Need tilt-assist device for tilt trailer

[rockinacummins]

So I have this tilt trailer that is HEAVY. The bed is 5x13, and is built out of super heavy steel. It is hinged way in front of the axle, so it is almost impossible for me to tilt the deck, much less tilt it and then drive onto it. I'm wondering if there is anything that would work to push up against the deck? As in like a heavy duty gas cylinder?

I actually think this thing was intended to have an electric/hydraulic tilt, but it was never installed at the factory nor were the provisions made for it.

I've scoured the web in search of a solution but so far to no avail. Any clues?

Here is the trailer:



Another pic where you can see the deck

 

[PhysicsDude]

They sell tilt trailers that use a 20 ton bottle jack.

http://www.txcustomtrailersales.com...20-hyd-tilt-car-equipment-hauler-TMwb|yW.html

As far as how exactly to mount it, you probably have to weld some brackets on.

 

[Thumper68]

Put a jack on a scale and see how much force to tilt the deck, I have used the gas cylinders from a rear lift gate for that kind of thing before, real cheap at the salvage yard or 30 or so from the parts store. I usually get new ones from a truck topper dealer.

 

[jakemac]

I think the solution is in your first picture.
Get another extendable screw jack and weld a pivoting mounting bracket to both the jack and deck.

 

[kctyphoon]

Ditto.. and a cheap one at that.. that is unless u want a powered unit.. for that you'd need to install a battery and an electric hydraulic pump along with a long hydraulic ram. Guess you'd need to decide if your frequency of use justifies the added expense.

 

[WittHay]

Is the trailer factory build or home made. If home made, I am wondering if they just used a Hi-lift or farm jack on a wood base to lift up the front. Once something is driven on the trailer it would lift up a bit and the jack would go sideways

 

[rockinacummins]

Is the trailer factory build or home made. If home made, I am wondering if they just used a Hi-lift or farm jack on a wood base to lift up the front. Once something is driven on the trailer it would lift up a bit and the jack would go sideways

Nope, this is a Ditch Witch S7B trailer.

 

[rockinacummins]

Put a jack on a scale and see how much force to tilt the deck, I have used the gas cylinders from a rear lift gate for that kind of thing before, real cheap at the salvage yard or 30 or so from the parts store. I usually get new ones from a truck topper dealer.

I think this is kinda what I'm after. I'll check and see what force it takes to tilt

 

[samss]

Isn't this trailer designed so that you step on the tail end and it tilts up for loading? https://www.ditchwitch.com/sites/default/files/Flat-deck trailers oper (ID0289796_02_SVC).pdf
page 18

 

[rockinacummins]

Isn't this trailer designed so that you step on the tail end and it tilts up for loading? https://www.ditchwitch.com/sites/default/files/Flat-deck trailers oper (ID0289796_02_SVC).pdf
page 18

I know there was a powered tilt option, so they were sold both ways. But I'm 220 lbs and I can't make the trailer tilt even by jumping up and down on the very tail end. The only way I've been able to tilt it is by pushing it down with the front end loader on my tractor

 

[454ragtop]

Any chance someone moved the axle back for some reason? It's seems pretty far back for that type of trailer.

 

[CJM8515]

Battery and a hydraulic ram would be best imho. A bottle jack would also work well but take awhile.

 

[PBCampbell]

Have you contacted a dealer yet? You're going to need the lights and fenders from them anyway to make it road legal. I'd be surprised if they didn't have the lift parts available.

 

[lilredex]

Here is a floor jack solution I saw at a local golf course.

 

[rockinacummins]

Any chance someone moved the axle back for some reason? It's seems pretty far back for that type of trailer.

No this is the original design for this trailer. I agree it's a lot further back than I would have placed it

 

[rockinacummins]

Have you contacted a dealer yet? You're going to need the lights and fenders from them anyway to make it road legal. I'd be surprised if they didn't have the lift parts available.

I ordered LED lights form eBay and I'm going to build custom fenders. There's no telling what a dealer would want for them

 

[rockinacummins]

Battery and a hydraulic ram would be best imho. A bottle jack would also work well but take awhile.

This is probably the best route. I could piece together a system with a pump and cylinder from northern tool - I just didn't wanna spend the money. I will probably try the gas cylinders first to see if they can get the job done. Mainly because I still want the deck to drop after I load whatever I'm loading

 

[fordnut85]

This is probably the best route. I could piece together a system with a pump and cylinder from northern tool - I just didn't wanna spend the money. I will probably try the gas cylinders first to see if they can get the job done. Mainly because I still want the deck to drop after I load whatever I'm loading

As far back as that axle is I could see some issues with the deck dropping before the rear axles of whatever your loading got on the trailer. Personally I have used the tilt trailers that use the long ram like an engine hoist uses and they work faster than you think they would and you can control the rate and time of decent.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[Hiball]

Maybe a measurement to let us know what type distance you need to cover on the front end when the trailer is in the full tilt position? I have a tilt trailer that utilizes a smaller long Jack, some roller chain/gear but it's not near as heavy as yours. When the trailer is at full tilt, does it hold or want to fall on its own? Does it balance out at a certain point?

 

[rockinacummins]

Maybe a measurement to let us know what type distance you need to cover on the front end when the trailer is in the full tilt position? I have a tilt trailer that utilizes a smaller long Jack, some roller chain/gear but it's not near as heavy as yours. When the trailer is at full tilt, does it hold or want to fall on its own? Does it balance out at a certain point?

I will get a measurement (and some pics) of this.

The deck wants to fall on its own - no point where it stabilizes or balances