STEPS INSIDE HOPPER?

Jul 22, 2012 at 06:05 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Wondering if anyone has a hopper with steps on the inside slopes? It would be nice for getting in, but seems like product would get hung up on them while unloading? Anyone have experience with this? Thanks

Replied on Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 10:08 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. My current trailer has steps on the side wall. You kinda just use them as a handle to grab onto and walk up the slopes. They don't let product get hung up on as bad as the ones that are on the slopes. My last trailer had nothing, so I hung a rope from the last bow. That works great for getting out, and you can put a quick clip or something on the end, then just take it out when you don't want it in there. I have heard where leaving it in while unloading will sometime bend the bow if the product has a lot of pull to it. But I never had a problem when I left mine in all the time.

Replied on Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 10:08 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

My current trailer has steps on the side wall. You kinda just use them as a handle to grab onto and walk up the slopes. They don't let product get hung up on as bad as the ones that are on the slopes. My last trailer had nothing, so I hung a rope from the last bow. That works great for getting out, and you can put a quick clip or something on the end, then just take it out when you don't want it in there. I have heard where leaving it in while unloading will sometime bend the bow if the product has a lot of pull to it. But I never had a problem when I left mine in all the time.

Replied on Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 10:13 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Instead of getting a solid step that can hold product.. What if you got a flat strap, bend it into a u and weld to the sloped part of the trailer? That way if anything hangs up it will be very minimal..something like aluminum 1/2" by 1" or 1 1/2" enough to hold your weight.. Plus it will be a good hand hold

Replied on Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 10:13 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Instead of getting a solid step that can hold product.. What if you got a flat strap, bend it into a u and weld to the sloped part of the trailer? That way if anything hangs up it will be very minimal..something like aluminum 1/2" by 1" or 1 1/2" enough to hold your weight.. Plus it will be a good hand hold

Replied on Tue, Jul 24, 2012 at 12:50 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Rope has worked fine for me,but like Ben stated, a little more difficult to broom out with steps.

Replied on Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 09:24 PM CST + 1 - 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Thanks everyone! I am looking at new trailers, and the steps are an option Tempte offers. I think we will just keep using the rope to the bows like we have now.

Replied on Thu, Jul 26, 2012 at 09:07 AM CST - 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. We've tried custom built steps from our shop in a few of our hoppers and had the drivers test them. They were more grated and offset from the trailer to allow product to move between them. Feedback from the drivers was split. Some loved it; some said it didn't make any difference, but straight down the middle of the hopper made it hard to get around the bows. I've wondered it applying a grip mat would make using the rope easier to keep your footing, but we have not yet tried it.

Replied on Thu, Jul 26, 2012 at 09:07 AM CST

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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

We've tried custom built steps from our shop in a few of our hoppers and had the drivers test them. They were more grated and offset from the trailer to allow product to move between them. Feedback from the drivers was split. Some loved it; some said it didn't make any difference, but straight down the middle of the hopper made it hard to get around the bows. I've wondered it applying a grip mat would make using the rope easier to keep your footing, but we have not yet tried it.

Replied on Sun, Aug 05, 2012 at 08:00 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Thanks everyone! I am looking at new trailers, and the steps are an option Tempte offers. I think we will just keep using the rope to the bows like we have now." I've had them on my last three trailers. All Timptes. My advise would be to have them installed at the dealer after you buy the trailer, rather than at the factory. The reason being, Timpte will not put them down the center (where I believe they should be) they put them over close to the wall. I specified where I wanted them on my order and they still put them over by the wall. We then had to move them to the center when I got to Council Bluffs(I always pickup my new trailers at David City). So rather than move them, I just let Council Bluffs install them where I want them. In regards to product hangup, yes there is a little more sweeping, but it's well worth it for the convenience of getting in and out of the trailer. I won't own a highsided trailer without steps now. JMHO...

Replied on Sun, Aug 05, 2012 at 08:00 AM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "Thanks everyone! I am looking at new trailers, and the steps are an option Tempte offers. I think we will just keep using the rope to the bows like we have now."

I've had them on my last three trailers. All Timptes. My advise would be to have them installed at the dealer after you buy the trailer, rather than at the factory. The reason being, Timpte will not put them down the center (where I believe they should be) they put them over close to the wall. I specified where I wanted them on my order and they still put them over by the wall. We then had to move them to the center when I got to Council Bluffs(I always pickup my new trailers at David City). So rather than move them, I just let Council Bluffs install them where I want them. In regards to product hangup, yes there is a little more sweeping, but it's well worth it for the convenience of getting in and out of the trailer. I won't own a highsided trailer without steps now. JMHO...