Gantry trailer

**Tooler2** · Jan 12, 2025, 08:24 PM

I have a purpose built propane tank trailer, it is a U frame with 6k individual torsion axles. The frame is made of 4x4x.375 tubing and there is a gantry with winch mounted where the axles are. The neat part is the pair of cross supports that are installed after the tank is lifted and the tank then gets lowered onto them for transport. The rear cross piece has 5x5x.375 eyes welded on that slip on from the rear of the trailer The front one is the same but the eyes are open so that it may be installed by placing it diagonally and turned into place.

**Frank S** · Jan 12, 2025, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by Tooler2

I have a purpose built propane tank trailer, it is a U frame with 6k individual torsion axles. The frame is made of 4x4x.375 tubing and there is a gantry with winch mounted where the axles are. The neat part is the pair of cross supports that are installed after the tank is lifted and the tank then gets lowered onto them for transport. The rear cross piece has 5x5x.375 eyes welded on that slip on from the rear of the trailer The front one is the same but the eyes are open so that it may be installed by placing it diagonally and turned into place.

I built this one to replace a 50 year old trailer for my propane guy. At his request It is 1 ft lower in height and 3 feet shorter than his old trailer. I didn't make him any cross supports since he said he can use the pair he already has. He wanted this one for the 250 & 500 gal tanks and needed the winch to travel because he said often times when setting a new tanks, he couldn't always maneuver his old larger trailer in position This way he can winch the new empty tanks out the rear of the trailer Or more importantly for him he can use the traveling winch to lift things other than propane tanks

Gantry trailer-img_20231220_152327pt.jpg

**Toolmaker51** · Feb 2, 2025, 10:05 PM

There were a few heavy flat bed twin axle trucks equipped with very large I beams moving concrete burial vaults, only saw those in CA. Don't recall the frames having radius arches, but there were 2 trolleys and chain hoists, beam extended past end of bed.
Being young, before machinery-buying schemes, didn't pay too much attention, until one with a Bridgeport and box column drill press went by. In Missouri, there is a concrete drain vault company nearby; in 20 years, haven't seen a single load in transit.
So, there are multiple uses and capabilities. Getting a trailer over a load makes sense, when a beam extended that far beyond axle even sounds terrible.