Truck bed trailer?

[AMP762]

I'm thinking about cutting one of my old 1 ton Chevy's in half to make a bed trailer. The cab is pretty much shot, but the bed isn't bad. I'm sure I can't be the only one here to ever try and do this right? Has anybody got any pics of what the tounge should look like? I'd kind of like to make it big enough to add a locked tool box in the front. Should I just cut off the frame rails straight at the back of the cab?

Also after I unhook the driveshaft, can I just pull it with the stock rear end as is? Or should I take it apart and pull the gears out?

What about brakes...is there some way I can activate the stock drum brakes with an electric brake controller?

Just pull the axles,no drag.You could use a surge brake.

 

[zmoz]

I've been toying with the idea of a pickup box trailer since, as it's mentioned above, the price is right. If the trailer is made from the same model as your prime mover, the lines of both are the same and can look pretty slick.

Yeah, I have two matching 70s Chevy 1 tons...thinking an extra box behind it would look cool. I also like the idea that they share spare tires, and the truck box already has two 20 gallon gas tanks. I'd like to keep those and add a pump. I may even add another 25 gallon rear tank out of an old Suburban.

My 'other' truck is rated for 3300# in the bed and 12000# towing, so I think it should handle it well.

Think I'd get pulled over if I tried to hitch my boat up behind the second box?

 

[BHD]

as far as pulling, the short beds are more problematic than the long bed, you want the axle behind (towards the rear) the center line and make sure you load front heavy. If you have tongue weight it should pull reasonable, if you do not have tongue weight you will probably have trouble.

 

[Pops15]

Go for it. Cheap, easy and fast build. Just be sure to make the tongue long enough and add some gussets where you notch and bend the frame.
Only real expense will be the surge brake coupler.
Like Amp says just pull the axles. Find a racing parts supplier to get some dust covers. The wide five racing hubs use the same bolt pattern for dust covers and drive plates as your 1 ton axle flanges.
Not sure about the registration process where you are. No problem here. I built one for my BIL many years ago. I think it had to be registered at 3500 GVWR.
Paint it to match your tow rig. It'll look cool. You can add a cap to keep your cargo dry.
My wife's cousin built one out of a Datsun. His had a cap. Made for a cheap hunting camper.
The only first hand knowledge I have pulling one is the one I built and it pulled like a dream.
Post pictures when you get it done.

 

[Pops15]

Think I'd get pulled over if I tried to hitch my boat up behind the second box?

I saw a class A motor home pulling an enclosed car hauler pulling an open car hauler in Florida. That had to be tough to back up!

 

[dcyrilc]

Think I'd get pulled over if I tried to hitch my boat up behind the second box?

Depends what state you are in. Some allow it, some don't!

 

[zmoz]

Are most of you guys that made them just going without brakes? Or hooking up a surge hitch?

As I understand it my 14 bolt Chevy axle weighs about 500# by itself, starting to think about replacing it with something lighter. They're worth good money on craigslist too.

 

[zmoz]

Another question - does anyone think it would be worth the trouble to make it a gooseneck? My other truck has the hidden type that pops out from under the bed. That would put the tongue weight right over the axle...

 

[Cami]

My father's truck-bed trailer and my single axle utility trailer don't have brakes. A rule of thumb I was given and use is that if the trailer weighs less than half that of the truck then brakes aren't necessary.

Even if you don't hook up the service brakes, one thing you might want to do is use the existing parking brakes; just install a handle from the junk yard near the coupler. I remember seeing a lot of small utility trailers in Holland with this feature, but never over here.

As for ride height, I believe that if it doesn't need to be dock height then it should be built low as it can go. If loading a small trailer, I find a lower trailer easier. Of course we come back to the matter of the low cost of these trailers; for their price, a lot of faults can be forgiven.

 

[zmoz]

As for ride height, I believe that if it doesn't need to be dock height then it should be built low as it can go. If loading a small trailer, I find a lower trailer easier. Of course we come back to the matter of the low cost of these trailers; for their price, a lot of faults can be forgiven.

One thing is I need new tires anyway, so I'll probably get the shortest ones that look/work well. I may even look into lowering the bed a little, I know lots of guys like to make lowriders out of these trucks and there are some simple backyard ways to do it.