My free (cough) trailer project

[54FordPanel]

This summer we'll be taking some grandkids tent camping. We were at pretty much max equipment capacity last summer, but we have another dog now. So 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs, and all our stuff is not going to fit in the Jeep(s).

We needed a little trailer. I looked at good new ones, and they were too much money. I just couldn't get excited about the HF ones.

My SIL's dad had a few old trailers sitting around his place in Wyoming. He had a 4x6 that was just the size I wanted. It arrived in the back of a pickup, being not roadworthy.

Looked kinda rough.

The front had what looked like a sort of tackle box on the tongue. I was not able to save it.

 

[54FordPanel]

I got the old wood off and sanded the frame.

This thing had 12" tires and slipper leaf springs. I wanted at least 13" tires, which meant new rims. I was going to just get new bearings and seals, but when I took the leaf springs apart, one sat high than the other unloaded.

So I decided to just get a torsion axle for it. I ordered it from SouthwestWheel/TrailerPart.com. They are custom made in whatever width you want. For $300 with bearings, it's a nice piece. It even has mounting pads for brakes. It's overkill for this trailer, but I like it.

 

[54FordPanel]

I cut off all the leaf spring shackles and stuff and mounted it to the frame.

I went thru alot of design changes. What I finally settled on was making an open trailer with high rails. And then a removable box for camping gear that I can set in when I need it and take out when I want an open trailer.

The box had to be high enough to clear 2 of our camping gear tubs stacked. So it's 32" high.

I got fenders from the feed & supply store. I painted everything Rustoleum Hammertone Brown.

I'm using angle iron screwed onto the bed to set the height of the rail. I used square tubing for the uprights.

 

[54FordPanel]

This is my 'box'. I am using oil based stain/sealer and no polyurethane on the wood. I was told the poly would eventually peel and spot. By using just oil based stain, I can reapply the sealer every few years without having to strip the old poly. Made sense to me.

 

[54FordPanel]

I painted the inside of the box with a deck coating, whose name escapes me now. It's a poor man's version of bedliner. I added more angle brackets between the walls and the bed after this picture.

 

[54FordPanel]

I used treated plywood for the bed, and coated the underside with tar foundation coating I had.

I put weatherstripping the mating surfaces so it will be watertight(er). The bottom of the door is held in by the lip of the frame and the latches secure the top and the sides.

The back door lifts out, not a ramp.

I ordered 2 gas struts for the lid. They are 70lbs each and are just right for the weight of the lid. The bolt holes in the 4 upper corners of the are where I screw in eye bolts to lift the box out with my trusty HF hoist.

 

[54FordPanel]

I didn't have any pictures of doing the spare tire mount, but you can see it here. I added 2 more uprights and welded the carrier to that.

These pictures are from a test run, while I have the lid just screwed down.

So after all the materials and stuff, I have way too much money in this free trailer. But I got just what I needed for camping, and hopefully will also work well as a open trailer that can carry a good load.

Looking forward to camping with the grandkids

 

[coby65]

Nice trailer build!

Gettin ready to start my own......... I guess I will need to start a build thread for it.
This is what I will be working with.

 

[captain14]

Godd job the build. What was your timeline in finishing the project?

Nice to have the workshop and space to rehab the trailer.

 

[bczygan]

Looking at the first photo, I thought it was beyond hopeless. But you made me a believer.

Beautiful job.

I have an M416 with a rusted floor and a HF welded so it won't tilt, with rust spots. Both future projects.

 

[MikeF2316]

Holy overkill! I love it!

 

[02camaro86]

nice that you built a trailer that fits your needs. seems like you are more than capable of fabricating one completely from scratch too lol. i really like the way that hammer tone paint came out. ive been waiting for an excuse to paint something with that.

 

[navyeoseabee]

That looks sweet! nice job, like the axle swap. and Very nice tow rig!

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Nice job on the trailer!

 

[Spdstr280Z]

Like your trailer, love your Jeep !

Jason

 

[HMCFab9]

Nice job! Looks great! The Jeep looks very cool too!

I think if you painted the wheels to match the trailer, or painted them an aluminum silver to match the Jeep wheels it would look awesome!
(just my opinion though.... white wheels look cheap)

 

[duke5572]

Super cool! Love the tow rig, too.

nice that you built a trailer that fits your needs. seems like you are more than capable of fabricating one completely from scratch too lol. i really like the way that hammer tone paint came out. ive been waiting for an excuse to paint something with that.

I picked up an old rusty green patio furniture set for $50 a few years ago. Sanded the rust, good coat of primer, and two coats of the hammer tone in black. Sits outside all year long. Still looks like new. I highly recommend it! I think it will turn out to be a great choice for this trailer, also.

 

[dbabicky]

Nice matching set ! (Cherokee and trailer)

 

[54FordPanel]

Thanks for the comments guys. It took 6 weeks I think of weekends….something like that.

Yes I am very grateful to have a shop to work in now.

I do like the hammertone paint, it seems real sturdy. I sprayed most of it with a gun and then used some spray cans for touchup after welding. I did primer it first with some extra epoxy primer I had. I also used Summit's version of RustMort for down in the cracks where I couldn't sand.

Holy overkill!….

LOL….Guilty

Nice job! Looks great! The Jeep looks very cool too!

I think if you painted the wheels to match the trailer, or painted them an aluminum silver to match the Jeep wheels it would look awesome!
(just my opinion though.... white wheels look cheap)

That's a good idea.

 

[xtremek]

Great job. Looks awesome

 

[tedsters]

wow great job, from something that looked like it should be trashed you brought it back to life Awesome, looks great on the jeep

 

[theoldwizard1]

You will never regret the good quality hardware you used !

I also like the fact that you mounted the lights close to the fenders. Less chance of knocking on with your shin !