Dump Trailer

[patrick_g]

If the ID of the bolt holes where end grain is exposed is not sealed then rot is a worry. While covering the bed will help (sometimes), moist air and dew may still get to the ID area. Unfortunately, if the aluminum or other water proof sheet goods layered on the floor is not bedded and sealed properly it will hold moisture between itself and the wood and promote rot.

We sure have whipped this poor pony to within an inch of its life. The situation is simple. If you do nothing the floor will eventually rot out. If you protect the floor except the ID of the holes the holes will rot out. If you toss a sheet of plastic or aluminum on the floor it will hold moisture and promote rot. If you properly install and seal a sheet over the wood it will protect the floor but depending on what you haul may be overkill. A tarp that breathes is fine but a vapor proof cover will entrap moisture and promote rot.

Of all the various protective measures available I think a good penetrating sealer/preservative would have been a good choice and less work and cost that most of the other choices. If you put tape over the bottom of the bolt hole you can fill the hole with your penetrating sealer (the floor stuff used on the surface of the boards may be just fine) and let it soak into the ID of the bolt holes. If the floor coating or other protectant soaks in then just fill the hole again till it takes all it will. You don't have to wait for it to dry before assembly and inserting the bolts.

Fast simple and uses what you already have.

Pat

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...Fast simple and uses what you already have.

Pat

Now you're talking something I can do. Back when people were floating ideas about fiberglass sealers and such I was thinking "overkill".

I've varnished three sides of the boards now. I got kicked out of the basement before I could varnish the last wide side, but that may work to my advantage now.

My plan is to put the varnished side down and assemble everything with the raw wood facing the inside of the bed. Then I'll pull out the bolts a few rows at a time and put the first coat of varnish on. I'll follow your advice, Pat, and try to slosh as much into the bolt holes as practical. I've actually got some wool daubers that I use with my leather work that would work great dipped in varnish to coat the insides of the holes. I'll put the subsequent coats on over the tops of the bolts.

I think this will be a great balance between cost, effort, and need.

I've also attached a picture of why I didn't get anything done on the dump trailer over this weekend. That's my dad and brothers you see. I'm holding the camera. We're over 7,000 feet and a few miles West of Yellowstone National Park. Yes, that is snow falling. It takes a lot to keep us from a ride.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

More Progress. I set up the deck and got the holes drilled. It's too cold to varnish right now, but I may sneak home for lunch and put a coat on.

When I was counter sinking the bolts, I tore up a few of the boards. The combination of the wood, the bit and the drill that I was using to counter sink would grab at the wood, and I lifted the top grain up to a few inches away from some of the holes. I'm sure a few weeks of use will even everything out, though.

 

[jsborn]

We sure have whipped this poor pony to within an inch of its life. The situation is simple uses what you already have.

Pat

I have enjoyed the thread and gleaned a lot of useful information from it BUT you could have replaced the floor twice it the time it has taken to type and read all the advice .

Before I get flamed I am just kiddin..

Great looking trailer now lets see it dump something dirty.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I came home for lunch to varnish the deck. The temperature outside is registering at 45 degrees. I don't have many other options, and the weather is likely not going to get much warmer for a while, so I'm hanging a heat lamp over the deck and hoping for the best.

 

[sandman2234]

45 degrees???
You guys order in a little winter ahead of schedule? I have been out playing in the rain, watching the flow of water so I know how to address my watershed problems when the guy next door runs out of money trying to fix his. I was doing it with sandals on my feet. I just heard the A/C unit kick on.
David from jax

 

[Iplayfarmer]

45 degrees???
You guys order in a little winter ahead of schedule? I have been out playing in the rain, watching the flow of water so I know how to address my watershed problems when the guy next door runs out of money trying to fix his. I was doing it with sandals on my feet. I just heard the A/C unit kick on.
David from jax

I just saw the local weather forecast. We're expecting some pretty significant snow tonight and tomorrow. Looks like I won't be varnishing for a few days at least.

We're looking for days in the 70's next week, though.

I would much rather deal with the cold and not the heat. I can always put more clothes on...

 

[patrick_g]

IPLAYFARMER, Bondo or other catalyzed filler is perfectly good for use on wood and is sold at the big box stores for that purpose. You can fill your tearouts with that and it will slow/stop rot as it will prevent moisture or wet material from accumulating in the tearouts.

Pat.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Our pretty significant snow came as forecast...

The snow was wet and heavy. With leaves still on the trees, the branches couldn't handle the weight. We had branches down all over the place. The power was out for about 7 hours.

I did get a little more done on the trailer, though. I installed all the bolts in the deck.

 

[patrick_g]

I did get a little more done on the trailer, though. I installed all the bolts in the deck.

Nice Kodak moment, a post card picture. What is your elevation?

We are still in the 80's most days and only once in a while get below the 70's overnight. We will get winter, eventually, just not right now.

All this dump trailer talk finally whipped me up into a frenzy which NOT FINDING a good deal on a used one in the last few months didn't help so I bought a new one yesterday. It will be such a versatile tool I know I will love it and if anything goes wrong I will blame getting it on you!!!

Pat

 

[sandman2234]

Patrick_g
And the pictures of your new dump trailer are where???
David from jax

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Nice Kodak moment, a post card picture. What is your elevation?

We are still in the 80's most days and only once in a while get below the 70's overnight. We will get winter, eventually, just not right now.

All this dump trailer talk finally whipped me up into a frenzy which NOT FINDING a good deal on a used one in the last few months didn't help so I bought a new one yesterday. It will be such a versatile tool I know I will love it and if anything goes wrong I will blame getting it on you!!!

Pat

I gladly accept full responsibility for persuasion.

Our elevation is just under 5,000 feet. I love it here, but it's not for everyone. Maybe that's why I love it here.

 

[patrick_g]

I gladly accept full responsibility for persuasion.

Our elevation is just under 5,000 feet. I love it here, but it's not for everyone. Maybe that's why I love it here.

One of the many selection criteria for choosing rural Oklahoma was that there are more people living in San Diego county California than there are in the whole state of Oklahoma. So we moved from San Diego to Oklahoma for that and many other reasons but that alone would be a strong motivator.

OK, guys, I'll go take some snaps of the trailer.

Pat

 

[patrick_g]

OK, Here are some snaps of the new dump trailer.

Hmm, That went well. No comments about the way she is holding the grapefruit or the Harley.

I'll try again, harder.

Seems to be working this time...

1. First is a side view of the trailier up at 45 degrees
2. Multiway tailgate open like barn doors, can latch open
3. 8 ft ramps stored underneath, pull out and adjust width.
4. Side view, down
5. Toolbox open showing battery, motor/pump/reservoir and remote control cable and switchbox.
6. Tongue and toolbox from side. Note the coupler is adjustable up and down over quite a range so you don't have to worry about changing the tow truck's draw bar drop dimension.
7. 2008 F-250 Super Duty Tailgate Step. Note the grab handle and step. The handle folds down and the steps fold up and retract into the tailgate. (black interior of bed is 2 day old Line-X coating)

The relief pressure of the system is 3200LBS. The pair of axles are rated for 5200 lbs each. Recommended tongue weight is 20% so absolute max safe load is 12,480 lbs. I think 10,000 is a more reasonable max load.

There are D-rings inside the bed to secure a load like a tractor and D-rings outside to secure whatever and lots of tiedowns for a tarp plus stake pockets for sideboards to carry larger volume of light stuff.

No tags required in Oklahoma if private not for hire operation.

Electric brakes on all four wheels and a break away control to apply brakes if there is a hitch failure. Built to DOT requirements with reflector tapes and all required running lights.

Had to constantly remind myself it was on behind dragging it home as it was so smooth. We'll see how it drives with a load.

Tailgate opens in middle like barn doors or will tilt out at bottom for scattering material like graveling a drive.

This will make handling logs easier. Should be able to haul logs about 18 ft long with big ends up front for better balance. Will make emptying logs easier, just raise the bed and drive forward.

I'm working on an idea for using a blower motor to "pump" granular cattle feed so I should be able to haul bulk feed in this trailer as well.

Its interior dimensions is 12' long, 6'5" wide, and 2' high without sideboards. The tires are 16 inch load range E.

Pat

 

[Defective]

Nice new truck to pull it with also...

 

[sandman2234]

Except for the color, that is exactly what was in my front yard a week or so ago, dropping off a load of topsoil. The battery on this green rental trailer wasn't able to accept a charge from the pulling truck, only by plugging it in to a wall receptacle. Might want to check the voltage on your battery with your truck off, and then again with it running to see if yours will charge from the pulling vehicle. If it won't, I suggest figuring out a way to make it happen, as the way this one was set up was a pain. Hopefully it was setup that way due to being a rental trailer.
By the way, very, very nice trailer!!! If it weren't for the amount of money you spent, I would be jealous. As it is, I will stick with my $100 trailer.
David from jax

 

[patrick_g]

Might want to check the voltage on your battery with your truck off, and then again with it running to see if yours will charge from the pulling vehicle. If it won't, I suggest figuring out a way to make it happen, as the way this one was set up was a pain. Hopefully it was setup that way due to being a rental trailer.
By the way, very, very nice trailer!!! If it weren't for the amount of money you spent, I would be jealous. As it is, I will stick with my $100 trailer.
David from jax

David & Defective, Thanks for the comments. I could have built a dump trailer (copying a successful design) but I got too good of a deal on this new one to warrant my time scurrying around gathering stuff up and actually doing it. It looks to be well built by a manufacturer who has done a lot of them over the years and has optimized the build process. It came in several hundred $ under the lowest of the other sources I found within 200 miles one way. It arrived from Texas after 4 PM, the sales staff I had talked with called me and we picked it up Saturday.

I realize when keeping the costs down things could be a tad rough around the edges but the only little things I noted were: The holes in the rear stake pockets to secure the dump adjust chains and the cutaway in the side of the tool box to let the lid close over the remote cord were cut free hand with something (torch?) and the edges of the cut are crude. I impaled my thumb on a "meathook" which I will file away and touchup. I have found no other flaws.

Defective, The white diesel F-250 4x4 is the replacement for the Dodge Dakota 4x4(in theory) and will be subjected to running around in the weeds, briars and running over small trees and brush as well as towing the dumper. The 1 ton Dodge will have reduced ranch duties and will get a chance to do more of what it was customized for in the first place, carrying a large cab over slide in camper which hasn't been on it in 3 years.

Pat

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...So we moved from San Diego to Oklahoma...

OK, guys, I'll go take some snaps of the trailer.

Pat

Around here you'd be mighty brave to admit moving in from California. There are just too many that move out to get away from the big city and then do their best to insult the locals because they're backwards and not civil like "us city folk". It's been a real turn-off to all of us.

In fact I saw an ad in the classifieds a few weeks ago for a trailer. In the ad the guy offered a special discount to anyone wanting it to move back to California.

By the way...Nice Trailer! Can't beat a professionally made product if the price is right. I assume your discount had nothing to do with your point of origin or intended destination.

 

[sandman2234]

I don't think your going to talk Patrick_g into moving back to Ca, even if you gave him the trailer, much less just a discount!!
David from jax

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I don't think your going to talk Patrick_g into moving back to Ca, even if you gave him the trailer, much less just a discount!!
David from jax

I had figured as much. There are good people here from CA. They're the kind that come here to be here rather than to escape something else.