June 2024

Something different this time…

This was an old U-Haul rental trailer that somehow found it’s way on to a farm not far from home.  And I found it in an estate sale.  I’m told it’s been sitting here for many many years.  Yup I’ll agree with that. The plywood is rotten. The tires are shot so it’s not going home with me today.  Price reflected the sad condition, and it’s still solid except for the plywood.

These are the only photos I have for now..( I’m so busy looking it over that I forget to take photos).  I need to go back and load it on a trailer to get it home. And he needs to clean out his stuff stored in there.  By the way that stuff is dry !  Yes the roof is in good condition. This will be a fun and different trailer project.

June 19 2024

Today I made the trip back out to the farm to bring the trailer home.  I don’t have a flat deck trailer nor could I rent one.  So I made the decision to get it road worthy.  Two things needed to work out for that.  The old rusted wheels had to come off, and the coupler had to work ! (in other words stay on the hitch). I brought lots of tools and a jack with some blocking. First thing… see if the wheel nuts will come off.  I soaked everything with WD 40 and the first one came loose ! But the second one broke off.  Yikes..  But as luck would have it all the rest came loose.  Here’s a quick video I made when I got to the farm and started that process.

Jacking the trailer up was not fun.  The duff on the ground was 4 inches deep.  And the trailer wanted to head down the hill.  So with the wheels in the car I headed to the nearest tire store and had them install new tires.  It’s crazy that these wheels are 6 stud 16 inch load range E tires. What you would use for a car / equipment hauler..  not a little trailer.  Anyways got the new wheels on and the coupler working.  Off we go.  Towed good ! full speed down the road no worries.

Made it home..

And here it is … Big wheels …Little trailer.  I forgot to say ..I took the tools to re-grease the hubs.. but even after sitting so long they turned smooth. So I left them as they were. However now after the trip home they are a tad loose.  No big deal.. It’s not going anywhere till it’s had it’s make over, and those hubs are only for those big wheels.  After all that I’m seeing the things to change for sure..  Those wheels are not needed. 15 inch or even 14 ‘s would be a better fit. But to do that the axle would have to be changed, because the hubs are big old 6 stud ones..  We’ll check it out later.

This hast to go..  Those old couplers come loose when you hit bumps.  and we hit bumps. It’s nice that it’s raised a bit so the trailer tows level. All I need to do is cut the old one off right behind those ears and …..

Here’s a proper 2″ coupler that will bolt on. I will also need to figure out a tongue jack.  And while we are up at the front of the trailer… Check out the old 14/2 house hold cord and plug they used for the lights.

Farmer fix for sure !  Plus there is no ground wire, just the lights. They used the coupler as ground… Okay that works (maybe) when everything is new and not rusty.  Not sure what would happen if you plugged that into a 110 socket, and I’m NOT doing that !  The way the trailer is right now there is no tongue weight at all….None.  You can lift it with a finger.  And that translated to a lot of rattling while towing. I will mount the spare (when I get one ) to the front of the body. And while we are talking wires…

The “extension cord” to the left side is broken.  That’s why I have a set of tow lights.  Oh and I weighed the empty trailer at the scales on the way home.. 1000 lbs !  EMPTY.  That tells me that it should have a 3500 lb axle at minimum. Check out the springs…

Count em… 9 leafs !  I don’t know what to think about that.. good or bad ?  The axle is however just a 48 ” spring centre drop axle.  And there’s that “extension cord”  so it must be from the factory.

May 3 2024

Decking time !

Also the side walls too.

Before I could attach these walls I had to drill thousands of holes and counter sink them along the top rail. You can see them peeking over the top.  Took me days and many small drill bits.

However the outside deck boards had to go on first.  The wall boards attach to those.. It’s like a big puzzle !  Video for proof..

The deck boards get bolted down with carrage bolts… lots of them.

Then it was time to get the gates installed and working.  YES… this is how it’s done and they swing wide to the side and also latch there.

I know missing a tooth..  Had to buy one more board to finish.  I painted all the wood screws so it wouldn’t look weird.  Install the jack and wheels and put this puppy on it’s feet.

I also installed the box and locked the keys in it..  How embarrassing ! That’s a very secure box .. I know. Had to cut the hasp and buy a new one.  I also water sealed all the wood. Hard to tell because it did not change to look.

On the next nice day ( because I didn’t want it dirty YET ) I took it for a spin up to the highway scales.

It weighed in at 800 lbs. Not surprised she’s a big trailer.  Had a few things to adjust like the latches for the gates. and the right side bearing needed one more turn on the nut. Tows great which is good cuz in a week it’s going on a 4 + hour drive north to move my Son.  Then it will be going to BC for our yearly camping.  Kayaks on top !

May 29 2024

Did the trip north, loaded up with lots of stuff.  No issues at all.  Just a little dusty.  We are good for the big trip in a month. I wish I had taken a photo of the loaded trailer.

June 25 2024

The trailer is all loaded up for our yearly group camping.

Just perfect for this !

Two kayaks, two e-bikes, and tables, chairs and camping stuff.  Not as heavy as the moving stuff… Good cause we are hitting the mountain passes.

April 11 2024

Onward Ho !

I now have the new fenders. Good thing because test fitting showed a problem.

They were too low so I had to add another piece of angle on top to bring them up. No worries easy fix. I made lots of short videos with the updates, here’s the latest one:

I now could build the two gates for the back.  and I picked up the new metal to do so..

Here’s the test fit, making sure there is enough gaps .  I also made some things like the spare tire holder.

This should be the ticket, nice and strong.  Also the new coupler was installed.

Bolted and welded ! New safety chains also installed.  Almost ready for paint.

This is one of the four hinges I’m using.  Very strong and greasable !  Paint time !

Just like that ( took a few hours) it’s all red.  Black under the fenders.  I’ll do two coats. And made a video :

Wiring is next.  You get to see those nice LED lights the same ones I used on the Jayco trailer.

Isn’t this great tucked away but very easy to see.  The wiring runs in the gap to the front where it goes inside the frame tube to the very front.

Where they appear and become the 4 pin plug.  Works perfectly!  and here’s proof…

The penny lights that go on the fenders are plug in because they poke in from the outside. and with this milestone it’s time for a new page.

Page 3

March 20 2024

Introduction to the New Trailer Project.

Another tent trailer frame..  This time I don’t have to deal with the body.  So Let’s start with a video:

It was only in the garage for a bit. I was still working on the Jayco trailer.  However after the Jayco was sold I wasted no time in starting on this trailer.  So let’s move on to that.

March 31 2024

Okay it’s on the lift and just like before out comes the cutting disc.  Not removing the axle, just the wheels. New wheels are on order.

Most of the unwanted stuff has been removed, or cut through.  Ready to flip over and finish the cuts.  I’m not thinking too many folks do this step.  For sure not on a big trailer.  This one is at the top of the weight that we can flip.

Belly up !   Well look at that no paint on the bottom.. The lift table will be pushed back under and up she goes.

Two new cross pieces welded in and the axle and the underside painted.  The label on the axle says 1800 lbs, but those spindles are 3500lb ones.  Hmmm.  New video about that.

And also talked about was my custom colour, dark red.  Oh and the new wheels are here.

So fancy !  These are a great deal from Princess Auto. Time to flip the frame over.

As you can see I did install those hubs and they fit perfectly.  I’m now adding the new bits of steel back on, like the fender supports. I’m doing a bit of planing as I go here.

Using some of the old metal left over from the Ponoka trailer.  I wont have much extra metal left after I’m done.  Here’s the latest video..

Like I said planing and changing things as I go..  Lot’s  to do before the paint.

And this is what I decided to do for a rear bumper.  The taillights are recessed in here so they are protected.  It all makes good sense when I’m done.

This photo shows how I finished off the front corners. Holes for the penny lights too. Here’s a video that talks about how the rails will go :

And let’s do it !

Starting to build the railings. Decided on 18 ” high, seams plenty. This is were weight gets added but also strength too.

Here we have the sides done. I’ll be adding one more upright post in the middle.  It’s really taking shape now.  Time for a new page as work continues.

Page 2

April 4 2024

Decking time !

I’ll be using the 5/4 x 6 treated decking boards for the deck.

And the sides too.  You can see all the custom cut stakes I made for the sides.  And here’s another video:

Now here’s what makes the blue paint work better… light grey stain on all the boards.

The deck boards don’t need this but the look of the trailer does.

Am I right ?  I think so..  Then the deck got the same stain.

Now it’s time to build a tailgate.  With more of the boards to finish it off too.

And here’s a ” show off ” photo.

And the “show off ”  Video.

Nice EH !  I must have done this one right… because I SOLD it the same day I listed it for sale… FOR full price.

March 11 2024

Here’s what I’m thinking :

I’ll build a nice sturdy utility trailer. The size will be 8 ft long and 58″ wide. With a pressure treated wood deck.  Here’s a new video talking about the change:

So with that it’s time to get to work !  The new wheels and the fenders came.

Yup this will work out better.  Don’t have to change the hubs and I can toss those  8 ” wheels now.

Here’s the jack I will use with this trailer. It will be a light trailer so chances are you will just lift it to hook up, but the wheel will be handy. Alrighty… let’s modify the frame to my vision.  Break out the cutting disc and then the welder.

That’s a good start.  You can see the difference already.  The bumper gets a trim and we have a bit of fanciness to make happen.  Here’s video :

Like this treatment for the end of the bumper.  The hole is for the light.  There’s more..

I’m doing this front and back of the fender mounts. You’ll see later why.

And this at the front corner …  Oh by the way those stack pockets are mine and I will be using them.  Time to flip the frame over .  Here’s a video:

And we are flipped.

A bit of welding here and trim some unneeded  bits.  Paint the axle and the underside of the frame.

Yes ! that’s blue. I had this in my paint cupboard for the boat trailer that I sold before painting. So why not.  I promise it will look good in the end. That’s all done so I flipped the frame back over to the right side up.

Now I can add the “stickem up” bits and the filler bits that finish off the frame.  This piece will hold the taillights and the latches for the tailgate.  Let’s paint !

Poof Painted..  And notice the extra mounts for the fenders.  Another video :

We are now ready for the lights and wiring..  I should mention that I painted the safety chains and the decision to put the spare up front instead of a box.

There’s that done and as you can see tested too !  Even I’m impressed..

Let’s not forget the wheels and fenders.  I think it’s time for a new post for the decking and finishing.

Page 3

Feb 21 2024

Yes There’s more !

We will now be in my new garage… bigger better. and newer.

#17:  Triple E Surfside. Fall of 2022.  Once again I’ve got my hands on a small fiberglass trailer, another Surf Side. This time it cost me a bit to buy it but it was road worthy and in good condition… just not up to my standards.

Read the post and you will get the whole story.  Safe to say a complete make over.  I prefer these to a Boler because the fiberglass shell wraps right under the trailer.  Anyway six months later and this was what I sold.

Yup a Subaru no problem.. all the way back to Prince George.  Small fiberglass trailers are hard to find now for a price that allows for the work.

#18:  Ponoka Trailer.  Or called the 12 ft flat deck.  July 2023.  I thought this would be a great winter project.

It’s finished!. Took two months off this winter because I can.  But I’m back at it… Should be done by mid March.  check out the post to see how I’m transforming this trailer.  Ok I’ll give you a peek..

This photo is from a few weeks ago.  If I had room and a use for this one I would keep it.  I’ve rebuilt the axles and brakes, modified the frame, new paint, new wheels, has a 5500 lb winch in an aluminum box, new deck and LED lights.

Finally….#19:  Jayco Tent Trailer.  But now the tent and the body are GONE.  Got this in Oct 2023..  But its being saved for winter.

I only kept the frame, and it’s a good one. I towed it home an hours drive.. no worries.  I did start posts for this with the ideas I have… Check it out and stay tuned for more.  So I said many many trailers..  19 to be exact ( as of now) …

All done now and SOLD in one day…  BYE BYE

Feb 20 2024

Oh ya there’s more we have only started.

#6:  Old Tilt trailer.  Nov 2018:   There was a pause on the Acorn trailer till the winter of 2018.  And what do you know a friend gives me an old tilt trailer.  So I quickly made it nice and new again.

Boy I’m turning them out… Sold it quickly too.  Modified the frame, new wheels, new lights and new deck.  And I painted it an interesting color.

#7:  Side by side trailer.  March 2019.  The Acorn trailer is now gone and this winter I traded my quad for a side by side. It does not fit in my 4×8 trailer.  So I found this one made from a double jet ski trailer.

It was nice and wide but a tad short . So I added that mesh part and ramps at the back.  Everything else was good to go.  I think I only used it for one season.

#8:  Scooby Trailer.  June 2019. As was the case often I got a free trailer.  I had a ten foot camper that did not fit my truck.. Sooo this 18 ft travel trailer frame was perfect to make what we call a “scooby”. Long story behind the name so lets just say we built the trailer to hold the camper.

And look a quad fits the front.  I used this rig for one fall camping.  The camper was in amazing condition.  Post for that.. Frontier . I sold it the next spring.

#9:  18 ft Flat deck.  June 2019.   Another free travel trailer !  This one was in the flood so the travel part was toast.  There was a free place at the land fill for flooded RV’s so that’s where the body went.  So let’s build a nice flat deck.

And I did just that.  We could fit two ATV’s on it.  I did a dumb thing when I sold it…Trusted the buyer to pay only half and I transferred it to him…  Never saw the rest of the money.  This was one of my best builds new tires, paint, new deck, heavily modified the frame. And LED lights all around.

#10:  June 2020.  No post for this one.  new Southland ATV trailer.  I thought I would treat myself to a new trailer for my ATV.  But I’m including it here because I improved it just a bit… I built a custom box for the front.  To hold the spare wheel and my tie downs.

Perfect for what I needed and I used it to move to Alberta.

#11:  Old K mart trailer.  Sept 2020.  Just a cheap project to keep busy.

This is one of those folding trailers so one can stand it up for storing. I only spent a few weeks on it and sold it right away.  New wheels, new paint, new deck.

#12 & 13:  No post for these. Oct 2020. I was looking for more small trailers to fix up when this two for one came up.  Only one registration though.  One was a tilt deck for snowmobiles, the other an old funky utility trailer.

Here’s the tilt trailer that I traded to a friend ( with the registration) for the horse trailer that was handy for the move..Later.

This is the old utility came with me to Alberta and I made a boat trailer.

#14:  Surf Side Trailer.  Nov 2020.  Free !  Abandoned and needed to be moved from my friends campground.  Even though I said I wasn’t going to do another fiberglass trailer I just could not say no to this one.  Very rough and FULL of stuff.

I’m thinking someone painted it green to hide it in the bush..  Another “frame off” restore, but this time I knew what I was doing.  Four months later and you would never know how rough it was.

It sold just as we were packing to move.  A tidy sum of money made on this one.  Check out the link for the posts.  I now had a reputation for restoring these trailers.

#15:  The Horse Trailer. March 2021.  No post for this..  but I do have photos.

I bought this about ten years go at a bailiff auction for very cheap. It was then sold to a friend that needed it.  In March I traded him back for the sled trailer. He had replaced the tires, and then I rewired the lights and got the brakes to work too.  My entire shop fit in this trailer for the move to Alberta.  I sold it later that year for a nice profit.

#16:  Dumping Trailer. No post. Aug 2021.  What the heck.. I’ll include it here because it was so nice.  The house we bought here in Alberta needed major yard clean up.  I was using the utility trailer but what a pain.  I decided to find a dumping trailer.. Nope so I bought a new one.  5×10 ..5000 lb and had everything you needed for dump runs.

So many trips to the local landfill they recognized me each time.  Lots of highway miles too.  once the yard work was done in the new house I put it up for sale.

Lets start a new page because there is MORE !

Page 3

Feb 20 2024

Ideas come to me in the morning

And this one poped up in my head.  How many trailers have I worked on , rebuilt, modified or just built from scratch ?  Lots…  I’ve lost count !  But as I get close to finishing the  Ponoka Trailer  I’m reflecting back, and we will find out just how many .  I’m not going to include all the RV trailers we’ve had, but I will include the four small fiberglass trailers.  I also wont include the many boat trailers ( they were holding boats) because I did nothing to them.  I was going to start with my Dad’s second utility trailer.  Second because he had one before this one since the 1950’s.  That one still stuck around on my brothers property for many years. The last I saw it was a few years back, and it was rough.

Here’s a photo from 2019. There was talk of doing something cool with it.  You know family heirloom and all.  The real rubber tires still held air from 70 years ago. Yup there’s a lot of history with this trailer. I learned to back up trailers with this one when I was sixteen. I’m not sure what has become of it now.  So let’s talk about Dad trailer number two…  He bought this trailer in Kamloops brand new in 1982. From a company that made wood stoves. It’s all steel !   I still have it and use it. I’m including it because I have worked on it… a lot.

Here’s a photo from 2001 when I used it to move my Daughter back from Victoria. This is when Dad transferred it to me.  Oh the trips and things that this trailer has hauled.  Hundreds of kilometers in two provinces.  I’ve rebuilt it once ,repainted it twice, three sets of new wheels, and I added a mesh ramp that could be swapped for the tailgate.

EPSON DSC picture

This was it’s first new paint job in 2001..  now that I own it.  Bottom part went from rust red to black.

This is was a rebuild and second time for paint in 2020. It looks like this now. And came with us ( loaded) on the move to Alberta.  I used a special epoxy paint on the frame and deck.. Now lets talk about trailers I did not keep.  And count them too…

#1:  No post on this one.  July 2013.. This was a free old Kaplan tent trailer that had seen better days.

I made a utility trailer out of it.. I don’t have any photos of it as a utility trailer.. BUT my Brother still has it and uses it.

#2: 16 ft Trailer.   April 2014..  And it’s only ten years ago !  My first tandem trailer project.

Made from an old travel trailer.  It was handy and I used it for a year or two.  New deck, tires, railings, lights and paint.   Someone offered me good money for it so off it went.

#3: Small Tilt Trailer.  Aug 2016.. Can’t remember where I got this trailer from.  But i fixed it up and sold it.

It was perfect for the Lawn tractors I was repairing.  Hence the hand winch.  But I stopped fixing the tractors.

#4:  1973 Boler.  Sept 2017.. This was a sad little trailer sitting in the yard of a friend. He was into cars and car shows. And a Boler was a popular way to go. This was too much work for him.  My Daughter really wanted one so I wanted to make a nice one for her.  Here’s the before photo.

This trailer needed a frame.  And I had just got given an old Coleman tent trailer…. So that was the steel needed to build a whole new frame.  And I leaned all about working on these small fiberglass trailers.  This is the result…

Thousands of miles was put on it while my daughter had it. Read the post (in green) and you will see all the work in restoring one of these.

#5:  Acorn / Scamp Trailer.  June 2018..  I no sooner sent the Boler off to it’s new home .. And this one came up for cheap.  I was soon to see why..  Also it was a long drive with my friend’s flat deck trailer. I’m crazy but I was up for it.

The floor was missing ! yup you heard right.  Check out the post to see how I fixed that.  New axles, paint, windows and other parts.  Here’s the after..

Sold it with the interior not finished.  Bye Bye..  I figured that was it for those little fiberglass trailers…  but wait…  there’s more .  time to start a new page for this post..

Many trailers page 2;

Feb 25 2024

The finishing touches !

Yup home stretch..  finish the deck just need to paint the tailgate. Here’s what we have so far..

What’s with the landscape ties you ask?  The 3 ” of extra lift means the axles clear the lift table.. Yes it’s hiding under there.

Pardon the wide angle shots. That’s how I can get the trailer in the photo.  One more…

Impressive !  Too bad I’m selling it soon. but I have no need for this size of trailer, nor the space to park it.  On to the tailgate… It’s all painted now AND the trailer is listed for sale. May take awhile for the right buyer..  Meanwhile I’ve remounted the tailgate.

Just a bit fancy, but following the theme for the trailer.  It’s easier the spray paint the mesh, and I had a can of aluminum.

Nice big grab handles.  The trailer is still 3 ” off the ground because of the lift table. It will be interesting to see how a 36″ ramp works for angle once the trailer is sitting properly on the ground.

And lastly a look at my latches and the shackles to keep the hinge pin from popping out when you use just a handle on one side.  And of coarse you would do that.  now we can say DONE ! Here’s a final video:

It’s staying inside for now because winter is once again happening.  Plus we are waiting for a buyer.

And one week later…  SOLD !