I have a one axle utility trailer with a bed 4 1/2 × 10' bed. It has removable side boards about 2' high. It doesn't do any one specific job, it may be hauling mulch today, getting lumber tomorrow, hauling scrap the day after that. It's quite handy, but the wood floor is need of replacement so it is a good time to make some improvements.
The hitch has a weird latch, and is mounted too high causing the trailer to sit nose down. I was going to replace the hitch to fix those issues.
I will probably replace the taillights and wiring because it has lots of house wire nuts in the harness.
I would like to add some tie down points to the floor because there is no good way to strap things down when the sideboards are installed.
What else am I missing? Do you guys have any recommendations for good add ons that you cant live without?
Does it have a tailgate that acts as a ramp too?
I installed back up lights on the back of two of my trailers. Nothing worse than looking in the mirror while backing up and seeing a black hole beyond the front of the trailer.
In reply to jgrewe :
I dont want a tailgate ramp because I like to be able to haul things out the back of the trailer like 12' boards. I was thinking about ways to make my aluminum ramps attach when I use them. They currently just sit on there and that makes me nervous when driving up them.
In reply to gearheadmb :
I have a 5x12' with a drop down ramp. I haul 16' all the time by strapping the ramp up to the bottom of the lumber. I wouldn't say that a folding ramp is a hindrance to hauling lumber that is longer than the bed. A drop down ramp with a gorilla lift is about as sexy as it gets. Think of it like a 12' trailer that converts to a 16' by pulling two pins.... or, in your case, a 10' trailer that converts to 13'.
You can always replace your drop tongue with a straight one.
Oh, also... hardcore.... do LEDs. No more fussing with bulbs, sockets, corrosion at the light socket, etc. If you have something not lighting up, it's not the bulb.
Add a pair of drop in pins that go through the ramp flange into holes into the trailer. 1/4 bolts should be plenty, as the point is positive location not structural integrity.
Add on board under deck storage for the ramps so they always have a home..
If you do go with ramps or a beaver tail, a light duty winch is always good if you need to haul garden tractors, ATVs or anything heavy that can't get on under its own power.
Hand winch, stake pockets, removeable sides of different heights(1' and 2'?), bearing buddies, LED's, lots of eye-bolts as tie-down points, removeable tailgate/ramp, a tarp for when hauling topsoil/mulch........
I've modified a dozen or so trailers over the years for specific purposes. This was my supermoto/race bike trailer. I figured out everything that I needed to take to the track for the weekend, put it all in the shop next to the trailer and figured out how to get as much on the trailer instead of in the bed of the truck.
1. Bike
2. Rubbermaid tote for all fluids.
3. Gas can holder.
4. Bike lift.
5. The aluminum angle and eyebolts on the right side held an EZ-Up canopy.
6. The aluminum on the left side held a small generator and gas grill.
I put everything on the trailer, checked tongue weight and then made mounts. It was an AWESOME all-in-one race hauler that worked perfectly for several seasons. Just think of all the things you are going to do or might do in the future and plan for it. Everything on mine was bolt-on and easily moveable if necessary.
