Ask DS: ideas for custom trailer to haul Ranger, dog, gear

[brandonvet]

Help me out here guys...I need some ideas on this. I'm strongly considering having someone custom build a trailer for me to haul my Ranger on. My first thought was a simple setup 6'10" x 12' single axle, which will be plenty big to haul a Ranger and some gear. (I really haven't found anything like this factory built...most have dual axle and cost considerably more....thus the custom built idea...already talked to a couple guys local here that'll build one for what I can buy a factory built one for.)

Then a hunting buddy's rig came to mind...he has a 6'10" x 14' with a dog box along the side of his. He hauls a Rhino so it's much narrower and fits fine. So now I'm thinking...if I'm gonna have one custom made, why not make it just like I want it...???? So I'm considering having a dog box/tool box combo...maybe a dog box on the bottom with a tool box on top of that, built onto the front. I'd like some brackets built on somehow maybe to keep the boxes seperated and a crossbar to keep the Ranger off the toolboxes? This idea would require at least a 14' trailer instead of a 12'. FYI - overall length of Ranger is 114". I don't really want a trailer much longer than 14', just gets too inconvenient to pull around I think. I was trying to avoid a dual axle also.

Anybody got any ideas on a setup? Anybody got a rig like this...what would you do different? Throw some pics out there for me if ya got 'em.

[kevinw]

I worked for the guy who has this one for sale and took it to have it built for him. It is real nice, dog boxes, decoy rack, storage box and lights. It was even built to bind down a Ranger without using straps.

http://www.devineyequipment.com/equipme ... hp&item=63

[Deltaquack]

With that size and what your putting on it.........I'd only go dual axle. For what reason are you against it?

[torch]

Go on and get a dual axle. You are going to bend a single axle with all that weight. I know they will tell you it will be alright but it won't.

[CBRADGO]

Call Marlon and get him to spec you something out. He lives down the street from me and I swear, builds some of the best trailers I've ever seen. Nice guy too...

http://www.centralmscustombuilttrailers.com/

[quack_a_tack]

I agree with torch and deltaquack, anything over 12ft should be tandem. I bought a 14 ft single axle several years ago. I bought it to carry 2 four wheelers, and was told that the weight would be no prob on one axle. Well he lied, I hit a big pothole outside Minter City on hwy 8, and the weight being distributed so distant between the hitch and one axle bent the right tire badly. I was able to limp on to cleveland at roughly 20 mph, any faster and the tire would smoke from the angle. Take it from me get a tandem.

[wingman21]

A few thoughts come to mind. I have had friends that had fuel tanks on one of the front corners above dog boxes. Some electric pump, others gravity fed(I prefer gravity) also I like having troughs for the wheels to sit in. IF you aren't going far no need for straps, deeper the trough less need.

I don't like expanded metal gates they catch too much wind. I do like short gates made with barsthat are below the height of your buggy and let air through when empty. Aluminum is nice

Hate I can't think of anything else right now, I often think about what is the perfect trailer.

[brandonvet]

Call Marlon and get him to spec you something out. He lives down the street from me and I swear, builds some of the best trailers I've ever seen. Nice guy too...

http://www.centralmscustombuilttrailers.com/

Thats who I've been talking to. From what I've seen, he makes a good one.

I'm still pondering on this but I think y'all have talked me into the tandem axle...reason I wanted a single axle was for trailer weight, fuel economy, and price. But sounds like I won't have any worrys with a tandem axle.

All good points...thanks for your input, gents.

[WTRFLR]

I have been hauling my ranger on a single axle 6x12 Stallion trailer for 4 years now with no incidents.
Still room for a toolbox or a bar accross the front to center the ranger over the axles.
No need for a tandem!!!
Lots of places sell Stallion trailers. Look them up

[Blazer406]

3500# axles are very common and readily available. I see no reason to have a tandem axle trailer to haul something that weighs 1500#. Twice as many tires to replace.... and increases the trailers overall weight.

[mfalkner]

To me, tandem axle is easier to pull and control loaded or not. And with tandem you have more options because after you have a trailer you will always find something you need to haul on it. A Ranger is a pretty decent load even on a 3500# axle.