Log bunks for trailer ideas needed

[nopoint]

I occasionally scrounge up logs locally for milling. This often involves the use of running gear or hay wagon. Works fairly well for short distances but not so good for longer distance. Have car/skid steer trailer that I would like to build some removable log bunks for. Any one have a good example? Have access to wood and metal fab resources, but don't want to spend days on this project either. Need to get the logs up above the wheel wells also. Thinking an 8x8 on the base would do that although starts to get heavy fast. Loading and unloading will be with forks, but see benefits in having sides removable. Sometimes I get into pretty heavy logs and hate to lift too high with skid steer. Anyone got a slick setup? Thanks

[Ljohnsaw]

How many logs/how high do you need to stack?  Would a low U shape work to hold the first course of logs and, it the trailer capacity allows, add a second course of logs fitting on the first?  Then secure with chains/binders?  The uprights would only need to be 6 or 8" high to prevent the first logs from rolling off.  Chains would be doing the real work.  But, I'm not a trucker so my idea is worth what you paid for it. ;)

[Larry]

Poor people have poor ways! :D

Hauled lots of lumber that way.  My logging trailer was a couple of hay wagons.

I decided a gooseneck flatbed was a better option.

[sawguy21]

I like John's idea, lift height with a skid steer is limited, but would it be legal? Here the logs can't extend past the top of the bunk.

[nopoint]

Deck-over Flatbed is clearly the best option, finding/ funding/ justifying has not happened yet. Yes making the bunk sides fairly short would work. Maybe just a chunk of 8x8 bolted to each end would be enough. Originally was thinking steel with some kind of pocket for a pipe. Like most people here I have more lumber than steel. Want to be able to take bunks and skid steer on trailer to site. Set up bunks, load logs and then return later for skidsteer. Larry I don't have the side rails like your trailer and I think if I did they would be crushed. I seem to end up with large oak logs, not a lot of logs on a load but heavy.

[doc henderson]

I made wood stake pocket boards.  I am in the process of developing mine as well.  when they were needed during loading, they have snapped twice.  these are oak.



 

I have oak 4 x 4s under the stack.

[doc henderson]

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=111216.msg1740438#msg1740438

good discussion, and detailed pics by @YellowHammer 

[nopoint]

Thanks for the link, lots of good ideas there.

[square1]

4x4s stacked and through bolted equal to fender height, top 4x4 tapared to center, and length cut to full fender width.  Holes through seam between 4x4s for chains to bind them down.

https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/38506/Screenshot_20200910-084220_Drive.jpg

[Southside]

DOT has very, very, specific requirements for hauling logs.  If your truck and trailer weigh over 10,000  lbs, or they suspect you are doing this to make money, then they will pull you under their umbrella.  A load like the one Doc showed would be a very expensive ticket.  The set up Yellow Hammer has would work ideally for you.  

[doc henderson]

I just drive it to church on Sunday...  no really I got the maple from a church less than two blocks away.  I have had big logs with a hump, roll through the wood stake boards and not even think twice.  this is during loading, but I have no illusion that in a accident, the load would be restrained by the wooden stakes.

[doc henderson]

for the record I would never go on a major road or highway for any distance loaded like this... unless @Southside says it is OK!   :D :D :D

[YellowHammer]

I use the steel bunks constantly, either hauling lumber or logs.  I'm leaving on a lumber run now, as a matter of fact with my DOT sign on the door, annual inspection stickers on the truck and trailer, legal as can be.  

I take the uprights off when hauling lumber. 

[Dana Stanley]

I like pipes for something like that, or square tubing. If your a good scavenger, you could try a sprinkler company for some 2-1/2" to 3" pipes. Often if they do a remodel the pipes they take out are still sound. You can find one that fits in the other and use the larger one as the pocket welded to your trailer rail. Yellowhammer has a god set up!! 

[Banjo picker]

 

 This is a forum members trailer that I have sawed for.  The white oak standards slide out on the near side.  Pretty handy to load or unload. @hampton Tim

[YellowHammer]

Here's me empty.  The crossbars stay on the trailer, the only things that come off are the uprights.  


 

Then me loaded up with 4 pallets, about 2,500 bdft of planed, palletized lumber.  Not nearly a full load, but it's what I hauled today.  The pallets sit between the steel stubs and lock them in place.  Then they are strapped with truckers winch straps, not ratchet straps.  





Then when I need to haul logs, I slip the vertical sleeves back on, and head to the log yard.

Here's some nice cherry and sycamore.  If the logs gets too heavy for me to deadlift over the backstops, I can simply remove the sleeves and roll the logs off.







 

As far as durability and strength, I get get loaded with Deere 544's loaders, the same ones used to load semis.  The steel has never been bent or damaged, after many hundreds of loads, maybe over a thousand loads of logs, and maybe half that in lumber.  This rig gets used hard, and stands up.  

In contrast, one of my first designs was 6 inch channel for the uprights, they were bent within a few weeks.  

[sawguy21]

That is a serious load!

[charles mann]

i too will be building a bunk system. ill use 4" i-beam and weld a stake pocket on them to slip a piece of 2 3/8" drill pipe in and pin in place. 
im also building an extension that bolts and couples onto my gn, that will allow me to pull my gn with my military 5tn crane truck, until i get me a pintel trailer. the crane sure makes fast and easy work of picking up 6,000 lb loads, or yarding them with either of the winches onboard.

as for hauling heavy loads of wood/trees. only time iv been messed with was 2 wks ago in austin, tx. got pulled over for supposed commercial operations. which I'm not, at least for him being concerned, and then he tells me my class a combo DL isn't the proper license to drive my dually and pull my 24k gn. i asked what type of license i needed, and he said he didn't know, but knew i didn't have the proper license. i asked for his supervisor's supervisor, the tx dps wt. & measure guy, and id let them explain what my dl allows me to drive. end result, he is no longer ignorant as to the required dl. but, iv driven all over tx, and possibly luck, or they don't care, but never been pulled over for hauling logs. when i went into louisiana to get a load, the constable and a local yocal was talking to me at the fuel pump and said the tree would make some nice furniture. 

[Walnut Beast]

It doesn't get much simpler and effective than Yellowhammers system