Converto Mfg Co. 4x8 Military style steel trailer 1981 model - A good buy??

[WoodrowCall]

Hi everyone! I'm looking to put together a small Overland trailer to pull behind my 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sport and I just found this for sale near my home. I'm not a welder, but I'm relatively handy in a garage and would like to do what I can myself. Can I get some input on whether this is a good buy? I'll happily post a log of the work I'll do if/when I purchase it!
Trailer Post

Also, if it's a good buy, are there specific questions I should be asking, other than the general condition of the axle, tires, etc.?

 

[wvtradbow]

Probably a good deal for a rust free trailer,depending on what you're looking to do with it an what you're vision is for this.The military "jeep" trailers the M416 an M100 are about 4x6 an looks to have higher sides than this trailer but probably a fun project if that's what you're lookin for...

 

[WoodrowCall]

Thanks for the response. I'm looking to put something like this together:

I'll probably go and check it out this afternoon to make sure that the body is relatively free of rust. I expect a little wear and tear, but I don't want any major structural issues.

 

[CampStewart]

That axle looks to me like it is not original and much wider than what it would have come with. The springs don't ;look to be trailer springs to me which is not necessarily a bad thing. If they are not original I would closely look at how well they are mounted. If the box is 4ft wide i think it looks more like 6ft long rather than 8. It looks to be coated with bed liner inside and a heavy coat of paint outside. I would look for patches and signs of painted over rust which would work its way through.

 

[WoodrowCall]

That axle looks to me like it is not original and much wider than what it would have come with. The springs don't ;look to be trailer springs to me which is not necessarily a bad thing. If they are not original I would closely look at how well they are mounted. If the box is 4ft wide i think it looks more like 6ft long rather than 8. It looks to be coated with bed liner inside and a heavy coat of paint outside. I would look for patches and signs of painted over rust which would work its way through.

I was thinking the same thing. It seems like there has definitely been some aftermarket work done.

 

[WoodrowCall]

I got the seller to send me some photos of the underside. Things look good to me, but I'm new at this! Thoughts?

 

[CampStewart]

There should be a perch welded on top of the axle that the spring sits on. Those are not very good looking welds although they are probably strong enough. Looking at the right side top where the bed attaches to the black frame the bronze paint is covering right over surface rust. The springs look to be aftermarket jeep springs which I would like. The rear shackle mount looks to be a mess and the spring hangers look to be too wide and pinched in. I think that frame is not original to the box and is either heavily "modified" or home made. I would not buy that trailer.

 

[WoodrowCall]

There should be a perch welded on top of the axle that the spring sits on. Those are not very good looking welds although they are probably strong enough. Looking at the right side top where the bed attaches to the black frame the bronze paint is covering right over surface rust. The springs look to be aftermarket jeep springs which I would like. The rear shackle mount looks to be a mess and the spring hangers look to be too wide and pinched in. I think that frame is not original to the box and is either heavily "modified" or home made. I would not buy that trailer.

Thanks for the input! I've passed and will keep an eye out for something in better shape.