Convertible Trailer

[YammyRX1]

I currently have a 4' x 8' box trailer and use it for the sled, dirt, hauling stuff to the dump...whatever. I'd like a double trailer but don't have room in the driveway, has anyone seen a double trailer that has sides that fold up to make it a 4' x 8' box trailer? It shouldn't be that hard to convert one but I don't want to re-invent the wheel. Let's see some pictures!

 

[yam177]

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-fold ... 124201000P

Close but gives you an idea

 

[YammyRX1]

Yes, I've seen that one but they aren't big enough for 2 sleds and I don't need it to fold that small- just 4 x 8.

 

[maim]

i can picture what you want. you want a 4x8 deck with 2'x8' sides and a 2'x4' front with a 4'x6' ramp for the rear that fold down to become an open deck sled trailer. i have an old one my dad made back in the 80's that is a similar idea but the sides are down all the time. it would work best with the 8" wheels to keep it lower to the ground to pull better and load easyer. the rear gate and front should be on 1/2 barrel hinges for easy removal and installation. the sides will need some sort of brace for when they are down so the tips will not droop with a load on the deck. i want to say that they swing out but i have seen some that where built into the hinge for the deck sides.

i have seen this set-up on some truck decks but so far i have not seen a trailer this way so you would have to get it built. i recommend a 3500lb axle as it will be more durable in the long run. am i close?

 

[YammyRX1]

Exactly what I was thinking but I can't believe nobody is offering that on the market. Think of all the double sled trailers doing nothing in the summer when they could be used for hauling other stuff- and they take up so much space in the driveway.

 

[Sasquatch]

One problem I see is width of the axle. Get it swaying and the narrow width could be a big problem. Adjustable torsion axle ends that slide in and out as needed could solve that. Quite simple if you use square pipe recievers two to a side.

Next is the frame of the sides they need to be rigid so they should be framed with square tubing as well. Heavy duty hinges so when the sides are dropped the hinges will support the weight of the sides and the weight of the sleds one ski weight, the track should be split across both. I'd use 5/8th shaft and pipe and make my own. I'd go 10 ft by 4 foot with 2 foot sides and leave the front up. 5 foot ramp should work on back.

So much work and time. I'd just buy an enclosed inline and use it year round. Wait I already did that.

 

[YammyRX1]

I never thought about the axle width, that does add a bit of complexity when the springs are normally fixed to the frame. In the next couple of years the Town is going to widen my road and put in a sidewalk so my driveway that used to have room for 7 vehicles will only fit 3 or maybe 4 if I widen it. Really cuts down on the trailer space when you already have 3 vehicles and a 16 year old son learning to drive!

 

[maim]

put the axle at 5'6"-6' and it will be fine with the 8" tires. it will need fenders when the sides are up but that is an easy fix. the old one i spoke of earlier has this set-up but it is a bit too low as i need to use a 6" drop hitch to pull it behind my truck. it does handle my brothers viper and my war really well.

only pic i have acess to at work. it is on a 6" drop hitch behind my 1998 k1500 with an sx500r and viper on it in the pic.

just had an evil thought, why not make it a flat deck 8' wide with walls that go in pockets cut into the deck and are secured to the front wall/slush gaurd and gate?

 

[YammyRX1]

Or how about a two piece box that slides over each other to go wide or narrow?

 

[benjamingvsu]

Instead of making a trailer, maybe you could find a way to put a 2 place sled trailer on it's side to store it? I know I've seen that done before in some pictures online, but can't find it right now. Seems like it was a pully type system that pulled the trailer over and held it against a wall so they user could still get 2 cars in their two car garage with the trailer in there on the side when not in use.

 

[Yammerhead]

I home built this one about 15 years ago. Drive on drive off. It's 6 feet wide with the sides up and 8" 2" with them down. Lots of miles on it and has been very handy in it's second role as a utility trailer.

 

[YammyRX1]

Ding ding.

That's almost what I was thinking, I'd just like it to fold to 4 feet and have 4 sides but that one looks pretty sturdy. Thanks for the pics!

 

[Yammerhead]

Ding ding.

That's almost what I was thinking, I'd just like it to fold to 4 feet and have 4 sides but that one looks pretty sturdy. Thanks for the pics!

Last time I replaced the decking on the trailer, I actually looked at the old plywood for a minute and said, hey I might be able to use this again and came up with the front and back pieces that slide in when in utility trailer mode. They look a little ghetto, but work quite well.

If you reduced the folded width to 4 ft, I would be a bit worried about stability with only a 4 ft wide axle under it when the sides were folded down to 8 ft. You would have to be very careful how you had the load balanced and I would think it would still have a tendency to sway and dog track behind you.

If I was building another I would change the balance a bit as mine is fairly hitch heavy and a bit of a bear to move around by hand. I would also pay attention to the steel type and shy away from enclosed steel. I used some square tubing that holds moisture and rusts quicker. Some other trailer designs I have looked at over the years that made good use of channel and angle iron instead. Also, go with 3/4 inch pressure treated deck. I cheaped out twice on thinner stuff twice now and kicked myself afterwards. This one is ready for another overhaul and paint job, so you can bet I won't make that mistake a third time!