Hi all, in high school I built a little 4x8 all steel utility trailer.
Its a fraction of an inch too short to haul a full sheet of
anything or 8' lumber, etc. The gate has to come off. Anyway, when I
built it I used some galvanized hasps from the hardware store, needless
to say these didnt hold up long before they sprung and wont hold the
gate securely, its hinged across the bottom, with the hinges at the top.
They got sprung hauling a load of gravel and it pushed the sides out
just enough to spring the hinges. Does anyone have any ideas on some
better latches, and where to get them? I'd really like some automotive
type tailgate latches, but simple and ugly will do just fine. I'm
thinking maybee pins that slide in short sections of pipe? Thanks for
ideas all!

mark

In article , casteelm6
@hotmail.com says.. Anyway, when I
built it I used some galvanized hasps from the hardware store, needless
to say these didnt hold up long before they sprung and wont hold the
gate securely, its hinged across the bottom, with the hinges at the top.
They got sprung hauling a load of gravel and it pushed the sides out
just enough to spring the hinges.


its hinged across the bottom, with the hinges at the top?

I'm trying to visualize this gate, having no luck. Can you explain
further?

Anyway, hauling gravel is tough on any little trailer. About 2600 lbs
per yard, remember.

Jim Kovar
Vulcan, Mi

"mark" wrote in message
...
Hi all, in high school I built a little 4x8 all steel utility trailer.
Its a fraction of an inch too short to haul a full sheet of
anything or 8' lumber, etc. The gate has to come off. Anyway, when I
built it I used some galvanized hasps from the hardware store, needless
to say these didnt hold up long before they sprung and wont hold the
gate securely, its hinged across the bottom, with the hinges at the top.
They got sprung hauling a load of gravel and it pushed the sides out
just enough to spring the hinges. Does anyone have any ideas on some
better latches, and where to get them? I'd really like some automotive
type tailgate latches, but simple and ugly will do just fine. I'm
thinking maybee pins that slide in short sections of pipe? Thanks for
ideas all!

mark

First off since you need to rework the trailer, now is the time to make it
long enough to haul 8' goods.

For your hinges why not use a 1" bar attached to the trailer on stand offs
and use some pipe with a 1"+ i.d. to attach the gate to it. This way you
could pull a couple of pins and remove the tailgate all together and it
should be strong enough to survive.

For latches I would consider using the cam latches like they have on the
rear door of semi trailers. IIRC these are widely available at truck places
and are reasonably cheap. The nice thing about these is they will do a fine
job of getting the gate closed if you are at all close, and they are built
to last.

--

Roger Shoaf

About the time I had mastered getting the toothpaste back in the tube, then
they come up with this striped stuff.

DOH! Sorry to be so confusing, the hinge is across the bottom, with
the latches at the top.

mark

mark wrote:

Hi all, in high school I built a little 4x8 all steel utility trailer.
Its a fraction of an inch too short to haul a full sheet of
anything or 8' lumber, etc. The gate has to come off. Anyway, when
I built it I used some galvanized hasps from the hardware store,
needless to say these didnt hold up long before they sprung and wont
hold the gate securely, its hinged across the bottom, with the hinges
at the top. They got sprung hauling a load of gravel and it pushed
the sides out just enough to spring the hinges. Does anyone have any
ideas on some better latches, and where to get them? I'd really like
some automotive type tailgate latches, but simple and ugly will do
just fine. I'm thinking maybee pins that slide in short sections of
pipe? Thanks for ideas all!

mark

Go look at a Mule... I like the latches they use... Simple and strong...

I'm thinking maybee pins that slide in short sections of pipe?

FWIW, 5/8" bolts are usually an OK fit in 1/2" black pipe,
you may or may not have to drill them out to remove the
welding ridge inside. I've also use 5/8 OD x 1/2" ID
oilite flange bushings in same.

HTH,
--Glenn Lyford

Why dont you go to the auto wreckers and get a
latch system from a truck tailgate.