side kit for my 5x9 trailer

[Frank S]

With Spring coming up it is time to get some mulch I need about 20 cubic yards but the cheapest hauler I could find to bring that much wanted $50.00 per cubic yard delivered with a 10 year minimum,mostly because to the distance traveled. I can buy mulch for $4.00 per cubic yard.if I haul it myself but it will cost me about $25.00 in fuel per trip. So if I could do this in say 4 trips it would be $80.00 for the mulch and $100.00 for the fuel, or slightly less than what 4 yards would cost.Except for that minimum charge. The problem was in my small trailer I would only be able to get maybe 2 yards on at a time, fine for heavy gravel but fluffy mulch not so good.My solution was I need a side kit for my small trailer.
On our property there was a kit half buried next to my coral fence if by some chance it wasn't too rusted down it might just work
You can barely see it behind the tumble weeds next to the coral in front of my 85 Freightliner.

After digging it out I set it up on my trailer I could have used it this way by making pockets out on the edges of my fenders but it was too short and I didn't like the looks


So I made my pockets closer to the inner edge of my fenders


The pockets are made out of 4x4 x1/8" sq tube split in half

Much better only now the front and rear sections are too wide

time to break out MR Victor fit all tool

the Front is done I fabricated new end troughs using 1 3/4" 1/8" angle on the inside salvaged from part of an old exercise bench
And 2x2x1/8" angle salvaged from the old shop building I took down where I used to live

Next to make the kit as long as the trailer as providence was holding for me the sections I removed from the front end section fit perfectly on the rear making the kit exactly the correct length. My wife thought I had measured and planned it that way but I assure you I did not.I am often that blind squirrel that finds the acorn.

Next it was time to construct a functional tail gate Something I have needed for the trailer since I made it.I put a second trysquare head on my square that I always use for fab work so I could do the layout for the pockets in a piece of salvaged 2 1/2 x 2 /1/2 x 14 ga sq tube from that same building.

by setting both ends I was able to completely layout the pockets slightly off center without the need to re adjust it


continued next post