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Sir Stinkalot
23rd Oct 2004, 04:36 PM
I was just wondering if there is a way to store a 6x4 trailer so that it is standing upright and can be stored against a fence or the like.

I was thinking along the lines of a wheeled trolley than can be inserted under the tail gate and then the entire trailer lifted so that the tail gate is facing the ground. The trailer then can be moved in the vertical position up against a fence or between two concreted in posts where it can be secured by chain or rope to prevent it from tipping over.

Is it practical or just a pipe dream? I have just got a car with a tow ball ..... the only one in the family but I have no room to store the trailer .... the only alternative is to take it to mums but that is 30 min away each time I want to use it.

How do you store your trailer?

Stinky.

Sturdee
23rd Oct 2004, 05:14 PM
Never seen them stored upright against the fence. There may be something around but it would not be cheap as even a small trailer is heavy to lift.

I store my trailer in a fenced of trailer pen along our side fence ( corner block). It runs parellel to the fence with a double gate. I roll it in and pull it out from the footpath. Others in the area leave it parked on the nature strip chained to a tree.


Peter.

gatiep
23rd Oct 2004, 06:23 PM
I used to store my trailer upright against the garage wall in a previous life. Used 2 pieces of 2 x 3 on the floor to keep rear lights and body off the floor and secured against the wall with a chain horisontally across the trailer hooked onto hooks on the wall. Will help if you have a person helping to lift the drawbar upright and secure.


Hope you have an uplifting weekend! (;) )


:)

bitingmidge
23rd Oct 2004, 07:16 PM
I used to store one upright against the back wall of the garage also, except on it's side.

I built a sort of pallett looking thing that acted as a chock for the wheel and also supported it when the trailer was on its side.

After the first lift it was easy enough to locate it so the top of the trailer was hard against the wall. It was very stable but I used a bit of rope to tie it off.

Never used a chain or pulley, just got a neighbour to give me a lift when I needed to.

Don't store in this fashion immediately after use as you stand a good chance of losing grease from the bearings (it gets hot and runny!).

I currently have a boat trailer stored the same way, except that it has timber chocks holding the wheel off the ground.


Cheers,

P

Sir Stinkalot
23rd Oct 2004, 07:27 PM
Thanks guys .... are there any photos???? It looks like I might need to put on my Engineers hat.

Chesand
23rd Oct 2004, 07:39 PM
I have the size smaller than 6 x 4 and am able to lift it so that it stands on its tailgate up against a small fence. I usually get a member of the family to help me but I can do it myself if necessary. I use two pieces of wood under the tailgate to protect lights etc and then tie it to the fence and also put a chain and padlock on one side as well. This is so that it cannot be pinched but more importantly so that it cannot fall if the ropes are undone by some smart alec kid.
I would not like to lift a 6 x 4 however.
If you have some structure overhead nearby you may be able to rig up a light block and tackle arrangement to help you.

gatiep
23rd Oct 2004, 10:29 PM
Stinki:

Don't think like an architecht or an accountant!!!!!! Always see the problem, not the solution. Do what I, ( an ex pharmacist) and Tom ( a practicing pharmacist) tell you....easy, put 2 2 x 3 's down, back up the trailer, annoy stinkette and she'll pick it up while trying to swipe you with it, just shout 'stop' at the right moment.

QED! :eek:

:)

bsrlee
24th Oct 2004, 03:15 AM
A while ago I made a frame setup for a friend to stand her motor cycle trailer upright in her garage out of pine 2x4's. The rear of the trailer has an open ended square pipe bar running the full width of the trailer. We used this as a pivot, placing a length of rod thru' the pipe and thru' a hole in the base of the frame on both sides - the frame is a 'gallows' type, with 4 casters so she can swing it around when she needs more space inside to work on her bike collection. At around 5' tall, she can lift the trailer vertical & tie it off easily.

If you bolt or weld a similar pipe under the back of your trailer, you can build 2 side stands (or connect them into an 'I' with a cross bar) with holes for bolts or pins to engage the pipe, giving you a pivot that will keep the trailer's rear end (& lights etc) off the floor at all times. You can bolt a boat winch to the wall or the trailer 'V' to haul it upright & lower it again at need.

jacko
24th Oct 2004, 09:49 PM
Sir Stinky! The attached is a sketch of bracket that attaches to our camper trailer which is a bit bigger than your trailer and weighs a lot more. Two of these brackets (the blue bits) slip into receptacles (the red bits) on the trailer, a bar is then pinned into place (green pins) just to make it rigid, then two people can easily tilt the whole thing. An extra option was a set of wheels that allow you to wheel the whole thing arond on casters! While on its side may take a little more room, it does decrease the lift required. Once you get to the top of the arc the C of G makes sure that it stays where put.
Jacko

tonyjune
25th Oct 2004, 12:22 AM
All the others have told you the method, but if you have only yourself to lift it. Then may I suggest Hitchmaster. Tel. 02 6386 3667. They were at the Woodworking show Melb. In effect a block and tackle, but only $60.

Tony.

Garrett in Cda
25th Oct 2004, 02:38 AM
The tongue is made of 2 pieces of U channel so that it can fold down on itself, and is held in the trailing position by a simple Linch Pin. If storage height is no problem that feature would be unnecessary.

The bed is made from 2 frames connected to each other just behind the wheels so that the aft end can be flipped over to fold flat on the forward end just like a giant hinge. When in use, 2 machine bolts secure it in place. A length of square tube ~40 cm long is mounted perpendicular to and centred on the side frame behind each fender at the aft end of the forward bed section. When the bed is folded, the whole rig is tipped upright onto casters mounted on the ends of the tubes. (A simple but clever piece of msll angle iron hits and grabs the pavement as the triler is tipped up so that it doesn't skid on the casters but is off the ground when the unit is fully upright. At that point, only the casters support the trailer in the upright position and permit it to be moved around with surprising ease.

I'll post some photos for you later today.

Cheers, Garrett

Garrett in Cda
25th Oct 2004, 03:45 AM
Here is the trailer mentioned in the post above. (Apologies for not having prettied it up for the photos, but it’s about 7 years old and has seen a lot of use.)

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Construction details should be evident, but I’d be happy to answer any questions.

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Cheers, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:PersonName>Garrett</st1:PersonName>

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<img src=http://members.shaw.ca/glia/Tongue.jpg>

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<img src=http://members.shaw.ca/glia/Side.jpg>

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<img src=http://members.shaw.ca/glia/HInge.jpg>

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<img src=http://members.shaw.ca/glia/vertical.jpg>

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<img src=http://members.shaw.ca/glia/upright.jpg>

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<img src=http://members.shaw.ca/glia/Stop.jpg>

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<img src=http://members.shaw.ca/glia/Sides.jpg>

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I had to make new top rails for the sides a couple of weeks ago. They simply drop into mating the holes in the framing members, and are attached to each other at the inside corners with loose pin hinges for easy removal and installation.

ronk
15th Jan 2008, 09:21 AM
Hi guys, I have been looking at your threads on the storage of a trailer either on its side or on its end. Has any one got any drawings / photos as I am also looking for a way to store a 6 * 4 trailer in a confined space

Thanks

Ron

wheelinround
15th Jan 2008, 09:33 AM
largley depends on the trailer style I have stored them on their end but they must be secured well a small block n tackle to lift it into position takes care of back problems.

ronk
15th Jan 2008, 09:49 AM
I was interested in the storage of a trailer on its side with the wheel being supported on a stand with casters to make it manoeuvrable, maybe like a quick lift motor cycle wheel lifting device

Bob38S
15th Jan 2008, 10:52 AM
Not quite on the question but have you considered using the trailer as an extra bench for construction or simply to save your back and not working on the floor.

Mine is a standard 6x4 box trailer with a small removable wooden frame in the middle and then a large plate of chipboard sitting on it [locater blocks on the corners]. Jockey wheel on the front and a surplus Hayman Rees caravan leveller stand for the rear which locks the surface level and no tipping if I happen to need to stand on it.

When the trailer is needed it takes less than 5 minutes to place an aluminium adjustable stand at each side [$59 at Bunnies type], - the plate is light enough [even at 19mm] to lift the end and slip a 3x2 stud under it and onto the stand at the front and rear - wheel the trailer out, when finished do the reverse.

Easy as pie to do, I get an extra work area, I can move 360 degrees around the job, the trailer is out of the weather [seen the prices of a new one lately?] and if I need to move a job, I can either push it or attach the ride on mower/car.

Works for me.

ronk
8th May 2008, 07:36 AM
Tried to view photos without luck, any suggestions
Thanks