Utility Trailer

Pauleo · Post by **Pauleo** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 1:24 pm

Hey guys! I just wanted to show off my latest little project! It was an old farm trailer used to haul hogs & cattle to the market. I tore it down, put an angle grinder to it, some fresh paint, rubber, lights, and a few other things. I got the trailer for free and have about 500 bucks in it. So I don't think that's too bad it. It's 6x12 and even has electric brakes! I don't have them working yet. I think I'm gonna have them done by a pro. Including having the brake contoller installed in the CC. I've heard horror stories of one side getting more juice than the other and locking up and stuf like that. I'd feel better about having someone else do it.

Oh yeah. I have fenders for it. I'm just waiting on my father in law to weld them on for me. (That may take a while!

)

Anyway, I keep trying to figure out how to put pics in my posts, but I just can't get it. Maybe HJ will help me out. Otherwise, the pic is over in the gallery.

adrenalnjunky · Post by **adrenalnjunky** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 2:18 pm

to make the image post in your message you have to know the full link of the pic and then surround it with [img]http://wherever%20your%20picsare.com[/img]

hard to do a tutorial without making some of the scripting kick in.

Another problem you have is that your pic is about 150K, and I think that HJ requests that we not include pics that are over 100K in size to help the dialup folks.

here's a link to your pic - http://www.s-10crewcab.com/coppermine/a ... railer.JPG

Another nice thing about the forum gallery is that it resizes them for you when you post oversized images. By adding "normal_" in front of the image name you get the dial-up friendly image -
http://www.s-10crewcab.com/coppermine/a ... ics/10062/normal_trailer.JPG

That is "postable"

-HJ

Pauleo · Post by **Pauleo** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 2:45 pm

Cool! Thanks for the help junky! I knew what to do, I just couldn't get it to work for some reason. Anyway, wadda ya think about the trailer? I'm excited about it! There's always been something about towing something that I have always loved. I guess I'm just goofy! Tow trucks have always been my thing. I don't really want to get into the business but I would LOVE to own my own!!!!

adrenalnjunky · Post by **adrenalnjunky** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 2:55 pm

yeah the trailer looks beefy.

I need an enclosed setup to carry all my R/C airplanes and gear around in, but I can't lay down the $2200 for a nice 6x12 enclosed setup just now.

I have free access to the in-law's 14x8 flatbed whenever I need it, so luckily I can take big stuff here and there whenever i want.

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:00 pm

Looks good. Now what ya need is a BIG tarp. Don't leave that out where people can see it or every time a friend or relative moves, they'll be calling you.

Pauleo · Post by **Pauleo** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:18 pm

I know how that is barch! The first pick up I bought, EVERYONE needed something hauled! I'm sure the calls will be rolling in pretty soon! And I already have a good tarp. But I would like to find an old greenhouse that's just the right size and cut the roof down to use under the tarp. That would give me a CONVERTIBLE TRAILER!!!!

Whoo-Hoo! Seriously, I think that would be a cool idea!

Since I'm in the floral business, it shoudn't be that difficult to find something. We'll see.

JimmyDiamond · Post by **JimmyDiamond** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 3:34 pm

Looks good man. No doubt PLENTY heavy duty. If you put enough weight on the trailer you might look into a bigger truck! The s-series tow pretty decent but they're easy to max out.

I too like trailers. My wife thinks I'm such a dork when I tow my trailer around.

I had a 5x10 utility trailer that I had for 3 years which I ust sold on Ebay in November. I even had Line-X coat it for me. It was a good trailer but I wanted something a tad larger. At the beginning of December I ordered a new 5x12 SS utility from www.hhtrailer.com and just today I got a call from them that it's done.

It will probably be mid next week before I'll have time to pick it up. I also got electric brakes on it mainly just in case I ever load it real heavy. I also added an Electric brake controller in the Jimmy. It has the factory tow package with 7-prong plug at the rear so the wiring for the controller was already in place. I can't wait to get the new trailer and start pimping it out like my old one.

Here's a pic of my old one before the Line-X

Here's what the new one will look like except Black and it will have chrome wheels.

Can't wait to tow it around and annoy the wife

Steve

Post by **HenryJ** » Thu Jan 13, 2005 6:27 pm

Nice job on the trailer. Watch those wheel bolts. Check them occasionally. If one loosens up the whole wheel can get loose.

I have put a ton of miles on similar axles

Pauleo · Post by **Pauleo** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:32 am

Hey Steve! When I started this project, I was going to use your old trailer as my model! I LOVED that thing! I seriously considered making the trip to your place to buy it from ya!!! But as I got started on mine, my plans slowly started to change. See, the old guy that used to own that trailer was heavy into International Harvester tractors. He ran them on his farm and even had a IH dealership. I thought it would be fitting that since the trailer was his to begin with, I would paint it up the old IH colors of red & white. Some kind of silly tribute I guess. Besides, my CC is red so I thought it would look cool!

I did call this old guy "Grand dad." He passed away several years ago but his son (the one who gave me the trailer) loved the idea.

Pauleo · Post by **Pauleo** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:55 am

Thanks HJ! Those are old house trailer axles. I have heard that they need to be checked often. I would really rather have had regular hubs on there but I didn't know if they could just be swapped out or if I would had to have changed the whole axle. Anyway, I'll probably only use the thing a half dozen times a year so I should be in good shape. That is, unless Barch is right and I have everyone calling me to have there stuff moved!!!

On another quick note, I gotta say again, this board is AWESOME!!!! I come here everyday to check out the latest post. I can't stay away! I just wish I could chime in on more of the topics but when it come to cars and trucks, I just don't know much about much! I just sit back and READ! So to all you SMART guys out there, THANKS!!!!

Post by **HenryJ** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 8:07 am

Pauleo wrote:... Those are old house trailer axles.... I would really rather have had regular hubs on there but I didn't know if they could just be swapped out or if I would had to have changed the whole axle. ...I gotta say again, this board is AWESOME!!!! ...I just wish I could chime in on more of the topics but when it come to cars and trucks, I just don't know much about much! I just sit back and READ!...

Those axles will serve you well as long as you have good tires , and can find them if the need arises.
They do make a standard hub that installs on those spindles. It has been years ago, but I think the Hubs ran about $300. One pair with brakes, one without. I have had a trailer with those hubs for 14 years and didn't find the need to change.

I too think the forum is awesome, everyone has contributed to what it has become. It is all about the free exchange of information. I have learned lots here, and hope to continue doing so. Thanks everybody!

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 10:15 am

Pauleo wrote:Hey Steve! When I started this project, I was going to use your old trailer as my model! I LOVED that thing! I seriously considered making the trip to your place to buy it from ya!!! But as I got started on mine, my plans slowly started to change. See, the old guy that used to own that trailer was heavy into International Harvester tractors. He ran them on his farm and even had a IH dealership. I thought it would be fitting that since the trailer was his to begin with, I would paint it up the old IH colors of red & white. Some kind of silly tribute I guess. Besides, my CC is red so I thought it would look cool! I did call this old guy "Grand dad." He passed away several years ago but his son (the one who gave me the trailer) loved the idea.

Too bad you didn't paint it the newer International Harvester yellow and white instead, Then I could sell ya a really nice little IH Cub tractor to go with it!

Pauleo · Post by **Pauleo** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 1:46 pm

Yeah, Rusty! What year is your Cub? Is it restored? We have and old Cub Cadet that we still use once in a while. We have an old Farmall 200 & Farmall 460 that we are trying to have restored. The 200 is about the size of a Cub, maybe a little bigger. Neither one will fit on the trailer. Only the Cadet. I guess tractors are like any other hobby. Once you get started, you can never have enough! I am not looking for a Cub but if your considering selling and you want to pm me with your info, I'll pass it along to my boss. (uh, er, and I don't mean my WIFE

) He might be interested!!!

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 2:34 pm

Pauleo wrote:Yeah, Rusty! What year is your Cub? Is it restored? We have and old Cub Cadet that we still use once in a while. We have an old Farmall 200 & Farmall 460 that we are trying to have restored. The 200 is about the size of a Cub, maybe a little bigger. Neither one will fit on the trailer. Only the Cadet. I guess tractors are like any other hobby. Once you get started, you can never have enough! I am not looking for a Cub but if your considering selling and you want to pm me with your info, I'll pass it along to my boss. (uh, er, and I don't mean my WIFE ) He might be interested!!!

Oh well, here goes another subject off the tracks!

I swear guys! I don't do this on purpose!

Anyway, it's a '68 Cub "Lo-Boy" with a 60" Danco mower deck on it. It's not restored but it's in good condition Since you mentioned tractors I thought I'd throw the comment out about buying a tractor to go with the trailer, mostly just kidding.

BTW, the Farmall 200 (and 100 for that matter) is way bigger than a Cub. This isn't my Cub but it's as good a pic as I could find on short notice.

It's a "real" tractor. Just a very small one. I'm not actively trying to sell mine yet but I'm seriously thinking about it. I'm going need the money if I'm ever going to get the Blazer running.

JimmyDiamond · Post by **JimmyDiamond** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 2:44 pm

Let me really mess things up and post a picture of a tractor ON a trailer!

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 2:53 pm

I just KNOW HenryJ is going to say this is all my fault too!

Pauleo · Post by **Pauleo** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 3:37 pm

OOOOOH!

I like the tractor ON a trailer!!!!!

Let's see.....

A tractor ON a trailer being pulled by a CREW!!!!!!!
That's the ULTIMATE!!!!!!!!
OOOOOH LA LA!!!!!!

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Fri Jan 14, 2005 7:05 pm

Pauleo wrote:OOOOOH! I like the tractor ON a trailer!!!!!

Let's see.....

A tractor ON a trailer being pulled by a CREW!!!!!!!
That's the ULTIMATE!!!!!!!!
OOOOOH LA LA!!!!!!

Ok, Ok, I guess I know what I'm doing tomorrow! Take the Crew, hook up the trailer (I don't have a nice one like you guys) and run the tractor up onto it and snap a picture. Will that make everyone happy?

Come to think of it, there's a "Hooters" nearby. Now maybe if I can get some of the girls there to pose next to it.....

Pauleo · Post by **Pauleo** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 7:26 am

Hey Rusty! You may be able to SELL a picture like THAT!!!!

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 9:02 am

Pauleo wrote:Hey Rusty! You may be able to SELL a picture like THAT!!!!

Before I could SELL a picture like that, I would need to TAKE a picture like that. It's a safe bet any Hooters Girls aren't gonna be interested in posing in my driveway with the CC, trailer and tractor. It's an even SAFER bet Mrs Rusty wouldn't let me do it anyway!

barch97 · Post by **barch97** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 9:20 am

Yeah but maybe if you drove your truck over to the hooters with the tractor on the trailer in tow...

I don't think I've ever been to a hooters that I didn't see at least three or four waitresses outside posing for pictures next to a motorcycle or a truck or something.

And, Mrs Rusty wouldn't have to know where you were towing the trailer off to

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 11:43 am

barch97 wrote:And, Mrs Rusty wouldn't have to know where you were towing the trailer off to

Uh, one problem with that: She gets on this site and reads the posts too. The "evidence" (the pictures) would be right there and I would promptly cease to exist!

Pauleo · Post by **Pauleo** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 12:22 pm

OK, Rusty, OK. We'll let you off the hook! You don't have to involve the Hooters girls.

We wish you many years of exsistance!

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 12:55 pm

You know, it's funny but for a brief moment I was actually thinking about taking Barch's suggestion and hauling the whole mess down to Hooters and actually trying to get the picture. I would have loved to see the comments from everyone on this site! Then I remembered why I never hauled the tractor on my trailer in the first place. The trailer is an "El Cheapo" 5x8 single axle w/ 12" wheels (P.O.S.) from Home Depot that cost all of $600 new so you can imagine the fine quality level!

It's extremely light duty to say the least. For example the floor is wire mesh, not wood. I doubt it has much more than an 800lb payload capacity at most. My little garden tractor has bent the floor. The Cub weighs more than 1200lbs and would possibly squash it! Even if it didn't, the whole thing would be so unstable I doubt I would make the trip in one piece! I can just see trying to explain that to Mrs Rusty!

(Especially if I wrecked the Crew in the process)

Mrs_Rusty · Post by **Mrs_Rusty** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 2:09 pm

Not to mention the local police & highway patrol.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 2:18 pm

Oops! Busted!

JimmyDiamond · Post by **JimmyDiamond** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:55 am

Well I couldn't wait and picked up my new trailer Saturday. I snapped some crappy pics when I got home with it. It was about 3 degrees at the time and the trailer is dirty from the roads

I washed it last night at the carwash so now it's clean in the garage.

Boy those electric brakes sure work good! When I apply the brakes I can feel the trailer pulling the Jimmy back

I need to flip the ballmount over because as you can see it's riding too high in the front.

Tall sides make it seem huge compared to my old trailer

Gate folds down into trailer for better wind resistance.

7-prong wiring

Overall I'm pretty happy with the purchase. Tomorrow I'm taking it to a local Goodyear store and getting new larger Goodyear Marathon trailer radials installed. This trailer is heavier than the old one. I can stand on the back of the gate (I weigh about 195) and the jack doesn't come off the ground in the front

Mods I'm planning:
New Tires
Line-X (down the road awhile)
Stain the wood floor
Put on a jack with a wheel
Replace stock lights with LED lighting and add more lights

Tongue box

I'll get better pics later on when it warms up and the chrome is all shiney.

Post by **Walt** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 11:34 am

I bought a 14x5.5 tandem axle about four years ago for about $800. I bought it from a friend of my dad's who was in the construction business, he also sold trailers on the side.

I got to choose color, mesh or wood, tandem or single, etc...

Mesh gait was free. Wood would have also been free, but I wanted mesh since it would primarily used to haul 4-wheelers (easier to wash out).

All in all I think I got a good deal. Very good quality (double welds), and decent tires and wheels. Uses the same bolt pattern as the crew

kf6kmx · Post by **kf6kmx** » Tue Jan 18, 2005 5:38 am

Rusty wrote:
Come to think of it, there's a "Hooters" nearby. Now maybe if I can get some of the girls there to pose next to it.....

Sounding better