What have I got here?

[c_mack9]

Found a cheap little utility trailer so I scooped it up. I'd like to make a RTT trailer out of it, like most of y'all. To get me started I'm going to start cutting the junk off of it and I have a feeling by the time I'm done it'll probably be a bare frame. I think I'm going to add an axle behind the current one because I want to put Toyota wheels on it and have leaf springs. I see full axle kits online but I dont see any with a Toyota lug pattern. Where can I customize my kit for an affordable price? etrailer doesn't seem to have one, and google isn't helping.

 

[c_mack9]

And let's say I just want to swap out the current hubs for ones that are compatible with Toyota bolt patterns, how do I go about finding the accurate measurments?

 

[rnArmy]

Looks like you've got a POS trailer (sorry - I'm not trying to sound snotty). There's no suspension on that thing! The axle looks upside-down. Frame looks cobbled together - you have no idea the quality of the welds and such.

The frame is the basis for your build. Don't start with crap. I'm suggesting a do-over. Sell this for scrap.

Once you get to 3500lb axles, you have more options for bolt patterns. Start here for axles: https://www.southwestwheel.com/p-30...me=3500-lb-brake-standard-spring-trailer-axle. Is Toyota a six on 5.5?

 

[c_mack9]

I was out in the shop looking it over and I agree with you, it's pretty crappy. I pretty much have zero in the budget for this so I'll have to make due for now. I might just mount the tent to it and forget it. It's probably not worth investing too much money into. I might see if I can sell it and get a harbor frieght trailer frame.

 

[maktruk]

I could be wrong but I'm fairly sure that's an old railroad cart. Hard to see, is it a pintle hitch?

 

[Martyinco]

I am not 100% sure, but that sure looks like a old I-Beam axle flipped upside down :bigbossHL:

 

[Waygoner]

It looks like the tongue is welded to the axle! Not good.

 

[rnArmy]

I was out in the shop looking it over and I agree with you, it's pretty crappy. I pretty much have zero in the budget for this so I'll have to make due for now. I might just mount the tent to it and forget it. It's probably not worth investing too much money into. I might see if I can sell it and get a harbor frieght trailer frame.[/QUOTE

 

[Beth641]

RTT trailer.. good idea

 

[rnArmy]

RTT trailer.. good idea

Yes. And that's technically a tent-cot. My buddy and I brought a pair of them on our last Canada adventure, and then when we got back home he gave me one of them (he had bought them both). They're around $375 each. Very sturdy but very bulky (it'll only fold so much).

So I decided to try mounting it on the trailer after removing the outer legs. It'll work, but there's not much headroom inside. And you can't keep a mattress or even a sleeping bag inside it when folding it up.

By the time I bought a ladder ($75) and have a cover made for it ($400) I'm about in the range of a nice about-the-same-size floor-wise inexpensive "real" RTT from someone like Tepui or Smittybilt.

https://www.amazon.com/Tepui-Ayer-T...TF8&qid=1475802079&sr=8-2&keywords=tepui+tent
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/154951-Smittybilt-Overlander-RTT-Review

 

[c_mack9]

Oh I've already got my tent. I love my RTT but so far I've only attached it to my truck so once its open I'm stuck there and I always forget something and need to go back to town. I just need the trailer so I can unhitch it, and leave camp setup for a change. I'm not planning on towing this one across the country or anything, just my local favorite spots in LBL. This trailer will handle my tent, totes, coolers, and bike rack... I hope anyways... I've decided I'm going to get some stake brackets, and carriage bolts, Yakima bars, and use a bunch of my 2x4s I have in the rafters of my shop to build out a simple rack and cargo tub. I've seen people build kayak trailers like that and I think that'll do me just fine for now. I might upgrade later if I like the trailer setup.

 

[c_mack9]

Where can i buy these other than ebay? Harbor Freight and Rural King do not have them. Going to check Lowes and Home Depot tomorrow.

 

[rnArmy]

Tractor Supply Company has them.

 

[c_mack9]

thanks. the only ones I saw on their website didn't have the bottom lip so I just ordered these off eBay. I think I'll get them in time.

 

[JPShooter]

Looks like something someone put together to pull lawn equipment and such. I say spend about $100 on sandblasting and another on a quick paint job and sell it for a profit as a lawn mower trailer. Painted it's probably worth $500. Don't waste good money for tents and stuff for something you won't keep. Tents can always be put on the ground too.

Just what Pinz said.

Or just use it as a dump trailer (going to and from that is), and if it ever is warranted, just leave it there with the last load!

Seriously, I'd do what Pinz suggested and pocket a little cash and move along. But that's just me

P.S. I'd hate to load that up with items of worth and have it come apart on the highway. Just your tent is worth way more than what you have in that trailer.