trailer crane

[Beanmetalworks]

hi just wanted to see if anyone has fitted a little crane to there trailer?? i have a 10foot by 5 iforwillams and have a engine lift crane that sits in workshops and hardly used i thought might be handy to convert it to go on trailer. just wanted some ideas as to how i could do this??

 

[mike os]

mate has one on a 16foot... iirc it is on 15mm plates welded to top & bottom of the bed bearers

 

[Justme]

Dont put it on the draw bar, it will raise the hitch nose weight to much.

Dont put it on the back, it will lower the nose weight to much.

So that leaves the middle which stuffs up the load area.

 

[rtbcomp]

You could always fit a counterbalance or arrange the load to adjust the weight distribution. Check where the centre of gravity of the crane is first.

 

[wristpin]

You may want to consider an extra jack leg or two to stabilise the trailer when lifting.

 

[rikrobson]

I'd Put it on the front N/S corner. This is obviously the Prevalent Kerbside side. The crane will need to be able to rotate, so some sort of sleeve affair for it to pivot on. The crane will need to stow across the trailer to balance the travelling weight. It will also need retractable struts to take the lifting weight away from the trailers suspension, This will need 3 or 4 struts not just 2 at the front.
Might add a fair bit of weight to the trailer though. what is the weight of the crane, the trailer and the weight limits of the trailer.

Might also make the nose weight too heavy with the crane.

 

[madkayaker]

i have considered one a couple of time but never got around to it. a manual pump engine lift type affair is only about 50kg so not a huge reduction in carrying capacity. and depending on the vehicle the added nose weight if it was on a frame will not be that big a deal. an extra jack leg or two i feel would be a must over wise lots of forces transferred to hitch in directions there not designed to take. i guess a lot depends on what you plan to lift?

 

[Justme]

a manual pump engine lift type affair is only about 50kg so not a huge reduction in carrying capacity. and depending on the vehicle the added nose weight if it was on a frame will not be that big a deal.

Most cars have a 50-75kg hitch weight limit. Trying to balance the weight via rear loading is a recipe for disaster. Just ask any caravan owner that has had their van snaking.

 

[madkayaker]

Most cars have a 50-75kg hitch weight limit. Trying to balance the weight via rear loading is a recipe for disaster. Just ask any caravan owner that has had their van snaking.

Try however a trailer big enough to warrant a swivel crane will most likely be large ish so towed by bigger van/ 4x4

 

[Beanmetalworks]

thanks for replys there wont be no massive weight lifted by the crane more just a thing to save my back and a aid. the crane its self i wouldnt weigh much i can lift it myself so i cant imagine it will affect the hitch weight to much. its on a shogun so im sure they can handle more than 50kg

 

[Justme]

Showguns are between 75 & 135kg dep on model.

 

[rtbcomp]

Most cars have a 50-75kg hitch weight limit. Trying to balance the weight via rear loading is a recipe for disaster. Just ask any caravan owner that has had their van snaking.

As long as the centre of gravity of the rig is on the fore-aft axis of the trailer and forward of the axle you'll be OK.

It has to be forward of the axle and low down enough to keep the nose weight within limits, allowing for hills.

Having the C of G to one side of the axis will encourage snaking.