Help small dump trailer design: safe?

[oldboyscout]

I need to keep it small for use in the woods so I want the wheels underneath. I also need to use it on road for cargo-so a flat bed would be would best.

 

[oldboyscout]

It needs to be small for off road use so I want the wheels under the bed. I also need to carry cargo On Road, so the flat bed would be most useful.

 

[ferrari99]

I think the centre (aussie way) of gravity would be high, but I think it also depends on the terrain, load and speed it is used at.
Maybe this is a silly idea but could you put a weight under the bed over the axle to help counter act thee effect?
Are you making it hydraulic dump (probably a silly question)?

 

[oldboyscout]

I did do the added weight thing on another trailer that was too "tongue-light" when empty (axle too far back) and it did work, so I guess that's a possibility. It may be fine without it but I have nothing to compare.

 

[ferrari99]

I guess you could build it with that in mind so if need be you can add it. What type of loads will it carry off-road? terrain?

 

[oldboyscout]

firewood and gravel. the terrain isn't good, but I can work around most of it.

 

[nahfwt]

Sounds like you want a narrow version of the M1101 HMMWV trailer. Here is a link Light Tactical Trailer M1101 & M1102

 

[dfkrug]

Will the center of gravity be too high?

Since you want to use the trailer on the road as well as the trails, maybe as fast as 55mph,
consider:

You can compensate for high COG by using sway bars, or starting with a PU truck
rear frame. Shock absorbers help here, too. Most trailers have neither. Trailer
tires work better than truck tires, too, due to the stiffer sidewalls.

My tanker trailer below has high COG, but it is built on a Ranger rear half, with the above
features. It also has brakes, but they are not connected. I know it does not dump,
but the estimated empty weight is 800#, and 150 gal of water pushes it to 2000#.

BTW, I also stole the Ranger's bed for the dump box base on my Suzuki Samurai dumptruck.

 

[ferrari99]

firewood and gravel. the terrain isn't good, but I can work around most of it.

Could you build the tray like this and make a deck that sits in the hole for on road, flat bed use. You will get more load capacity off road and it will lower the centre of gravity.
http://www.muts.ca/userfiles/IMGP8025-300.jpg
Just my opinion....