Travel trailer to euipment trailer, thoughts anyone?

[Soundguy]

I don't blame ya.

there have been plenty of times it would have been cheaper or easier to go buy item 'X' then build it, but a few times I opted to build it, just to say I did, or learn how.. etc.

sometimes it's a no win situation though..

good luck..

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Soundguy,

There is a part of me that wants to do the build just for that purpose, but I don't have a ton of scrap around for dabbling. So, it becomes to expensive to sink the time, money, and materials into basically a trailer that can't meet my main need.

Building something is very satisfying. It's even more satisfying if the end result is exactly what you need. Don't give up on the project. Just give up on this trailer. Keep your eyes open for something with heavier axles and then pull the trigger on a build.

 

[Big Wave D]

Yes, we are keeping our eyes open. It might just be some kind of serious R&R on an actual equipment trailer.

How common are 10K pound capacity trailers? I know that 12's and 14's are much more common, but I am unsure about the legality of that CDL tipping point of 10K pounds. If I buy something with a capacity greater than 10K but only plate it for 10K pounds, am I in violation of any regs or only if I actually carry more than 10K pounds. Just wondering???

 

[Soundguy]

some states let you tag a vehicle or trailer for less than it's data plate shows. some don't.

I've also hear that enforcement handling of gvrw is different state to state. ie.. if you derated and tagged a large traielr lower in say.. fl.. you'd be ok.. whereas in another state.. say OH or NC and yer vin plate on the truck and trailer exceede 26001 then you are in cdl land and not ok.. even if 'tagged' lower.. etc.

heck, in fl, every time I renew the tag on my 1 and 1.5t dually, they ask me if I want to change the registered weight..

soundguy

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Isn't a trailer rated by the weakest link. I.e. if you put a 10K coupler on a 14K trailer wouldn't it HAVE to be rated at 10K or less?

If that's the case, it would be easy to re-build a heavier trailer to meet your needs.

 

[Big Wave D]

I will have to do a little investigating and see where my home state stands. I certainly don't envision any state line crossings. Of course that's now, who knows about the future.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Corm]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned. If you have decided to simply scrap your camper, give some thought to selling the appliances on Craigslist or Ebay. Those 12v refers are worth quite a bit. Also, you've got the hot water tank, water pump, and probably a gas stove and oven.

I work at an RV dealer, and we often have folks coming in looking for these used appliances. Whenever we get a unit in trade that is too bad to re-sell, we always strip out the good appliances. They sell for good money.

Just something to think about...

Corm

 

[Big Wave D]

Corm,

Thanks for the heads up. I wouldn't have thought of that. Appreciate the tip!

 

[muddstopper]

I find it interesting that everybody is claiming that since the axles are 5lug they must be 3500lb axles. Using number of lugs to determine this is ridiculous. I have a boat trailer with 5 lugs and I guarantee you its not a 3500lb axle. The Camper should have a GVW sticker somewhere on it, find it, read it, and know for sure instead of guesseing before you start your build. Your axles could be 2500lb axles or they could be 5000lb axles.

Camper frame is to light for hualing equipment, yep you can brace it up, but by the time you strip the trailer and buy the metal you need for Braceing, you could of stripped the camper of the axles,(assumeing there are what you need), and had the trailer built. The camper body is most likely aluminum, If it was me and I could use the axles, I would strip the axles out and sell the rest for scrap. The scrap price will probably come pretty close to paying for new steel for a proper trailer frame.

 

[Big Wave D]

muddstopper,

I will see if I can divine the true rating of the axles. If they are greater than 3.5K pounds, then I might just do a total build. I do have professional help that I can bring to bare on critical components where safety is a top priority.

I have no idea what I might get out of the aluminum. Anyone scrapped out a travel trailer lately? If so, how much did the 'goodies' bring you. If it could about pay for itself, this project, then I'd be really jazzed about moving forward with it.

We shall see...