- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Utility Trailer Modification
Posted on 12/22/20 at 6:57 pm
Posted on 12/22/20 at 6:57 pm
I have a 16 foot tandem axle trailer with heavy square tubing for the top. I've seen trailers with a side gate up front to load a mower or atv and it looks really handy. I'm wanting to modify the trailer so I could do that and still fit a side by side on there as well. I know some will say you cant for structural support reasons but just curious if anyone had done this? When I look at trailers that are designed with a side ramp already built I just don't see a difference other than the rail not there.
1
Posted on 12/23/20 at 5:24 am to tigerlife36
Added that ramp doesn’t effect the structure of the trailer. It’s pretty much just cutting the rail and welding the gate hinges to the frame.
Posted on 12/23/20 at 8:21 am to lsujunky
quote:
Added that ramp doesn’t effect the structure of the trailer. It’s pretty much just cutting the rail and welding the gate hinges to the frame.
This, most utility trailers have the same frame and the sides are for containing the load and strapping points. Heavy stuff needing strapping with D rings in the floor or channel welded to the frame. One more mod you might consider, I welded two heavy ratchet strap tie downs from northern to my 12' trailer and they have really helped because the cheapo ratchets crap out so easily.
Posted on 12/23/20 at 10:55 am to lsujunky
quote:
Add[ing] that ramp doesn’t effect the structure of the trailer.
I have to disagree with this. That rail and its supports form a truss with the bottom frame member and it stiffens the trailer. Cutting the rail will put more stress on the lower frame member at the location of the ramp at a point where you intend to stress it when you are loading equipment. Plans for utility trailers with rails are significantly different than plans for ones without those rails.
I would weld channel or square tube on the inside of the frame member to strengthen it underneath the ramp.
Posted on 12/24/20 at 8:42 am to BiggerBear
I'm not saying you're wrong but I looked at a few trailers at dealers that had side gates and I did not see any difference underneath them for support. I agree that it should probably be beefed up under there. Not many trailer repair shops local so I'm going to talk to a few welders.
Posted on 12/24/20 at 8:51 am to tigerlife36
Did you check the gauge thickness of the frame members? The difference isn't always obvious. A trailer constructed with a stronger lower frame might not need the side rails at all and so no additional support would be found under the side ramps. There are a lot of possibilities. Your trailer might be overbuilt enough that it doesn't need any additional support, but I would add support. You can also use very heavy hinges and a heavy piece of angle, channel or square tube at the base of the ramp (attached to the hinges). There is no reason that that part can't add some structural support of its own.
Page 1 of 1
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News