall, this sucker blew up like it had a charge of C-4 in it. First time I had ever had that sort of an experience. It looked to be in good shape, plenty of tread, no sidewall cracks. aired properly, but it sure self destructed.

Pat

 

[sandman2234]

Well, if you buy something in this neck of the woods, and can hold off till I come to Daddy's, we might be able to save you some of the freight problems, and move them to gas help problems. I like being able to subsidize my trips out there with machinery and such, so keep that in mind. Since I am currently unemployed, it would make sense for me to go see Daddy, but not spending the money also comes into play.
Daddy lives in SW Arkansas, by the way. I am not going to mention where I live...
David from jax

 

[patrick_g]

David, I will keep that in mind. Many of the trailers I saw were in the north east but I'll keep your idea in mind. I suppose anything along the route from Florida to SW Arkansas would make sense. I can get a trailer delivered from Texas for $1.50 a mile but Texas is WAY CLOSER than Florida.

You can PM me with an estimate of $/mile while towing and if you ant to deliver to me or I have to go to SW Arkansas to get it.

Thanks for the offer.

Pat

 

[sandman2234]

I have been known to go to Atlanta to pick up Oygen/Acet bottles that needed to be in Vicksburg, and hauled Duragraders from Mississippi to halfway to Savannah. I don't get rich doing it, just make it to where the trip doesn't cost me as much money compared to what it would take you to move it with a commercial carrier. If they will move it for less, use them, if I can save you some money and defray some of my gas costs, feel free to contact me. If I can go see Daddy and help someone else out doing it, I can see it as a win win situation. Last trip I wondered across the north end of Arkansas(Harrison) to pick up a Roll In Journeyman 20" bandsaw, plus a couple other goodies. On that trip I hauled some lightweight stuff back on a trailer to SW Florida from near Hugo, Ok and that paid for the whole trip as far as gas was concerned.
I just thought it might help to know you have other options when looking at trailers in the SE. Besides, I still have to figure out a way to deliver a rootbeer float to you...
David from jax

 

[patrick_g]

David, I appreciate your offer. I think I understand and if it seems we can help each other I would certainly get hold of you. I have no deadline for getting my hands on a dump trailer except my own impatience and frankly if it would help you without unduly delaying or costing me, I'd rather help you out than pay some big nameless entity. Ideally I can find a trailer close enough for me to pick up in a day but second choice (now) will be to find the right trailer at a decent price somewhere between you and I.

Thanks again for offereing me a plan B, an insurance policy.

Next topic:

So I go to the Cattleman's meeting last night to hear the main speaker (Oklahoma Highway Patrol) who is to talk on the tightened enforcement of regulations (enacted in late 70's) which have gone pretty much ignored by a large segment of the states ag industry AND law enforcement. Now lots of folks are worried that if they hitch their HD 1 ton pickup to a large trailer they are illegal, even with no load because they are capable of a combined gross weight in excess of 26,500 (if I recall correctly.) Others say they will avoid a truck capable of greater than 10,001 pounds gross.

A state senator and a representative were there but The Highway Patrol should be cited for failure to appear. Now they have me concerned about buying too capable of a trailer and getting into some kind of a regulatory snafu. I don't want to have to have a logbook or other hassle.

Shucks, in Oklahoma a private trailer "NOT FOR HIRE" doesn't even have to have tags and registration, just a bill of sale. Every so often when out of state some unknowledgeable cop will stop you for not having a license plate, you explain the situation, he radios in to find out, then to save face he tries to find an excuse to write you up.

Some of us, ESPECIALLY ME, don't know what the rules are. My excuse is, "rules, what rules, we don't need no stinkin' rules." So I will start a new thread to cover the topic and let you experienced smart guys give us dummies some guidance.

Pat

 

[jsborn]

Patrick_g

There are a couple of threads in the trailering section that have dealt with the regulations issues. You might find an answer there but be careful what you ask along this topic it is like the question of what type oil to use Everyone one here is an expert and they all have different opinions. Makes for good reading but still don't know what to believe. ( no offence to anyones opinion as (I have one or two of my own and I know mine are right )

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I made some more progress today. I've attached a few pictures of the decking I did today.

Pic 1 shows that the wood all started as a crate. (I'd posted this pic before, but it's relevant here again.)

Pics 2 through 4 show some different shots of the decking and the front.

I've got some more wood prepared to plane down and cut out for the sides and the back, but that will have to wait until next time.

I'm having a hard time deciding whether to paint the wood black to match the rest of the trailer or to leave it natural with some kind of varnish on it. Any input here would be welcome.