Hauling a Polaris Ranger in a dump trailer...

Diamondback · Jan 18, 2010

Just bought a Polaris 800 and already have three trailers that do their respective jobs well and would rather not buy yet another.

Here's the deal...my utility trailer is only 5X8 and not large enough. Next size up is a 6X10 bed over dump trailer and the last is my 18ft equipment trailer which could be used but a lot of trouble for such a small task.

Trying to save a few $$, I thought I'd just put a few eye bolts in the dump trailer for ty downs and buy a set of aluminim ramps...dual use trailer!

Well...maybe not great. Doing the math means if I get it loaded DEAD CENTER, I'll only have six inches of clearance on each side and about the same front to back. Add the eye bolts and side to side will be a bit tight and kind of a pain to get in and out of the Ranger when loading and unloading due to the 2 1/2 ft walls.

Anyone out there have a similar set up? Are the savings worth it? Or should I just start looking for a 6X12 utility. Still feeling the sting of handing over all those hard earned greenbacks for the unit. Oh well...any thoughts or recomendations would be appreciated.

Thanks, Diamondback

jackh · Jan 18, 2010

i built myself a 6x10 utility trailer a while back. i chose this size because its just big enough to fit my ranger, but small enough to be towed around by the ranger when you get to duck camp or deer lease etc. mines not a dump trailer, it has like a 5 ft tailgate or reinforced expanded metal. you will find that you will get a little more clearance by backing the ranger onto the trailer- the bed can hang over the front rail of the trailer a little.

for me, i have no problems fitting the ranger in lengthwise, but i always get off center when loading it on and theres not much room for error. i would stick with the 6x10, its not that big a deal and will work fine.

aczlan · Jan 18, 2010

Is the ranger tall enough that you can you go over the front/side of the trailer and hook onto something there? That might be easier on the front and you can strap the back down before you close the rear door.

Aaron Z

CurlyDave · Jan 19, 2010

How does your dump trailer actuate?

If it is a scissors style, all is OK. If it is direct push by a hydraulic ram, the bed can be raised by enough weight on the rear. You will need to secure the front of the bed so it doesn't come up while you are driving the Ranger up ramps in the back.

My 6 x 12 dump has hooks welded on the outside of the bed. Looks like these could be used to secure an ATV without compromising interior space.

Diamondback · Jan 19, 2010

CurlyDave,

The trailer IS a direct push by hydraulic ram. Although the tandem axles are set off center toward the back I can see how it may be possible the bed would rise given enough weight on the back. Thanks for the heads up! Defininitely should secure the bed to frame to avoid extreme embarassment.

The trailer does have rectangular tubing welded to the out side top of the bed walls. I always assumed they were there to extend the bed walls up higher as they appear to be just the right size to slip a 2X4 into. My thought regarding the eye loop bolts was to secure the frame with down pressure toward the floor rather up high on the chassis (due to the high trailer walls).

aczlan & jackh,

Backing the Ranger should definitely give me a little more room to work front to back. Thanks. The ramps will have to take me up 33 inches to get into the bed. Have to work on my backing skills.

So, let's see how it might go:

1) Secure the front of the bed to the frame (dont' want things shifting while going up the ramps).

2) I have approximately 3 1/2 inches of clearance on each side if I use the eye bolts to secure front and rear so go slow and hope my aim is pretty good. Not much room for error.

Oh, one more thing. I'll be going up the ramps with almost 3 feet of vertical rise...BACKWARDS!

Sure seemed like a good idea at first. May want to hold off on buying those ramps after all and start saving for a more suitable utility trailer.

Thanks for the input guys, (a disappointed) Diamondback

Diamondback · Jan 19, 2010

Still trying to make this thing work.

What do you guys think about this d-ring on the sides to allow a little more clearance?

D-Rings & D Ring Tie Downs : Ratchet Straps, Tie Down Straps, E Track Tie Downs, Moving Blankets & Pads, Cargo Straps, U.S. Cargo Control

In theory it should give me extra room side to side when loading and deploy as a ty down once loaded. Still not crazy about the backing up thing.

jackh · Jan 19, 2010

hope your ramps have good traction. ive gotten to where i just pull on to mine straight because backing is a pain in the *** with so little clearance.

fyi you will have to get a little running start. its sometimes hard for mine to climb my ramp and keep traction once on the slick wood floor of the trailer. getting momentum and getting onto it with that little clearance can be kinda hairy.

just go outside and do it a couple times both ways, it will save you the stress of tryng to figure it out on the fly when you actually need to load it and go somewhere

Diamondback · Jan 19, 2010

jackh,

I'm with ya on the backing thing. The d-ring ty down (link above) should give me more side to side so I'm more at ease with this as a possible haul trailer for the Ranger. There will be a couple inches clearance front and back so I'll probably give it a try after all. Just didn't want to invest in the ramps and alter my dump trailer if it wasn't going to work.

Below is a link to the ramps I'm considering. What do you think? How do they compare to the ones you use? Hard to tell from a pic but they appear to have decent traction. I believe they also intend to add two additional versions that will be longer offering a more gradual slope.

UTV Ramp

Thanks for the responses, Diamondback

jackh · Jan 20, 2010

ya those ramps would probably work just fine. if it was me id just make my own, but i dont know if you have a welder or anything. i found some pics of the trailer i built. right now it is a glossy red and the wood is polyurethaned. i dressed it up for a parade before taking it back out to the ranch. notice the horseshoes for tie down pts and the seats/steps around the fenders.