Regarding trailers…..
I have one that I built from a 1978 Datsun “long bed” pickup. It was just a simple trailer then. Only the cab was wrecked. The bed and underlying frame were still straight. I put in a 1968 Ford 3/4 ton axle and springs. I cut out the differential and sleeved the axle tube to be the right length and removed all the brake hardware. This happened about 40 years ago. Since then, I have passed it on to my brother who used it for a long time. Then, he passed it on to my son, who used it for a long time. Then, it came back to me about 7 years ago.
Wanting to have a dump trailer, but not wanting to deal with hydraulics, I built a subframe and mounted an electric tongue jack at the front to do the lifting. I built a tray just in front of the axle to hold a battery. There is a big ammo box on the tongue to store tie-downs and the necessary equipment for changing a tire. On top of the ammo box is a solar panel that keeps the battery charged with a charge controller. I set up the charging circuit with a blocking diode so that electricity can only flow into the trailer but not back into the vehicle. The trailer is wired to use current from the towing vehicle should the battery go dead. It has a second electric tongue jack for the main frame because I hate having to turn the crank to raise and lower it onto a ball.
All lights are LED.
When it comes time to dump, I must admit that I am a tiny bit disappointed. It goes up about 36” in the front, but it isn’t quite steep enough to make stuff slide right out. Stuff needs a little help with a shovel or something. I’m ok with that though. It’s the first dump trailer I’ve ever built and well, it still works ok.
I was a bit frustrated when dumping because the factory tailgate would drag in the dirt. So…I built another tailgate that hinges at the top just like the big boys do. You can swap out the tailgates without having to use any tools other than your hands.
When it comes to towing, that thing has carried some HEAVY loads and tracks straight as a string. Around town here in the flatlands, it is really just the ticket, but towing it up into the mountains with the Roxor puts a bit more strain on the vehicle than I like. It will go, but it really makes the Roxor work for it.
This is why, after 40 years, I think I will sell it and get something a bit lighter. Maybe build another trailer. Maybe just buy an aluminum one.
It’s late now and I have to drive from phoenix to Albuquerque in the morning, but if anyone expresses any interest, I will post some pictures when I get back next week.
Rox On!
