Utility Trailer Gets a New Purpose

weldingisfun · Jun 1, 2016

The rear gates were next. I have found that having the right gate wider than the left, I am right-handed, makes it easier to load goats by yourself. And, by having the interior gate open to the right side of the trailer allows you to get your goats in and then push them to the front of the trailer using the gate. Keeping the left side rear gate closed prevents the critters from slipping back past you.

The left gate serves as the anchor point. It is latched to the floor of the trailer and the right gate bumps up against it.

The latch can be secured with a lynch pin or a padlock. The padlock is for when you are transporting goats and stop for lunch. It keeps the Lookie-Lous from opening the gates and letting your goats out into the parking lot.

There are some really stupid people in this world.

weldingisfun · Jun 2, 2016

Tail light mounts were the next step in the transformation. They extend out beyond the enclosure and are at eyeball height for the driver in the car following. No wiggle room for tailgating drivers who say they couldn't see the tail lights.

two_bit_score · Jun 2, 2016

You sure have thought of a lot of things for these trailers. :thumbsup:

weldingisfun · Jun 2, 2016

two_bit_score said:
You sure have thought of a lot of things for these trailers. :thumbsup:

Thanks, Two_Bit. This is the 10th one I have built and we use one on our goat farm, so I try to make improvements on each one.

weldingisfun · Jun 2, 2016

Mounts for the rear marker lights were made with 1 1/4" X 1 1/4" X 1/8" steel angle. This serves to protect the lights from big feet and heavy dropped objects.

After the dings were knocked out and the rust removed, the original fenders received a heavy coat of red oxide primer.

It was time for the 16 gauge cold rolled steel sheet metal. It was used on the front and the front two feet on each side. It serves to protect the goats from water spray when transporting them in the rain. It would protect them from snow as well, but this is central Texas and that just doesn't happen here.

The lower parts of the sides were also covered with sheet metal.

weldingisfun · Jun 3, 2016

The tarp tie down bar was welded on. This will be used to tie the tarp down over the sheet metal and the spare tire mount bolt was also installed.

Do you always lose the lock pin for your hitch? You'll have to try to lose this one.

rankrank1 · Jun 3, 2016

Real nice work on the trailer conversion. You definitely have put some thought and effort in to each of the 10 units you have built.

Only thing I can add is the 16 gauge box tubing would not last long in the Midwest rust belt due to road salt and humidity it rusts out quickly from the inside out. May work fine in Texas climate though, but might want to keep that in mind if you keep building these things and your customer base expands. I love box tubing and rectangle tubing for its strength, relative lighweight when walls are thin, and ease of fabricating with it. That said on my trailers I prefer angle iron or better yet C-channel iron (unless the box tubing is real substantial in thickness). My trailers sit outside in Ohio and angle or C-channel holds up nicely to the environment where all my friends that have bought or built trailers with lightweight box tubing have rust out issues real quick.

weldingisfun · Jun 3, 2016

rankrank1 said:
Real nice work on the trailer conversion. You definitely have put some thought and effort in to each of the 10 units you have built.

Only thing I can add is the 16 gauge box tubing would not last long in the Midwest rust belt due to road salt and humidity it rusts out quickly from the inside out. May work fine in Texas climate though, but might want to keep that in mind if you keep building these things and your customer base expands. I love box tubing and rectangle tubing for its strength, relative lighweight when walls are thin, and ease of fabricating with it. That said on my trailers I prefer angle iron or better yet C-channel iron (unless the box tubing is real substantial in thickness). My trailers sit outside in Ohio and angle or C-channel holds up nicely to the environment where all my friends that have bought or built trailers with lightweight box tubing have rust out issues real quick.

Thanks for the nice words. The square tubing used is 14 gauge, the sheet metal is 16 gauge. You are correct, the Midwest would eat these trailers, thank goodness I am in Texas.

weldingisfun · Jun 3, 2016

The fenders went back on and the seam between the fender and the sheet metal was filled with caulking. The sheet metal received a heavy coat of primer before the fender was welded on. The seams between the metal sheets were filled with liquid metal, sanded and primer painted.

Caulking was also used to fill the gaps between the sheet metal and the tubing inside the trailer.

The entire trailer received a heavy coat of gray primer, inside and out.

Luke'sScreenName · Jun 3, 2016

weldingisfun said:
The fenders went back on and the seam between the fender and the sheet metal was filled with caulking. The sheet metal received a heavy coat of primer before the fender was welded on. The seams between the metal sheets were filled with liquid metal, sanded and primer painted. View attachment 470729

Caulking was also used to fill the gaps between the sheet metal and the tubing inside the trailer. View attachment 470730

The entire trailer received a heavy coat of gray primer, inside and out. View attachment 470727 View attachment 470728

What kind of caulking?

weldingisfun · Jun 3, 2016

Luke'sScreenName said:
What kind of caulking?

Shop DAP DYNAFLEX 23 1.1-oz Aluminum Gray Paintable Latex Window and Door Caulk at Lowes.com

weldingisfun · Jun 4, 2016

Three new 225/75R-15 ten ply tires mounted on the newly painted wheels are ready to go on the trailer.

2" x 6" x 10' pressure treated boards for the floor.

The new floor is in. The boards are screwed down to the frame at mid point. The angle steel over the end (painted white) is bolted on. This allows for easy removal of boards when they need to be replaced.

two_bit_score · Jun 4, 2016

Looks like you are leaving a small gap between the floor and sides to wash it out? Or am I seeing things?

TBS

weldingisfun · Jun 4, 2016

two_bit_score said:
Looks like you are leaving a small gap between the floor and sides to wash it out? Or am I seeing things?

TBS

You are seeing right.:thumbsup:

weldingisfun · Jun 4, 2016

The weather finally cooperated and with the help of the Mahindra :thumbsup: the trailer went outside and up on jack stands again to be painted with 1.25 gallons of Rustoleum Gloss White. After 3.5 hours it looked like this.

weldingisfun · Jun 5, 2016

Back into the shop for the final steps, wiring and lights.

The oval shaped super bright tail lights right at eye level to the driver behind you. If that driver is in a car.

Rear side marker LED lights.

Even the license plate light is an LED.

Add the tarp, reflective tape and my contact information and it is finished.

Now, just to satisfy my curiosity. What would a trailer like this sell for in your neck of the woods? I know from experience that trailers in Colorado sell for nearly twice what you would pay here in Texas. Let me hear from you and thanks for following along. I don't make much money on them, but they sure are fun to build and it keeps me out from under my Bride's feet.