Pole Trailer

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My utility trailer has a square tube frame, with rectangular tube tongue. It's a 5x9" myself and a local welder built in his shop. My question being, I am looking for a way to haul 20-22' lengths of steel, and I am looking at picking up a used spring axle in the 3500lb capacity range and making a light duty pole trailer of sorts. My work on my utility trailer, and this trailer, were done and would be done under the supervision of a welder with 20+ years running his fabrication business, so we can get that to the side and get to the down and dirty of the actual trailer.Assuming this goes as planned, should the tongue be one piece, such as 4x4x1/4" Wall Square tube, or would it be better to use two pieces of something like 3" channel iron, with the "C" facing outward like: ]--[ and braces running the length of the tongue? Max load: 1,500lbs. Planning on four bolsters, one on each end an two evenly space in the middle, with the verticals about 4 feet apart, in case long lumber ever needs to be hauled.I also considered making the axle structure a sub frame (the plan anyway) but using a large piece of tubing the length of the spring span, that would slide over the frame, with two pins running though the tubes to allow the trailer to be pinned in a shorter or longer length.Trailer brakes can be locked on the controller so just like a semi, lock the brakes and pull the pickup either forward or rearward.I have access to a straight cultivator toolbar that is heavy 4x4 tubing, hence why I ask.This is getting long winded, but... Sure a 20ft carhauler would be more versatile, but for my purposes, I find a longer material trailer like this would fill a good lightweight niche without having to haul a bigger, heavier trailer around. I have access to bigger trailers when necessary, just trying to avoid things like that.
Reply:Personally, I would find it a wasted effort. I use my 20' tandem axle a lot. I don't think hauling it empty is a chore. It just seems like a lot of time money and materials, just to be able to go get materials. A truck rack will do the same or more, and can be lifted off when not wanted. YMMV
Reply:Originally Posted by walkerPersonally, I would find it a wasted effort. I use my 20' tandem axle a lot. I don't think hauling it empty is a chore. It just seems like a lot of time money and materials, just to be able to go get materials. A truck rack will do the same or more, and can be lifted off when not wanted. YMMV
Reply:W/o worrying about making it longer or shorter, why not find a medium duty boat tlr and modify to fit your needs.                                                      MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Every option listed has been done many times. I think your getting a smidge design happy though. Check out the pole trailers at an REA. Rural Electric Company or whoever sets poles. They and loggers will have that very trailer. Lots bigger though and no telescoping axle. Oilfield pipe trailers are often built the same way. Use good pins or at least grade 5 bolts on your scoping parts.Arcon Workhorse 300MSPowcon 400SMTPowcon SM400 x 2Powcon SM3001968 SA200 Redface1978 SA250 DieselMiller Super 32P FeederPre 1927 American 14" High Duty LatheK&T Milwaukee 2H Horizontal MillBryan
Reply:Originally Posted by blawlessEvery option listed has been done many times. I think your getting a smidge design happy though. Check out the pole trailers at an REA. Rural Electric Company or whoever sets poles. They and loggers will have that very trailer. Lots bigger though and no telescoping axle. Oilfield pipe trailers are often built the same way. Use good pins or at least grade 5 bolts on your scoping parts.
Reply:Actually, if you can find the axle cheap, it's not a bad idea.  I use my 32' bale buggy when I have to haul full sticks of channel, tubing, pipe, etc.  It's real convenient to have the long length, and not worry about overhang"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:A 4 x 4 x 3/16 x 6 meter only weighs about 160 lbs. How many you hauling at once ? I haul six lengths up here on this little crapper..Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:I think the boat tlr would be ideal for you. W/ the channel iron it will pack a lot of iron and you can easily extend the rear and move the lites so it is a full 20' long. As for the boat, if you can't sell it w/o the tlr, gut out everything saleable and get the sawzall out.                                                MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:If you already have the 4x4 tube it will work, but if you can find some rectangle tube say 4x6x3/16" you would have similar weight but get less bounce. 4x4 even with the 1/4 wall will bounce a quite a bit. Or go with the 4x4 tube and add some channel braces that go maybe 1/2 way forward, that would take a lot of bounce out.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammActually, if you can find the axle cheap, it's not a bad idea.  I use my 32' bale buggy when I have to haul full sticks of channel, tubing, pipe, etc.  It's real convenient to have the long length, and not worry about overhang