Gooseneck repar/rebuild

[Louisiana_John]

Gooseneck repar/rebuild

I started tearing down my trailer the other night. I have owned the trailer for 9 years. It was an ex east TX county trailer. I bought it from the MFG for $ 1800. Not bad for a Duel tandem. I had to cut about 15 pieces of c channel off. Whenever a board would rot the county would change with c channel. I am also adding a drop to the neck and making a little longer with an adj coupler. I have a 9' bed coming for my 3/4 ton. The trailer has 1 newer axle under and one older one. I bought new springs and hangers, 1 new axle. I am going to take and get sandblasted and painted when done.
I am going to add new lights and a RK under frame box for chains and binders, new jack, wiring and tires.
It seems like a lot of work till you see the price for a new well-built Gooseneck. I will take my camera out to the shop tonight and start posting the progress.
John

 

[hudr]

Re: Gooseneck repar/rebuild

Good luck w/ the project. what county did you get that trailer from? I live in Bowie and seems like there was a county auction recently but I couldn't make an appearance.

 

[Louisiana_John]

Re: Gooseneck repar/rebuild

It was a Panola county trailer. I have had and used for 9 years. I have bought 1 tire some grease and seals in that 9 years it has been a good trailer. Here is the pic were I am at know. I hope to have it ready first of next week to take and get painted.
John
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[drmiller100]

Re: Gooseneck repar/rebuild

hi,
could you get a measurement or 3 for me? i'm converting a pintle hitched backhoe trailer to a gooseneck.

what kind of metal is the gooseneck portion made out of? 8 inch channel? 10 inche channel?
thanks!

 

[Louisiana_John]

Re: Gooseneck repar/rebuild

I did that for my uncle. I did what my trailer MFG did. 8"channel with 7" layed in side to make a box. They still build there trailers that way. They do alot for heavy oil field work. My was used to the max for 14 years by a county behind a 2 ton truck. No cracks or bends in the neck. I am adding 6" to my neck. So I am putting the first 30" at a 25 deg angle to the hitch. From the frame to center of the ball is 84". I will take more pics later. I got the new axle under and all new springs and hangers this weekend. I also installed new jack. I got my neck laid out and one side cut and tacked.
The way I start on the neck is make a jack stank for the hitch and get it square to the trailer. I mean get were it will end up when finished. Then use strings and a speed square to build to the hitch.
I bought me a new tool that is great an Arc Gouge. I used it to cut the weld out of the old hangers. It did it job and left the trailer beam looking new. You could just sit there and just cut out the old weld like butter.
John

 

[sandman2234]

Re: Gooseneck repar/rebuild

Is an Arc Gouge the same thing as an Air Arc?

Basically a welding torch that has a air vent to blow the weld puddle away when it gets molten, and uses carbon rods?
Been known to have to cut a weld out a time or two...
I have a triple axle out back that needs to be straightened, and the gooseneck removed, since I don't have anyway of pulling it. (Pintle hitch coming)

David from jax

 

[Louisiana_John]

Re: Gooseneck repar/rebuild

Is an Arc Gouge the same thing as an Air Arc?
Yes, it is the same. I am about done I hope tonight. I need to take and get blasted and painted this week. When I pull out of my shop I will take some pics.
John

 

[drmiller100]

Re: Gooseneck repar/rebuild

interesting! i've got a pintle hitch trailer i'm converting ot gooseneck becuz i have no good way to pull a pintle!!!!

 

[sandman2234]

Re: Gooseneck repar/rebuild

drmiller,
A pintle hitch is easily done, if you have a Reese hitch on your tow vehicle. Just pick up one at your local autoparts store, slip it in the receiver and hook to the trailer.
The fifthwheel from a pintle hitch requires a little more $$$, because you have to purchase a hitch worth a couple of hundred dollars.
If my trailer didn't have problems with it, I would probably just purchase one and be done, but the trailer needs work, so the easiest way (and cheapest) is to go to a pintle hitch.
David from jax

 

[drmiller100]

Re: Gooseneck repar/rebuild

oh, i've got a superduty, but it is pretty light for the trailer. trailer is 5k, skid steer is 8k. would be a lot better pull if gooseneck.