Hive transport trailer

GSF · September 01, 2016, 09:07:24 AM

I've been thinking about this so I thought I'd throw it out there. A friend of mine has property that backs up to a couple hundred acres that popcorn trees have taken over. In addition some of my other friends have ask me if I wanted to move my hives to their fields when the crops are blooming.

I'm not sure what would be a good or bad trailer. The thought of a modified boat trailer crossed my mind and now I see one for sale. Any experience or thoughts?

Hops Brewster · September 01, 2016, 10:38:04 AM

it goes without saying you need a flatbed trailer. I wonder how difficult is it to breakdown the boat trailer? are you cutting welds or just unbolting parts? Weight rating is another consideration, as well as whether the wheels are higher than the trailer deck. Wheel wells get in the way of a tidy stack.

I have an old pop-up camp trailer that is beyond easy repair. I am breaking that down this fall to make a flatbed. I simply need to unscrew, unbolt, and tear out unnecessary parts, then install a new wood deck. And since the wheels are taller than the deck, I need to either give it a lift job or build heavy duty wheel covers. Then I can simply haul away the old trailer parts to the dump on my new utility trailer. This is a light duty trailer as is, but if needed, I could install a heavier axle.

Jim134 · September 01, 2016, 10:44:07 AM

Something to remember once you get to 1,200 to 1,500 pounds. Gross weight for your trailer you will be needing trailer brakes. There maybe a lot of other issues do the weight. Especially if you're going down public roads.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134

paus · September 01, 2016, 11:15:54 AM

I owned a trailer mfg. co. all of the advise on previous replies is right on. another option look for a lawn mower type trailer. Considering time and cost this may be your best option.

paus · September 01, 2016, 11:44:05 AM

I forgot something. Get the lowest axle weight rating that will carry your hives. It would help to add dead weight to make a softer ride for your ladies.

BeeMaster2 · September 01, 2016, 12:59:14 PM

I was given an old boat trailer that was so bad that I was afraid it would fall apart on the way home. I took it apart, rather easy to do, removed the bad sections, added 2"x2" angle iron under the rear 2x6 over hang area, shortened the lead bar and then built a flat bed with pressure treated 2x6x20 boards. I added 3/8 I bolts down both sides and across the front so that I can strap all of the hives side to side and front to back. It is working real well and handles real well on the road.
Jim

GSF · September 01, 2016, 01:46:42 PM

Thanks everybody for responding.

Jim, that's along the idea I had in my head. I just wasn't sure how bumpy of a ride the bees would get.

BeeMaster2 · September 01, 2016, 05:47:33 PM

Those bees on the 18 wheelers get a really good bumpy ride.
Years ago a friends, Mike, picked me to help me deliver a dozen nucs to a new beekeeper, Dean. When we got there Dean wanted to show us his farm. We went driving down dirt roads that were only designed for tractors. Then we went back over those same roads to almost the entrance to off load the nucs. We had to move the frames into the hives for him and I said that we should wait to give the bees a chance to calm down. Mike said they would bee fine so we started moving them. The only person with protection on was Dean. None of us got stung or even harassed by the bees. I was surprised.
Jim

Jim134 · September 02, 2016, 02:54:50 AM

Remember one thing most all commercial beekeepers use air ride Trailers dual axle. Of course also air ride tractors. They want to be at least 75% of the legal weight to ride smoother. Of course they want to overload it most of the time anyway. It has been my experience on small trailers dual axles ride smoother then single axles. You could make an air ride trailer.With air ride axle(s). With electric brakes and put in a auxiliary 12 volt compressor. I have seen it done quite a few times. Also I have seen small trucks like F-450 Ford. With air ride on the rear axle.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134

little john · September 02, 2016, 05:09:09 AM

If you do decide to buy that boat trailer, then don't forget to check/replace the wheel bearings if there's any history of it being dunked in salt-water. Also - with trailers, there's then the whole issue of security, as a bunch of hives ready loaded on a trailer would make an attractive target for thieves.
LJ

GSF · September 02, 2016, 08:22:41 AM

then don't forget to check/replace the wheel bearings That was something I planned on doing. As a matter of fact I was going to shake the tires to look for play before I bought it. I've only had one or two tires come off because of bad bearings, I'll never forget it.

Acebird · September 02, 2016, 09:18:14 AM

First question is how many hives? Second question is what will you tow it with?
BTW a boat trailer would be the worst design for a deck trailer and a landscape trailer would be the best design for towing hives around.

Jim134 · September 02, 2016, 09:37:35 AM

Post reply 8 + 9 are great this is part of PM maintenance. Some of the biggest things go wrong is under inflated or over inflated/ overloaded tires. Ultraviolet light will dry out and kill tires in just a few years. Especially the sidewalk. I do live in the Rust Belt of the United States. Where you can see a lot of frame damage due to rust.
One of the best place you can go that is a big box store and you want to buy small trailer parts. Such as spindle's bearings, tires and light kits is your local Tractor Supply believe it or not.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

GSF · September 02, 2016, 12:54:45 PM

I'm thinking 6 to 8 hives. I planned to run angle iron in a pattern that will prevent the hives from sliding around and also the eye bolts to secure it.

Acebird · September 02, 2016, 08:36:00 PM

Ssecond question?

Caribou · September 03, 2016, 06:05:19 PM

Have you considered a platform to fit the back of your PU. Think of a cabover camper. Jack it up, drive under it, take it to your destination, drop it down on some pallets. Detachable jacks would increase security some what.

Whatever you decide on you might want to hide a trail cam so you know who is messing with your out yard.

Acebird · September 03, 2016, 09:30:48 PM

We got to find out if he has a pickup.

Jim134 · September 03, 2016, 11:07:07 PM

Did you ever think it's none of your business hahaha what kind of vehicle he has.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134

Caribou · September 03, 2016, 11:23:14 PM

Quote from: Acebird on September 03, 2016, 09:30:48 PM
We got to find out if he has a pickup.

DUH! He's an American male, of course he has a truck.

Oldbeavo · September 04, 2016, 08:00:23 AM

how many hives are you transporting?
We cart 44 8 frames on a dual axle trailer, it is 14ft 6 inches long and 6 foot 6 inches wide with hydraulic brakes.
A car trailer, usually dual axle would make a good bee transporter, low and usually with brakes.