camper trailer frame to utility trailer project

[Xfaxman]

Looks real good :thumbsup:

What did you use for decking? Can't tell if 5/4 or 2x, need some closeup pictures.

 

[the old grind]

How about folding/portable ramps? My wood-decked 'car hauler' has brackets underneath to store the OEMs. That worked ok 'til someone borrowed it without asking. It took them a few shoves to get a crippled van loaded. The ramps came back bent and no longer fit their berths. :irked: Anyway, now I have to lug them farther and store 'em in the truck bed or lash them to the deck 'til the job is done. They're ladder-ish and made from angle, more heavy than strong, so that gets a li'l tougher for me every year.

Every time I see someone whip out a set of folders to load a quad, 42" mower, or golf cart into a pickup bed I tell myself "I gotta have that." Maybe it's that there are so many to choose from that I haven't got off my six & picked up a set for their versatility, and for my tilt-bed util that isn't as easy to load tillers and other light & self-propelled cargo onto.

Portable ramp sets may equal just one of my steelies in weight, and many will exceed the safe capacity of that nice 'new' trailer. I've seem some clever ways/acc'ys to anchor them so they don't slip off, and OSFA. That said, if you'd leave sides on most of the time or the new guy put your other utils out of biz you might be as happy with a ramp/tailgate for its simplicity. ('show me the way!')

 

[Dr Dave]

Nice job, you have inspired me to do something with my old pop up camper.

Dave

 

[nsmithnd]

This is what I ended up with. Still need to stop by TSC to get some chain for the tail-gate, beyond that it is pretty much done. Had it inspected and licensed as a homemade trailer (didn't have to but will be easier to claim if ever stolen and found again). Should come in handy for our light-duty hauling needs.

Oh, I used 5/4 pressure treated deck boards on it.

Also stripped the old trailer down (10'x4' with a bent axle) prepping for my next project. As you can tell, it began life as a small boat trailer. Will probably shorten it to a 4'x4' deck and cut the axle to move the tires under the deck and use it as a stout lawn cart.

 

[Xfaxman]

Thanks for the pictures, looks gooder-un! :thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

Nice job.

Chris

 

[crazyal]

I bet those coil springs give a much nicer pull than leaf springs.

 

[nsmithnd]

Finally got around to working on the "lawn cart".
Cut to length, narrowed axle (eliminated the suspension), deck is 17" off the ground so should be a good working height.
New $29 Harbor Freight rims/tires on sale (what ever happened to the everyday low price of $25 at Tractor Supply??).
1/2" pressure-treated plywood deck (didn't see the point of going with 3/4" again just for hauling stuff around the yard).
Will probably chop down the old tailgate and attach it to take a little weight off the hitch so my wife thinks it's lighter than it actually is.

 

[Paul1921]

To minimize the height of the wheel wells needed, I moved the axle to the bottom of the springs. The flat-top fenders are already fabricated and will be framed out with properly sized angle iron to get them to the final height.


>>>>>??????
After you moved the axle to the bottom of the springs did you get any negative effect in doing so?? and your flat top fender what and how are they constructed. can you drive over them with a 600# quad or zero turn.

 

[Paul1921]

To minimize the height of the wheel wells needed, I moved the axle to the bottom of the springs. The flat-top fenders are already fabricated and will be framed out with properly sized angle iron to get them to the final height.


after you moved the axle to the bottom of the springs did you get any negative effect in doing so?? and your flat top fender what and how are they constructed. can you drive over them with a 600# quad or zero turn.