Dump Trailers Made From Fuel Tanks

2009 - Volume #33, Issue #4, Page #25

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A few years ago Arthur Baker of Fillmore, N. Y., made a utility trailer from an oval-shaped, 275-gal. fuel storage tank. It worked so well that neighbors started asking him to build units for them.
    "They're built heavy and are just the right size for towing with any garden tractor or ATV. And they're much cheaper than bigger commercial models that cost up to $5,000 or more," says Baker. "A lot of people don't need a big trailer to haul stuff. My trailers can be made street legal and are rated to haul a 2,000-lb. load. And they can be custom-built. For example, I used the spoked wheels and the front axle from a 1934 Chrysler to build a trailer for one customer."
    The 2-wheeled trailers measure 5 ft. long by 44 in. wide and ride on big 23, 26, or 30-in. tall wheels and have a manually-operated dump that's activated by pulling a lever mounted on the tongue. By pulling four pins the entire end gate can be removed. Or, by removing two bottom pins, material can be dumped through the tailgate.
    Baker reinforces the edges and sides of each tank with 1-in. bar stock and the bottom back edge with 1-in. bar stock and rebar. The tank is welded to a frame made from 2 by 3 by 1/8-in. tubing. The tongue is made from 1 1/2 by 3-in. tubing and supports a ball hitch. A hitch can be added on back so several trailers can be hauled in-line. A trailer jack is welded to the tongue.
    "These trailers really come in handy for hauling firewood, rocks, gravel and so forth," says Baker. "Each trailer will hold a 3/4th cord of wood, or 1 1/4 cords with railings added. I can paint them any color the customer wants including Deere green and yellow, Massey Ferguson red and gray, or IH red and white.
    "On my next model I plan to add an electric linear actuator for automatic dumping, and torsion spring axles rated for a 1-ton load."
    The trailers sell for $700 to $1,000, depending on accessories.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Arthur R. Baker, 11389 Route 19, Fillmore, N. Y. 14735 (ph 585 567-4851; pabobaker@yahoo.com).

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Dump Trailers Made From Fuel Tanks WAGONS/TRAILERS Conversions 33-4-25 A few years ago Arthur Baker of Fillmore, N. Y., made a utility trailer from an oval-shaped, 275-gal. fuel storage tank. It worked so well that neighbors started asking him to build units for them. "They're built heavy and are just the right size for towing with any garden tractor or ATV. And they're much cheaper than bigger commercial models that cost up to $5,000 or more," says Baker. "A lot of people don't need a big trailer to haul stuff. My trailers can be made street legal and are rated to haul a 2,000-lb. load. And they can be custom-built. For example, I used the spoked wheels and the front axle from a 1934 Chrysler to build a trailer for one customer." The 2-wheeled trailers measure 5 ft. long by 44 in. wide and ride on big 23, 26, or 30-in. tall wheels and have a manually-operated dump that's activated by pulling a lever mounted on the tongue. By pulling four pins the entire end gate can be removed. Or, by removing two bottom pins, material can be dumped through the tailgate. Baker reinforces the edges and sides of each tank with 1-in. bar stock and the bottom back edge with 1-in. bar stock and rebar. The tank is welded to a frame made from 2 by 3 by 1/8-in. tubing. The tongue is made from 1 1/2 by 3-in. tubing and supports a ball hitch. A hitch can be added on back so several trailers can be hauled in-line. A trailer jack is welded to the tongue. "These trailers really come in handy for hauling firewood, rocks, gravel and so forth," says Baker. "Each trailer will hold a 3/4th cord of wood, or 1 1/4 cords with railings added. I can paint them any color the customer wants including Deere green and yellow, Massey Ferguson red and gray, or IH red and white. "On my next model I plan to add an electric linear actuator for automatic dumping, and torsion spring axles rated for a 1-ton load." The trailers sell for $700 to $1,000, depending on accessories. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Arthur R. Baker, 11389 Route 19, Fillmore, N. Y. 14735 (ph 585 567-4851; pabobaker@yahoo.com).

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