Home built 5'X8' dump trailer

[Oldmax]

This is an onging project I have been working on for about a year .

 

[Sherweld]

Very nice indeed. Exactly what I have in mind. Keep us posted please.

 

[alltoys]

This is something I have to build myself. I do have a question though. Doesn't your axles have to be twisted down more? Center of your axles look even with the frame not much distance for movement of the tires.

 

[Oldmax]

The axles are 3500-lb Torsion axles With Brakes from Travel Trailer. and I have my doubts about ground clearance myself. But was all I could come up with at time. Chould be OK for road. Worked last winter on it but haven't had time to work on this summer. Built from parts collected over the years & from my scrap pile.

 

[alltoys]

I am curious about your axles because the torsion rubber block I have seen the support arms hang down almost at a 45* angle. Yours are level with the frame, not much suspension from what I see from your pics. Just my observation might be something to watch for later on.

 

[Tig]

Very nice project. Can't wait to see more.

 

[Oldmax]

alltoys : The axles are from a Travel Trailer "an older one same hight as a 4" dropped axle " I mounted them same as on trailer. There isn't much give to them . If they don't work I will be looking for some stright axles with springs.

 

[Renze]

If they don't work I will be looking for some stright axles with springs.

I dont know how strong these axles are, and where you would use this dumptrailer: However i can imagine a swing arm of a torsion axle bending, when you pull it around the corner with a tractor in a rutted field.

I worked at a trailer manufacturer (till last week) and we found many torsion axles to bend when people cornered too tight around kerb stones... Those were 1800kg (3500 Lbs) Knott axles. Your Dexter axles might be stronger though, i dont know, the only times i saw Dexter axles was when we converted big North American horse trailers and camper trailers, to European axles with air brakes (above 3500 kg axle weight, a powered braking system (air or hydraulic) with ABS is required in Europe)
The Dexters i've seen, just rolled on and off a lowboy into our workshop and never saw any real life excersise

 

[RWolf]

To give a bit more clearance remount the axles under the frame. IMO better to have the loade on top of the axles instead of under. Also would give you abit more clearance in the field.

 

[alchemysa]

I've often wondered about the use of trailers in the US. Here in Australia is seems that every second person I know owns a trailer (usually a 6x4) but I never see them in US movies or TV shows. Are they uncommon in the US? Personally I have an 8x5 and couldn't live without it. We've never really been big on 'Pickups' over here so perhaps that explains the popularity of trailers.

 

[Oldmax]

alchemysa : They are a lot of utility trailers here from 4'X4' to 6'X20'. I own 5 myself have a 5'X8' tilt utility , the 5'X8' dump , & a 6'4" X 16' thet I hual farm tractor on, also have a couple that just use on farm.

 

[mopacman]

I have a 6x8 PU bed, 5x8 box, 7x9 dump, 6x12 flat bed, and two 8x 20 flat bed trailers. All of my newer trailers are tamden axle.......Larry

 

[denmansoft]

Hollywood doesn't portray real people, mostly just the 'Glam' types that wouldn't be able to hook up a trailer (safely at least).
I only have 3 trailers at the moment....

 

[CCWKen]

I've often wondered about the use of trailers in the US. Here in Australia is seems that every second person I know owns a trailer (usually a 6x4) but I never see them in US movies or TV shows. Are they uncommon in the US? Personally I have an 8x5 and couldn't live without it. We've never really been big on 'Pickups' over here so perhaps that explains the popularity of trailers.

There's a lot of trailers in the US. Car guys haul their "trailer queens" on/in them. Construction folks haul tools and materials. Landscapers haul mowers. Horses, cattle, swine and hay don't go anywhere without a trailer. I'm out in the sticks and I can think of three trailer dealers all within five miles. Here in South Texas, pickups are for groceries. If you want to haul something, you get a trailer.

 

[ampsucker]

agree! there are LOTS of trailers here! especially in rural areas, but city folks have 'em too - usually smaller.

i have a truck and will often still choose a trailer due to it being able to haul more weight, lower center of gravity, easier to load (with forklift or bucket), less expensive to fix, easier to leave unloaded if i don't have time, etc.

last week i bought a tiller on ebay. the guy tried to help me load it into the bed of my pickup and cracked my tail light on the truck. i KNEW i should have brought the old beater trailer. i wouldn't be looking on ebay right now for a new tundra right rear tail light!

nice to have options!

 

[ultrarunner]

I've often wondered about the use of trailers in the US. Here in Australia is seems that every second person I know owns a trailer (usually a 6x4) but I never see them in US movies or TV shows. Are they uncommon in the US? Personally I have an 8x5 and couldn't live without it. We've never really been big on 'Pickups' over here so perhaps that explains the popularity of trailers.

I have several as do many on TBN... but I don't think we're at all typical.

I believe trailers were much more common starting in the 40's and especially through the 50's to mid 60's here in the states. Just about all the Fathers in Boy Scouts had utility trailers and so did many of my neighbors growing up. Don't forget, pickup trucks didn't start to become mainstream until the mid 60's.

For just about everything I do, a trailer is far more useful and practical for hauling than my truck. I started my Property Mgmt business with a slant 6 Plymouth Valiant and a dump bed utility trailer... both of which I still have. My trailer would haul more and carry more than a pickup and cost next to nothing to license and required almost no maintenance or separate insurance. Trailers are very economical to move stuff.

My trailers are far easier to load and secure items then my truck and I never have to worry about damaging them. I've hauled everything from appliances, rock and gravel, antique cars to a million dollar Visx Excimer Laser for the hospital

 

[alchemysa]

i KNEW i should have brought the old beater trailer. i wouldn't be looking on ebay right now for a new tundra right rear tail light

Ouch that might cost more than the trailer.

OK fellas you've convinced me you are wise to trailers. I was watching a US movie a few years ago and the family hired a trailer to move house. I remember thinking thats the first time I had ever seen a trailer on a US film or TV show. But, come to think of it, you probably never see one on TV over here either.