I told you, it ran just fine after I shook the dirt off.
Jeeper's New Travel Trailer: A Repair, Modify, and Upgrade thread.
- Thread starter jeeper
- Start date
I told you, it ran just fine after I shook the dirt off.
We have given this trailer 2 very long days of repair and cleaning this weekend. I’ll post some stuff.. but couldn’t wait to show you this. It made me laugh so hard. I don’t know if this is a factory fix or the dumb owner fix.. but the door jam had a major bow in the wood, looks like a factor bow to me. See the top, bottom, and middle gap.
The gab prevented the door latch from catching.. and the solution is 2 nuts behind then strike plate!! 🤣🤦🏼♂️
The gab prevented the door latch from catching.. and the solution is 2 nuts behind then strike plate!! 🤣🤦🏼♂️
- Location
- The Land Northward (Bountiful), Utah
A wise man once said, "it's only stupid if it doesn't work."
Man whomever fixed that must have owned my first house before me 😂😂😂
anderson750
I'm working on it Rose
- Location
- Price, Utah
The factory would have just sent it out without the latch catching
That’s what I thought as well, but other things that have been ‘fixed’ in this trailer lead me to believe that the owners weren’t smart or handy enough to come up with this fix. 🤷🏼♂️
Maybe they had a friend help or something
Day 3 of repair and cleaning. All day. However, a large portion of today was getting it to be ‘ours’. Getting our stuff in, trying to figure out where to put what because it’s so different. My brain can’t function well enough to try to organize the entire thing.. so had to take small bites at a time. Also had to spend a bunch of money on items like a missing pooper hose and cracked propane lines. Lots of nickle and dime stuff that adds up.
But the best part of today was getting my tire cover on. I wanted it soooo bad, and got it for Christmas last year.. only to realize the other trailer had the spare underneath… so I finally got to use it on this trailer.
But the best part of today was getting my tire cover on. I wanted it soooo bad, and got it for Christmas last year.. only to realize the other trailer had the spare underneath… so I finally got to use it on this trailer.
Lift kit day!
Just a simple spring over. Weld new perches on top of the axle, re-install under the springs instead of over. Took 4 hours, gained 4 inches.
I didn’t do a very good job of taking photos. What I did take was more for documenting, not showing off on the internet.
I was surprised when I let it all back down. The springs sit basically flat, no arch at all. So I assume new springs will be in my future.. but not this week.
Just a simple spring over. Weld new perches on top of the axle, re-install under the springs instead of over. Took 4 hours, gained 4 inches.
I didn’t do a very good job of taking photos. What I did take was more for documenting, not showing off on the internet.
I was surprised when I let it all back down. The springs sit basically flat, no arch at all. So I assume new springs will be in my future.. but not this week.
I noticed after the lift was on that the front axle seemed to have the tires kicked out a little at the bottom. This is sometimes common when you back into a spot at an angle.. leaving pressure on the tires and axle.. but the trailer was in the same spot as it was when I installed the axle. I checked the axles a little better and can see that the front axle is bent. It does not peak in the center, and has a little wave to it.
I’ve priced new 6,000 lb axles for about $800 with all the brakes and springs.. so I guess that will happen sooner than later.
In true to me fashion, I’ve waited as long as possible to get my frame metal, and now am in a rush to build my frame for an upcoming trip.
I bought 2x4 1/8 tube. It seems plenty strong.
2 questions:
- what do you guys use to remove the oil on new steel? I’ve usually just used warm soapy water. It this stuff is super thick for some reason
- how much welding do I need to do along the length of the frame? 2” welds every 6” or so??
I’ve priced new 6,000 lb axles for about $800 with all the brakes and springs.. so I guess that will happen sooner than later.
In true to me fashion, I’ve waited as long as possible to get my frame metal, and now am in a rush to build my frame for an upcoming trip.
I bought 2x4 1/8 tube. It seems plenty strong.
2 questions:
- what do you guys use to remove the oil on new steel? I’ve usually just used warm soapy water. It this stuff is super thick for some reason
- how much welding do I need to do along the length of the frame? 2” welds every 6” or so??
- Location
- The Land Northward (Bountiful), Utah
I've cut a pie wedge out of an axle and straightened it then wrapped it in some wide flat strap and welded over it. Worked well.
I use lacquer thinner for cleaning steel.
You can have the trailer aligned at Alignment Specialists....they basically bend the axles back to where they're supposed to be, but on an alignment machine so it's measured.
It will probably cost a couple hundred bucks, but save you replacing $800 worth of axles.I use lacquer thinner for cleaning steel.
You can have the trailer aligned at Alignment Specialists....they basically bend the axles back to where they're supposed to be, but on an alignment machine so it's measured.
I could actually get a new axle tube for about $120, and then reuse the brakes and parts I have. Or there are plenty of axles on KSL for cheap. The idea for replacing them was because the trailer is already maxed out on its own weight… Once I had More frame and motorcycles it would probably be over the axle limit. I wasn’t going to worry about it and just deal with it in the future if I needed to. But with as quick as I am at getting around to tasks, will ride on the bent axle for a couple sets of tires still! 🤣
- Location
- The Village of Kay
At least you didn't buy a brand new trailer and have axle issues...
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
I would order new 7k axle tubes and reuse your brakes/hubs/wheels. They will have a thicker wall tube. Your hubs will fit fine, but you may need a different inner seal.
Edit: I was wrong. Thought he already had 6k hubs.
Last edited:
Is that yours Dave? No bueno.
I was wanting to do something like this, especially to save on wheel and tire costs.. and I like the wheels I have. My impression though was that the hubs and spindles and whatnot were also not rated for more than 3,500.
I could save a ton reusing my brakes/wheels and such if they can be used
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
D’oh! My mistake. I thought you already had 6k axles. If you’re making the jump to 6k and new wheels, I would make that jump to 7k axles.
- Location
- The Village of Kay
No. One I followed up HWY 6 back in December.
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
Highly recommendI use lacquer thinner for cleaning steel.
You can have the trailer aligned at Alignment Specialists....they basically bend the axles back to where they're supposed to be, but on an alignment machine so it's measured.