scrape metal trailer

[trlman]

Yeah, I build them too. Finding "scrap" pieces is always a plus but hard to find any that are any good. I try to find and tear apart old camping trailers or boat trailers to use as a starting point. Those usually give me a pretty descent frame, axle, hubs, springs etc. Alot of the older trailers, from the 60's and early 70's were made with wood frames for the walls and were pretty heavy so the spring packs were usually 5000-6000 lb and the spindles had big bearings. The trailer frames were 2x4/2x5 rect. tubing and didn't rust out the way the modern stamped units do nowadays. Pop-up camper frames make real nice small trailers for small cars/minivans and motorcycles. The little black trailer is from and old pop-up and the red trailer was built from the old camper that I tore apart.
I'm retired and really enjoy the challenge of starting with something old and making something new without a drawing or plans. Good building and good luck. Post some pics when you get it done.

[SidecarFlip]

A word of caution on any trailer is.... Don't succumb to putting a undercoating like LineX or some type of bedliner on the underside. conventional rustptoofing coatings (organic base) are okay but the synthetic stuff gives on noxious fumes when heated so it's bad ju-ju to try to repair anything with LineX on it.

The LineX looks nice but is a PITA to repair if you have an issue. Most welding shops won't touch anything with synthetic undercoating because of the poisonous fumes it gives off.

[Dog Byte]

Yeah, I build them too. Finding "scrap" pieces is always a plus but hard to find any that are any good. I try to find and tear apart old camping trailers or boat trailers to use as a starting point. Those usually give me a pretty descent frame, axle, hubs, springs etc. Alot of the older trailers, from the 60's and early 70's were made with wood frames for the walls and were pretty heavy so the spring packs were usually 5000-6000 lb and the spindles had big bearings. The trailer frames were 2x4/2x5 rect. tubing and didn't rust out the way the modern stamped units do nowadays. Pop-up camper frames make real nice small trailers for small cars/minivans and motorcycles. The little black trailer is from and old pop-up and the red trailer was built from the old camper that I tore apart.
I'm retired and really enjoy the challenge of starting with something old and making something new without a drawing or plans. Good building and good luck. Post some pics when you get it done.

Those look real nice, man. Personally I find it easier to build something from scratch, rather than modify something else, unless I get really lucky and it happens to be close to what I need.

[mrcaptainbob]

That is one stout looking trailer! Nicely done. Do you think ribs between those horizontals would be a good idea? Something about half their size might keep that 1/8" from stretching. Maybe located along an auto tread width?

[urch55]

Triman,
I think we are thinking on the same wave length.


Were you looking over my shoulder when I made this one???




5x10 Trailer.JPG

[Roadrider]

Hey Triman, I like those trailers,you did a great job on them! Good use of recycled materials. I think finding scrap and recycling used steel makes it a little more of a challenge and is more time consuming, but has a little more reward at the end. I got a few comments on my trailer recently, I like the look on peoples faces when I tell them I went dumpster diving for that steel. I recently added a small Warn winch to the front, just a 1700# light duty, that should be enough to pull my lawn tractor and my tool box up the ramps.
Urch55, I like that, you do nice work!

[urch55]

Hey Triman, I like those trailers,you did a great job on them! Good use of recycled materials. I think finding scrap and recycling used steel makes it a little more of a challenge and is more time consuming, but has a little more reward at the end. I got a few comments on my trailer recently, I like the look on peoples faces when I tell them I went dumpster diving for that steel. I recently added a small Warn winch to the front, just a 1700# light duty, that should be enough to pull my lawn tractor and my tool box up the ramps.
Urch55, I like that, you do nice work!

Thanks Roadrider,
You will have to post a picture of your "dumpster dive" trailer..

This is a 6x12 trailer I made using used structural steel.



Finished 6 x 12 Trailer.jpg

[Ryan225]

very nice build. i bet you can haul one **** of a load with that trailer.

-Ryan

[Roadrider]

urch55, It is the trailer in the beginning of this thread. I am still working on it. I still ave to add fenders, few more "D" rings, I am currently working on winch mount, I will add an image of what I have so far. I will repaint it before the winter comes in, then it will be complete. I am somewhat of an amateur carpenter, I build picnic table and play sets and use the trailer to deliver them. A few weeks ago, I built a playset for our granddaughter and used it to deliver it. That gave me a chance to see how it would handle loaded at highway speeds, it towed real nice, straight and smooth. So far that was the longest trip with it. I carried 3 tons of stone on it twice when doing some landscaping around our house, it handled the load pretty good, I am very pleased with the results.