New member starting trailer project: Sears or David Bradley trailer, I believe

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

I recently picked-up this trailer to start a camping/expedition trailer build. I was not able to identify the trailer model, but it just seemed like a cool, light weight trailer.

I was able to find some info yesterday on "Ben Hur" and Sears/David Bradley trailers. I think I have one, but there are no ID plates on it. It was titled as a 1968 Homebuilt, but I think it is a 1950s possibly. It appears to be in very good, fairly original condition. I'm loving this little trailer so far.

If anyone knows anything about these, please fill me in. I will continue to read-up on them as well. Thanks :beer:

Here she is:
The Craigslist ad photos

First pics after pick-up

Cool jerry can

Plywood in the bed, with multiple bolts. Why, Why, Why??

Plywood removed. Not too bad. Whew!!

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

Additional inspection photos
One small area of rust; the rest of the bed is just surface

Treated full bed with rust converter, for now. Then bedline spray, so that I can use the trailer now.

Not original fenders, wheels or tires

Undercarriage needs some help, but appears to be original

Removed spare

Added a recycled 4x6 rubber mat from Lowes; easily pulled out. It is a great fit, without cutting. 22oz black tarp on order as well, to keep things dry.

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

Camping trip planned for last weekend, so quickly scored a 6' Sportz III truck tent (for Dodge Dakota ext cab, or similar trucks) off Craigslist for $100. Worked very well. :wings:

First setup in driveway

Double air mattress; perfect fit

Lots of headroom

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

Packed and ready to go; ghetto blue tarp for now :clapsmile

All set-up at camp, by the river. Gotta love it :victory:

The wife even decorated :Wow1: The most comfortable tent camping I have experienced. 4x7' of sleeping space, with tailgate dropped.

 

[SWITAWI]

What a great little trailer. Good job on the cleanup and tent selection. Thanks for sharing!

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

Thanks. Working on build plans now. So many great ideas in Expo.

 

[mrwizard]

Can't wait to see what comes next. How long does the truck tent take to setup from the time you land in camp? I really like the thrift value of the whole setup. How well would you score the thrift-to-setup-time ratio? What I mean is that this setup is far less expensive than a rooftop tent on a frame above the trailer, but also a fair bit more intense to setup. What are your thoughts?

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

The setup takes no more time than a comparably sized tent. Only 5 tent poles and it sets-up on the trailer, so it never touches the ground. Value is priceless, compared to $1300+ for a rooftop. In time I may go the rooftop route, but for $100 to camping in 3 days I am

Only downfall is needing a place for your stuff when trailer is setup for the tent. I will get a privacy shelter to change in and just tossed some stuff in the Jeep overnight. It wasn't really a big issue.

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

It's going to be a slow build since I am lacking a garage and shop, but it will get done.

Test fitted a set of 35 BFGs. Will be adding a little more fender clearance once the whole trailer is sandblasted and modifications begin.
New vs. what was on there

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

Over the weekend:
1) checked the bearings and repacked them, for now. Will be replacing axle and hubs this Winter.
2) tack welded a loose wheel stud
3) installed both 35s
4) installed 6x8 22oz black tarp. Ordered a 5x7; 6x8 is a little too big for the tub, but worth having for larger loads.
5) adjusted hitch height; may lower an inch or two. Would like the trailer to sit just above level, so when the Jeep is loaded everything is level.

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

Minor add to the tongue. I have this receiver-mount Pet-Step from a previous vehicle. Have been trying to figure out what to do with it for years. Makes a nice aluminum step or platform area. So, I added it to the extra receiver that had been welded to the tongue. Worked out nicely. Will probably store the wheel chocks there, with a pin.

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

Not much progress on the trailer lately; too busy using it to end the Summer.
Picked up 3 simple cheap wagon wheel style rims off Craigslist; Bedlined them. Should be on tomorrow.

Will start the teardown process for sandblasting soon.

 

[Dirtytires]

Trailer looks really neat. One thing you might want to do is to add two orange reflectors on the front (sides).
Really cool though.

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

Thanks

It has the 2 small round reflectors in the front corners. Once painted, I will add side lighting; especially with the dark conditions we get up here in the NW much of the year. Brighter is better.

 

[Dirtytires]

Brighter is better. True, but sometimes besides painting them bright orange and yellow , folks don't have much patience anymore while driving.