What kind of meat wagon?

[buckmark]

I am new to this whole ATV thing and I am wondering what kind of meat wagons do most guys use or at least what characteristics to look for. I saw one at Fred Meyers for around 380.00 but it didn't look like it had good ground clearance. Any advice?

[AkHunter45]

First and most importantly in my opinion is it must be able to keep water off my gear, second it should not be any wider than your machine, and lastly it should have sufficient ground clearance. I also like mine to have places where I can put spare gas and have rails or some way to last stuff to the top without it falling off but these are just personal preferences.

[AKmud]

Also....

full size (width) ATV tires. You want the trailer to be able to float like the wheeler will. Nothing will get you stuck faster than a bottomed out, loaded trailer dragging through a mud hole! If you have any experience at welding, I would recommend building your own. They are simple to build and you can do it for less than that $389 POJ at Freddies.

Steel - easy to work with, much cheaper than aluminum but heavier.

Aluminum - not as many folks can weld it (or are set up to), expensive and a little lighter (not as durable) than steel.

My trailer is a steel frame with 1/2" plywood box. Box dimensions are 2'x2'x4'. It isn't as big as a lot of trailers, but then I don't have to worry about overloading it as much. Low center of gravity is VERY important as well.

[Akres]

The Pac Rat from Plaschem in Anchorage sets the standard. You can also fit it with ski's in winter.

[AKmud]

$$$$

The Pac Rat from Plaschem in Anchorage sets the standard. You can also fit it with ski's in winter.

Also sets the bar for price though....what are they going for now? $1,800?

[Snowwolfe]

I prefer having the tires outside the main box to give the trailer more stability. Discovered through trail and error the wider the stance the less prone to tipping. I also perfer the tire stance be wider than my ATV's. Having a wider stance permits the trailer to run a little higher and not sink in the same tire ruts caused by my ATV in the mud bogs. Using 25 inch tires instead of 22's gives the trailer another 1 1/2 in of ground clearance and increases the load carrying capacity.
When loading the trailer it is very important to load the heavy items first.

[Daveinthebush]

Trailer

For mine I used 1 1/2" steel angle for the frame, 2" sq. tube stock for the axle and tongue. 5/8" pressure treated for the sides bolted to a 1" angle iron frame.

I bought the wheels, bearing and hitch from Trailer Craft in Anchorage. The wheels width is the same as the Honda's and the box ended up being 4' long, 28" wide and 32" high so that I could get three pieces out of a 8' sheet.

So far it is great. I cut my own firewood and can fill it with wet spruce with no problems. I will try to post a picture tomorrow if anyone wants me too. I siliconed the plywood before bolting so it is waterproff all around except the rear that I have not put a piece on yet.

[AKBighorn]

I saw the trailer at Fred's today. I don't think it was built all that bad but those kind of trailers are usually better for hauling stuff around the yard. I have built many trailers and prefer to build them a little sturdier. I lost my trailer while hill climbing and it rolled to the bottom, you would never know this happened after the fact. Tip-overs are common with trailers that are to tall or aren't wide enough and can be a real pain. The last trailer I built cost between $200-250. I also like to bend a piece of rebarr to place in front of the tires so they are less likely to hook on a tree or rock. If you are able or know anyone that has the tools, it can be a fun project to build. I would love to have a PacRat trailer but for the money I wouldn't want to use it and scratch it up, lol.

[Snowwolfe]

I posted this on a previous thread and added a few more things if it helps you:
I am own my third design in the last 17 years. The perfect trailer would be all aluminum and the bed would be 48 inches long and 30 wide. The tongue would be 3 feet long as I find a longer tongue makes it easier to make extreme uphill or down hill departures and it also helps when trying to back up.
When I had my last trailer built I was unable to afford one of all aluminum so this is how it was built:
Size of the bed is 48 by 30 and the box is also 30 inches tall. The frame is square tubing steel and is reinforced at all corners. I had the frame designed so the box is removeable from it so I can use the trailer as a flat bed. On the corners on the frame I had my builder weld a 8 in piece of angle iron going up. These pieces hold a small piece of 2x4 that will slide in and convert it to a flat bed with ease. The wheels (25in tires) are designed so they sit on the outside of the bed to keep the center of mass center and as low as possible. I know you see a lot of trailers out there with the wheels close together and part of the bed on top of them but in my experience this is a invitation to flip your trailer the first time you side hill. Been there and done that, thank you.
In front of the tires I had a piece of metal welded to the frame at a 45 degree angle. These pieces help deflect trees and bushes from getting caught in the axles. The box is made of aluminum. I am guessing the total weight of the empty trailer is about 140 pounds. I believe I paid $900 to have the trailer built and that was about 2 years ago. Using an aluminum frame would of upped the price considerably. Wished now I would of done it.
As always, everyone has a differnet opinion as to the best design. Pick out what you think are good points from everyone and have one made up the way you want it.
This is one case where you absolutely want to "over build"

[Snyd]

This one works pretty good. I bought the trailer but you could make one.100gal rubbermaid tub on a 2 inch frame. Throw a tarp over it, wrap a ratchet strap around it and it's waterproof. I made a swivel hitch for it so that if/when I roll it it won't break anything. Takes a lot to roll it though.

[GOT TOYS]

Trailer

Get a 6-wheeler. The box is high and dry, can pack a moose or 3 caribou, and come home clean. Dragging a trailer is like dragging an anchor when going through bogs.

[AkHunter45]

LOL.......that all depends on what your driving!

[AKmud]

Forget the trailer!

Buy one of these -

http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/muv/muv_hag.htm

[Snowwolfe]

Snyd,
Could you post some photos of your swivel hitch and some details about the installation? I am interested in adding that to my wagons.
Thank you

[AKBighorn]

Snyd,
I don't think you have a bad design there, but it appears to be a little deceiving. I seriously don't think you would tip it that far when its full of gear or meat without flipping it?