Tuesday, October 23, 2012

My Utility Trailer Rebuild Part 2...

Work progresses on the trailer. It's been sandblasted, primed and now painted. Today I finished wiring up the lights. They work like they should and follow the correct wire color usage.
I have yet to find a source for true 2"x2" Oak lumber for the side stakes. I plan to use either plywood or Cedar 1x6 decking for the sides. I may have found a deal on tires.

I present the almost finished project....


This is a much heavier trailer than most 3000# utility trailers on the market. The side and front "C" channels are 5.5 inches tall and the 4 cross beams are 3.75 inches tall. The trailer uses Jeep CJ springs, Rambler hubs and 15" wheels with light truck tires. I think the tires would rub on the fenders before it was structurally stressed! A 3/4 inch 4'x8' piece of plywood slips right in between the frame rail for the bed.
Most of the trailers I've looked at lately have light wight mesh floors and a single light weight square tube that bolts to the trailer for a tongue.

Now, it's almost too nice to park outside!!

10 comments:

  1. Erik:

    that looks like a very strong trailer, overbuilt and it matches your truck. Your Dad would be very proud indeed. Nice job

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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  2. Looks really good. You may want to consider changing the hubs to match the bolt pattern and tire size as your truck. Then you don't need a second spare tire.

    In the past, I made a flatbed and used 1x6 cedar for the sides. The cedar proved to be too light but then I had vertical supports about 2' apart.

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    1. Richard, that's a neat idea about bolt pattern.

      The original side boards were 3/4" plywood. I was thinking of using decking boards that are sometimes called 5/4 x 6. They measure 1" thick by 5.5" wide. But first I have to find some Oak 2x2's. The modern Pine "2x2" is actually 1.5x1.5 that's too small to use with the stake pockets. I need something custom cut.

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  3. They definitely don't make em like thy used to. By refurbishing the old trailer, not only will you have the nostalgic value but a better made trailer than what is on the market today.

    Looking good.

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    1. Yes, it is much better built than anything a person could buy today. It was built by hand by an experienced welder.

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  4. Well (re)built Erik - looks like it was meant to be towed by that Chevy.

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    1. It does look pretty good if I do say so my self. I was debating what color o paint it. I'm glad I went with black.

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  5. I'm glad you got a chance to make progress on it Sunday; looks like your efforts have paid off. Yes, that's a trailer made for haulin'. Now if it ever HAS to sit outside, it will tolerate some outside storage. Nice job Erik!

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    1. Thanks, I'm happy with the way it turned out. The paint looks good for being applied with a brush. When my dad had it built, we painted it with a brush then too. So I guess it's just like original.

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