Sept  15  2020

Yes K Mart !

 

Here’s the proof…  These were kit trailers ,  they sold them in a box ..you bolt it together.  There is no welds…all bolts holding the frame together.   Can Tire , Harbour Freight and others sold them.  The date says 1995.  Sure why argue with that 25 years young.

How did I get it ?

Someone was moving across Canada and selling things like trailers.  Cheap and with registration.  That always catches my attention. Doing the ubiult thing is a pain.  So I put more value on a trailer with papers.    And this is what it looked like… Kinda home made.  Little 8 inch wheels hiding under there.

I could see that there was another trailer hiding under all those wooden parts.  The lights were broken and the wiring was hanging down… but sorta worked.. didn’t care.. I replace that stuff anyway.

Time to see what’s under this mess.  Maybe mess is too harsh.. cause it did work for the guy..  Sooo  out comes the screw gun and the crow bar.

I get down to this and there’s a legit 4×8 trailer .. with fenders , stake pockets and lights.. (however the left taillight is missing).

The plywood deck is actually ok..  but there’s too many holes from screws.  So I think I would replace it.. Need to repaint the frame anyway ..it’s a bit rusty.  Needs new tail lights and wiring ( done right).  Make new sides and there you have a good trailer.

Let’s Fix it  !

The first step is to strip it all down.  So just the basic frame is left.  Amazingly it’s not super rusty… and just like the registration says it’s grey !  I’ll keep that color on the frame but use the tough black paint on the axle , hubs and springs.

Here’s the plywood floor with a few of the bits and pieces.  I will be replacing the 1-7/8 coupler with a new 2 ” coupler.  And the bearings will be checked for excessive ware .   It was discovered that this trailer was a folding trailer. The 8ft deck folded in half and the tongue folded up too…so you could store the trailer in a small space.  Someone added some welds and a few bolts to make it rigid.  And that’s fine.

This solves the lights and wiring …as well as a new 2″ coupler.  I have 3 of the wiring kits.. So it’s nice to find a home for one. Bearings however have been a bit of an issue.  The hubs had play in them.   Seems the standard trailer kit is not a good fit.  Fortunately one of the four bearings was good and fit ..  so with the number we were able to order three more.. Once the hubs are good  then we are down to the cleaning and painting.

Let’s do a Page 2

May  23  2020

The one I bought is ok.. just ok.  It is 48 ” long but only 40 ” wide.   I wanted one that was the same width as my ATV.   Solution..  build one.  I have the old axle from the Scamp trailer.  So I bought a set of new 8 ”  wide trailer wheels that fit.

Nice !  but the axle is wayyy too wide.  So I cut 24″ out of the middle. That put the wheels on the same track as my ATV.   I also wanted more clearance for traveling over things in the bush..  So i turned the axle 45 degrees so the arms point down.

Mounted that up to some angle and we have the start of a tiny trailer.  Then build a 4ft x 4ft  frame with steak pockets and that is the size I wanted.

Made a tongue that allows the deck to tilt..  and  there you have a tiny trailer !

Added a stabilizer jack from an old tent trailer, and a new 2″ coupler.  Prefect !  Now I’m painting up some 1/2 ” ply for the floor and sides.

And yes the wood parts are blue… just like the ATV.

I sold it to a neighbour after moving to Alberta.

Sept  6  2019

This story starts with having to dispose of an old damaged Travel trailer..  It was obviously in the flood from 2018.   It was a mess, and needed to go to the landfill.   We moved it into my second driveway and salvaged what we could..  not much !

However the frame and axles were good…  The tires held air and the brakes were still working..  The frame is a good 5 x 2  box steel  with only surface rust.  So why not keep the frame like we did last year with the other two free trailers.  This was a big trailer… the body was 28 ft long.  So we cut the bolts holding the body to the frame and lifted and blocked the body..   At the landfill they used the big loader to push the body off ( flattening two tires in the process) So we were left with just the frame.   No cost because it was a flood trailer.

And here we have a very long but nice frame.  First off… remove all the extra bits ..  like steps and those side pieces and the propane tank holder..   Then I cut 7 ft off the rear and removed the axles.

 

I spent weeks cleaning and painting the axles.  They were in great shape.  The brakes were like new…  Bearings to needed only to be re greased.  These are 3500 lb drop axles made in Edmonton..  with good Dexter electric brakes.

I adjusted the brakes .. very handy working up here…  and replaced all 14 nylon bushings.   The frame was flipped over and the spring hangers were moved forward to the proper position for a 18 ft trailer.

Now the axles are back on..   Also bought new 8 ply tires .. load range D.  heavy duty…

Cleaned and painted the rims.. of coarse !  And we can now mount the wheels back on as well…  but first I need to clean up the frame

 

Here is a cleaned up… but unpainted frame.  ( because there is more to add ) I put the wheels on so I could move it to the other driveway… making room for the other old trailer frame.  Needing some of the steel from the rear end.

So I cut the whole back end off just behind the wheels.  This frame is C-channel  not box like the one I’m building.  And that C -channel is perfect for the uprights on the sides.

Here I have one side done.  The tall upright at the back is that way to hold the mesh ramp in the closed position.  As I progress it will all make sense..  to me at least.

Also important was the re – attaching of the rear bumper…  this makes the trailer 18 ft long on the deck.  Perfect !  There is a gusset plate  on the inside of the joint.   And I will have more to add outside too.. I’m getting better at anticipating useful stuff.. like tie down points.

Here I’ve added a rod across the upright channels because this trailer is for carrying things that need to be lashed down.

Today was sunny again so I got to the welding..  Top rails are on.

So are the taillight pods.  One more day of welding should do it.

And so I’m done the welding.. it  was a very nice day.. and I put in long hours to get it done..  This is what I did…

 

Rear tie down points..   These are important ones and the same for the front tie downs..  Great place to easily hook straps to.   Why not weld them in place now.. Then they get painted..

The holder for the box and the winch mount..  In the plans for sure.. I have a steel locking box and it will keep the winch and battery safe and dry..

And last of all the hinges for the windgate / ramp.  And after a test I had to move them a bit..  They can now be welded in place.

Today was a nice day so I did as much painting as I could…

All but the very back where the ramp needs some adjustments..

After welding a few bits on the rear..  and a spare tire holder …we are good to finish the painting.  And there in the pile of bits I had removed from the trailer frame was the spare tire holder..  Originally on the back bumper.. but now works great on the right side in front of the fender.  and speaking of fenders….

I got to work on those too.  Next is the wiring..

I got a start on that today..

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Installed all the penny LED marker lights..   These are tiny but bright !  Supposed to rain tomorrow..  So I would change gears and  work on the RZR 800…  Yes I have two projects on the go…. one in the shop and one outside..   Depends on the weather..\

Rainy today.. so working on the RZR…

Here’s a photo of where we are at..  It’s on it’s wheels.  Just missing a few things..  but I got a break in the weather and all the wiring , the winch and box are done now.

And yesterday we got the decking and installed it..

Looks great !  I’ve taken the trailer for a spin… and it tows as well as it looks.

The winch and battery are in the box with room for storing other stuff.  Just the windgate / ramp left to install.

Spring 2020….  Used the trailer last fall the take two ATV’s up hunting … rough roads..  and some of my welds broke.  So this spring I fixed those and made new mounts for the ends of the fenders.  Good to go again.

April  1  2019

It’s Spring !

This was the photo in the ad for a trailer that I could make better.   We settled on a price without the boat loader.. I have no use for that.  I’ve been looking for a wide, low flat deck trailer for a while …even considering building one from scratch.  And this one is as close to perfect as I’m going to get..

My friend was going to Kelowna …so he picked it up for me.   Tows great just the way it is.. The rack did not come with it .

And here’s what I got..   12 ” wheels, EZ lube hubs, LED tail lights, Swivel jack, new 2″ hitch and 2×6 treated wood deck..   All good stuff to start with.   This trailer started life as a double jet ski trailer.  I started by cleaning up the tongue.

I removed the step and the plastic grate . Don’t need those.  Then I replaced the safety chain and re- routed the wires through the tongue tube.

Nice and tidy now…   Oh and extra bolt in the coupler makes me feel better too.  Next the wheels.

The white rims look good but the tires were only rated at 880 lbs each…  too close for me.. These 12″ on black rims are more robust.. rated at 1200 lbs each..  And they are new !

I finally got the shop back .. Cleaned it out..   Now the trailer can be modified.

The first thing… remove the decking so I can add more framing for extra strength.

The next thing… add more length for the RZR..  this works great.. the front wheels park on this.

And then a support for the new mesh loading ramp.

Painted with the decking back on and the LED tail lights..  and we are good to go…  I used the trailer like this before getting the ramp built.

And it works great..  And I got the mesh ramp built too !

Now no need for those other ramps..  And that’s a wrap…

Nov  2  2018

And on we go…    It was a delicate operation…  but I used my Tractor to flip the trailer end for end..

Now you can see the angle of the tilt…. and the clearance the wheels have.

It’s a bit steeper than I would like ..  but if you want the wheels tucked under than this is what you get..  And isn’t it interesting how it’s balanced !  Hopefully I can keep that after I add the side rails.

Except for a hole for the wires..  and clamping the wheel jack on..  the tongue is finished..  As soon as the paint is dry I’ll attach it to the trailer

And there we have it !  And surprise !  I welded the side rails on too.   The latch worked out great..  I now have the jack / wheel on the front..  so it a three wheeler..  And I’m happy with the weight..   I can push it around quite easily.

here’s a bit different view.  The side rails are low… about 6 inches.  And the front cross bar acts as a wheel chock.

The jack is on the drivers side…  because it should be…  Still need to finish the painting,

Done…  All that’s needed now is the deck.

Not So Old Anymore !

All done except the road test … and getting registration.

Sold !

Right after I registered the trailer and took it for a test run..  Which proved I know how to build a trailer :)…   I put it up for sale and sold it within the day..   Bye Bye..   On to the next project…

  Acorn Trailer

Oct  27  2018

Made New Again !

 

I’ve been wanting to build another one of these.  AND now I’ll be needing one..  I’m planing to change my quad for a side by side.  And the only way to carry it properly is on a wider .. lower … trailer.  If it tilts for loading.. then better yet.

This old trailer was out on the farm.. it’s free..  BUT.. the only part that’s good is the 6 x 8 ft. deck frame and the tilting lock.  The old rear end from a car is toast..  And the hitch part is just not the way I would like it to be..

But I love this lock for the tilt.   so I carefully cut it off..   The small hitch frame I will use latter for a yard wagon.   Hear is a chance to use the axle and new 10″ wheels I have from the Colman Tent Trailer I took apart a year ago.  At 64″ hub face to hub face it’s perfect.

So I carefully rebuilt it.   And painted it..  The 10 inch wheels will be lower to the ground.  And I have 2 new never used wheels and two good spares.  I will need new springs, but i have all the other new bits…  so the running gear will be new… Put aside and ready to install .

So time for a new frame.  I bought new  2-1/2 ”  box steel.  Then welded an H shape that’s a bit wider than what you see above.  The old frame and the front piece of angle were cut out.. ( in red) .  That old frame was all bent up..and too tall..   that added extra height, which I did not want.  And the front piece was also bent..

After new notches were cut in the two cross pieces the old deck and the new frame fit together nicely.   I should mention that the new frame where the springs will mount to is the same as the wheel base on a RZR side by side.  That means the weight is held on the strongest part of the deck.

 

This cross piece is where the trailer tongue will attach with a hinge for tilting the trailer. But I need to add a few more bits…  two more cross supports , and some shims so the decking is level.  One of the issues with this kind of trailer is … where do you put lights?  Well they need to be tucked under the deck.  Same with the license plate.

So I’ll be using these pieces I cut out for a different trailer and did not use.   But they will work nicely.

 

And there ya go..   As well you can see the shim pieces tacked on top of the frame to level off for the wood deck.  Time to flip the whole thing over…

UpSideDown !

Several things are happening here..  The welding is finished on the underside…  and I’m working on the tongue.  The hinge , latch and hitch are all done..  Even a rest hoop that doubles as a safety chain mount.

The latching mechanism has been resized and should work great..  spring loaded so when the deck comes down…click!  Not sure if I’ll be happy with this.. will see.

Spring is Here !

Not really…  Today I went to Kelowna for some supplies..  includes two new 3 leaf springs.   Now I will know how much clearance the 10 inch wheels will have under the deck..

Well look at that.. I’m needing to ad 2 1/2 inch tube to the frame to give the tire 3 inches of clearance under the deck…   So we’ll have to see what the tilt angle ends up being..    Ends up to be 28 degrees.

I’ll need this left over piece cut in half…   more welding..  Good thing I have the extra pieces.

I tacked them in place and attached the springs..  put the axle on top.. and the wheel.. and whadya know three inches of clearance.

Took it all apart and finished up the welds with the big welder..  got to be strong.   Ready for the paint !   I randomly choose a brown..  witch turned out more like tan..

It’s like the base coat for a camo paint job.. good enough.   And it took two days to dry !   The next step for me is to do the wiring while it’s easy.

All the wires are inside the main frame tubes as much as possible.  The side marker lights are LED’s  I’ve recessed them a bit to better protect them. The taillights are not LED..  but they are bright.. and they too are recessed in a rubber grommet.   In the past I and others have broken too many trailer lights..  So now I’m careful how and where I mount them.

I am now ready to flip the trailer over on to it’s wheels…  and finish the top side..   Time for a new page..  cause there’s much more work to do…

ON TO PAGE  2:

Nov 21 2017

These are (interesting to me)  rare things that I have found :

Some I have fixed up and passed on ..  and a few I still have stored.   Now someone may argue that some of these things are not really that rare .  But if it’s uncommon for the average Joe to own them.. So here I is list them.  I’m going to start with the tractors / mowers ..  these were my hobby for a long time.  Many of these were documented in my old blog.  But now I’ve lost that because I wasn’t using it enough when I got my own domain with a new blog..  The one you are reading now.

This is a GE electric lawn tractor..  I went almost to Edmonton to get this from a farmer..  I never got it running and flipped it for more dollars.. to a collector of these rare tractors..  yes they are hard to find.

Here’s it’s big brother ( bigger motor) no mower deck, that was lost.. I found this one locally..  And I still have it ..  Very rare.

This is a Toro Groundsmaster..  A very serious mower.. with a large deck..  I had two !  and I still have the parts one waiting for me under a tarp.. needs a lot of work..  maybe not very rare but still hard to find..

Oh yes..  a very rare Struck mini dozer..   So cool.. got it running great.   works just like a big one..  but the size of a lawn mower.  8 hp.  I found this way up Kootenay Lake..   sold it..  I have a video

Rv’s that are unique..  and a bit on the rare side..

My 1977 classic GMC motorhome.  Hard to find a good one in Canada..  I used it two seasons and sold it for a profit..  they gain in value if you keep them nice.  I went back to pulling a trailer.

Our 94 Award 27 ft trailer..  Loved this trailer..  used it for many years.. but it started to have structure problems.. so we sold it cheap.

1986 Winnebago LeSharo motor home.  Not very common.. cause they always broke down..  French motor !  I have replaced the motor in this one .. But it runs like crap.  Sold it cheap as is… It’s story HERE

Let’s included the Boler Trailers !

# 1..  1973 Boler..  Fully restored by me in the winter of 2017-18.   Now lives in Edmonton.  See the Blog post  HERE

#2  1979 Acorn/Scamp,  currently in the shop and having a new floor installed.   I’ll update the photo when it’s done..  /you can see the blog post  HERE

ATV’s..  These are fun projects..

Early 1970’s 6×6 BAZOOO !  yes that’s correct spelling.  I fully restored this one winter.. and It ran good..   But I just couldn’t see myself keeping it.  I sold it to a collector of rare 6×6’s .. it now lives in a museum in Indiana.  full story   HERE

A rare 1974 Terra Jet.  4×4 amphibious ATV..  yup it floats !  It’s unfinished and stored for now..  I need to install a motor.  and do the body work..   Full story  HERE

Then there was a boat..

Very rare indeed.. 1959 Perfomer Seven Seas ..  I got about half way done and decided I would never get to finishing it ..  so I sold it to a fella who will..   I’m keeping in touch with hi, and hope to see how he does..   Full story  HERE

 

Aug  2017

It was free… and you know how that goes..  It was also broken..  So.. time to make something different from the old girl.   I’ve done it before..  made a nice useful trailer out of a old funky one..  I wish I took a photo of the Coleman before I took it apart.. But I forgot…    So the photos start with a stripped down trailer (frame) ready for some decisions on what to make.

But let’s talk about why I took it apart !

Why not just fix it up..  nope.  where do I start..  How about with the broken lift mechanism.  We had to hook up our portable winch to pull on the four cables that lift the roof.  The treaded block that is pulled along the crank rod was stripped.  And it was easy to see why..  The roof was so heavy from water leaking in and soaking the foam and wood that even our 2000 lb winch needed help.  so we went from corner to corner lifting and blocking … then taking up the slack with the winch ..  till the roof was up.   The roof was a mess.. and the canvas was ripped and things were just bad..  So I stripped the canvas off..  and removed the roof..  that darn thing must of weighed 1000 lbs !  It’s taken me two days to get the Coleman down to just a frame.  A pile of aluminum,  a pile of wood and a pile of steel.   And I’ve gained a few parts..  stove, sink, furnace, power panel with 30 amp cord, roof vent, ice box and two sheets of plywood..

She was big as tent trailers go..  11 ft long.  with the fat 10″ wheels.  and brakes !  All aluminum & steel.

What a great blank canvas for a trailer !  I will need to spend some money though.  new tires / wheels so that I can use the one good one as a spare.  Also a new 2″ hitch,  and treated deck boards should finish it of nice.   I plan to move the rear bumper in so that the deck is 11 ft long.  That balances the trailer better.  And I’ll trim the sides in flush with the wheels..  that makes the width exactly 6 ft.  The plan is to build it similar to the tandem  trailer I build and have been using for a few years now.

 

Love this trailer..   this has  worked very good.  But for the little guy I will do solid sides with stake pockets so you can add height.  Oh and same height all the way around not raised in the front

For now I have to put this project aside to do other stuff.

Sept 9 2017

Well I can’t work on the LeSharo till I get the motor hoist back..  So I got the new driveway done..  and now I’m thinking I’ll tackle the new trailer.   I’m off to PA to get two new wheels for it..  I have new lights and a new 2 ”  coupler..  so I can get to work.

I removed some of the crap .. like the propane tank holders, chains and the wiring .  And today I stripped the frame of all the stuff that I don’t need …and some stuff I’ll change

Now I can pick it up..  so I put it up high on the saw horses.  Oh and it’s upside down for a bit till I get a few things done.  First thing is moving some of the cross pieces.  One by one I’m spacing them out more evenly.

The brakes got put on this project .. when I bought a Boler project..I will need the frame for that..  so.. nothing more to see here..

So see how I use the frame on the Boler !

Aug 2016:

Realizing that ramps were not working good for lawn tractors.. I needed a small tilt deck trailer that could be towed by the Carry.  This all was before I sold the Carry.

I bought this off a fella for $100.  a few months back.  It’s an old tent trailer frame.  Which does not tilt,  the tongue is a little bent, but the wheels and springs are like new..

And it has new lights !  BUT it’s seven feet wide..  I want the trailer to be only five feet wide.  So time for some mods.

Here’s the frame after removing the wood.  There is jack stands on all four corners.. Some are bent up, but all of them haft to go.  I can use the bits I cut off to make the frame a bit stronger.   I need the rear to be tapered and slim so it comes close to the ground when tilted.  So I’m cutting off the rear bumper.  The main frame is four feet wide. The wheels are another eight inches on both sides.  So I will need narrow fenders..  and the lights will have to move forward so they don’t hit the ground.

Cut Cut Cut .. Weld Weld Weld…

I plan as I go.  And so far it looks good.. I fear I’m adding more weight with all the extra metal..   But I don’t want a flimsy trailer.

I moved the axle to the top of the springs..  and that lowered the trailer by 4 or 5 inches.  Now I’m concerned that the deck will hit the wheels..  Once I flip it back over I will see.

This took awhile to figure out..  and a few trips to the metal stash to find the right bits.  But I got it.. very “over built ” tilt system for the hitch tongue.  Then I flipped the trailer back on it’s wheels and could see two things..   The wheels are close to the deck..  So maybe small shallow fenders?  And the deck is just a touch heavier on the front so it won’t stay in the tilt position.   I was thinking of all kinds of ways to fix this..  adding weight to the rear.. no..   Finally I thought to tighten the hinge bolt  !  Now it stays wherever you put it.

Here’s a view of the hinge.  I purposely located it forward of the axle so the deck would drop down..  DUH.. the real hinge point is the wheels.   So with the bolt tight things work fine.

Here’s the right side up view of my pin and pocket for the tongue.  Very sturdy..   There’s a few more things to do before the deck wood goes back on..  Like these…

Tail light holders !   And a mount for the hand winch…

Yes a hand winch will sit atop this platform.  Keep it simple and light ..   I’ve got the tongue all fixed up with a spare tire mount a hoop for the safety chain..   And I used the best jack stand  and welded it on the bottom of the tongue ..  CAUSE I CAN.

Looks like this now..  The jack stand is adjustable for height and folds up to the tongue.  The wiring is done too.

So now we have lights..   Oh and here’s what the winch looks like.

Just needs bolts and the strap… simple.   So I’m ready for the plywood to go back on..

It’s a perfect 5 ft x 8 ft.  and I had enough of the plywood .  I also mounted the tie down rails that were in the box of the Carry.   So it’s all done !

It’s sits level hooked up to the little truck.  Good

And tilts nicely to the ground with only a 3/4 ” lip

A winch for the dead tractors & spare.. We are styln…  I have the registration now and a new plate.  Like everything else at time I sold the little trailer..