I recently bought a dump bed that came off a 1 ton pickup. It is 6
feet wide and 8 feet long, inside dimensions, with a 42 inch high
headache rack on the front. Full control tailgate. My plan is to build
a trailer frame under it.

One local scrap yard gets loads of truck frame rail €œrejects€� on a
regular basis from a truck plant. These rails are 5/16 and 3/8 thick
formed into U-Channels 8 or 10 inches wide and 3 inches deep, about 30
feet long. There are the usual holes for rivets all over them.

I plan to get some of it and make/mount a frame on a couple of 7000
pound axles to carry the dump bed. Ill be using a 12 volt hydraulic
pump to run the cylinders to raise the bed. The lift that was under
the bed already has 2 2-inch cylinders on it, simplifies what I have
to build. Ive looked around the net and have a general idea what Im
going to build but Im open to some ideas for my build. Id like
either some pics or drawings, hopefully with some dimensions for my
project. I also plan to go to a rental place like NationsRent and look
over their trailers.

Ive been looking at SurplusCenter.com for pumps. Found a couple that
look like what I need without extra valves or hoses and fittings.

I plan to have enough frame in front of the bed so I can mount a full
size cross-bed tool box on it (also available from these scrap yards.
Some real good alum diamond plate boxes show up for under $50). I
might put the battery and pump in the box to protect from weather and
pilferage.

So, I figured that for about a grand I will have my materials to build
it. However, if my time were worth 25 cents an hour, I would make out
all right on it.

However, they call this stuff hobby, so I will have fun with it and
prolly end up calculating my time out to be around ten cents an hour.

Lessee, The truck rails will cost under $150 each (I might be able to
get by with one but I'll prolly have to buy two) and I already have
the axles and tires. The bed cost me $400 and I need the pump -
another $400.

Well, I guess I'll need a receiver and a jack and some lights.

Hmmmm

Well, by the time I get done, maybe I'll have well over TWO THOUSAND
wrapped up in it.

Go back and re read my words - hobby Hobby HOBBY

Uhhh, good thing I'm not married. That being said, looks like I'll
have to go down and draw me another draft beer. Shame some woman here
caint do that fuh me.

Hmmm
Pizza and beer for me RIGHT NOW !

RoGrrr

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On 2008-01-15, Ro Grrr RoGrrr wrote:

I recently bought a dump bed that came off a 1 ton pickup. It is 6
feet wide and 8 feet long, inside dimensions, with a 42 inch high
headache rack on the front. Full control tailgate. My plan is to build
a trailer frame under it.


....


I plan to get some of it and make/mount a frame on a couple of 7000
pound axles to carry the dump bed.

This is a relatively small bed. Wy would you want to have two 7,200 lb
axles under it? Would you realistically need to carry that much?

So, I figured that for about a grand I will have my materials to build
it. However, if my time were worth 25 cents an hour, I would make out
all right on it.

Are you going to get axles (with brakes) at scrap price too?

However, they call this stuff hobby, so I will have fun with it and
prolly end up calculating my time out to be around ten cents an hour.

Lessee, The truck rails will cost under $150 each (I might be able to
get by with one but I'll prolly have to buy two) and I already have
the axles and tires. The bed cost me $400 and I need the pump -
another $400.

Well, I guess I'll need a receiver and a jack and some lights.

Hmmmm

Well, by the time I get done, maybe I'll have well over TWO THOUSAND
wrapped up in it.

Sounds about right

I made a trailer, it was fun. Enjoyed especially the welding part.

http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Home...th-M105A2-Bed/

To me, a dump trailer is a much riskier project than a fixed unibody
bed trailer (which is what I have). A lot fewer attachment points and
you sacrifice all that rigidity that you could get. I also thought
about making it a dump trailer. Glad I did not.

i

Hi Iggy
Thanks for your response

On 2008-01-15, Ro Grrr RoGrrr wrote:

I recently bought a dump bed that came off a 1 ton pickup. It is 6
feet wide and 8 feet long, inside dimensions, with a 42 inch high
headache rack on the front. Full control tailgate. My plan is to build
a trailer frame under it.


....


I plan to get some of it and make/mount a frame on a couple of 7000
pound axles to carry the dump bed.

IGGY: This is a relatively small bed. Wy would you want to have two
7,200 lb
axles under it? Would you realistically need to carry that much?

RoGrrr: The bed is small but alone, it will carry 48 cubic feet of
material - almost 2 yards without piling it up in a mound. Then I plan
to raise the side rails a foot or maybe even 2 which will increase the
capacity considerably. Consider the weight of crushed limestone at 150
Lbs per Cubic foot. Thats about 4000 Lbs per yard. And when I raise
the side rails, I should have close to 5 tons on the trailer.


So, I figured that for about a grand I will have my materials to build
it. However, if my time were worth 25 cents an hour, I would make out
all right on it.

IGGY: Are you going to get axles (with brakes) at scrap price too?

RoGrrr: I already have the axles. They are house trailer axles and
have brakes. I got them
for about a hundo so Im ahead of the deal there.

However, they call this stuff hobby, so I will have fun with it and
prolly end up calculating my time out to be around ten cents an hour.

Lessee, The truck rails will cost under $150 each (I might be able to
get by with one but I'll prolly have to buy two) and I already have
the axles and tires. The bed cost me $400 and I need the pump -
another $400.

Well, I guess I'll need a receiver and a jack and some lights.

Hmmmm

Well, by the time I get done, maybe I'll have well over TWO THOUSAND
wrapped up in it.

IGGY: Sounds about right
I made a trailer, it was fun. Enjoyed especially the welding part.
http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Home...th-M105A2-Bed/

RoGrrr: I recall seeeing that when you built it. I have access to
those M105 trailers (I work for the USGovt and they have surplus
auctions where I work. Those trailers typically bring about $1000) but
I also have most of what it takes to build the trailer and I want to
build it exactly the way I want it. And I dont think the 105 will
give me what I want. And I dont know what the total capacity of the
single axle 105 is. Im sure that I can load everything I need with my
axles.

IGGY: To me, a dump trailer is a much riskier project than a fixed
unibody
bed trailer (which is what I have). A lot fewer attachment points and
you sacrifice all that rigidity that you could get. I also thought
about making it a dump trailer. Glad I did not.

RoGrrr: Living in Chicago, you probably dont have the NEED for the
type of trailer I do. I need to haul gravel to maintain my lane. It is
almost a half mile long and this is an ongoing task to keep it in
decent shape. The quarry is about 20 miles from me and it is all
country roads so I sont have to worry about Semis running over me. I
can make as many trips as needed and get exactly what size stone I
need, and dump it exactly WHERE I WANT IT.

And I can build the trailer as strong as I need and the lack of
attachment points should not be a problem since I will be pulling it
fairly slowly over the roadways. Only when I get onto my lane will the
lack of attachment points become ANY consideration and at the walking
speed I will be pulling it to spread the gravel, it wont matter
anyway.

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On 2008-01-15, Ro Grrr RoGrrr wrote:
Hi Iggy
Thanks for your response

On 2008-01-15, Ro Grrr RoGrrr wrote:

I recently bought a dump bed that came off a 1 ton pickup. It is 6
feet wide and 8 feet long, inside dimensions, with a 42 inch high
headache rack on the front. Full control tailgate. My plan is to build
a trailer frame under it.


...


I plan to get some of it and make/mount a frame on a couple of 7000
pound axles to carry the dump bed.

IGGY: This is a relatively small bed. Wy would you want to have two
7,200 lb
axles under it? Would you realistically need to carry that much?

RoGrrr: The bed is small but alone, it will carry 48 cubic feet of
material - almost 2 yards without piling it up in a mound. Then I plan
to raise the side rails a foot or maybe even 2 which will increase the
capacity considerably. Consider the weight of crushed limestone at 150
Lbs per Cubic foot. That?s about 4000 Lbs per yard. And when I raise
the side rails, I should have close to 5 tons on the trailer.


Interesting! What is your tow vehicle?

So, I figured that for about a grand I will have my materials to build
it. However, if my time were worth 25 cents an hour, I would make out
all right on it.

IGGY: Are you going to get axles (with brakes) at scrap price too?

RoGrrr: I already have the axles. They are house trailer axles and
have brakes. I got them
for about a hundo so I?m ahead of the deal there.

I read here, though I have no way of knowing, that house trailer axles
are not made to last on the highway. They are made to move the house
once in a while and no more.

However, they call this stuff hobby, so I will have fun with it and
prolly end up calculating my time out to be around ten cents an hour.

Lessee, The truck rails will cost under $150 each (I might be able to
get by with one but I'll prolly have to buy two) and I already have
the axles and tires. The bed cost me $400 and I need the pump -
another $400.

Well, I guess I'll need a receiver and a jack and some lights.

Hmmmm

Well, by the time I get done, maybe I'll have well over TWO THOUSAND
wrapped up in it.

IGGY: Sounds about right
I made a trailer, it was fun. Enjoyed especially the welding part.
http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Home...th-M105A2-Bed/

RoGrrr: I recall seeeing that when you built it. I have access to
those M105 trailers (I work for the USGovt and they have surplus
auctions where I work. Those trailers typically bring about $1000) but
I also have most of what it takes to build the trailer and I want to
build it exactly the way I want it. And I don?t think the 105 will
give me what I want. And I don?t know what the total capacity of the
single axle 105 is. I?m sure that I can load everything I need with my
axles.

The problem with M105's is that they are very tall -- only usable with
a full size truck, not pickups. I bought the bed only, and made my own
frame underneath. At least it is level when hitched to my pickup
truck. A real M105 would be impossible to tow for me. Also it has a
weird braking system.

i
IGGY: To me, a dump trailer is a much riskier project than a fixed
unibody
bed trailer (which is what I have). A lot fewer attachment points and
you sacrifice all that rigidity that you could get. I also thought
about making it a dump trailer. Glad I did not.

RoGrrr: Living in Chicago, you probably don?t have the NEED for the
type of trailer I do. I need to haul gravel to maintain my lane. It is
almost a half mile long and this is an ongoing task to keep it in
decent shape. The quarry is about 20 miles from me and it is all
country roads so I son?t have to worry about Semi?s running over me. I
can make as many trips as needed and get exactly what size stone I
need, and dump it exactly WHERE I WANT IT.

And I can build the trailer as strong as I need and the lack of
attachment points should not be a problem since I will be pulling it
fairly slowly over the roadways. Only when I get onto my lane will the
lack of attachment points become ANY consideration and at the walking
speed I will be pulling it to spread the gravel, it won?t matter
anyway.

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Ro Grrr wrote:

Hi Iggy
Thanks for your response

On 2008-01-15, Ro Grrr RoGrrr wrote:

I recently bought a dump bed that came off a 1 ton pickup. It is 6
feet wide and 8 feet long, inside dimensions, with a 42 inch high
headache rack on the front. Full control tailgate. My plan is to build
a trailer frame under it.


...


I plan to get some of it and make/mount a frame on a couple of 7000
pound axles to carry the dump bed.

IGGY: This is a relatively small bed. Wy would you want to have two
7,200 lb
axles under it? Would you realistically need to carry that much?

RoGrrr: The bed is small but alone, it will carry 48 cubic feet of
material - almost 2 yards without piling it up in a mound. Then I plan
to raise the side rails a foot or maybe even 2 which will increase the
capacity considerably. Consider the weight of crushed limestone at 150
Lbs per Cubic foot. Thats about 4000 Lbs per yard. And when I raise
the side rails, I should have close to 5 tons on the trailer.

Yards of materials do indeed get heavy.


So, I figured that for about a grand I will have my materials to build
it. However, if my time were worth 25 cents an hour, I would make out
all right on it.

IGGY: Are you going to get axles (with brakes) at scrap price too?

RoGrrr: I already have the axles. They are house trailer axles and
have brakes. I got them
for about a hundo so Im ahead of the deal there.

Not really. Those axles are not designed for routine service, only a few
hundred miles delivery and then a life of rust. They are popular for
home build trailers because they are cheap, and they work ok for light
trailers, but they'll fail quickly if you try to operate them at their
limited rating. Perhaps use four of them so they operate at around
3,000# load max and they might hold up ok. Otherwise you'll be better
served buying real 7,000# rated axles which aren't that expensive.


However, they call this stuff hobby, so I will have fun with it and
prolly end up calculating my time out to be around ten cents an hour.

Lessee, The truck rails will cost under $150 each (I might be able to
get by with one but I'll prolly have to buy two) and I already have
the axles and tires. The bed cost me $400 and I need the pump -
another $400.

Well, I guess I'll need a receiver and a jack and some lights.

Hmmmm

Well, by the time I get done, maybe I'll have well over TWO THOUSAND
wrapped up in it.

IGGY: Sounds about right
I made a trailer, it was fun. Enjoyed especially the welding part.
http://igor.chudov.com/projects/Home...th-M105A2-Bed/

RoGrrr: I recall seeeing that when you built it. I have access to
those M105 trailers (I work for the USGovt and they have surplus
auctions where I work. Those trailers typically bring about $1000) but
I also have most of what it takes to build the trailer and I want to
build it exactly the way I want it. And I dont think the 105 will
give me what I want. And I dont know what the total capacity of the
single axle 105 is. Im sure that I can load everything I need with my
axles.

Not for long, as noted above. I think I recall reading a tech bulletin
about the mobile home axles on one of the axle manufacturers sites.


IGGY: To me, a dump trailer is a much riskier project than a fixed
unibody
bed trailer (which is what I have). A lot fewer attachment points and
you sacrifice all that rigidity that you could get. I also thought
about making it a dump trailer. Glad I did not.

RoGrrr: Living in Chicago, you probably dont have the NEED for the
type of trailer I do. I need to haul gravel to maintain my lane. It is
almost a half mile long and this is an ongoing task to keep it in
decent shape. The quarry is about 20 miles from me and it is all
country roads so I sont have to worry about Semis running over me. I
can make as many trips as needed and get exactly what size stone I
need, and dump it exactly WHERE I WANT IT.

And I can build the trailer as strong as I need and the lack of
attachment points should not be a problem since I will be pulling it
fairly slowly over the roadways. Only when I get onto my lane will the
lack of attachment points become ANY consideration and at the walking
speed I will be pulling it to spread the gravel, it wont matter
anyway.

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On 2008-01-15, Pete C. wrote:
Not really. Those axles are not designed for routine service, only a few
hundred miles delivery and then a life of rust. They are popular for
home build trailers because they are cheap, and they work ok for light
trailers, but they'll fail quickly if you try to operate them at their
limited rating. Perhaps use four of them so they operate at around
3,000# load max and they might hold up ok. Otherwise you'll be better
served buying real 7,000# rated axles which aren't that expensive.

Just a data point. My Dexter (IIRC) 6,000 lbs axle, which included a
electric brake, and springs, and tires, cost me about $500 plus or
minus some $$.

Not exactly cheap. But it was worth it.

i