New Trailer project

[RamAirZ]

Went and picked up a trailer today to turn into my car hauler. It's 18'6" long and 6'6" wide on the deck. Its riding on 2 3500lb axles with new bearings and what not, fairly decent tires and has a leaf spring suspension (rode very well unloaded on the 100 mile trip home and tracked great). I'm planning on trimming the rear deck up a bit, the far rear section has a slight bend in it, looks like someone backed into it real hard with something (they used it for skid steers so I bet they hit it with that), so I figured I'd shorten it and brace the frame up a bit. It'll still give me over 180" of vehicle space and that should be plenty. I'm going to lay down some 2x12 treated Pine along the "tread" areas and debating if I want to just cover the center with some mesh material to keep road debris from flying up or actually encase it completely with wood or metal. I'm also thinking about laying a sheet of thin diamond plate or some sort of vinyl/rubber down on the floor to A)Help protect the wood a bit and B)Look a little nicer. I'm going to check on powdercoating costs for the frame, but I may just strip it myself and coat it with some Master Series coating. Here's a few pics, got it super cheap too!

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/253143_2083320048313_1404466228_32536397_690971_n. jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252845_2083320488324_1404466228_32536398_3987388_n .jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/254999_2083321168341_1404466228_32536400_2483272_n .jpg

Now:
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/252345_2083321208342_1404466228_32536401_1494696_n .jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247748_2083320928335_1404466228_32536399_7222617_n .jpg


My idea:
http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/trailer1.jpg

http://i583.photobucket.com/albums/ss272/RamAirZ/trailer2.jpg

[RamAirZ]

Also going to add a new trailer jack to the front, a tool box and a winch. Thinking about putting some sides on it and a front "air dam". Might make a removable top for it too lol

[pbkid]

looks great. Im jealous.


I would love to get a hold of a trailer like that.

[RamAirZ]

Thanks, I couldn't pass it up for $300, the axles and suspension alone are worth that. I think I decided that I am going to put 2 more 2x12's in the center, that will give me about an 8" gap right in the center of the trailer which will be good so I can run straps down to the frame beneath whatever I am hauling. Ordered a winch for the front, some new trailer lights, some steel wheel chocks and some straps tonight :)

[Grif]

Yarp. Looks like that should work.

[RamAirZ]

Hoping to get it together for next weekend!

[samneil2000]

Are you going to move the axles forward when you remove the rear section? I may be wrong but I'm thinking you need them at the new center line. Don't want all that weight on the tongue.

[Bob Barker]

I would leave the middle open, or at least easily reopened. It could be a sort of vehicle lift to park on and get under to do some work with lots of head room to move about.

[RamAirZ]

Are you going to move the axles forward when you remove the rear section? I may be wrong but I'm thinking you need them at the new center line. Don't want all that weight on the tongue.

The rear section is actually alot longer than your typical trailer. I need to take a side shot of it. It should be pretty darn close. And not a bad idea John

[RamAirZ]

Got some stuff today so I can start working on the trailer:

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/253074_2086320043311_1404466228_32542407_2550080_n .jpg

Picked up 6 16ft sections of 2x12, cut them down to 8ft sections. I'm going to run the wood the length of the trailer along the tread areas and put 2 pieces down the center, which will give me about an 8" gap between them in the middle of the trailer. think this will be good so i can run my tiedowns straight to the frame of the trailer. On the center boards I'm going to run them up to the metal section of the front and leave a portion of the metal floor open. Thinking of making a storage area there but also this will make a better mounting point for the winch. I ordered this stuff last night:

Winch:
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_3580.jpg
Has a 9500lb rolling stock rating, which means it can pull something on wheels up to 9500lbs and an 8500lb marine pull rating (pulling a boat up and out of the water). Has a 10ft per minute line speed under load which isn't too bad. Should be plenty to wheel the passport and any of our other toys up onto it

Trailer lights with wiring harness:
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_2806.jpg

Tie down straps, ordered a few of these:
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_3154.jpg

Steel wheel chocks
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_3844.jpg

Hoping to get most of it finished by the end of the week

[Triathlete]

Don't forget fenders...most states require them.:yesy:

[RamAirZ]

Already working on that. I don't think Florida requires them but I have some ideas for some. I'm going to put a railing around the whole thing and build some fenders off of that. I want to put these wheels on it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15x5-5x4-5-Alum-Boat-Camper-Utility-TRAILER-WHEEL-RIM-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ae02abb7aQQitemZ39030 7953530QQptZMotorsQ5fRVQ5fTrailerQ5fCamperQ5fParts Q5fAccessories

[VX KAT]

Hoping to get most of it finished by the end of the week

SLACKER!!!!! Get to work, that all can be done by Wednesday, Thursday at the latest! :p

[Ldub]

I want to put these wheels on it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/15x5-5x4-5-Alum-Boat-Camper-Utility-TRAILER-WHEEL-RIM-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5ae02abb7aQQitemZ39030 7953530QQptZMotorsQ5fRVQ5fTrailerQ5fCamperQ5fParts Q5fAccessories

Dude...those are SWEET...:yes:

Would be the complete package if you had these (http://centerlinewheels.com/wheel_deals_detail.php?id=13110&type=vehicle&data=20) on the tow rig & whatever is on the trailer...:naughty:


http://centerlinewheels.com/images/wheel_deals/srultra_451x421.jpg

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l515/Ldubvx/trailerwheel.png?t=1306759994

[RamAirZ]

SLACKER!!!!! Get to work, that all can be done by Wednesday, Thursday at the latest! :p

LOL!! I'm hoping to have all the frame bracing/shortening done today. Wife is off for Memorial Day so going to spend some extra time outside today (hopefully haha)



Dude...those are SWEET...:yes:

Would be the complete package if you had these (http://centerlinewheels.com/wheel_deals_detail.php?id=13110&type=vehicle&data=20) on the tow rig & whatever is on the trailer...:naughty:


http://centerlinewheels.com/images/wheel_deals/srultra_451x421.jpg

http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l515/Ldubvx/trailerwheel.png?t=1306759994

Nice find there Dub! I've been looking at a few other wheels too, the bolt pattern is 5x4.5 so my options are huge.

[Marlin]

Hmmm, that frame doesn't look sturdy enough for a 4K Zu plus gear?

I also wonder if those 2x12s are treated? They look untreated in the pic.

Good deal though!

I am looking at having my uncle build me an aluminum 36ft goose neck lowboy. He builds aluminum car haulers all the time, but he hasn't done one that big. Just have to figure out the materials cost. A new one costs somewhere in the 20K range, he is trying somewhere in the 5K range. That would be sweet!!!!

[RamAirZ]

Hmmm, that frame doesn't look sturdy enough for a 4K Zu plus gear?

I also wonder if those 2x12s are treated? They look untreated in the pic.

Good deal though!

I am looking at having my uncle build me an aluminum 36ft goose neck lowboy. He builds aluminum car haulers all the time, but he hasn't done one that big. Just have to figure out the materials cost. A new one costs somewhere in the 20K range, he is trying somewhere in the 5K range. That would be sweet!!!!

The frame is 4" channel iron (I think that's what you call it) except at the far rear cross bar and was sturdy enough to haul a large skid steer with attachments for a long time. I'm going to be bracing the frame at the rear more, since it will see a larger area of weight than the skid steer laid down. The wood is "kiln dried, heat treated lumber", and after I get everything cut and drilled where I need it I plan on treating it with a weather sealer. Here is what I got done today:

Laid the wood out just to get an idea of how it will fit:
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250236_2088079167288_1404466228_32545474_6128803_n .jpg

Cut the rear section off:
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250951_2088023005884_1404466228_32545345_153923_n. jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/252690_2088023485896_1404466228_32545346_2491620_n .jpg

Cut alot of excess metal off that was sticking up:
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/254579_2088024005909_1404466228_32545347_1427566_n .jpg

Welded in a piece at the far rear for the ramps to attach to. Going to be using a larger brace just forward of this area to run the width of the trailer:

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/254548_2088024125912_1404466228_32545348_5864803_n .jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247498_2088024525922_1404466228_32545349_283552_n. jpg

[jmayer40]

With added weight by adding your mods, you should look into electric brakes for trailer. Saving your pulling vehicles brakes..

[RamAirZ]

Already planning on it :)

[RamAirZ]

Got a little more work done today. Added a large cross brace across the frame. I put it where the rear leaf spring mount is on the frame, which worked out to be lined up where the rear tires will sit on the trailer. I also welded in the other ramp crossbar. I'm going to add a few more braces and then start working on the wood. Here are some pics form today:

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250494_2090031016083_1404466228_32548790_4052178_n .jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252456_2090031376092_1404466228_32548791_3735018_n .jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249315_2090031736101_1404466228_32548792_3921912_n .jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247687_2090028456019_1404466228_32548785_6938949_n .jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/253402_2090028896030_1404466228_32548786_4814607_n .jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/253498_2090030256064_1404466228_32548789_213084_n. jpg

This show about where the Passport will sit on it:
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248178_2090029216038_1404466228_32548787_2281157_n .jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/253508_2090029856054_1404466228_32548788_5423036_n .jpg

[Bob Barker]

Looks slow :smack:

[technocoy]

Very nice welds. No birdsh*t welds for you!

[ZEUS]

You are like a kid in a candy store with that welder! I bet you get this trailer all spruced up and then sell it for $1500 so you can do it all over again with a better trailer...

[Bob Barker]

You are like a kid in a candy store with that welder! I bet you get this trailer all spruced up and then sell it for $1500 so you can do it all over again with a better trailer...

This gets my vote as well!

[RamAirZ]

Looks slow :smack:
It is, it can't go anywhere under it's own power


Very nice welds. No birdsh*t welds for you!
Thanks! Not all of them are perfect (some spots were harder to get to) but I think it's turning out good.


You are like a kid in a candy store with that welder! I bet you get this trailer all spruced up and then sell it for $1500 so you can do it all over again with a better trailer...

LOL not a bad idea ;)

[jmayer40]

Its just a frame, Roll it over to work on it. Spatter stings, when welding upward..

[RamAirZ]

Its just a frame, Roll it over to work on it. Spatter stings, when welding upward..

I wear a full length jacket with gloves and a mask so it's not too bad but if you want to come over and flip this beast for me, have at it :laughing: Getting it flipped over would take alot longer than welding the few spots underneath that I had to get to.

[RamAirZ]

Picked up some new wheels for the trailer today:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/253618_2097380479815_1404466228_32559099_7170744_n .jpg

[RamAirZ]

Picked up some different wheels with almost new tires yesterday, debating if i should run centercaps:

Rolled up next to trailer:
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255636_2103473632140_1404466228_32570032_4658534_n .jpg

Tire tread:
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248548_2103474152153_1404466228_32570034_8190106_n .jpg

Installed:
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250465_2103474952173_1404466228_32570036_3113980_n .jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255077_2103475312182_1404466228_32570037_2943163_n .jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/246639_2103481912347_1404466228_32570039_4071105_n .jpg

Same basic design as the other ones I bought but these are 14" and had amazing tires. I'm selling the other rims without tires for the same as I paid for all 4 of these! The tires are rated at 1819lbs per tire with the same ply count as the 2 Maxxis trailer tires currently on there (which are rated at 1820lbs per tire). I talked with a trailer manufacturer and they said it's safe to run truck/car tires but to subtract 20% off the total load carrying capacity of all the tires and that should be your max total load with trailer and cargo to be safe. The Passport will be a few hundred pounds below max using this theory and when I haul our car projects (all will be about 3500lbs or less) it will be well below. I will get some Goodyear trailer tires for it eventually but I think these will work out nicely for a little while, especially with the short trips the trailer will see right now.

[RamAirZ]

with both caps on:
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/254301_2103641716342_1404466228_32570177_5474064_n .jpg

[Bob Barker]

I like the centercaps. Without looks unfinished.

[RamAirZ]

That's what I was thinking

[RamAirZ]

I weighed the ol' gal today, she weighs 820lbs without the wood and winch. If I go by the weight of the wood as listed online and the winch, I'll be looking at around 1250lbs when complete. Going to register it tomorrow :)

[RamAirZ]

Been a bit since I posted an update. Got most of it done today, ran out of welding wire so I need to weld the rear channel that will hold the left side planks down as well as make the mount for the winch, weld my new jack and new safety chains on. I used some round tube and notched it out to sit the taillights in and welded those to the trailer frame for my bracket, everything is wired up and working great, just need to lay down the wood in the center up front and clean everything up a bit and she'll be finished for awhile (probably finish the center portion when I get back from picking up a Mustang this weekend). I loaded the Passport up and took it down the street, she rides great and everything works good. Had a bit of a scare during initial loading, seems the collar lock didn't latch all the way (even though it looked good and the front latch was locked in place) so when I started loading it on the trailer it popped off the hitch and the tongue went straight up :lol: Luckily nothing was damaged and I got it figured out real quick. Here are the pics of the progress:

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/271075_2148093827617_1404466228_32626600_8166641_n .jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269579_2148094347630_1404466228_32626601_2553173_n .jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/271024_2148094747640_1404466228_32626603_6839641_n .jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/261976_2148095347655_1404466228_32626604_5463993_n .jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269802_2148095867668_1404466228_32626606_4510953_n .jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264901_2148096347680_1404466228_32626608_2618608_n .jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270969_2148096747690_1404466228_32626609_6468570_n .jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/267600_2148097147700_1404466228_32626610_7094393_n .jpg

[ZEUS]

Gawd, bout time you did something right! :P LOL
Is the HP out of alignment again?

[RamAirZ]

lol HP, the Passport? No it's good

[tom4bren]

... so when I started loading it on the trailer it popped off the hitch and the tongue went straight up :lol: Luckily nothing was damaged and I got it figured out real quick.

ROFL - reminds me of the time I loaded a dingo into a trailer hooked to the back of my TLC. Dang near lifted the rear TLC wheels off the ground. Didn't seem too dramatic from where I was at but Wifey was in front seat & said it was an 'interesting sensation'.

[Marlin]

The center of gravity on the trailer looks REALLY high with the Honda up there. Just a thought....looks pretty good though for hauling cars and whatnot!

[tom4bren]

The center of gravity on the trailer looks REALLY high with the Honda up there. Just a thought....looks pretty good though for hauling cars and whatnot!

X2

Plus, you may want to play with the position of the ;puke:Honda;puke: on the trailer. IMHO, looks like it makes the trailer tongue heavy which could cause fishtailing during hard braking situations.

[RamAirZ]

LOL I just loaded it to make sure nothing broke and see how everything would sit, I would adjust it more when I actually start hauling stuff. Also the ground was very unlevel, you can look at the picture unloaded and the trailer looks like it is pointing tongue down. As for the high center of gravity, it's a lifted truck on a leaf spring trailer lol. The trailer sits about bumper level, maybe slightly lower, with my truck. Took it up to speed down the street on the highway in front of my house and she handled great, having the leaf springs help alot with the trailer movement. When I put the fenders and what not on the side it'll make it look lower, plus on the few occassions when I haul the Passport, drive normal, no need in taking turns at high speeds when hauling something. I think eventually, if I keep it long enough, I'll move the leaf spring mounts inboard and up, to bring the trailer down a bit but that'll be awhile before I do that

[RamAirZ]

Just measured it, from the ground to the floor where the vehicle sits, 22".

[RamAirZ]

Just made the maiden voyage, 700 mile roundtrip to pick up the Mustang:
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264671_2187359569236_1404466228_32633200_4792273_n .jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270520_2187360249253_1404466228_32633203_2465420_n .jpg

Made the winch mount before we left and it worked great! When not in use I can up-clip it from the mount and lock it in my toolbox or garage (you can also see the new safety chains in the pic):
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270334_2187360449258_1404466228_32633204_3822577_n .jpg

It even fit in the garage perfectly, locked it up last night because we got home late and didn't feel like unloading
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/262104_2187361929295_1404466228_32633208_261700_n. jpg

[RamAirZ]

Here's a pic of the winch setup and I also mounted my 7000lb trailer jack today!

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/263687_2189106212901_1404466228_32636912_5347028_n .jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/262067_2189106892918_1404466228_32636913_6758792_n .jpg

[The A Dog]

That's sick!!!! Sorry if I missed it, but how much did you pick up the original trailer for? Cool project, love the winch on there!

[RamAirZ]

Thanks man, I paid $300 for the trailer, and after the parts to fix it up and what not I have about $650 total into it. Made a few trips with the Passport on it with no issues, pulls great.