18 foot travel trailer

[rdbrumfield]

Haven't read all the replies, but remember that those frames under camping trailers are very light. The box on top of it is part of the frame too, as it helps support both ends toward the middle. Usually they are just a 4 inch channel and a few cross pieces of angle. If it were me, I would use the axles and build something stout enough to not have to worry if it were going to be behind me when I got there. The other thing is that you will have to re register it. If you ever get stopped for a light out and they check the registration as a camping trailer with a tractor on it, well, you get the idea

 

[Mulligancreek]

I was out at a friends farm last weekend and he mentioned he had an old (1970s I think) fifth wheel camper he wanted to get rid of. He said he thought it would make a good tractor hauler. I didn't think anything of it until I read this post. What do you think of a fifth wheel trailer as a hauler? Any better or worse than a travel trailer conversion?

 

[rdbrumfield]

I took a 5th wheel to Alaska and the frame under the front flexed so bad it started to break loose all around the front and sides of the upper bunk part. I had to take a chain and comealong around the gooseneck and down to the jacks to brace it up to get me there. It rode ok after that. As far as using one for a tractor hauler, they are just too light. first time you hit the brakes hard I think it would just colapse the upper frame where it connects to the lower deck.

 

[600rider]

Have you seen those crappy trailers sold at tsc?

 

[600rider]

Don't know what happened there but anyway as I was saying, Have you seen those um cheap trailers at tsc? they just have 2.5x2.5 x.25 angle for the frame and crossmembers. So how could that be more sturdy than a 4" c channel under a 3"x3"x.25" angle and the same for crossmembers??? I would put my trailer made form a camper up agianst a tsc trailer any day or alot of other trailers out there for that mater. remember that I did not use the 1/16" formed angles that were under the original trailer my crossmembers are 4 times thicker and are angle iron not formed. If I drive my tractor onto the trailer without supports under the rear of the trailer I will lift the back of my silverado up before the trailer will flex!!! Also my C channel is a true structural steel channel not a formed one which means where the corners are is beefed up and tappered so as to make it more riggid. What I am saying is that if you make a trailer from a camper make sure to use structural steel not formed steel because formed steel is not as strong.I would not hessitate to use the gooseneck trailer or the 18' trailer as long as you beef them up with true structural steel. By the way I have never had a camper trailer registration that said it was a camper, only that it is a trailer. Lets see some pics of those new trailers, Ken.

 

[davpar]

I have a 1966 Glenelle 16 just as described in the is forum. The trailer is in very good shape but the entry door lock has broken. Does anybody know where I can source one, please?

 

[chad22]

I'm currently in the process of tearing a fifth wheel travel trailer down for a friend. He's gonna use it to haul some hay with.

I also started tearing my fleetwood fifth wheel travel trailer down to make a hauling trailer out of.

Chad

 

[beeforty]

I converted a travel trailer to just a frame for hauling lumber and it made a difference in registration at least in CA. I went from $40.00/yr for a travel trailer to $15.00 for a PTL/5yrs for a utility trailer!