I really want to convert my open car hauler into an enclosed, but after having thought about it so much it really seems like it'd be far easier, and come out better, if I could buy the parts that trailer manufacturers use. Stuff like that channel along the top, roof bows, etc.

I've tried and all I can ever seem to find are things like RV window assemblies, doors, etc. Help!

You mean this kind of stuff? (http://totaltrailerparts.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2)

That's the closest I've seen yet! Unfortunately it looks like they mainly only have stuff for horse trailers.

Here's a random example from ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/USED-48FT-ENCLOSED-PACE-AMERICAN-BIG-FOOT-TRAILER_W0QQitemZ370345148995QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMo tors_Trailers?hash=item563a4a8243#v4-36) - just looking at the first picture, I'm interested in stuff like those rounded upper corner pieces, the metal trim along the edges, stuff like that. I did manage to find curved roof bows in 102" width, but it'd be a big project to get them to work well with like a v-nosed trailer design without some other pre-curved parts.

You can always go to an OTR Trailer dealer (Trailmobile, Great Dane, Utility, etc.) and talk to their parts department. They have bows, skins, uprights, etc. Talk to the parts manager to get trade pricing and it will get closer to reasonable.

Redneck Trailer Supply
try www.rednecktrailersupply.com
They have 18 locations around the central USA.
Headquarteres in Springfield, Mo.
(417)864-5856

Redneck Trailer Supply
try http://www.redneck-trailer.com/
They have 18 locations around the central USA.
Headquarteres in Springfield, Mo.
(417)864-5856

fixed


http://www.redneck-trailer.com/locations/1.htm

Question is it worthwhile to fabricate your own from what you have or sell yours and buy a used enclosed car trailer? I missed out on a 24' enclosed car trailer last spring for $3k. It had been used twice and parked for several yrs.

Thanks !!

Redneck's catalogue looks great, thanks! I do want to do my own, there's lots of specific design feature I've thought of (removable sides, etc.), plus my trailer is aluminum.

Ok, now you need to post a pic of this aluminum trailer:grinpimp:

My couson runs the print divsion at the Demco plant in Iowa, and I was eyeing one of these.

http://www.rentalcorneronline.com/images/moving/demco_trailer.jpg

6,000 GVWR, but heck my Scout weights that much:eek:

http://i39.tinypic.com/2056r9y.jpg

It's an R&R 20' trailer, pictured in far, far better shape than it is now... but I guess it does have something like 100,000 miles on it.

It probably paid for its extra cost ($5k new compared to $2.5k for a similar steel trailer) in gas mileage (1400lbs or so compared to 2500 or so) but I don't think I'd buy an aluminum trailer again... the original aluminum fenders, which you can see are gusseted sideways but weren't gusseted vertically, fell off just from road shock and fried a couple tires. Also it's so low that the square tubing with the tail lights on it scrapes ALL THE TIME. Someone stole the original 14" steel wheels off it so I upgraded to 15" aluminum ones, so it's not as much of a problem anymore. Basically it's hard to fix, hard to modify, and aluminum is soft! I definitely wouldn't ever try dragging something up onto it wrecker-style.

A buddy runs a Mobile repair biz and MIG welds the big aluminum bulk hauling trailers. He said the aluminum gets work harden and cracks. Most of them are being repaired in the same spots, so its also a design issue.

Surprised you had to pull the Scout so far up onto the trailer. I pulled the bed off my dump trailer and making it a flat bed for my Scout, It will be a conversion process that will take an hour or so to switch between the two, but then I only need to store one trailer. I'm out of room so this was the next best thing. Hopefully I can test it out on Sunday. I'm figuring parking dead center over the axles. Between the winch and the 345 mill that should give me a 60/40 split.

I didn't really have to, but with the weight distributors and air bags on the truck stuff seems to ride a bit better that way.