Latching a tilt trailer?

[Iplayfarmer]

I'd like to get some ideas and see some pictures of some latch mechanisms for tilt bed trailers.

I picked up a 14' tilt bed last week, but I haven't hauled anything on it yet. I've been going through it adding lights, safety chain, etc. and I want to improve the latch mechanism. Right now there's a catch that holds the latch in place, but the catch is only held in place by gravity. That makes me nervous. I'll try to get some pics and post them so you can get the idea.

I would like some ideas what others have, what works, and what doesn't so that when I go to modify this one, I can do it well.

Thanks.

 

[DieselPower]

Snap a picture of the current one and I'm sure we can come up with some better ideas.

 

[George2615]

Here's a couple pics of my tilt bed latch. Sorry about all the dirt. We're in the mud season now as the snow melts.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I really meant to get some pictures today. I was even out showing my dad the new trailer, and that would have been a perfect time, but I didn't think about it. It was such a nice day that I got caught up doing a whole bunch of other things.

Stay tuned. I'll get some pictures, and then we can all work together to improve the situation.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Snap a picture of the current one and I'm sure we can come up with some better ideas.

Here are two pictures. The first one shows the latch closed. You'll notice that the catch that holds the latch in place is held in place only by gravity.

The second picture show the latch open ready to tilt the bed.

I'm looking for a quick, easy way to keep the latch more secure when I'm going down the road.

 

[CATMAN]

Drill a hole, in the angle iron, opposite side of the slot that the gravity latch drops into on that same angle iron. If 3/8" hole, you could use a padlock, hitch pin or a bolt/nut assembly that would keep the latch handle from rotating open. This would be very, very simple and easy. If one looks at it like a clock, and the pivot point of the latch is the center on the hour hand, then your gravity latch is at 7:00 and my suggestion for the hole would be at the 4:30-5:00 position. Hope this helps the visual picture I have in my head.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Drill a hole, in the angle iron, opposite side of the slot that the gravity latch drops into on that same angle iron. If 3/8" hole, you could use a padlock, hitch pin or a bolt/nut assembly that would keep the latch handle from rotating open. This would be very, very simple and easy.

I did just as you suggested. The best solutions are often the simplest, aren't they.

Thanks

I've attached some pictures.

 

[CATMAN]

Hey, that looks good. I like your spring loaded clip, too.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Hey, that looks good. I like your spring loaded clip, too.

I wanted something that could be put on or taken off with one hand.

The lock or bolt idea was a good one, but with my luck I'd lose the key to the lock or forget the wrenches for the bolt when I get to where I'm going. The spring clip seems to be every bit as secure as the other options.

 

[WaveTrain]

Here's a couple pics of my tilt bed latch. Sorry about all the dirt. We're in the mud season now as the snow melts.

Hey hey, a 3 year old thread gets a revival! I like George's Tilt latch. Anyone know where I can buy one prefabricated?

 

[George2615]

Wave Train, I just replied to your PM.

For the rest that may be interested my tilt latch came on the trailer. It is made of 3 pieces of 7/8" I.D. pipe and a 7/8" solid bar inside that slides forward when pulled against the spring pressure. Another member here told me that H and H Trailer Co. went out of business and since I can't bring up their site anymore I don't know the status of the company. The HHTrailer.com site comes up as under construction. I haven't had a need to call them but the main plant was in Braddyville, IA with a Ph.# is still listed as (712)589-3100.
These type latches could easily be made from any size pipe and solid bar stock that will fit inside. It wouldn't even need to be spring loaded as long as there was some way to secure the pin in the locked and unlocked positions. Attached are a couple more close ups of the latch.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Hey hey, a 3 year old thread gets a revival! I like George's Tilt latch. Anyone know where I can buy one prefabricated?

I'll bet you could find a spring loaded gate latch that would do the trick.