Sagging hinges on dump trailer

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I'm building a steel dump trailer with a dual action tailgate that should swing open like a gate and also be able to dump by pulling some pins. My problem is the hinges I have for it to swing open to the side (for driving a small tractor in to) sag a couple inches. I am using a hinge from Northern Tool; hopefully the pic will load. Is there a different type of hinge I can use to prevent sag or should I live with it and lift it into the latch each time? Are bullet hinges a good ideal? If so how do they mount? I don't have a dealer nearby to investigate other trailers. Thanks guys!http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6309_200306309Last edited by weekender; 03-29-2008 at 07:29 PM.Reason: pic didn't load; I may have to read the instructions!
Reply:I usually make my own side hinge for a dump trailer out of round tube or pipe and the pins out of solid round bar with hole drilled throug the side for hitch pin to keep it in the tube. But some times its not the hinge that sages its the side of th trailer bending in.
Reply:That looks like a nice heavy duty hinge but it looks like it would have a little to much play in it. I agree with Nick, it may be the side of the trailer sagging in after you open it. IF that's not the case, then I would try repositioning the hinges after placing maybe a couple of washers doubled up along the bottom of the gate after it is closed and then re-welding the hinges in position. You may also have to weld a spacer in each hinge to take up most of the slack. Good luck.Last edited by Jammer; 03-29-2008 at 09:23 PM.
Reply:barrel hinges work nice as well you should be able to get them at your local  steel supplierLincoln Pro Core 125Lincolin sp 100Miller Big 40Lincoln Idealarc SP250miller matic 212http://www.facebook.com/hdwelding?sk=wallwww.hdweldingbeds.com
Reply:I have to agree with the other guys and say look at the sides and see if they can hold the weight with out bending in. Most small trailers I've seen have relativly flimsy sides to keep weight down. We use one guy with a big triaxle dump with the 2 way gate. It's a single door not double and the hinges are simple plates with pins. When you pop the door it dosen't drop at all, but the sides are seriously beefy. Say 4"-6" rear posts. Take a look at most dumpsters with swing doors and you'll see the same thing. Heavy stiff corner posts to take the weight of the door.If the problem is just opening and closing the doors to load the tractor, perhaps you can make a spreader to hold the sides in place till you get the doors open and pinned back. Most small trailers I've worked with the rear doors swing back to lay flat on the sides when open. Here they will have very little side lean. I'd connsider making one that attached with a notch on both sides to drop over the existing sides so you can pull or push and a turn buckle to adj the width to make it easy to install / remove. You could then store it on the side or under the bed when not in use. A ratchet binder with the hooks replaced with the spreader bar would probably make a great turnbuckle with plenty of adjustment.
Reply:These are all really great ideals and I definietely appreciate any other that come in. Right now the gate is a simple unskinned frame of tubing 25 X 75 attached to a 3 inch channel about 28 inches long. I checked for sag from my channel post and it did move about 1/2 inch. Most of the play seems to be in the hinges themselves.Once more the link for the current hinges:http://http://www.northerntool.com/w...6309_200306309