Inexpensive reliable trailer

[hadfield4wd]

So it has taken a while. With the job, kids and their activities it has taken much longer than it should have. Also I am trying to see how inexpensive I could build a good, reliable and safe trailer. My labor is not included in the cost.

I don’t have a ton of progress pictures.

Anyway I bought this. A used travel trailer frame of unknown age. No its not mobile home axles so don’t worry (even though there is nothing wrong with them). These are old demountable rims.







I got a travel permit and borrowed some magnetic lights and drove it 3 hours home.

Plans will be a deckover as it’s too narrow and I’ll lengthen it so I can fit both my xj and the kids buggy.

It sat in the back yard for several months.

[hadfield4wd]

As I started measuring and not only was the trailer frame bent, but the axles were welded on crooked. So I started by straighting the frame. This was actually kind of easy.



Hooked the winch up and pulled it a little, let off then measured and kept doing this until it came out straight.



I picked up some used steel from a friend and bought some new. I welded the 3.5x3.5 to the sides to add the width and braced it underneath with 4” channel.





This is also how I lengthened it. The deck is just shy of 22’. The box tube sticks up 1 ½” in so when the wood is put down it will be flush with the top.

[hadfield4wd]

On to the brakes.

This had a really old style brake, from my research it is an old style Warner brake. The entire donut is the magnet and sucks to the side of the rim/drum and that it how it stops. I messed with these a while to see if I could make them work as I didn’t want to spend the money if I didn’t have to. Anyway the magnet draws a ton and after messing with it I could only get one brake to work at a time due to the draw. So discretion taking over I bought some assembled brake backing plates and brakes from a local Dexter dealer. At the same time I replaced all the bearings. None looked horrible, but I didn’t want a problem. I’ll keep the old ones for road spares incase I fry one.

Pics.







I don’t have pictures of the new backing plates.

The wiring and lights are all new. New safety chains and jack.

I paid a kid to wire wheel the entire thing, then I primed it with several rattle cans. I painted all the metal that can be seen with hammered black rattle cans.

[mikecraft]

hes something to take into consideration with the trailer being 22' you will more then likely have a lot of tounge weight after the xj and the buggy are on it. if you are going to be pulling it with the grand i would move the axle forward about 2' that way you get an even weight distribution. if you still have problems with tounge weight you can try a weight distribution kit. something for you to ponder on

[hadfield4wd]

It will not be pulled by the WJ. I shouldn't be too bad on tongue weight and if it does get bad I can always put the xj on backwards.

The axle's are where they are supposed to be. I'll just move the vehicles around to get the weight right. Keep in mind its 2 ft longer than what is in the pictures.

I have a wd hitch for it as well if I need it.

[xjtrailrider]

Looks good Matt!

[hadfield4wd]

The fenders are Drive over on just the inside edges. They are 3/16 diamond plate. I scored and beat with a sledge hammer to bend it. I was surprised how long it took. Almost an hour per side. But it is a 5 ½’ bend. My wife was driving home when we were doing it and at about a ¼ mile away she said she knew what I was doing.

We stained the edges, ends and underside of all the boards.



Here it is before we turn them over.



We used an oil based stain. This will help me get a good long time out of this deck. They boards are prone to rot where they touch metal, because the water will get trapped in there. The tops are being left unstained until the boards dry out. As I was screwing the deck on the water was running up. In about 2 weeks I’ll stain the top. With it being drier the stain will soak in better and being oil based will preserve it much better. My dad got about 20 years out of his last trailer deck done this way.


Here are the completed pictures.





The ramps are 5’ and sit flush with the deck.



Here is how they are held on.



And there is 4” channel welded to one end. It slides in here. (Please ignore the bugger Arc welds)



It doesn’t come off up so they won’t pop up.

[rubican!]

really nice. thats enough trailor for a rig and some gear. Maybe two rigs.

[hadfield4wd]

really nice. thats enough trailor for a rig and some gear. Maybe two rigs.

My rig and the kids buggy.

[YJeXtreme]

Matt, what stain/sealer did you use? I'm going to be redecking my trailer over the next 2 weekends. Thanks!