Printable View
I recently made this gantry trailer for hauling things like Propane tanks Made out of 2-3/8 oilfield tubing with a 4" H beam for the gantry beam/ A 3500 lb electric winch and a boat winch that I widened and split the drum to pay out and take up the cable for moving the hoist winch. The hoist winch trolly is made out of 1/2" plate with 1-3/4" diameter cam rollers
Attachment 48616
Attachment 48617
Attachment 48618
Attachment 48619
Attachment 48620
Attachment 48621
<!-- BEGIN /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->
Thanks Frank S! We've added your Gantry Trailer to our Trailers and Towing category,
as well as to your builder page: Frank S's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:
<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-gantry-trailer"> <img src="/uploads/273590/homemade-gantry-trailer.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-gantry-trailer">Gantry Trailer</a> <span> by <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/builder/Frank+S">Frank S</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/trailer'>trailer</a>, <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/winch'>winch</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
<!-- END /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->
Great idea. I have considered something similar for a different purpose. This checked several boxes I had yet to solve.
Getting those bends to look nice and align up in that last photo, I'm impressed Frank.
LP tanks are darn expensive these days (any where from $2K to $5K for 1000 gallon tank here in Iowa. And if you find one sold affordable, you need this trailer. What sucks, the LP tank owner that rents them to users, when they get old, they remove the welded on ASME tank cert, and abandon the tank, but you can't use them for pressure. Bastards. See lots of them on FBmarketplace.
Great looking unit. A local outfit here in Manitoba, Canada delivered 1,000's of concrete septic tanks with a unit simliar toQuote:
Originally Posted by Frank S
that, mounted on trucks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank S
The tag has to be removed because the certification has expired not to cheat you out of a dodgy tank.Quote:
Originally Posted by metric_taper
One problem with these type of trailers is that they use stub axles for clearance, which tends to make the frame flex under load and create a very bouncy ride. The way you supported the rear of it along with the horizontal brace above the wheels looks like a good way to deal with that issue. Making good bends in well casing isn't an easy thing to do. Nice work.
Impressive... well done!
One thing I want to remind everyone who may consider moving a propane tank. Those lifting loops are never to be used on any tank which has been in service. Those loops are only put there by the manufacturer for the ease and safety of loading and unloading new empty tanks. Once filled they should only be moved by using 2 lifting slings, You should not let your tank fall below 12% full either Some states require 15 or 20% or the supplier cannot refill them
I need one of these with a bed.
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 tanksQuote:
Originally Posted by Tooler2
Attachment 48648
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.
Congratulations Frank S - your Gantry Trailer is the Homemade Tool of the Month for January 2025!
A rare type of trailer build, and well-executed with your signature oilfield tubing.
Some more good builds from January:
Quick Release Tripod Clamp by mklotz
Asymmetric V-Blocks by Mook
Toolmaker's Sine Ladder by Mook
Wheel Spoking and Truing Fixture by tonyfoale
Quick Change Milling System by Mook
Double Sine Square by Mook
Optical Center Punch by olderdan
Vibrating Tumbler Fixes by tonyfoale
Router Dog Hole Table by Make Things
Broach by celsoari
V-Block by Improvised DIY
Short Form Tapping Head by Mook
Small Bender by Doug Thompson Metalcraft
Safety Wire Clamping Tool by jjr2001
Welding Positioner by winkys workshop
Forge by Mazay
Mill Vise Stop by jjr2001
Chopping Knife by Mazay
ER20 Collet Blocks by olderdan
Mill Vise Auxiliary Jaws by jjr2001
Cutoff Tool Holder by jjr2001
Layout Aid by Shelly142
End Mill Sharpening Fixture by jjr2001
Low Profile Guided Tap Wrench by winkys workshop
Magnetic Drill Base by orioncons36
Corner Clamps by Occasional machinist
Jacobs Chuck Holder by jjr2001
Ring Roller by Kwandotechnic
Bead Roller Modifications by mwgarage
Surface Grinder Rebuild by AB-SHOP
Mill Vise Stepped Jaws by winkys workshop
Motor Bracket by Improvised DIY
Welding Trailer by Frank S
Hexagon Collet Block Modifications by Mook
QCTP Holder by Stevohdee
Frank S - You'll be receiving a $250 cash prize, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and prize choice and I'll get it sent over right away.
And, you'll now notice the four-column award in the awards showcase in your postbit, visible beneath your username:
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...fTheMonth1.pnghttps://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...MonthIcon1.png
Nice work :thumbsup:
