Utility trailer upgrades

[JPWH 5,295]

I bought a cheap made utility trailer that I will be doing some upgrades to. I purchased  this trailer mainly to haul  to the show. It has adequate load capacity yet is lightweight enough to pull with my wife's Highlander.

The major problem is the ramp gate weight so lift assist was top priority. I have a repaired hernea that limits me to 50# so I came up with this.  Simple but adequate.

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,029]

I like that idea. Makes life easier for old timers.

[953 nut 51,541]

Looks like the springs go a bit past center when the gate is down, do you have to give it a little tug to get it started?

[JPWH 5,295]

It's just above center so it just makes the gate lighter. It is close though. I was wanting to keep them as low and short as I could. I'll add another picture tomorrow with the gate down.

Edited August 12, 2017 by JPWH

[Pat_In_Denver 104]

If that spring were red, I would have guessed it came from a tiller or snow blower

[dclarke 4,011]

That's a nice upgrade to your trailer, Jay.  

[JPWH 5,295]

8 hours ago, Pat_In_Denver said:

If that spring were red, I would have guessed it came from a tiller or snow blower

It's actually a set of porch swing springs.

[Ed Kennell 35,626]

     Waiting for the pic with the gate down Jay.     Being one of the " tired old guys",  I've been thinking of this mod for my trailer.

 

Of course, since I'm also a cheap old scavenger, I will probably use some old garage door springs....now where did I put those......

[AMC RULES 36,944]

 

  Based on your previous experience Jay...

I think I'd be modifying that new trailer with a few more (better visibility) taillights.  

 

Edited August 12, 2017 by AMC RULES

[JPWH 5,295]

As promised. Tailgate down.

[Big_Red_Fred 1,547]

I was wondering where them Hood springs for the 05 Peterbilt went ? Jayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy  

[JPWH 5,295]

8 hours ago, AMC RULES said:

 

  Based on your previous experience Jay...

I think I'd be modifying that new trailer with a few more (better visibility) taillights.  

 

I have been looking already. And I'm beefing up the gate as well. The top spring mounts also serve as 1/2" rod gate stops.

[Sarge 3,462]

If you want to lower or eliminate the wind drag off the ramp , cut it in half and add in a 1x*x1/8" piece of tubing to each half and a pair of bullet weld on hinges . This turns the gate into a bi-fold and if done right it can lay flat on the deck in it's half folded position . Took me awhile to figure out the geometry on this but a lot of utility trailer manufactures have gone this route - sure helps with drag and fuel mileage , not to mention you don't risk the gate ripping out the pins that hold it up as I've seen many do over time .

 

 

 

 

 

I can try to get some pics of the hinge details if you need them .

 

Sarge

[BOB ELLISON 2,976]

34 minutes ago, Sarge said:

If you want to lower or eliminate the wind drag off the ramp , cut it in half and add in a 1x*x1/8" piece of tubing to each half and a pair of bullet weld on hinges . This turns the gate into a bi-fold and if done right it can lay flat on the deck in it's half folded position . Took me awhile to figure out the geometry on this but a lot of utility trailer manufactures have gone this route - sure helps with drag and fuel mileage , not to mention you don't risk the gate ripping out the pins that hold it up as I've seen many do over time .

 

 

 

 

 

I can try to get some pics of the hinge details if you need them .

 

Sarge

Yes Sarge please give instructions on this. I have the same trailer and I wanted to do the same thing. 

[JPWH 5,295]

This is also in my plans for this trailer. I was going to use 1x2 tube and 3  1" bullet hinges. I would like to see what you did.

Jay

[Ed Kennell 35,626]

On ‎8‎/‎12‎/‎2017 at 8:34 AM, Ed Kennell said:

    Being one of the " tired old guys",  I've been thinking of this mod for my trailer.

 

Of course, since I'm also a cheap old scavenger, I will probably use some old garage door springs....now where did I put those......

 I found  the springs this afternoon.   I thought I may have to move the attachment point forward to increase the tension, but the first location was perfect.

I actually have to push it down the last couple inches and it requires maybe 5lbs to lift it.    Thanks for the Inspiration Jay.

 

 

[JPWH 5,295]

Looks good Ed glad I could help. Lol. Mine takes more effort than that but I figure I cut the weight by 2/3 anyway.

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,029]

@Ed Kennell What is the purpose of the wooden cross beam?

[Ed Kennell 35,626]

The rack is for hauling kayaks and canoes.   One end rests on the tail gate.

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,029]

@Ed Kennell  You have more tricks than most guys I have met. Like the garage door spring idea. Heading to my mother's tomorrow to see if the old set is still in the shed.

[Sarge 3,462]

The whole gate is in pieces right now - need to finish a bunch of little things on it today and focus on the D for a few days until the weather clears enough to blast the trailer/gate and start painting it . To fold the gate flat you'll need to offset the hinge to the frame at the rear a bit - the way I did this one it can allow the gate to lay folded in half flat on the rear deck , only taking up 24" of the end of the decking . Bullet hinges can be used between the two gate halves but the hinges between the gate and the frame have to be on the outside edge only - otherwise it can't fold all the way down . For full length loads I leave the gate folded in half and can pin it in the upright position , lesser loads it lays flat for less air drag going down the highway . 1"x2" rectangle tubing was used to divide the gate in half - make sure it's welded fully and sound as that hinge point has to stop the gate from collapsing in half under weight . I've loaded over 1,000lbs on this one with no issues of bending yet . If you plan to use bullet hinges I'd go no less than 5/8" pin size , 3/4" would be a better choice . Lot of folks selling cnc milled sets on the auction site cheap - you can't build them for their price using good steel .

 

Maybe I can grab a couple pics and dimensions of the rear frame hinge points - it would be a good starting point . The lift springs use a pulley to allow everything to pivot over center for folding the gate flat . It looks odd at the upright position but makes sense once it's folded all the way down - hence the use of aircraft cable instead of connecting the springs directly . Think of how the old bi-fold doors worked on garages , closets and some rear truck/camper hatches - that's the best way to describe how this gate works .

 

Sarge

[JPWH 5,295]

I decided to build my own hinges for the bifold ramp.gate. Here is a couple pictures of what I came up with.

Folded position.

Open position.

[Sarge 3,462]

Yup , pretty much how I did mine . Be sure to leave one pin about 1/2" too long and drill it for a cotter pin - that will keep it from walking off when the trailer is on an incline , don't ask me how I learned that one...lol .

 

Found out my hinge points on the rear trailer frame are badly worn already from all the weight it's had loaded onto it , plus being beaten to death by our roads - rebuilding the entire hinge setup with much heavier material now . This dumb thing has snowballed so far out of line it's starting to really irritate me...taking up too much time I don't have .

 

Sarge

[Sarge 3,462]

Finally got it finished except installing the plate light . Way too many large projects this summer.....

 

 

 

 

 

Need to take it to the car wash and clean off the overspray on some of the wood decking - I re-used the original stuff as it was in pretty good shape for being 7yrs old already . We'll see over time how well the Rustoleum with hardener added will hold up - probably should have went one more solid coat on it but hey , it's a trailer and not a show car .

 

Sarge

[19richie66 16,880]

Looks great Sarge! Lot of good ideas in this thread👍