My latest A.A.D.S. project, --- Improved Quad Trailer

[tri5ron]

A.A.D.S., Knows NO Boundries...

Well it's still a work in progress, but I did get the "Winch Bridge" built and tested, and it works great!

The Idea, and Objective here,... was to get all 3 quads,
safely and securely, into my 11' trailer,...

... as a One Man operation,...(and as CHEAP as possible)

I decided to use a manually operated, strap winch, with automatic brake. (Harbor Freight tools - $59)
No forward/reverse ratchets to deal with. No need for electricity/battery/wiring. and will automatically brake itself while lowering the quads down.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/3%20quad%20trailer/IMG_9498.jpg

I had some Aluminum Channel laying around, mounted the winch to the channel, but this creates a problem, with using the supplied crank handle.
I could have used a ratchet drive socket instead, but that would mean a shorter handle, and the need to be on top of the trailer, to operate the winch. so I welded up a Extension to a deep socket, and then made up a "carrier bearing" to support and hold the crank handle end.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/3%20quad%20trailer/IMG_9497.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/3%20quad%20trailer/IMG_9499.jpg

I made some cutouts to rest on top of the upper bars on the Trailer Rack, then used some "J" bolts and plates to hold it in place and prevent it from sliding side to side,or rocking forward or back.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/3%20quad%20trailer/IMG_9510.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/3%20quad%20trailer/IMG_9509.jpg

So now, with it on top, and easily movable, I can stand up all 3 quads in the trailer by myself.
No need for assistance from a second person,
No need for mounting a battery to operate it,
and it works great!

First I put my Daughters (Cameron, aka- Pink Power) quad in front, (I can stand that one up by hand, without need of the winch)

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/3%20quad%20trailer/IMG_9501.jpg

Next, my Wifes 250ex goes in...

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/3%20quad%20trailer/IMG_9506.jpg

It takes about 90 seconds to move, and secure the Winch Bar back to the rear position, then My 400ex goes in...

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/3%20quad%20trailer/IMG_9505.jpg

Install the upper crossbars,an ready for tie-down straps!
(tie-downs not shown in this pic), but I will use 4 per quad.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/3%20quad%20trailer/IMG_9503.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/3%20quad%20trailer/IMG_9504.jpg

The lower aluminum angle crossbars complete the package, and provide for a fully caged and seperated section for each quad, and they also provide for added saftey and security of each quad, in the event that I need to slam on the brakes. They will prevent the quads from sliding or banging against each other.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n148/tri5ron/3%20quad%20trailer/IMG_9493.jpg

I've still got plenty of room for all of our fuel conainers, gear bags, tools, table and chairs, bbq, ice chests, and some firewood!
YEA!
We just may have to try it out over Mothers Day weekend!

Slick. ;)

[NacsMXer]

Nice fab skills and ideas on making it all work :macho. Nice rims on the trailer btw :blah:

[05LSR250R]

Necessity is the mother of invention!

[wilkin250r]

I like the idea. Me, personally, I would have spent a few extra bucks for an electric winch.

[tri5ron]

Originally posted by wilkin250r
I like the idea. Me, personally, I would have spent a few extra bucks for an electric winch.
Actually, I could have got the electric winch for the same price, but since I was doing this with the intention of it being a one man operation, I did'nt want to be relying on a $59 Chinese electric winch.
I was more interested in reliability/dependability, rather than momentary convience, or it just looking cool.

Also since the electric winch weighs almost 3 times as much, and the need to lift and move the winch bar between quads, the manual winch was the better choice.

I also didn't want to have the power leads on the rack, and being exposed to getting damaged, and thus making a electric winch inoperable, and then being unable to get the quads back up by myself.
and then having a battery on the trailer, it going dead, keeping it charged, etc.

for this application, The manual winch, fits the bill far better, and wins out on ease of use, reliability....
No required maintaince, no wiring to get snagged and broken, no battery maintaince or added cost, no cut hands when grabbing a strap as opposed to a cable with frayed spots.

[Pipeless416]

very cool Ron. seems to be incredibly easy to accomplish the task at hand now. i LOVE custom fabricated stuff!

[One_Bad_400]

that is a really neat setup!

thats safe you should see our method. We stood 3 up on a small trailer no sides or anything to rest on just sitting on the back bars and we have done 2 standing up in the back of a truck. Then 3 sideways on a small trailer tires hanging off. Basically its a good day when you make it without loosing a vehicle lol