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Are side gate trailer frames re enforced?

12K views 107 replies 16 participants last post by  DXN1EL 
#1 ·
I'm going to get a trailer with a 60'' side gate, it's most like going to be a 7x16 but looking at pictures on the internet it doesn't look like they do anything to add to the structural integrity of the trailer. It's my understand that the railing its what helps give the trailer strength. Mine is going to have 4ft sides on it, but it has me worried that it's going to bend. The normal gate with is 48'' I believe and I'm having this trailer custom made. The dealer isn't really answering my questions, so I wanted to ask the guys on here that had a trailer with a side gate.
 
#6 ·
Only way you are getting exactly what you want is going to a custom trailer maker. The big stores and lots are not going to make-to-order. they might add or modify a few things, but to get a trailer built to your specs is gonna cost you.
 
#7 ·
I went to a different place today and the guy was much more helpful instead of just saying I don't know. I told him my concerns about the 1000 pound mower on the front and they are working with the trailer builder now. They said they built one like this before and the guy bent it, of course their is no telling what they put on it, but they ended up having to re enforce it. The trailer decks flex on these trailer up by the tongue area just by me putting half my weight on it. My current trailer does the same thing, so it's definitely going to need some re enforcements. It might cost $4000,000 but I guess it is what it is. Hopefully it won't be that much.
 
#8 ·
Step up to a 10K lb trailer and dont look back . I have a PJ 18 ft 10K lb trailer . It has carried my 8000 lb ford Excursion , a E 350 ford extended van ( with 2 inches to spare) a New holland 35 hp tractor , and a buddy borred it to drive 500 miles and had a 18 ft dumpster on it . No flex at any time . And its not custom made , and was $ 4000 on the road
 
#33 ·
Ok they gave me a quote of $4900 out the door. They went ahead and upgraded it to the next frame size which is a 5" tongue and it's going to have 3" channel steel to support the floor with a 60x60 side gate and a 60" tall rear gate. They also went with 5200 pound tandem axles. I'm going to ask if the can put 16" rims on instead of 15" rims.

I think the price is a little steep, but these people seem to have their act together, unlike the other dealer. It's also going to have 4ft tall mesh sides.
 
#15 ·
Yes , ramp gate on rear , removable ramps for side loading . Wood deck . And the cross supports are 12 inch spacing if I remember correctly . 16 in tires and spare was mounted and included . I ran a 16 ft trailer , 7000 lb for 23 years . Too many times it came up too short and a bit too light
 
#10 ·
For side gate you need something that doesn't need the rails for support to began with.
The frame needs to be 5" #9 C channel or 5" #10 I beam. with cross members on 12" centers and make sure the floor is flush with the frame as you don't want a "step" in the frame and the floor.
 
#16 ·
Yeah that's kind of what I was talking about. I'll see what their engineering guy comes up with though. The sales guy was saying they were going to beef up the supports on the mesh siding, but like you said I don't really see what the siding has to do with the strength of the trailer. All the upgrading needs to be done on the bottom. IE the deck and frame.
 
#25 ·
Try finding 14 inch lt tires:confused:

I have usef four different brands of radial st tires and all are bald in less than 2 years so this time i decided to give lt tires a try. Hankook makes 14 inch lt tires but that was all i could find. Hoping they make it past 2 years as theyre cheaper than radial st tires.
 
#28 · (Edited)
Cheap bias ply st tires i used to use would be bald for me in about 3000 to 4000 miles too. Radial st tires make it about 12 to 15000 miles before they were bald so deffinitely worth the extra money. Hoping these lt tires i have now do at least as well as the radial st since they are about 120 bucks less for the four.

If you dont rotate them periodicly the two rear tires should go bald well before the front two as they drag everytime you turn.
 
#29 ·
What's the best size rim to order for the trailer so I can put LT tires on when the trailer tires wear out? I heard you can put a 215 on a stock 205 rim. I guess a rim can accommodate a slightly wider tire? I actually told them to put 225/75/R15 rims on them thinking the wider rim would be easier to find an LT tire for, but it looks like it would be even harder to find in that size.
 
#36 ·
If you have 4' sides you want 5K axles. Mulch 2 foot tall would put you over your max with 3.5K axles but with 5K axles you can actually fill your trailer to the top safely.
 
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