Picked up a trailer

[Greg]

A couple months ago I was considering building a car hauler for both my Willys, the Yellow '48 and the Crawler project. I wanted something small and light weight, but found I just didn't have time to build one to my needs.

Today I found this trailer locally that was 12' long, 7' wide and the price was reasonable. It's a factory built angle iron trailer from Oklahoma, has a Bulldog-style coupler and beefy diamond plate wheel wells. It doesn't have brakes, so I plan to add them on at least one axle. The owner had recently put new tires on and re-decked it. He claims it has 3,500# axles but I want to verify that. It needs quite a bit of work, new wiring and lights and I need to spend some time with the Sawzall and grinder removing the side extensions. On the positive side, I can re-use the angle iron on the sides and build ramps!

If I get time after work, I'll start hacking pieces off this week. I'd really like to clean up the trailer, remove the decking and treat it with Linseed oil and re-paint the trailer itself. It's been beat up and has a lot of rock chips all over.

It pulls well, I'm curious what it weighs.... I'll get it to a scale eventually and find out. Any guesses on the weight, once the excess side panels are removed? I'm going to say 1050#'s.

 

[Hickey]

I say 1280 after the excess racks are cut off.

I used these two items on the last trailer I rewired and it was a much easier process.

Lavolta 7-Way Trailer Truck Camper Plug Cord - Inline Harness Kit RV Blade Molded Wire Double Prong Connector - Weatherproof and Corrosion Resistant - 8 FT https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FWIFSCE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_JVKGAbXT2AN80


Trailer Wiring Junction Box for 7 Way or 6 Way Trailer Wire Connectors https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0053GIR1U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_5WKGAbPY9CJ4K

 

[Greg]

I was just looking at wiring, lights and stuff..... thanks for the links! I may add some reverse lights, if I'm feeling it.

 

[Greg]

The spare tire is just some random, old tire... the tires on the trailer are 205/75/15's and I'm pretty sure the spare is bigger than the rest. I'll replace the spare with a Maxxis 8008 and eventually replace the other tires with the same Maxxis. The 8008's are incredible trailer tires, they will hold up to a lot of abuse without much issue.

https://simpletire.com/maxxis-205-7...8O31frT5QrmdNU08zLMGZCeUInx_iz7BoCNdEQAvD_BwE

 

[I Lean]

It looks like you have plenty of room, you might consider stepping up a tire size...IIRC 215 instead of 205. You can get heavier weight ratings in that size, which translates to tougher tires.

 

[Hickey]

^ What he said.

 

[Greg]

It looks like you have plenty of room, you might consider stepping up a tire size...IIRC 215 instead of 205. You can get heavier weight ratings in that size, which translates to tougher tires.

Good call! Yeah, there is plenty of room under the fenders... I'll check ratings between 205/215/225 and compare.

https://www.amazon.com/Maxxis-M8008-Radial-Trailer-Tire/dp/B004QL6I0U

 

[BlueWolfFab]

I like that the front axle is right about 50% of the deck, should make for a nice tongue-weight. Not too light, not too heavy.

 

[Greg]

I like that the front axle is right about 50% of the deck, should make for a nice tongue-weight. Not too light, not too heavy.

It doesn't give me a lot of options far as tongue weight with the short deck length, but perhaps that's a good thing?

 

[BlueWolfFab]

I would think as long as you're heavy-end of the Jeeps loaded forward, you'd be just right and it would tow nice.

 

[Greg]

I would think as long as you're heavy-end of the Jeeps loaded forward, you'd be just right and it would tow nice.

I agree... I think it'll be fine.

 

[smfulle]

Man Greg, you have a lot of irons in the fire to be able to get this trailer ready to haul your flat fender to Moab for the Friday Flat Fender Fun Run.

 

[jeeper]

It doesn't give me a lot of options far as tongue weight with the short deck length, but perhaps that's a good thing?

The center of the axles is still on the 60/40 line as it should be. Just looks different because of how short the Trailer is. I think that is going to be a great Trailer for your little jeep!

 

[Greg]

The center of the axles is still on the 60/40 line as it should be. Just looks different because of how short the Trailer is. I think that is going to be a great Trailer for your little jeep!

Yeah, I agree... I think it'll be perfectly fine!

 

[Greg]

Man Greg, you have a lot of irons in the fire to be able to get this trailer ready to haul your flat fender to Moab for the Friday Flat Fender Fun Run.

What do you mean, it's ready to go! I worked an 11 hour day, then came home and chopped up the extensions and removed them.... then put the Willys in 4 Low and drove it on!

I think it's going to be TIGHT for the Crawler Willys that is going to end up with around 100" wheelbase.... may have to extend the back end of the trailer.... or sell it and buy a 14' er.

 

[Hickey]

I'll give ya $1200

 

[Greg]

I'll give ya $1200

Make it $1216... I used 2 Sawzall blades and 6 cut-off wheels, need my investment back.

 

[BlueWolfFab]

Can always add a lil dovetail

 

[Greg]

Can always add a lil dovetail

That's what I was thinking... it was crazy how quickly a 12' trailer fills up with a little Willys on it!

 

[Hickey]

I would make some small ramps/platforms to park the front tires on the front rail.