ATV Trailer

[milomilo]

Since I got a new to me 4 wheeler last month, I decided I needed another trailer to haul the 4 wheeler out hunting. I picked up a trailer last week at auction for $10. It was in rough shape but I needed to frame to make the new trailer.

After getting in home and stripping off all the rotted wood from the deck and sides it was clear that most of the welds had been some by some farmer trying to learn to weld. I ground out most of them and rewelded with 1/8" 7018. Did a few welds with 1/8" 6010 that were in tight corners.

Turns out the trailer had to be 8 " wider and longer 12" to be the right size for the 4 wheeler. The existing axle was also too narrow so I had a couple of trailer spindles and wheels and I had some 2" pipe I used to get the right width. Also putting the axle above the springs to get the deck lower for aesier unloading. Next have to weld some 1/2" spring plate to the axle.

The existing springs were too stiff so I drug out some springs I got a few years ago. Now I needed new spring mounts to the frame. The old U bolts were too narrow now I have to buy some new ones. Drat, hate to buy new stuff.

Now that I am part way done with the welding, I also decided to add a 4' ramp to the back. It will be pinned to the sides and stick up 3' above the sides. The sides will be 2X12 PT lumber and the and deck will be 2X6 PT boards.

Also have a new tongue hitch and a trailer light kit I got from an auction to put on this trailer. I have a couple of fenders off an old boat trailer to put on it too.

I could have bought new steel and built one that way too, but what would be the fun of that? I kind of live to restore old stuff. Pics so far. I'll try to get them in order.

[milomilo]

More pics.

[milomilo]

More pics.

[milomilo]

Last pics so far.

[tnmike]

Nice looking job. Are you going to paint it?

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by tnmike

Nice looking job. Are you going to paint it?

Yeah. As soon as I am done with the frame welding it will get a coat of equipment primer and some sort of color. Gonna try to keep the rusting down some. Wish I had an outdoor blaster to get it real clean. Guess I will get by with a cup brush and a knotted wire wheel on the 4" grinder.

It has been quite an ordeal rewelding a lot of the weld joints due to crappy welds and a ton of rust. Often have to run a pass with 6010 to burn out the crap then grind and weld with 7018.

Persistance will overcome!!!!

[Windy_Acres]

Looks great so far, and at $10 to get the party started, you just cant beat that. If you run to allot of sales, you should get some good use out of it, other than ATVs.

Ive got a 5'x9' tilt with a 10" tall rail around it, that I bought for moving ATVs, I bought it back in 1986 new, for around $300, even at $300 Ive "way" gotten my money out of that thing, its got allot of miles on it, and has moved allot of garbage, its a nice handy size for moving riding mowers, UTVs, ATVs, lumber, building supplies, boxes, attachments and the like. Its like having a second bed for your pickup, but you can drive in and out of it.

Over the years, I extended the tongue to make it easier to back up, and see it in my mirrors, put a new coupler on it, and I did a spring over axle, because it was spring under, and the springs started to relax and the tires would hit the top of the fenders when loaded heavy and hitting a big bump.

Best trailer for cheap Ive brought home was $40, one of those converted "ass ends" of a 1 ton pickup. Think it has a dana 60 and the tires still hold air after several years. Still use it around here, have a 350 gallon water tank we water trees with. Cant touch a tire on that thing for $40...

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by Windy_Acres

Looks great so far, and at $10 to get the party started, you just cant beat that. If you run to allot of sales, you should get some good use out of it, other than ATVs.

Ive got a 5'x9' tilt with a 10" tall rail around it, that I bought for moving ATVs, I bought it back in 1986 new, for around $300, even at $300 Ive "way" gotten my money out of that thing, its got allot of miles on it, and has moved allot of garbage, its a nice handy size for moving riding mowers, UTVs, ATVs, lumber, building supplies, boxes, attachments and the like. Its like having a second bed for your pickup, but you can drive in and out of it.

Over the years, I extended the tongue to make it easier to back up, and see it in my mirrors, put a new coupler on it, and I did a spring over axle, because it was spring under, and the springs started to relax and the tires would hit the top of the fenders when loaded heavy and hitting a big bump.

Best trailer for cheap Ive brought home was $40, one of those converted "ass ends" of a 1 ton pickup. Think it has a dana 60 and the tires still hold air after several years. Still use it around here, have a 350 gallon water tank we water trees with. Cant touch a tire on that thing for $40...

My biggest problem is my cheap gene. It would have been way quicker to get one that was in fair shape and do some minor alterations, but no, I have to get the cheapest one for a project, so it is taking much longer. At least I don't have much money in it so I feel justified.

Had some 1/2" cold roll, so off today to thread the U bolts and bend to match the 2 1/2" OD axle. Gonna go over to the neighbors and use his lathe to do the NF threading with my die.

I do wish I could use this trailer for auctions but it is not big enough. It usually takes the 16' flatbed to haul everything home. I always intend to get only a couple of items that will fit in the back of the truck, but they always have other stuff not listed that stare at me till I'm the high bidder.

Maybe I need some sort of therapy?????

[Windy_Acres]

Originally Posted by milomilo

Maybe I need some sort of therapy?????

If you can get everything home in one day, in one trip with a 16', your years from therapy. Ive use a 32' tandem axle, DRW goose neck when things get heavy or bought allot, and I will still be trucking stuff out on Wednesday (making at least 2 trips or more a day), and the sale was on Saturday or Sunday !

Keep in mind, I dont have a job, and when I buy at a sale, I bust ass to get it all home as quick as possible !

I think in total, Ive got 9 or 10 trailers here, but would have to go count to see how many. One is always still loaded from "the last sale" I was at, and have not got around to unloading.

[milomilo]

That's part of what concerns me by building another trailer, as I will then not have an immediate need to unload from the last auction. Then I'll have two trailers to unload. Things could get outta hand that way. No doubt the missus would definately think I needed some therapy!!!!