Gap in the bottom of my Belly Dump Trailer

I have a question for anyone who runs a dump trailer.

I just bought a used belly dump that ended up needing some work. I've finally got everything done and I have some loads to run next week.

One of my gates has a gap on one end... 1/4 inch to a little over a quarter in one spot. Not sure why the one side is not fully closed ... The air piston looks closed all the way and I don't see anything to adjust it.

I'll be hauling crushed asphalt/recycled aggregate. I just don't want to load for the first time and have material leaking going down the highway.... I have to do (6+) 20 mile runs.

How would you fix this? Should I just weld a shim onto the gate? might be a pain to weld in that gap but I'm sure I can make it work. Would you run with that gap? Any ideas are appreciated

 

Here's what I ended up doing. We'll see if it holds up okay. I welded a strip of steel overlapping the gap. It was actually really hard to weld in... The gate has dents and dips and also looks like someone welded something on here before. So my weld isn't pretty but should be strong.

That metal might just bend when I open the gate on my first dump. Guess we'll on Wednesday

 

No kidding... At least it should keep away the tailgaters

 

I've ran about 40 tons through my trailer this week and so far my welded flap has held up just fine... and not losing any material that I can tell (hauling recycled crushed asphalt which is pretty thin). At least the tailgaters are still on my bumper.

 

I got a really good deal that turned into not such a good deal. Its an old 70's FRUEHAUF Belly dump. Looked to be in great shape (based on pics)... So I bought it through an auction in North Dakota for $5000.00. Drive 13 hours to pick it up and when I get there all the tires are weather checked, the main air lines are broken in half, hub caps are all leaking, and 2 brake chambers were done for. Someone just backed the brakes off and took it to the auction.

The good news is that it has been broken for a looooonggg time. So the frame, paint, brake pads, and everything else is in good shape.

Got it home and had to rewire it due to power to ground issues and install a new versa gate valve too. SO I'm into it for about $12,000. Not quite the deal I hoped for.

I probably could have bought a functioning but beat up belly dump for 12K.... But at least for 12K I have all brand new tires, 2 new brake chambers, new air lines, and a trailer thats in pretty solid shape.