New trailer build

[Big Barn]

Thanks Brad. I've purchased those on sale for $5.99. They also have lighter bolt on ones in the 1000# rating range (suitable for shoelace rack maybe), but no sizes in between like H F. I'll probably do as Steve suggested and make my own. Either that or get a few buddies together and bring a H F franchise to Canada. Terry

 

[KYGIRL]

It's looking good.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

The D rings are a nice touch, but I would not consider it finished unless you made some fixed tied downs/stake pockets on the side. D rings do not offer as solid of tied down as a piece of 4 inch channel welded to the side of the trailer. They can move and flex under load. Chain hooks have no fixed point/ place to grab. Most truckers will tell you that unless the hook is anchored to the trailer instead of back on itself the load isn't safe and secure. They drop the hooks through the stake pocket and then the hook goes back round to slide onto the stake pocket.

 

[Big Barn]

The D rings are a nice touch, but I would not consider it finished unless you made some fixed tied downs/stake pockets on the side. D rings do not offer as solid of tied down as a piece of 4 inch channel welded to the side of the trailer. They can move and flex under load. Chain hooks have no fixed point/ place to grab. Most truckers will tell you that unless the hook is anchored to the trailer instead of back on itself the load isn't safe and secure. They drop the hooks through the stake pocket and then the hook goes back round to slide onto the stake pocket.

Definitely my favourite way to go. Plus one could "join" the pockets on each side with a length of flat bar on edge to to create a rub rail and additional mounting points. Once again tho, nice build! Terry

 

[pjb09]

The D rings are a nice touch, but I would not consider it finished unless you made some fixed tied downs/stake pockets on the side. D rings do not offer as solid of tied down as a piece of 4 inch channel welded to the side of the trailer. They can move and flex under load. Chain hooks have no fixed point/ place to grab. Most truckers will tell you that unless the hook is anchored to the trailer instead of back on itself the load isn't safe and secure. They drop the hooks through the stake pocket and then the hook goes back round to slide onto the stake pocket.

You guys are making more work for me. After welding on pockets, i'll have to repaint again!

 

[pjb09]

Painting the top of the deck was easy, but crawling around underneath with a spay gun wouldn't be much fun, so we made it easier.

 

[dragoneggs]

Painting the top of the deck was easy, but crawling around underneath with a spay gun wouldn't be much fun, so we made it easier.
View attachment 380655

Hey that's cheating! Nice job... I need a high bay and a lift. Don't think the wife is going to understand the benefits of a forklift. All my life I have been crawling, twisting, etc. Getting too old. :laughing:

 

[pjb09]

After seeing how much draw welding my spring hangers on my trailer frame created I decided to use this effect to help straighten my 6 ft fork extensions on my fork lift.
They are made from 6x2x1/4 channel and had 1.75 inch bows from lifting 5000# racks of granite over 6 or 7 years. I ran a bead of 1/8 7018 down each side and removed 1 inch of bow. When I get more rods next week I will continue with the second one. Should be able to get them close to straight again.

 

[Furu]

Real nice trailer build. I wish mine had been as quick but has been several months in the build.

Paint looks real nice. How many coats after the primer did you use?

 

[pjb09]

Some parts have 3 coats, some 2. The expanded metal has only one. Have to find the time for another coat. Really hard to paint the 3# expanded and get paint everywhere. There are quite a few spots near welds that are showing some rust after only one coat. 80% of the paint gets wasted.

 

[bdog]

That is an awesome trailer. I really like the design and have wanted one like that (but heavier) for some time but have not seen one on the market. I haul a large skid steer a lot and I get tired of all the mud on the trailer deck and then there is also no need for a full deck as all I haul on that trailer is the skid steer. That expanded metal would allow easy washing of the trailer and provide good traction.

 

[pjb09]

That is an awesome trailer. I really like the design and have wanted one like that (but heavier) for some time but have not seen one on the market. I haul a large skid steer a lot and I get tired of all the mud on the trailer deck and then there is also no need for a full deck as all I haul on that trailer is the skid steer. That expanded metal would allow easy washing of the trailer and provide good traction.

Thanks.
The design could easily be beafed up with heavier wall tubes, closer spacing on horizontal and heavier axles. The expanded metal on my trailer is 3#, you would probably want 5# or more for a skid steer.

 

[pjb09]

Finally got around to finishing the ramps and installing them.

 

[George2615]

Finally got around to finishing the ramps and installing them.View attachment 384720

Looking good.
Since the ramps are already painted I guess your not going to add support feet (like attached) or you can add swing down rear trailer support stands to the trailer frame. They will prevent whatever you are driving up the ramps from pushing the back of the trailer down resulting in the front of the trailer lifting the tow vehicle.

 

[pjb09]

Looking good.
Since the ramps are already painted I guess your not going to add support feet (like attached) or you can add swing down rear trailer support stands to the trailer frame. They will prevent whatever you are driving up the ramps from pushing the back of the trailer down resulting in the front of the trailer lifting the tow vehicle.[/QUOTE

planning to add swing down stands similar to those on travel trailers.

 

[George2615]

[/QUOTE

planning to add swing down stands similar to those on travel trailers.[/QUOTE]

Carry on then and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[roadhunter]

Not meaning to be argumentative, so let me apologize in advance if this seems so:

Going with one axle brakes may be perfectly legal and work very well for you - maybe. But again, considering the quite modest cost, *why not* go for as much braking capability as is reasonably possible for your rig? You may never need it, towing with that big dually . . . but then again, being able to stop even quicker in an emergency might well make the difference - maybe. Also, emergency braking in on surfaces with lower coefficients of friction, wet, icy, snow, etc. it is handy not to have your trailer attempt to pass you up. Having all wheels with brakes back there is not a bad idea. Did I mention it doesn't cost much? :c)

Disclaimer: I might be biased on all of this, being a former motorcycle cop and accident investigator I've seen my share.

Had a friend get in a situation in KS with only brakes on 1 axle when he got pulled over. Ended up having to take the wheels off the other axle just to drive back to Oklahoma after removing the load and putting it on another trailer. doesn't happen often but can be a big PITA if it does.

 

[dragoneggs]

Looking good. Since the ramps are already painted I guess your not going to add support feet (like attached) or you can add swing down rear trailer support stands to the trailer frame. They will prevent whatever you are driving up the ramps from pushing the back of the trailer down resulting in the front of the trailer lifting the tow vehicle.

Those supports look like a good idea but how well do they work if on unlevel ground... say the ground is higher at the back end of the trailer being higher than at the wheels? Just wondering.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Looking good.
Since the ramps are already painted I guess your not going to add support feet (like attached) or you can add swing down rear trailer support stands to the trailer frame. They will prevent whatever you are driving up the ramps from pushing the back of the trailer down resulting in the front of the trailer lifting the tow vehicle.

Growing up in the heavy equipment business, I can't tell you how important it is to have all four vehicle wheels on the ground when loading. lol. If you've ever gone for a free ride down a hill with only the front wheels of the truck on the ground, it isn't that easy to steer if someone is on the backof the trailer holding on for dear life too....and front brakes on a 65 Ford flat bed one ton aren't that great to start with and when the engine isn't running....

 

[Big Barn]

Those supports look like a good idea but how well do they work if on unlevel ground... say the ground is higher at the back end of the trailer being higher than at the wheels? Just wondering.

Making the hinge points "double jointed" would help a bit for unlevel sites. Chocking trailer wheels is always a good idea also. Terry