Nov 29 2024

I’ve gone a long way on this project before the end of November.

So let’s keep going shall we….  It’s time to re- install the axle and the hubs.  Easy when you have new bolts and parts. And this allows me to double check the squareness of the hitch. Only 1/8″ out.. not enough to cause a problem.

And bonus ! That means it’s not seized anymore.  Cleaned up the hubs and replaced the broken wheel stud. The grease is still good, which really surprises me.  And the outer bearings are like new !  So a little paint and then put them back on, with new grease.

I’m thinking this will be presentable.  Those dust caps are interestingly big.  They are threaded on too. I need to get some 3/4 plywood now for the floor and the tailgates, so I can weld the hinges in place and finish the painting.  And I had to make a new frame for the lower tail gate using some pieces from the top tail gate.

This is my new frame… taller when closed and over laps the top one to hold it closed.. It was the opposite way originally on the trailer.  this will be 3/4″ plywood and the top will be only 1/2″.  The hinges are in place and work great !  You can remove the tail gate only if you have it horizontal.

It’s not heavy so easy to remove if it’s in the way.

December 3 2024

I now have all the plywood for the trailer..  so a few cuts and some grey solid stain on the good side for the outside.  This is the front panel.

Two coats of the grey, and this one is done and ready to install.

The 3/4″ floor sheet gets a black enamel paint on the under side.  When it was dry I flipped it over and slid it into place.  Then the front wall could tuck in there too.

And there’s a peek at the way things will look.  The sides are next.  I kinda wish the grey was a little darker.

And there we have it… a three sided box..of sorts. Not painting the plywood inside because it will stay dry and will be subject to abuse of all kinds.

Also I’m going to put 3/4″ fillers along the sides of the floor.   I’ll also be trimming off the excess bolt threads flush with the nuts.  I’m cleaning up the fenders next, because they can also get put back on.  They are going to stay bare aluminum.

If you look back at the photos on PAGE 2  , you will see a big improvement.  They were painted white (or what’s left of that) and covered in moss. My jack is possibly coming today and once that’s on I’ll put the wheels back too.  Time to clean up the garage and juggle things around for work on the roof.  No jack yet so the trailer mover is needed..

Wow everything fits in the garage!  I’ve already pried the pieces of the walls from the slots. Time to clean up the inside and paint that first. And then I realized why the roof was not heavy, and not rusted ! It’s aluminum… Geese do I paint it or sand it down ?  Anyway it’s on and soon to be bolted down too.

See the nice cream colour on the inside.. Ya no more ugliness.  And for those asking the question ..How did he get that big roof up there?  well with the help of a beautiful assistant of coarse.  I use the pipes that stick out each side so it doesn’t fall off.

With a bit of persuasion.. it slotted down on the plywood sides.  I am going to paint the roof.. It’s pitted quite a lot, so the paint will help keep it nice longer.  And done…

It’s not the best looking trailer. Using what paint I had has it’s challenges that way. But it’s in like new condition, which is the real goal. Hope my jack shows up soon. But next is the tailgates. And now I’ve painted the lower panels and will bolt those in place soon.  Meanwhile my jack finally came today just a week before Christmas.

And it’s a perfect fit , and a perfect height.  So the front stuff is all done.