Utility trailer mods for bad roads

[gkieser92]

I got a 5x8 utility trailer to haul my new quad. These trailers come with very small 4.80x12 tires and very low ground clearance. I'm planning on doing an over/under conversion on the axle, which should raise the trailer 7"-8" and make a lot more room for bigger wheels. I think I'll get space for a 215/75D14 tire. This trailer will see some washboard/potholed dirt forest roads (but not truly off-road) but mostly pavement. I'm looking for some advice to mod the trailer:

1. What tires are recommended for washboard roads? Radial or bias ply? Should I look at light truck tires? I might have a hard time finding a small enough size.
2. Is it safe to use wheel spacers to fit a bigger tire/change bolt pattern?
3. The trailer has a wire mesh deck, but this is pretty weak. I'd like to lay down a 2x8 wood deck. Should I be concerned with drilling bolt holes in the 2" angle iron frame?
4. Any specific advice for frame reinforcement? I have a family member that could do some welding for me (already welding the new spring seats) but I don't want to add unnecessary weight.

I know this trailer is really light duty, but I am very limited by weight and parking space. I needed a trailer light enough to be towed by quad itself and can fit in a single car garage.

 

[Alloy]

2x8 deck + ATV on a lite trailer there's a good chance of blowing the bearings.

 

[gkieser92]

2x8 deck + ATV on a lite trailer there's a good chance of blowing the bearings.

The specs are the trailer capacity is 1625 lbs, and the quad is 700 lbs. The axle is 2000 lbs.

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[Alloy]

The specs are the trailer capacity is 1625 lbs, and the quad is 700 lbs. The axle is 2000 lbs.

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What kills the bearing is when the tire/wheel bounce in the air and gravity + springs slams the tire/wheel down. Two things help with this. Sizing the springs to the load (not the axle capacity) and adding shocks.

 

[HaveeBear]

You will probably want to upgrade the axle to a 3500# if you're going with bigger wheels/tires....new hubs too.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Two points:

1. You are greatly overthinking the required capacity to haul an ATV down a forest service road.
2. The money you spend on a new axle, spacers, wheels, deck, etc. will never be recouped, and will be much better spent by buying a heavier-duty trailer from the get-go.

It's a utility trailer, not an investment. Sell it, buy a used, heavier duty one to replace it for what will likely be a few hundred bucks more. Then enjoy your ATV and don't waste time and money trying to make the trailer something it's not meant to be. That is, unless you enjoy the tinkering for the sake of tinkering (and losing money in the process), in which case... welcome to the club.

 

[gkieser92]

Two points:

1. You are greatly overthinking the required capacity to haul an ATV down a forest service road.
2. The money you spend on a new axle, spacers, wheels, deck, etc. will never be recouped, and will be much better spent by buying a heavier-duty trailer from the get-go.

It's a utility trailer, not an investment. Sell it, buy a used, heavier duty one to replace it for what will likely be a few hundred bucks more. Then enjoy your ATV and don't waste time and money trying to make the trailer something it's not meant to be. That is, unless you enjoy the tinkering for the sake of tinkering (and losing money in the process), in which case... welcome to the club.

You are probably right. Last weekend I took the trailer to an OHV area at the end of 2 miles road that was so potholed the axle, hitch and frame were bottoming out. This summer I'm planning a trip that will end in 10 miles of washboard road, and I go through 1-2 spares time we go with my camper trailer.
I may look at selling it before I break it, but it has been surprising hard to find a small but rugged trailer.

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[tlin]

What kills the bearing is when the tire/wheel bounce in the air and gravity + springs slams the tire/wheel down. Two things help with this. Sizing the springs to the load (not the axle capacity) and adding shocks.

Good points....+ airing down the tires also aides in this regard...