Ok, my buddy is offering to give me his old trailer. He claims it is a boat trailer, I think it is an old horse trailer. Anyway, it is free. Someone welded the heck out of the frame, so the frame is messed up. The tongue looks good. It has dual axles with electric breaks, and a 6 on 5.5 wheel pattern. Now the real down side. It has been sitting for awhile, and I have no clue how old it is. Lets just put it this way, the tires have bad flat spots, and it is on old split rims. Now my idea was to take the trailer, and build a new frame for it to fit my truck. think it will be able to carry 6000 lbs or so? or should I just say forget it and buy something else.. the real advantage I see of doing it this way, is that I can do it alittle at a time. So what should I do? thanks Garrett

sounds like a good plan to me. if the axles are in good shape, and the brakes work, and the tongue is good, it should be good to go after building a new frame. I'd replace the wheels and tires first tho.

Dallas

well, i have to say i think the trailer has been sitting for about 20-30 years, and when i last moved it, it had brush all grown around it. all the wires are cut to the axles.. but I havent pulled the rims.. the suspension is coils on top of leaf springs, but it seems to be able to hold a load, if I were to put one on.. just the bent sheetmetal crossmembers are wierd.

take a polariod of the brake assembly (with the hub off, of course) and take it to some where that deals in trailer brakes. You would need to find out how hard it's going to be to find bearings and brakes. Also, look to see how the brake backing plate is attached. Is it welded or is it bolted on? If you can't find brakes and bearings (magnets being the real tricky part) you will need to swap out the backing plates for new. Bolt on is cake. Only 4 or 5 nuts and two wires. However, welded on is the real bitch. You would have to cut the old backing plate off, and weld on a flange to attach the new brakes too.

When you get ready to make a new deck for your trailer, look at a few trailers that are around and see what they have for structure. Most use 4x2 or 5x2 inch channel for frame, and 2x6's for the deck itself. Just take a look and see how it is all attached.

Good Luck!

ok, brakes are bolt on. But heres another Q. the axles are just barely wide enough. can i cut them in the middle, and sleve them so i can get them out to 101"? thanks

I think cutting the axles is a bad idea.... there is a place in Hayward that has everything you'd ever need to make a trailer.. but I cant remember their name (duh!)

You won't be able to build a "new" trailer using all new parts for
what you could go buy a new trailer already built. the numbers
just don't work out.

(The ONLY reason to build your own trailer is because to justify
some "custom" purpose or design. you can buy an inexpensive
16x7 foot flat for about 1100 bucks.

if you build your own, here are some costs..

axle w brakes- 190

axle no brakes- 150

springs 80

spring hangers 60

hitch and jack 60

lights and wiring 40

wheels 120

tires 240

wood deck 120

primer & paint 50

-----------------------------------

I'm already up to $ 1,110 (and you don't have any STEEL yet!)

figure on about 400-500 for steel.......

some may say the tires are too much.... well, you can't put

"car-tires" on a trailer built to haul a truck........ and, go check

around for a 7.00 x 15 LT truck belted tire. they're 60/ea

wheels: you might save here... but if you have to buy new,

then a cheapo steelie 15x6 is still 30 bucks.....

And, I haven't included in any neato things like "D" rings, or

custom tie-down hooks, etc...

Oh, and lest we forget.......... your labor....... and, the welding

wire..... and the PG&E bill, and grinder disks............ etc...

it adds up quick.

trust me,


Sherpa

OH, and Garrette, I think that old trailer your freind has is

probably junk.... I think you'll be sorry for hauling it home.

(Unless you can scrap it for the parts, then do it)

What you fail to mention is:

For that 1600 to build one, you can build either a ~5,000lb capacity trailer (tandem 3500lb axles) or a ~10,000lb capacity trailer for about the same price. differences in axle costs are minimal.

I got a 8x16 flatbed made of 2x7x.125 I-Beams. (5 doing lengthwise down the trailer with 1/8" 1x7 C channel or plate as cross pieces). Trailer was free, swapped axles (4 brakes), dropped it down 4", tires, wheels, fender you can drive over, new hitch, battery, and breakaway.

It cost me about 850 or so in parts. Granted, I had connections to get deep discounts on trailer parts (basically paid wholesale). but.. I could probably turn around and sell the trailer for $2,000 or more.

Originally posted by twaldher
What you fail to mention is:

For that 1600 to build one, you can build either a ~5,000lb capacity trailer (tandem 3500lb axles) or a ~10,000lb capacity trailer for about the same price. differences in axle costs are minimal.

I got a 8x16 flatbed made of 2x7x.125 I-Beams. (5 doing lengthwise down the trailer with 1/8" 1x7 C channel or plate as cross pieces). Trailer was free, swapped axles (4 brakes), dropped it down 4", tires, wheels, fender you can drive over, new hitch, battery, and breakaway.

It cost me about 850 or so in parts. Granted, I had connections to get deep discounts on trailer parts (basically paid wholesale). but.. I could probably turn around and sell the trailer for $2,000 or more.

hey guy, I didn't FAIL to mention anything. I said: to justify
building for a custom design or purpose. (like your comparison
between 10k, or 3.5k)

and, not everybody is SOOOOOOOOOO lucky to be you with
deep-discounted trailer supply parts.......... I'm certainly not.
And, apples to oranges. ""Trailer was free"

so, you spent 850 in parts ALONE. "trailer was free".....

well, your $850-deeply discounted rate would probably equate to
over $1000 retail........... IN PARTS ALONE.

for another 100 bucks, you CAN BUY A TRAILER ALREADY BUILT!

I am agreeing with you my freind.. (I have scrounged parts
before, and built my own trailers from those parts. it just all
adds up in the end. (If you build it right)


--Sherpa

a 16x7 what, single axle? or woudl that be a dual axle with breaks, etc, that can haul 7000lbs or so? i was thinking the same that my buddys trailer is a POS, and am probabally right too, figuring I think it has been sitting since the 60's. anywhere, where can i get a trailer that cheap.. because if that is new, then used should be alot cheaper.. but I knwo trailers keep their value.. which sucks.

Garrett

Garrette, go look at those "Truck Trader" for sale news ads
that are for sale at places like 7-11. there is always trailer
places selling 16x7 flatbeds in those for around 1100 bucks.
the tires are probably used, but would get you around for at
least the 1st year.

--Sherpa

honestly, it's hard to build a trailer for under 1500 bucks.
(even using surplus steel, wood decks, etc.

I picked up my 16' double axle (one w/ brakes), 83" between the fenders, fenders you can drive over, trailer was less than 2 years old when I got it - paid a whopping $750 for it.

Look around for a used one - there are super deals out there...

David, yeah deals maybe in Tennessee..................

hell, damn near every friggen house in austin has a 16x7 trailer in the
yard somewhere............

But this is the "sillycon valley" not alot of trailers here. not alot of
places to keep trailers here................

--(damn glad I have a big lot myself :)


--Sherpa

Originally posted by SHERPA RIG
David, yeah deals maybe in Tennessee..................
hell, damn near every friggen house in austin has a 16x7 trailer in the
yard somewhere............
But this is the "sillycon valley" not alot of trailers here. not alot of
places to keep trailers here................



I would think saving a couple hundred dollars is worth a drive to where there ARE used trailers.... don't you think?

yes, yes I do!

--Sherpa

Checking the truck trader is a good idea, but also look throug your local newspaper, or thriftynickle. I always see trailers in them that are tandem axle between 14 and 20 feet long for 500 to 1500. (the only ones over a 1000 have carry capicities over 10000)

Both of the these sites have just about everything you need for building/ rebuilding a trailer.

http://www.southwestwheel.com has everything you need to include great plans

http://www.championtrailers.com has a comparable list, but much higher priced.... but their catalog is a life saver when it comes to sizing up what you have a X-referencing the part you need.

Where in the SFBay area can you buy a 7x16 flatbed trailer for $100 new?

Everyone I've talked to wanted $1800-$2k. (new)

Heck, I'd even drive to the valley, (no, the one in Tracy along I205 wants MORE than the dealers in here..)

7000 # tandem-- dual brakes trailer kit
Here's an example for a complete 7000# axle axle kit at www.southwestwheel.com

http://www.utilitytrailerkit.com/asintkittndm3505.htm

Bill of materials for selected tandem 7,000 lb. trailer kit:

(2) 3,500 lb. trailer axle with electric brakes

(4) four leaf double eye 25 1/4" leaf springs

(2) 2 3/8" round u-bolt kit for 3,500 lb. axle including u-bolts, nuts, and plates

(1) tandem hanger kit for 3,500 lb. axle including hangers, shackle bolts and nuts, shackle straps, and equalizers

(4) fifteen inch 70015D white spoke wheel and tire

(2) tandem fenders 9x72

(2) pre cut fender backs

(1) trailer light kit including tail lights, clearance lights, license plate bracket, and wire with connection

(1) Bulldog 2" 50° A-frame coupler

(1) Bulldog A-frame jack

(2) Safety chain

Part Number: ASINTKITTNDM3505

Total weight: 800 lb.

Price: $798.36


If you can beat this price on all this.. let me know

You still need to build the bed, but this kit takes care of everything else...

Just remember that in Kali if the trailer has a GVWR more than 10,000 then you need a Class A license. A friend got a good gig moving a lanscape companies' tractors around after their drivers got popped for this. It may not happen every time you get stopped but they can make you leave the trailer where it is till someone with the right Class of license comes to move it or even impound the trailer if they're a prick.