I hope this is the right place to put this question:
I have a 5x10 trailer and need to haul an Xplorer and a Sportsman 700. I would like to load the Xplorer from the side on the front of the trailer and load the Sportsman form the rear straight on. The trailer has 12” sides, which are too tall for the Xplorer to climb over.

What I think I want to do is remove the sides of the trailer in the front so there is only the bed of the trailer remaining. The Xplorer is 5’ 2” from bottom of tire to bottom of tire so it should fit fine.

Will this cause any trouble with the trailer as far as it’s support goes? Will it take away the strength of the trailer. Is this safe to do? Any other suggestions?

bob

 

It depends on the trailer. If the side you want to cut out is welded to the trailer frame it might add rigidity to the trailer. A thought I have is to make some 45 degree ramps or blocks that the Xplorer can ride up on. Like a bunch of triangular blocks nailed together. I had an Xplorer 4wd many years ago and it should climb those without an issue. I'd get portable ramps to put on the side of the trailer.

 

I wouldn't put a quad that long on a trailer that narrow. I would get a different trailer.

 

I know its not an exact picture, but is this kinda like your trailer?



If so, do not remove the sides. They provide a large amount of rigidity to the trailer, without them the trailer could buckle under load. With those machines, Id seek a bigger trailer, perhaps a purpose built side loader like this

 

That’s pretty much like mine.
My theory was to move the top bar down about half way, to 6” from the now 12”. Would that be bad still?

 

Before you get too far into planning, how much dot the machines weigh? And what is the capacity of your trailer?

 

3500 lb trailer.

Sportsman is 800lbs wet
Xplorer is 500lbs wet

 

Just wanted to make sure your trailer was up to snuff before you went and made a lot of plans for it.
If you cut and modify that section, use square stock rather then the angle iron that's there now, and you might want to add some structure under the deck. There is a large amount of twisting and buckling forces at that area while your rolling down the road. Id still recommend getting a different trailer.

 

Thanks for the advice. I may have to do that.

bob

 

I agree you should probably just get a trailer that fits what you want to do instead of cobbling up what you have and then it may not work like you think it should. If your trailer is in good shape you should still be able to get a good price out of it if you sell it to help pay for a new one. But if you cut it up like you were talking about you might find it hard to get a buyer. Check around, sometimes a place (like farm stores) will have a sale and knock $100 off the price of a new one.