Trailer Fork Pockets

[GreatWhitehunter]

I'm about to pick up my new Cam Superline trailer next week and I ordered it with the fork pockets.
My other trailer(Load Trail Dump) has fork pockets also. After using them a few times on the dump it really tears up the paint (PC on the dump, paint on the Cam)
I got to thinking that maybe I should line the bottom of the pockets with something like strips of telfon/ptfe/hpde to keep the metal on metal to a min and the paint good/rust at bay. I googled the idea I had hoping I'd find someone had already tried this but came up with nothing. Then I got to thinking about a graphite dry lube instead. Anyone have any other suggestions? The forks are Bradco HD model so they weigh 200-300 lbs if I recall.

Matt:confused3:

 

[mikesee]

A strip of conveyer belting in the pocket adhered to the deck?

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Have the wife knit some "fork mittens?" :laughing:

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

A strip of conveyer belting in the pocket adhered to the deck?

I don't think they'd be great for sliding in and out. But good suggestion.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Have the wife knit some "fork mittens?" :laughing:

There's one in every crowd!!

Matt

 

[Tomtint]

Have it sprayed with bed liner material. .. The real stuff, not the auto store crap.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Have it sprayed with bed liner material. .. The real stuff, not the auto store crap.

Just like the conveyor belt, not good for sliding the forks in and out of. That's where something like a Teflon strip would really shine.
So nobody thinks the graphite dry lube would be a good idea? One thing to keep in mind is that unlike a skid steer the visibility of the forks and even the pockets isn't very good with a tractor. There are times when you need to be able to jockey the forks around a little to get them hooked up. I'm looking for something that offers both protection and slide ability.

Matt

 

[Tomtint]

Just like the conveyor belt, not good for sliding the forks in and out of. That's where something like a Teflon strip would really shine.
So nobody thinks the graphite dry lube would be a good idea?

Matt

I have it in the bed of my dump truck. It works great. You will be moving your forks in and out with a machine and doing so, the small amount of grip the forks may or may not have on the bed liner material would be irrelevant. Thee would however tend to slop around in the pockets a bit less when traveling which is a plus.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Have the wife knit some "fork mittens?" :laughing:

You know Luke, you may actually be on to something there! If I were to pick up some used fire hose in the right diameter that might just make one heck of a mitten that would both protect and slide in the pockets.

Matt

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I'm not entirely sure I agree as I have Line X in my truck and the forks don't slide well on it at all.

Matt

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

There's one in every crowd!!

Matt

Yes, and I've found it's usually me. :confused3:

Instead if Teflon how about a sacrificial sheet metal plate? Or even plywood?

 

[sparc]

You know Luke, you may actually be on to something there! If I were to pick up some used fire hose in the right diameter that might just make one heck of a mitten that would both protect and slide in the pockets.

Matt

I was thinking of old fire hose too, but to line the pockets with. However I like the idea of making sleeves to fit over the forks. I have been thinking about adding fork pockets to my Cam dump trailer and the issue of the forks banging around in the pockets and tearing up the paint was a concern to me too.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I'm still thinking the Teflon may be a worth a shot. I got the idea from looking at a manlift(boom style) at work.
The telescoping boom section uses Teflon blocks to keep the inner boom tight to the outer boom while sliding to the extended position.
The fire hose idea is certainly a simple solution but I wonder if it'd more of hassle than anything else.
I may just try the graphite dry lube at first and see the results. I'm kinda surprised nobody has done this before.

Matt

 

[sklunk]

Matt,

Did you try asking CAM about the HDPE? I've seen their trailers running around here with lining on the pockets but I don't know if they did it at the factory (I live 45 minutes from them).

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Matt,

Did you try asking CAM about the HDPE? I've seen their trailers running around here with lining on the pockets but I don't know if they did it at the factory (I live 45 minutes from them).

You know that would have been a good idea, but the trailer is on the truck up here. And to be honest CAM has been pretty lousy to deal with.
The trailer was due over a month back and they really have dropped the ball on their end. I was moments away from cancelling the order all together. I doubt they'd even reply to a request on that one.

Matt

 

[joe04785]

+1 on the HDPE! Great stuff!

 

[farm boy00]

What happens if you used carpet??

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Matt,

Did you try asking CAM about the HDPE? I've seen their trailers running around here with lining on the pockets but I don't know if they did it at the factory (I live 45 minutes from them).

If anyone has a picture of how they do that I'd love to see it.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

If anyone has a picture of how they do that I'd love to see it.

It's actually pretty straight forward to do, just purchase a sheet of HDPE and cut to fit drill and line. I'd go with like 1/2 or something similar and then counter sink the fasteners on the HDPE side. The pockets on the CAM are full length so I'd just use the table saw to cut the strips.
My LoadTrail forks pockets are about 5' so I'd us the chop saw to cut them to length. It looks like a 4x8 sheet of half inch is about $200.

Matt