Trailer mods?
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
Trailer mods?
Hey all. Ive got this 20' Big Tex gooseneck trailer and id like to do some mods to it. I got it for a really good deal so that's the only reason im now changing stuff.
It looks like this but mine is a 2012 so like brand new almost
http://static.fastline.com/assets/it...95451aa617.jpg
Id like to make the railings hinge so if I have a car on it I can unlock the railings and have them swing down so I can open the door without denting up the car.
Or have the railings cut into sections and made removable somehow.
ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS?
The next opeions im trying to do but arnt necessary to a point are my least of the worries right now. Id like to figure out the above first ^^^^
Next think for the future, id like to be able to extend the deck 6" on both sides and make drive over fender attachment so if Im loading a big 4x4 truck with 35's, it can fit. My 4x4 wont fir on this trailer by 3-4"
It looks like this but mine is a 2012 so like brand new almost
http://static.fastline.com/assets/it...95451aa617.jpg
Id like to make the railings hinge so if I have a car on it I can unlock the railings and have them swing down so I can open the door without denting up the car.
Or have the railings cut into sections and made removable somehow.
ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS?
The next opeions im trying to do but arnt necessary to a point are my least of the worries right now. Id like to figure out the above first ^^^^
Next think for the future, id like to be able to extend the deck 6" on both sides and make drive over fender attachment so if Im loading a big 4x4 truck with 35's, it can fit. My 4x4 wont fir on this trailer by 3-4"
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
On first glance, without giving it a lot of thought, I'd probably cut the section out where doors might be, and have the uprights sit in pockets. If needed add to the railing some sort of heavy duty slide bolt (personally I'd probably use a steel pin attached to the railing by a chain or cable so it's not lost) through a couple of close tolerance loops and retained by a linchpin or similar.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
On first glance, without giving it a lot of thought, I'd probably cut the section out where doors might be, and have the uprights sit in pockets. If needed add to the railing some sort of heavy duty slide bolt (personally I'd probably use a steel pin attached to the railing by a chain or cable so it's not lost) through a couple of close tolerance loops and retained by a linchpin or similar.
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Joined: May 2013
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Big Tex makes great trailers. Something you might want to think about is your suspension. I would recommend checking out the Torklift International StableLoad. It's an easy DIY project and will make your ride very smooth. It particularly helps with side to side sway, body roll and bounce.
-Torklift Jen
-Torklift Jen
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Torklift International – Towing, Suspension, Tie Downs, Steps
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Torklift International – Towing, Suspension, Tie Downs, Steps
Call me direct: 1-800-246-8132
Visit our Blog: http://www.torklift.com/blog
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
That's what I thought to but the rails were an option wen this guy bought the trailer.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
Judging by what I can see of the frame of the trailer.............Or lack there of.......I have to agree with Snakedoc. There's no way those rails AREN'T structural. I sure wouldn't cut them off.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,006
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From: AL, Reform
my brother has a 24' that is a just like it brand and all. and from using it i would not cut them out.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Cutting our widening the side rails is not a good idea with this trailer, but if you got a good deal I'd trade for a true flatbed for what you need.
Big Tex is a very good trailer and will have a good trade in/ resale value.
Big Tex is a very good trailer and will have a good trade in/ resale value.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
I, of course, could be wrong, but looking at the gooseneck design the rails don't look like part of the chassis to me.
Add to that the fact that none of the gooseneck trailers pictured on Big Tex's web site have side rails would tell me it's certainly worth further investigation.
Write down the trailer model number, call them and ask. I expect they'd know the pros/cons.
Add to that the fact that none of the gooseneck trailers pictured on Big Tex's web site have side rails would tell me it's certainly worth further investigation.
Write down the trailer model number, call them and ask. I expect they'd know the pros/cons.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
I, of course, could be wrong, but looking at the gooseneck design the rails don't look like part of the chassis to me.
Add to that the fact that none of the gooseneck trailers pictured on Big Tex's web site have side rails would tell me it's certainly worth further investigation.
Write down the trailer model number, call them and ask. I expect they'd know the pros/cons.
Add to that the fact that none of the gooseneck trailers pictured on Big Tex's web site have side rails would tell me it's certainly worth further investigation.
Write down the trailer model number, call them and ask. I expect they'd know the pros/cons.
It's not the design of the gooseneck at fault. It's the rest of the trailer. A gooseneck deckover has no side rails because it has a 10" or 12" I beam frame underneath. A gooseneck car hauler will have the neck tied into 6"-8" channel that runs the length of the trailer for the outside rails, maybe double stacked in front of the axles.
The trailer in the pic has minimal frame. Looks like angle on the outside, and you can see every crossmember. It's a landscape trailer, not a HD unit, and without those side rails, I'd bet it would fold at GVWR or sooner.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 5
From: Southern California
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
It's not the design of the gooseneck at fault. It's the rest of the trailer. A gooseneck deckover has no side rails because it has a 10" or 12" I beam frame underneath. A gooseneck car hauler will have the neck tied into 6"-8" channel that runs the length of the trailer for the outside rails, maybe double stacked in front of the axles.
The trailer in the pic has minimal frame. Looks like angle on the outside, and you can see every crossmember. It's a landscape trailer, not a HD unit, and without those side rails, I'd bet it would fold at GVWR or sooner.
The trailer in the pic has minimal frame. Looks like angle on the outside, and you can see every crossmember. It's a landscape trailer, not a HD unit, and without those side rails, I'd bet it would fold at GVWR or sooner.
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