Utility trailer question- how to make it work?

[jeffpas]

Hi all,

Apologies if I'm on the wrong site, but really no idea where to post this.
I'm looking to get a small utility trailer to tow behind vehicle for the many hundreds of things you can't do without a pickup.
However I live in a house with a single car garage, narrow driveway and limited street space.
I opted for a 4 X 6 utility trailer a lot like the one shown below:

http://forums.genvibe.com/files/imported/405136=13108-Lowes_Trailer.jpg

Anything larger is really not going to be practical storage wise. With the 6 ft length I can tip it up on end to store.
Now the problem I'm having is that I do renovation work (non professionally), and I'd really like to be able to get 4 X 8 panels using this thing, such as drywall, etc.

Cargo space is 4' wide, no problems there. And I can fold the tailgate inwards if anything is longer than 6ft. But with the trailer length, there's going to be too much overhang to move panels.
What would be great is if the tailgate were shorter, and folded out like a normal truck, extending it a couple feet so on those times you have to move longer items, badabing how handy. But no such luck. The tailgate is a full 4 ft long and even if I rigged it to fold out flat, it would extend too far to be practical driving.

I've looked everywhere for a 4 X 6 trailer with a small tailgate, but such a thing doesn't seem to exist. Does anyone know where a part like this could be purchased? Or maybe some other removable attachment solution to extend trailer length? Surely somene has come across this before. Thanks for any ideas.

[mkirsch]

These trailers are typically used for moving lawn mowers, quads, golf carts, etc.. Hence the long ramp.

Shorter is more maneuverable, yes, but that is why it's harder to back up. It is much more sensitive to your steering efforts.

Frankly, I don't see why you can't just fold the tailgate forward and let the panel hang off. If it's something fragile like 1/4" paneling or drywall, then buy a few 2x4's to support it.

[jeffpas]

This one is the full 4' wide cargo space I've measured, and 6' length plus the ramp.
Frankly I just think size-wise the 4 X 6 is perfect for my needs except I'd like to be able to move 4 X 8 panels on those rare occasions.
If the ramp were only 2 ft long that would be ideal I think. I'd just rig it to lay out like a truck gate and I'd be set.
I called around and found a welding shop that says they will do it for $100. No idea what the typical cost is. Guess I'll kick it over.

[johntank]

My take on this;
A 4' by any XX' trailer you will have trouble loading any type of material that is 4' wide plywood, rock etc. flat as most 4' trailers will be shy of a full 4' if they have any type of side. Another way around the carrying of long 2bys is to have some 2bys (3 to 5) 4&1/2 to 5' long to go crosswise of trailer, don't know about the gate except to remove it.
As others have said the longer a trailer is the easier it is to back. JMHO

[BTPO1]

If you don't need the tailgate on the trailer as a ramp you could take it to a welding shop and have the tailgate modified. I would think that any welding shop would be able to do that for you. JMO

[LittleBill]

look at the harbor freight trailers, they are made to be completely fold-able and can roll on casters out of the way

[K_Charles]

What if you bought an 8' trailer? If that's what you want it would be the easiest way to do it.

[Mfan]

How about one of those support bars for long loads that fit in a receiver tube for pickups? Maybe weld a tube under the trailer?

[edm3rd]

My father had a 4x6 utility trailer that was extremely difficult to back up - but it had a very short tongue. It would turn extremely sharply (more like dart) with very little steering wheel input. My 5x10 is much easier to back up, even in tight quarters, but again substantially longer tongue/distance from hitch to axle.

[BB_TX]

Can't help on finding the trailer. But I agree with above about backing. I have an 8' utility trailer, a 16' farm trailer, and a 35' 5er. The 8' trailer is by far the most difficult to back as it responds so much faster to small turns from the truck.

[jeffpas]

What do you mean by 'impossible to back'. You mean difficult to back up into a driveway?
That is surprising if so, I would think a shorter trailer would be more maneuverable. But then this will be my first.
The 8 ft folding trailers I've found don't have the welded fence for roping or built in mesh, and it just seems to me the unfoldable piece looks a lot more solid and durable. I didn't want to mess with boards plus I'd have to carry them along if needed.
I was looking for something along the lines of a shorter tailgate part I could buy and swap out, or some kind of a foldout attachment to bolt on. Or maybe a 4 X 6 trailer for sale out there with a shorter tailgate.

[n7bsn]

I had a 4x4 and a 4x8 utility trailer. The shorter one was almost impossible to back. But the longer one was designed to fold in the middle for storage

I would consider doing something like putting 8 ft 2x4s on the deck to extend your length to 8 ft

Assuming you don't want to buy an 8 ft folding trailer