- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Picked up a trailer
- Thread starter Greg
- Start date
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
I'm still working on the trailer rebuild and it's coming along, but I really want to add a winch (probably a Harbor Freight 5k 🤢 ). I'd rather have a Warn winch, but I doubt this will get used often and if someone decides they want it more than me, I'm not out much. With the 20% discount, they're just over $100. I think 5k will be more than enough for a trailer, to drag a dead rig up the ramps.
So far as powering the winch, with the Round 7 pin connector, I'll have a 12V power lead on the trailer, coming from the truck. It's not a big wire, but I'm curious if it would be enough to keep a battery topped off whenever the trailer is hooked up, for the occasional winch use? Of course, it won't be a heavy load and probably not more than 20' of winching at a time when used, just to load a possible dead vehicle.
Thoughts?
So far as powering the winch, with the Round 7 pin connector, I'll have a 12V power lead on the trailer, coming from the truck. It's not a big wire, but I'm curious if it would be enough to keep a battery topped off whenever the trailer is hooked up, for the occasional winch use? Of course, it won't be a heavy load and probably not more than 20' of winching at a time when used, just to load a possible dead vehicle.
Thoughts?
That will be enough to charge the battery, if you tow the trailer every couple days. If you're like me, the trailer will sit for much longer periods of time between uses generally. So your battery will be dead every time you try to use it. (and dead batteries stop taking a charge pretty quickly also)
I wanted to put a small solar panel on it, to keep the battery maintained. But then I didn't do that, and I ended up with no battery at all--I need to grab a battery any time I want to use the winch. That has worked out well, since I need the winch once every few years.
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
My dump trailer runs off a battery that's charged through the pigtail from the truck. It also has a receptacle to plug it in to a 110 outlet ifs it gonna sit for along time. I haven't had any problems with the battery and I've never plugged it into 110.
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
That will be enough to charge the battery, if you tow the trailer every couple days. If you're like me, the trailer will sit for much longer periods of time between uses generally. So your battery will be dead every time you try to use it. (and dead batteries stop taking a charge pretty quickly also)
I wanted to put a small solar panel on it, to keep the battery maintained. But then I didn't do that, and I ended up with no battery at all--I need to grab a battery any time I want to use the winch. That has worked out well, since I need the winch once every few years.
I can add a small solar panel or 2 to keep the battery topped off. I have a small tool box and the lid could be a good place for solar. Run leads to a battery in the box and be good to go!
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
That's a good idea!
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
This is taking way longer than planned and it has been a TON for work, but I want to do it right, add the things I want to this trailer and set it up so it works well for my needs. I'd guess I have around $500-600 in material & parts at this point. It was a $1000 trailer, so $1600 into a good 16' car hauler seems like a good place to be.
Here's what has been done;
I planned to powder coat the rear tie downs Black, but the gun was already loaded up with Gold from a previous project.... so out of sheer laziness, I left the Gold in the powder gun!
Here's what has been done;
- New trailer jack, moved mount back so it doesn't hit tailgate when dropped.
- New 7 wire plug, distribution block and all new wiring to brakes & lights.
- Repaired & lubed hitch lock, welded on hitch pin for handle.
- Heated up and straightened parts of frame that were bent.
- New 2x6 decking treated with Boiled Linseed Oil.
- Added 3,500# Harbor Freight Winch ($120).
- Added tool box for tie down tools & Jack.
- Cut off old fenders, welded new ones on.
- Build drop legs for rear of trailer.
- Welded on new D-Rings F & R.
- Built new 5' long ramps.
- Built spare tire mount.
- New LED lighting.
- New paint.
I planned to powder coat the rear tie downs Black, but the gun was already loaded up with Gold from a previous project.... so out of sheer laziness, I left the Gold in the powder gun!
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
I just painted it today, used Tractor Supply Matte Black, at $25 gallon, plus Hardener and Reducer. I used the entire gallon, first 2 coats were pretty light and the 3rd was a bit heavier. I just hope it looks decent for a few more years and keeps the rust away a little longer. It's cheap paint, but perfect for a trailer.
It already looks like a different trailer! Some early pics of reassembly, too.
It already looks like a different trailer! Some early pics of reassembly, too.
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
Get the wood on!!! Looks good.
(I’ll bring down a 28’ unit and we can redo that deck )
(I’ll bring down a 28’ unit and we can redo that deck
)
RockChucker
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Highland
Looks good. Best thing I’ve done to my flat bed was add reverse lights (center pin on the 7 prong rv plug most trailers have). Just one more thing to do “while you’re at it”
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Get the wood on!!! Looks good.
(I’ll bring down a 28’ unit and we can redo that deck
Hell, I'm still waiting on the paint to dry! It's still tacky right now, probably going to let it set up and cure. I have a couple more minor things to do, then the deck will get dropped into place.
Go ahead and start that 28' trailer at your place, without me....
I'll catch up in my free time.... Way more work than anticipated! I wish I would have just sold it and bought a new one at this point!
But with the new tie downs, winch, ramps, drop legs & tool box it will be just what I wanted/need, so that's worth all the effort.Yep, I stubbed out the wire for reverse lights at the back of the trailer.... just need to find something that works & won't get beat up over time. What did you use for reverse lighting?
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
RockChucker
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Highland
When I designed the tail lights for my tj that I had @skippy machine when he was at a machine shop...I bought several sets of led “Jeep” tail lights from some led online place. I had a set left over and mounted them to my trailer.
UNSTUCK
But stuck more often.
Stop by my house on your way and throw my trailer on top of yours. You can do it too.Get the wood on!!! Looks good.
(I’ll bring down a 28’ unit and we can redo that deck
Unimog
Eric
- Location
- Stansbury Park, UT
Nice. Hope that tractor supply paint worked well for you! That is the same stuff and color I'm using on the bed of the Freightliner.
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
It sprayed a little chunky, but it looks like it'll hold up... only time will tell! Not bad for $25/gallon.
Here's what I posted on FB about it....
"Its paint day for the trailer!
Brought to you by Tractor Supply paint- "When you need cheap paint, think of Tractor Supply!" Voted #1 paint by backyard painters with low expectations and poor eyesight! Seriously, don't paint your car with this stuff."
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
I think it's great for that application!
Pile of parts
Well-Known Member
- Location
- South Jordan
You might want to give some credit to the disposable Hobo Freight paint gun as well.
Chunky paint is just thicker and should hold up better.😜 Trailer is looking great!