To build my old trailer or buy a new to build.

[jhill15]

Hey everyone, i'm new to this whole trailer thing so forgive me for sounding like a total newb. I want to build a camping trailer but im not sure if I should build off the utility trailer that I have now or try to find a military trailer or even a newer utility trailer thats already half way there "larger axle, tires, metal floor etc..." also this isn't really gonna be an extreme offroad trailer just camping trips and light offroading.

Heres what im working with.
4x8
900 pound axle
8" tires...I think, they are pretty small.
Plywood floor "needs replaced anyway"
2x4 sides "also need replaced"

1st
Would be a larger axle. There are many on the internet for pretty cheap. But im not sure what to get as far as weight and what hub bolt, tire size, so I can just bolt it right to the mounting points that already exist. I want to go as large of a tire that I can. Possibly 14 inch but i'm also not sure if there is an axle that will fit the 4ft width with 14 inch tires.

2nd
I'm thinking about just re-doing the floor with more plywood as it would be the cheapest route...however I want this thing to be able to keep dry and not have to replace it in another 5 years. So should I just go with metal?
If so where do I locate and what would be the cheapest metal to use?

3rd
Would be the sides. I most definitely want to have metal sides and frame it with metal. So later on I can add a rtt.

4th
A lid. I found a leer hardshell tonneau cover on c.l. for super cheap and its hard not go and snag it up right now, but i'd like to get some opinions first. My plan would be to modify it to fit the trailer add some long struts, some heavy duty cross bars on top for my canoe. The tonneau cover is 4.5 ft x 6.5 ft. So it wont be long enough to cover the entire length of the trailer. Which leads me too...

5th
Rear gate. Bringing the sidewalls of the trailer back to 6.5 ft to match the length of the tonneau cover and adding a swing gate would give me a small platform on the end of trailer. This could be used for extra storage that doesnt require being dry.

At this point i'm kinda stuck between doing this or finding a trailer that doesn't require that much work.

Thanks for any advice, help, knowledge, and suggestions in advance!

 

[Ozarker]

I'm in the same boat, 4x8, tilt with rear gate, all steel, 14" wheels/tires. It's heavily built with a removable ball coupler. Steel side walls with expanded steel for cargo. Mainly, it was built for my lawn tractor and hauling my bikes.

Guess you need to look at the costs of modifying it to what you want, I'd use a steel bed, I'd rather paint every ten years than tear out wood and replace. Cost it out, then look at alternatives with another trailer.

Consider where you're really going to go and where you might go, then build a bit stronger than expected, I always do things with overkill, but to a point $$$$.

What is the frame material size, I have 3" box, my axel is the weakest link, 1500# I think, 5 bolt pattern. I'd like to take that to a 15/16" Ford wheel so my truck spare would work, otherwise I'll need a spare for the trailer. I'd say 14" is sufficient for light travel off road and highways, mine tracks just fine.

I just put tires on mine yesterday! Road ready but it really needs cleaned, painted, new fenders, wiring and lamps. It's 15 years old so it needs a face lift.

My plan is still to go with a pod that slides in for camping, pull it off and leave at a camp or out so I still have a utility trailer.

I have put my 16' canoe on it, balance upside down and lashed on without any problem, same with a 16' kayak. Uprights don't need to be vertical, depends on your loading but they can go up at an angle forward and to the rear, fit into slots, any top rack you like. You can increase the base platform for a top load going that route but consider the load and material sizes......my canoe is only about 45 pounds. You can also go straight up and extend the rack on top too, that might be stronger. I'm not an engineer.

What is the tow vehicle? I really don't want a 16' trailer behind my F-150. My Forrester can also pull it without any issues.

 

[jhill15]

I'm in the same boat, 4x8, tilt with rear gate, all steel, 14" wheels/tires. It's heavily built with a removable ball coupler. Steel side walls with expanded steel for cargo. Mainly, it was built for my lawn tractor and hauling my bikes.

Guess you need to look at the costs of modifying it to what you want, I'd use a steel bed, I'd rather paint every ten years than tear out wood and replace. Cost it out, then look at alternatives with another trailer.

Consider where you're really going to go and where you might go, then build a bit stronger than expected, I always do things with overkill, but to a point $$$$.

What is the frame material size, I have 3" box, my axel is the weakest link, 1500# I think, 5 bolt pattern. I'd like to take that to a 15/16" Ford wheel so my truck spare would work, otherwise I'll need a spare for the trailer. I'd say 14" is sufficient for light travel off road and highways, mine tracks just fine.

I just put tires on mine yesterday! Road ready but it really needs cleaned, painted, new fenders, wiring and lamps. It's 15 years old so it needs a face lift.

My plan is still to go with a pod that slides in for camping, pull it off and leave at a camp or out so I still have a utility trailer.

I have put my 16' canoe on it, balance upside down and lashed on without any problem, same with a 16' kayak. Uprights don't need to be vertical, depends on your loading but they can go up at an angle forward and to the rear, fit into slots, any top rack you like. You can increase the base platform for a top load going that route but consider the load and material sizes......my canoe is only about 45 pounds. You can also go straight up and extend the rack on top too, that might be stronger. I'm not an engineer.

What is the tow vehicle? I really don't want a 16' trailer behind my F-150. My Forrester can also pull it without any issues.

Thanks ozarker.

I completely argree with everything you said and hearing from someone else to use a steel bed as opposed to wood just makes sense in the long run.

Heres a pic of it to get a better idea.

Its starting to get run down so thats why Im gonna make a decision on whether to keep it or sell it for...more than likely a fraction of what a better trailer would cost.

The frame is solid however I pretty sure its a c channel frame and not a box frame.

I've towed with a land rover d2, a nissan xterra, and currently a Mitsubishi Montero limited. Which is kind of why I would like to keep this one instead of finding a military trailer. The hitch on th montero is pretty low. I had to flip the ball on my receiver so it would ride slightly tilted up that way my riding lawn mower would drive up on it without getting the mower deck stuck. However trying to get my mover up on there wont be a problem any longer as I just intend to use the trailer for hauling camping gear and my canoe.

 

[Ozarker]

I'd use that one if the bones are good! Nice size platform! You can buy a trailer ready to go, someone else's idea of a trailer and live with it or build to suit your needs which will probably cost you more, but I'd think well worth the difference. I'd strip that down to the metal and start in, do it right the first time. Careful out there!

 

[jhill15]

Yeah I have decided to use mine. It will be a slow build, but that way im not dumping a good bit of money in it right off the bat. I can buy things here and there.

I was completely wrong about the frame. Its a box frame, idk why I thought it was a c channel lol.

Fisrt thing is to strip it down and do some surface rust repair. Then axle, tires, i'll work my way up from the bottom.

Thanks again ozarker!

 

[plh]

know if you find a good 4' axle, I'm planning a similar rebuild. I'd like to bump the tire size of mine up to 15" with the same 6 bolt pattern as the Montero, and add brake shoes (parking only).

 

[jhill15]

know if you find a good 4' axle, I'm planning a similar rebuild. I'd like to bump the tire size of mine up to 15" with the same 6 bolt pattern as the Montero, and add brake shoes (parking only).

Thats sweet! Could you order a 4' axle from a trailer parts store online then some wheel adapters and larger hubs?

I'm new to all this stuff so forgive me if i'm completely wrong and sound like an idiot lol.