[RCWelds]

I’ve been wanting to add some way to lift heavy things onto my 5x10 utility trailer. I already have a lifting arch with a winch on the tongue end and can pull things like logs up the trailer ramp, but wanted to be able to move my woodworking machines onto the trailer without straining myself and make it easy to move to our new location when the right property opens up.

This unit has a hand winch, but I’m gonna replace that with an electric winch powered by my deep cycle marine battery already installed on the trailer box welded on the tongue area. It rotates 360 degrees, and I will reinforce the area of the trailer frame with angle and plate, and use grade 8 bolts to secure it thru the 2x8 boards & 3/8” plate underneath on the frame, which I will likely beef up some with additional structural members.

Delivery is scheduled sometime between Jan 6 & 9. I hope frigid weather and snow do not hinder getting it installed on the trailer. I’m gonna have to figure out some sort of protective cover for the thing, as I don’t want it always exposed to the rain. I will certainly keep it sprayed with something like CorrosionX to keep it from rusting and operating smoothly. Probably will also install a jack on the frame side where it is installed to help take weight off the tongue when lifting heavy items.

 

[Sberry]

I never build with grade 8 bolts. We try not to have something on the hairy edge where a super critical joint is crucial etc.i stock a lot of bolts, could hold the 8 in my hands easily.
At one time when prices were different and we got a wholesale deal we stocked only 5 due to farm hands assembling equipment. I stock some 2 for economy now.

 

[Sberry]

You add a bunch of rigging to it and it counts as payload.

 

[NotaVegetarian]

What is the weight rating for the trailer? 5x10’ probably about 1000lbs but I’m guessing, if you going to lift hogs, and deer and the such maybe fine

 

[RCWelds]

What is the weight rating for the trailer? 5x10’ probably about 1000lbs but I’m guessing, if you going to lift hogs, and deer and the such maybe fine

I’ve had that trailer loaded to the hilt with firewood, drove 70 miles back home. I haul my zero turn mower on it, and my ATV as well. None of my woodworking equipment will will ever weigh over 850 lbs. I have no doubt at all any load will exceed its capacity. The lifting arch was fabricated for hauling logs, not hogs. My axle is 3500 lb. rated.

 

[RCWelds]

You add a bunch of rigging to it and it counts as payload.

Yep….I know that.

 

[12V71]

My 2 cents... Don't sandwich the boards between the crane and the plate. The bolts will be constantly working loose from the wood compressing.

 

[whtbaron]

I've seen those cranes f up the back corner of a pickup box... don't take the loads lightly (no pun intended)...

I have to agree with Sberry on the Grade 8 bolts. We use them for shear pins since they snap cleanly due to their brittle nature , but the stretch of a Grade 5 will give you a more forgiving structure.

 

[RCWelds]

I've seen those cranes f up the back corner of a pickup box... don't take the loads lightly (no pun intended)...

I have to agree with Sberry on the Grade 8 bolts. We use them for shear pins since they snap cleanly due to their brittle nature , but the stretch of a Grade 5 will give you a more forgiving structure.

Then grade 5 it is! Probably 5/8” diameter.

 

[Leogl]

No need for grade 8 when bolting thru wood ! I would be really careful lifting off the side on a trailer could have a wreck in a hurry!

 

[Sberry]

I see the geometry under load being a problem. Mounted on the corner with a jackleg might help.

 

[RCWelds]

No need for grade 8 when bolting thru wood ! I would be really careful lifting off the side on a trailer could have a wreck in a hurry!

That is the reason jacks will be installed to support the sides of the trailer. Besides, I won’t be lifting anything over 800 lbs.

 

[Sberry]

This doesnt have much to do with yu but other learning fabricators. Estimation and realization are 2 key ingredients. We had a guy here was going to build a work bench along the wall, had 4 inch channel and was looking for reamers so he could put 5 precision gr8 bolts in each joint. This is no idiot,,, he is a smart guy with college learnin but could stand a little looking, copying and estimating skills. Was a joint could have been stacked, no weight on it, 2 soft bolts would have made it full strength even if it was already 10X and replacing a 2x4 wood bench that had been working.
Doing repair and fab,,, we build with a safe factor, fixing a fail,, 1.5x depending etc and not every joint needs to be as strong as it CAN be but needs to be adequate. When I started this biz whizzed thru 50# of rods in a hurry, now last years.

 

[whtbaron]

You should be good.... but even 800 lbs at the end of that arm has some leverage. Use the support jack and build yourself a solid cross member to bolt into.

 

[Sberry]

While that thing says 2000 it will lift about 1/2 that rigged right up close.

 

[RCWelds]

You should be good.... but even 800 lbs at the end of that arm has some leverage. Use the support jack and build yourself a solid cross member to bolt into.

I think I said basically the same thing, but used other phrases, like structural supports, etc. Underneath that crane and trailer will be rock solid support with additional support members, and jacks for the trailer. Folks who see the things I build, know I generally overbuild them. I don’t want just enough to get by, but want to build for possible future needs that might present themselves.

 

[StandarDyne]

jackleg

Word.

 

[CAVEMANN]

You will definitely need some sort of jack or outrigger on that corner, otherwise when it dis it will be rough to swing your load in the arc that will be present after loading the hoist.

 

[tapwelder]

Have you considered mounting a trailer hitch receiver tube outside the trailer bed. Put the male portion on your jack. Put fold up jack near the tube on the trailer for an outrigger.

That would save bed space and eliminate the mounting to the trailer bed. It would also eliminate a lot of reinforcing.

I have a spitzlift crane. I can connect it to my shop table trailer or truck. It is light and easy to move, though. All great ideas, but still never use the jack.

I cannot imagine taking up cargo space in a small trailer with a permanent fixture.

 

[farmersammm]

Grade 8 bolts aren't more brittle than Grade 5 bolts.

https://youtu.be/FVndKEtazNg?si=_Yd5l45-MsnH5utf

https://www.engineersedge.com/analysis/elongation_chart_for_common_bolting_materials_15795.htm They are capable of greater elongation when torqued. That ain't brittle.

https://www.strasser-hardware.com/f...n this, grade 8’s are tougher than,Here is a quick point about fastener fatigue.

Heat treatment does a lot to add ductility to any fastener. These properties reduce fatigue failure, along with a properly designed connection.

As far as shear bolts go. It's obvious that a Gr5 will shear under less stress than a Gr8. What you use is up to you. Myself............I've always used Gr5's on my tillage equipment. Shear strength is proportional to tensile strength.