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How to Build Flatbed Trailer Sides
How to Build Flatbed Trailer Sides. A flatbed trailer is useful for hauling flat objects. It is not much good for hauling dirt, firewood, lawn debris or anything that tends to fall off or roll over the sides. The answer: build sides on a flatbed trailer. It is not a difficult task, but requires some decisions. Decide first how high the sides need...
A flatbed trailer is useful for hauling flat objects. It is not much good for hauling dirt, firewood, lawn debris or anything that tends to fall off or roll over the sides. The answer: build sides on a flatbed trailer. It is not a difficult task, but requires some decisions. Decide first how high the sides need to be. The height will vary according to what is being hauled. Next decide whether they should be anchored permanently or easily removed. Finally, consider what material to use -- metal or wood, and wood planks or solid plywood.
Things You'll Need
Tape measure
2-by-4 inch boards (optional)
Rectangular metal tubing (optional)
1-by-12 inch boards (optional)
Pressure-treated plywood (optional)
Sheet metal or expanded metal flooring (optional)
Circular saw or metal-cutting saw
Galvanized screws
Bolts and nuts
Metal corner braces (optional)
Measure the flatbed trailer and locate the stake slots on the sides. All trailers normally have 2-by-4 inch brackets welded to the sides, front and back. Settle on a height -- perhaps 24 inches -- and make posts to fit into the side brackets. They may be 2-by-4 lumber or comparable steel tubing. Cut them at least a foot longer than the side height to allow length for mounting.
Cut side panels from 1-by-12 lumber (two pieces to make 24 inches), pressure-treated plywood, or sheet metal or expanded metal flooring. These will be the actual sides. Lay the posts out, spaced properly for the brackets, and fasten the sides to them. Use galvanized screws for wood; drill holes and use sheet metal screws or bolts and nuts for metal sides. Set completed panels into the side brackets.
Make end pieces like the side panels. Trailers usually have two brackets each on front and rear. Set them into place and fasten them to the side panels with metal corner braces. Screw them into wood panels; drill holes and fasten with bolts and nuts in metal panels.
Tips & Warnings
An option is to make a fold-down gate at the rear. Screw hinges into the bottom metal rail of the trailer and a bottom brace board (or metal) on the rear panel.
