[okie]

Has anyone ever shortened a roll cage on a Ranger? I've found a great deal on some enclosed trailers in Muskogee, Oklahoma (Sooner Sales) but the doors aren't tall enough. When I sit in my 07 XP I have 6" of clearance between the top of my head and my new aluminum roof.
Is 3" enough head clearance? Would it make it hard to get in and out of? Would I bump my head on a rough trail?
These trailers have hale damage (Not much at all) and 12' & 14' & 16' are around $2,500.00 with ramp doors double doors are a lot cheaper and they have around 2 or 3 hundred of them. One 16' with double doors was $1,850.00 and I think all of them have the side doors.

 

[gordo]

Looked at doing that myself, shorten the cage. As long as you make an insert that would go inside the bars and fit snug, it could be bolted back together. You could probably cut it with a large pipe cutter. I found an enclosed trailer that had a dove tail on the rear and worked with no problem but I wouldn't see why shortening the cage wouldn't work either.

 

[Roadrunner]

Guys, I have a nice Haulmark 16 foot enclosed trailer I haul my Ranger on. Even though the header height opening is 72" I can due to the ange drive my taller Ranger with my new roof right through with a inch to spare. Fits like a glove, but fits! At first I thought I was going to have to cut my roll bar too. But a PRC Member and Friend told me to try it first before I cut the bar. It Worked!

 

[UBRT]

I shortened mine 3". The best place to do it is in the straight part on the front half of the cage, near the bottom and in the rear section just above the headrest crossbars. If you need it I can tell you how to do the whole procedure.

 

[ElecTech]

Paul,

Can you get us some pictures of those trailers? If you can, get us some pics of the damage too. Also, some measurements of the door opening. For that kind of price savings, minus significant damage, a fella could drive out to pick one up!

 

[ElecTech]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Roadrunner

Guys, I have a nice Haulmark 16 foot enclosed trailer I haul my Ranger on. Even though the header height opening is 72" I can due to the ange drive my taller Ranger with my new roof right through with a inch to spare. Fits like a glove, but fits! At first I thought I was going to have to cut my roll bar too. But a PRC Member and Friend told me to try it first before I cut the bar. It Worked!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ken,

How tall is your Ranger to the top of the roof? I am thinking mine is 76 or 78 with the lift and the Bighorns.

 

[seasonedsole]

I have an 05 500, when stock was 73 1/2. Put on 26" bighorns and it's 75", if that helps.

 

[Roadrunner]

Bruce, my Ranger I think is around 75 inches tall. I don't have lift and I did a tire up Grade to ITP 589's and it now stands a bit taller. But, I can still get in my enclosed I trailer. I will do some measurements today and post the results.

 

[Roadrunner]

Bruce, a follow up on my Haulmark trailer Measurements. The trailer opening from the floor to tdhe top is 72.5 inches. My Ranger is almost 75 inches tall. I clear the opening fine with more or less an inch to spare without making any contact by using my ramps and going up and into trailer. I would guess my Ramp angle is about 45 degrees.

 

[seasonedsole]

Ken, sounds as though you have barn doors and no beaver-tail, how long are your ramps?

 

[lydhnda]

If you do cut your cage PLEASE don't bolt it back together sleave it and if you have to take it to your local muffler shop and have it welded or if you want to get it donefor free or cheap take it to your local high school, college, or vocational schools auto shop.

 

[okie]

The hale damage on the trailers is really minimal. You have to stand just right and look down the side of the trailer to see most of them, and then they are just shallow dents.
They are Pace trailers. I did a google on them and they have pictures on the web page. They were blacking out the pace on the frame stickers with a magic marker as they pulled them out. the inside is lined with 3/8" plywood and they are on 16" centers the web page states.
If I can get my Ranger in one I'm going to own one. Probably a 14 or 16'.
I agree if I cut the cage down it needs to be welded back together with a sleve inside. If I didn't have a roof on it wouldn't make that much difference but with the roof I don't want to be bumping our heads and having the wife say "I told you so". I'm sure we've all heard that before.

 

[Roadrunner]

Doug, I think my ramps are 76 inches long. I will measure them for sure. I do have two big swing open doors in the rear and one man door on the right front side. It is a 16 footer. I mounted a 70 gallon fuel tank in the front for additonal fuel for the Ranger and my Motorhome. I really like carring the Ranger enlcosed. Out of sight and out view to folks that might want to help themselves to it.

Paul what is the header opening on the trailers you are looking at? If they are like mine there is not need to cut down or shorten your Rollbar.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Here is a pic of one of the joints on my original cage set up so it could be taken off, but it's the same thing you would do if you wanted to shorten it. I can tell you it works fine as a permanent change, but is not a feasible solution if you plan to take it apart very often (like ever). I have a set of 6 sleeves if someone wants to pay shipping they can have them. I replaced mine with hinges.

Good luck...

 

[ElecTech]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Roadrunner

Bruce, a follow up on my Haulmark trailer Measurements. The trailer opening from the floor to tdhe top is 72.5 inches. My Ranger is almost 75 inches tall. I clear the opening fine with more or less an inch to spare without making any contact by using my ramps and going up and into trailer. I would guess my Ramp angle is about 45 degrees.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ken, thanks for the numbers.

 

[ElecTech]

Paul, can you post a link to their site, I didn't see it.

 

[Remchester Brittanys]

OK Guys sorry to jump in late here but I was just directed to this post from a Hunting Forum I belong to..
I am look at purchasing a Ranger but NEED to go with an enclosed trailer. I have had a hell of a time finding what I thought would be best for me. I was looking for a 6wx14Lx7H with a ramp and door. See lots of 6' tail units but if I am right Road runner is saying those will work? I have been holding off the Ranger till I get a trailer so I have no practical application, only specs on the internet.

Do I need taller than 6" ?

Do I need a double axle or is it not necessary?

What brands to avoid?



Hey Curmudeon could you post pics of the rear connections on that pin job?

Thanks for your help, I am dying to get my new toy..