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The $11 Trailer Project
- Thread starter The_Geologist
- Start date
OP
The_Geologist
Well-known member
Your opinion is noted. Thanks!um...
a couple of washers on each stud/behind the wheel.
jmo,
RickP
Well-known member
If you're looking for specific sizes of lights, try this site:I greatly appreciate all the information and suggestions passed my way thus far.
. . .
I do like using the original light housings with LED lights inside. I need to look more into how that would work.
eTrailer Website
I've ordered replacement light fixtures from them before, and they have a pretty good selection. Of course, there's also a whole 'nother rabbit hole of wiring, tire mounts, etc.
Good luck getting it finished.
OP
The_Geologist
Well-known member
Well, it's been a couple of months, and I forgot I had started this thread. There has been much progress on the trailer. all of which happened in June.
I went ahead and bought some repop Datsun tail lights and side marker lights off Amazon, along with the 25' HF wiring harness. I did the repop lights because they made the most sense to me. The lights are where they were on the original truck, and they work perfectly. The wiring was pretty easy, actually. Made it so that the lights could be easily disconnected if I ever had to replace the fixtures (or if I ever decide to sandblast and paint the frame underneath).
Picked up a truck toolbox that I mounted to the front to give a bit more tongue weight, as well as store all the stuff that goes along with the trailer (safety chains, jacks, tire iron, chocks, etc.).
Played around with a couple of different hitch configurations till I found the one that worked best, and had the trailer the most level.
I was also able to get the trailer titled and registered, too. I just needed to have the VIN inspected and have the proper forms filled out, which I then took to the DMV. I believe I paid around $90 for the registration, fees, and a new plate. A few weeks later, a new title arrived in my mailbox.
Used the trailer for the first time a couple weeks ago to haul off one of the kids' play sets they had outgrown.
View media item 113180
View media item 113182
It was a good trial run. Now I just need to learn how to back up a trailer that is so short!
I went ahead and bought some repop Datsun tail lights and side marker lights off Amazon, along with the 25' HF wiring harness. I did the repop lights because they made the most sense to me. The lights are where they were on the original truck, and they work perfectly. The wiring was pretty easy, actually. Made it so that the lights could be easily disconnected if I ever had to replace the fixtures (or if I ever decide to sandblast and paint the frame underneath).
Picked up a truck toolbox that I mounted to the front to give a bit more tongue weight, as well as store all the stuff that goes along with the trailer (safety chains, jacks, tire iron, chocks, etc.).
Played around with a couple of different hitch configurations till I found the one that worked best, and had the trailer the most level.
I was also able to get the trailer titled and registered, too. I just needed to have the VIN inspected and have the proper forms filled out, which I then took to the DMV. I believe I paid around $90 for the registration, fees, and a new plate. A few weeks later, a new title arrived in my mailbox.
Used the trailer for the first time a couple weeks ago to haul off one of the kids' play sets they had outgrown.
View media item 113180
View media item 113182
It was a good trial run. Now I just need to learn how to back up a trailer that is so short!
bradpac
Well-known member
Looking good. Sounds like you have the perfect trailer for your needs. The aftermarket stock style lights was the way to go for sure.
To aid in backing up I have seen some guys add some guide poles or flags to the rear of low, short trailers to make them high enough to see out the rear view mirror so you can see where the trailer is going a little better.
To aid in backing up I have seen some guys add some guide poles or flags to the rear of low, short trailers to make them high enough to see out the rear view mirror so you can see where the trailer is going a little better.
gnpenning
Well-known member
Good to see some follow up. Glad you got some use out of it.
I don't remember for sure what the axle seal was like on those, depending on how it is shielded, keeping the brake drum not only helps the lug nut issue, but would provide a shield for the seal as well.
I don't remember for sure what the axle seal was like on those, depending on how it is shielded, keeping the brake drum not only helps the lug nut issue, but would provide a shield for the seal as well.
OP
The_Geologist
Well-known member
Thanks for the idea on the flags! My backup camera does help a little, but the flags would work better for sure.Looking good. Sounds like you have the perfect trailer for your needs. The aftermarket stock style lights was the way to go for sure.
To aid in backing up I have seen some guys add some guide poles or flags to the rear of low, short trailers to make them high enough to see out the rear view mirror so you can see where the trailer is going a little better.
It is also a bit disconcerting to me that the trailer is essentially invisible while towing and empty (except when turning). Flags would help a lot there, too.
If you mean underneath the rear of the bed, the original mount for the spare was removed by a previous owner. So that is not an option without some fabrication. I had thought about adding it back though.Put the spare back in the original place... you should rarely need it if you keep decent tires on the ground... and with the toolbox on the front you should not have any tongue weight problems....
LynnW
The tongue is too short to add a spare tire mount without having issues with turning. Maybe if I had a smaller tongue box...? Just thinking out loud at the moment.
So far, I think I will just carry the spare in the pickup bed until I figure out something better. I don't plan on using it all that much beyond hauling stuff to the dump.
quickfarms
Well-known member
I would put the spare in front of the axle
based on the pictures it looks like the axle is towards the front of the bed. Ideally it should be behind the center of the bed by about 10%, or more, that way your tongue load automatically increases with the load
based on the pictures it looks like the axle is towards the front of the bed. Ideally it should be behind the center of the bed by about 10%, or more, that way your tongue load automatically increases with the load
captain14
Well-known member
I would think having the spare available when your do the dump runs is important. Usually the roads around the dump and the dump itself are filled with all kinds of nice sharp objects to destroy your tires.
They do make a marker light with a flexible arm the extends out that make see the rear of the trailer easy. I can’t think of the name but will post back when I do.
Edit:
I found them on eBay but I don’t know how to link it. If someone know how to
Do it, please feel free.
search rubber duckie marker lights for trucks and you should get a hit. About $33 + shipping.
We use them in all of the fire apparatus and you can see the rear in the mirrors all the time. Plus they are flexible for those ah $&&#%€ moments.
They do make a marker light with a flexible arm the extends out that make see the rear of the trailer easy. I can’t think of the name but will post back when I do.
Edit:
I found them on eBay but I don’t know how to link it. If someone know how to
Do it, please feel free.
search rubber duckie marker lights for trucks and you should get a hit. About $33 + shipping.
We use them in all of the fire apparatus and you can see the rear in the mirrors all the time. Plus they are flexible for those ah $&&#%€ moments.
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