Thread: Trailer Cage Problem - Advice Needed!

Dan it looks like the back part flexes,all the other sides should be tight with the mesh welded to the frame,how about using a bolt or pin that goes through the pillers of the latch side(loose fit) then a wire pin to keep it there,no big deal to put in or take out have done this on my cage

Use a longer brace for the top to cage section and use two bolts in the lower cage section.

Nev

Without seeing it in person, and showing you the problem, I'll try and describe it here. The weight of the cage looks reasonably heavy, and sitting straight upright off the side of the trailer wont stop it from "leaning over" when going around corners. As the left hand side leans outwards, it's pulling the door away from the right hand side, pulling the spring bolt out of the catch.
My solution would be one of two ways. A diagonal brace from the top of the cage to the rear chassis rail, creating a triangle, which should minimise the flexing. Or, move the spring bolt on the gate as close to the catch as you can. The more bolt sticking through the catch, the less likely it is to come out. I'd then add a chain to the gate with a spring link, and one link to the frame as a secondary safety catch.

Thanks for the responces

I ended up making up a pin like NRB mentioned:
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4595/017hlu.jpg

Works a treat so far but i think the measurments may to close, not really that 'loose' fitting. I worried that it could put too much pressure on the pin when it moves. Not hard to make another one i guess

Yonnee - Spot on, thats excacly whats happening, the lean of the cage causes the pin to pull out. Because the latch is welded on I cant adjust it at all. The triangle brace is a great idea, have you seen any around that are removable? Regardless of the bolt and pin solution i'd still like too make up a brace but still have the option of removing the cage.

Thanks again for the advice Helped alot

Cheers

UglyDan

Originally Posted by UglyDan

Yonnee - Spot on, thats excacly whats happening, the lean of the cage causes the pin to pull out. Because the latch is welded on I cant adjust it at all. The triangle brace is a great idea, have you seen any around that are removable? Regardless of the bolt and pin solution i'd still like too make up a brace but still have the option of removing the cage.

Thanks again for the advice Helped alot

Cheers

UglyDan

The simplest way I can think of is welding a piece of 40mm x 3mm flat to the top of the cage, and bolt it through the fold-over section at the top of the trailer side.
Attachment 175654

Thanks Yonnee,

After all that I went to get in registered and apparently the cage has to be permanent anyway. Which means an extra weigh bridge ticket and design cert for the cage , which means more $$$$$$

Will have to do some reading on how i can make the cage "permanent" legally. Im assusming i can just weld it straight onto the trailer but being NSW, i could be very wrong..........

Moving to QLD soon so might be better to wait till then

Another solution could also be to mount the latch vertically, not horizontally as it is now.

You could use the same spring loaded thingy or make you own. Basically a bit of pipe mounted vertically on the fixed framed, another piece on the gate and then a bolt that drops down through them to lock it together. Don't make it all too precise or it could be difficult to get them to match up if the frame flexes.

Hope you understand my dodgy description.