metaljacket,
I'm uploading some pictures as we speak and these will help explain some things and help give a demonstration of the trailer operation a little....
On the first question- I bought my trailer used, the previous owner used it to tow in customer's broke down cars so he could repair them. He experimented with winch mounting a little, he first tried mounting it to the tilt platform of the deck, at the front of the tilt platform. From what I understand from him and what I could envision, is that the pulling angle worked fine but being a gravity tilt deck, the weight of the winch threw off the balance of the deck and so he came up with the idea to build a frame at the front of the trailer frame, that sort of resembles a headache rack on a flatbed truck, only is built out of stout channel iron and triangulated (braced) with another piece of channel down to the front of the A frame, near the ball coupler. This is where he found worked well, and is where I have my winch mounted. Once the deck tilts down, it tends to put a somewhat upward pull on the car, which it still pulls the car forward well but if winching on a nice vehicle to tow and not scrap it can cause the cable or chains to dig into the bumper of the car so you have to be careful of that.

Second question- Yes i could see that being a problem. They make tilt deck trailers with either channel beams (like mine, generally used for the 7k lb. car hauler styles) and in box tube construction (usually for 14k lb equipment trailers). I would recommend a 14k box tube equipment trailer if money isn't a big determining factor, or if you can find a good deal on one. Of course that style is almost always only available with hydraulic deck tilt, which is a good thing for the most part (more potential maintenance and repairs but more stronger and versatile). I always unpin the deck before I unload anything. Sometimes we roll cars off and let them snatch the car after we unload it, or sometimes they drag the car off with forklift or sometimes they lift straight up on the car to unload it. If they can get a good bite on it and lift straight up, I will not unpin it. If there is any possible way anything might go off the back of the trailer, I unpin it so no damage will happen on accident.

Third question- My trailer does not have any cushion mechanism. If your loading at a moderate speed, it does not come crashing down at all. Using the winch the speed is plenty safe and no problem. Driving them on usually requires using one foot on brake and one on gas to control a slow speed to prevent the deck slamming down. It has been slammed rather hard a few times un-intentionally and with no consequences. Many tilt trailers do have some sort of cushion device, whether it be a hydraulic cylinder or a shock absorber or just some simple rubber pads. I don't see them as being necessary but could be nice to have as well.

Fourth question- Yes I use it for general scrap. It has stake pocket style tie downs, which would allow you to build stake sides for it to hold more if you'd like. Filling it up is no problem for me, I guess its all in what you're doing. I don't take in small loads really, a small load for me is usually at least $150 if not $200. I try not to put too much weight on the tail of the trailer when it's pinned down, since it's just a channel frame I don't want to bend it. The channel isn't "weak" but its just not meant for a lot of tail weight since it hangs out about 9' past the pivot point there isn't really quite enough beef back there to support a LOT of weight. For general scrap it would be fine. Don't get me wrong I do put tail weight on it, I just use care and judgement.



I'm going to make a separate post in this forum to show some various things, and will post the pics and vids there. They are not of hauling cars (similar method) so I won't pollute this thread.

Thanks
Eric