Questions on a trailer I'm building?

[unioncreek]

A friend of mine gave me an old travel trailer that has a 16' deck. Since I don't have a trailer to haul hay on I figured I could build one out of it. The tongue is made out of 2x4 tubing and the frame is 2x4 channel iron. I figure I can haul two ton on it by what the data plate on the trailer said. From the front of the bed to the front of the tire is 7 feet, I would like to move the axles back the length of the leaf spring to put more weight on the truck. Is it wise to do it or should I just leave it alone? Is the frame heavy enough for what I want to do? If not I am thinking of adding a piece of 1/4" x 4" piece of flat iron the length of the frame to beef it up. The axles under it are heavy, axle tube is 3 inches and there's 5 leaves to a spring.

Any advise is appreciated.

Bobg

 

[rdln]

It sounds like the centerline of the front axle is already just behind the halfway point the length of the bed, it would be silly to move the axles any further back.

a picture would help

 

[GT2]

I have a friend who has used a travel trailer. He said that with the upper structure off the stock frame rails are very flexable.
He feels it would be better to cut off the hitch and axles and hardware. Then build a proper frame.

 

[George2615]

A neighbor of mine also stripped an old camper but it was a single axle unit. He wanted to use it to haul scrap steel / tin / recyclables. He brought it to me this past fall for my advice. I showed him how flimsy / flexible the frame was without the camper on it. I boxed in the remaining frame for him with 3/16" x 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" angle then welded some 4' verticles on for him to attach plywood to for sides. He used 3/4" ply for the floor and 1/2" ply for the sides. He uses it every weekend its not snowing for his scrap business.
I'd suggest the same for your idea. Box in the frame for extra strength and install a new floor. You didn't post a pic but I think the existing camper axles will be fine where they are.

 

[deereguy]

If all you will be hauling is hay, assuming square bales (40-50# bales or 50-40# bales and not rounds or big squares), I would think it should do it if you place the heavy plywood for flooring, taking it easy on the road (45MPH tops and easy on the RR tracks). If you attach the plyood with self tapping screws and it still rides or seems flimsy when loaded, you can easily unfasten the plywood and beef up the frame as needed.

Like the others have stated- pictures would help clear the foggy picture I have.

 

[akjohnston]

I have been involved with campers and trailers for 40 plus years, I have had several that ended up with bent frames which made the tires out of alignment.
I would suggest that if you are going to go that route to def beef up the frame. Under no circumstance would I move the axle back It was desgined for center of gravity at the present location. I do believe that before I went through all of that I would just go to tractor supply or northern tool and buy a new one. The price of steel has got out of range. I believe you would have more in the old one than a new one would cost.

Five years ago I took a mobile home trailer and made a utility trailer out of it, by the time I fixed it with solid oak board floor, electric brakes and Pendle Hook I had close to $1000.00 in it. I will admit that it is a much better trailer than one can buy. If you fix it with removable sides and ramp to haul such as a tractor in just may not be cost effective.