New/Old Trailer Refurb

[QuickBullet]

SO...being I've never owned a single axle trailer, which is what came under my 20XDC I decided to have a tandem built. I certainly didn't need a tandem however It's what I want!!!
Searching everywhere and not finding one within my Piggy Bank's funds I decided to go with a used. Found a nice looking 2012 Allison trailer in Alafrick'nBama and proceeded to drive down and make a purchase. It was a Tube Trailer so I figured it would have some rust but being only 5 years old I hoped to just change the bunk angles and get some years out of it.
Well, this is where the story begins!!!
Doing a little hacking on it I found that the inside of the main rails had rusted so bad that the tubing was only about 1/2 as thick as it started!
Well, being the tightwad RedNeck Engineer I am and not wanting to lose my bad investment I decided just to use this junk I purchased for a doner and go with tandem axles under my original Custom Line single axle.
It's been an ongoing project with things, (and plans), changing every day!

1st step was to remove the fenders, step pads, springs, axles and all the good stuff from the doner:


Then I proceeded to hacking on the Custom Line:


The doner axle, (white), had to be cut down by 3" as the allison trailer was a bit wider and I needed this axle to match the original axle. (I was keeping the original on the rear due to it having good brakes and the doners' were rusted up).
I also might mention that the original axle is 4"x2" with a 2" drop at the spindles. However by swapping sides, reversing the brake lines and flipping the axle it put the brakes on the rear again along with cancelling the drop and matching the exact height of the doner. This was before it was flipped over etc..


I also found that the original crossmember would lay directly above where the front axle would be so I removed it and in place of the one, I built 2 new crossmembers out of new 3"x1-1/2" tubing.
I attempted to use the Allison crossmembers because were good, as they were sealed, however the dip to clear the hull was not deep enough!


More on this as I progress!

[21XDC]

Looking good... But isn't the front axle normally the braking axle when only one is used?

[QuickBullet]

No it's the rear....and Thanks!!!

[tdt91]

Good work, can't wait to see it finished.
I just did a bunch of work on my trailer.

[Kyle08]

Maybe you have a reason for putting them on the rear but yes normally the brakes are on the front axel that's where most of the weight is on a trailer or at least should be.

[crank68]

Dats a pile a work !!!

[QuickBullet]

Maybe you have a reason for putting them on the rear but yes normally the brakes are on the front axel that's where most of the weight is on a trailer or at least should be.

Yes, IMO Brakes on the front with torsion bar axles and the rear on leaf springs.
Because of the geometry of the axle system and having the center pivot, you want the brakes on the rear axle with leaf spring axles. This is because the rotation in the suspension will actually push the rear axle into the ground when braking making the rear axle the more effective braking axle.
Look at various trailers with leaf springs and see what their setup is....you will find as many one way as the other...my pref is the rear!!!
https://www.etrailer.com/question-52624.html

[J Risco]

Great work man! Cant wait to see more progress and finished product. Love seeing posts like this on here

A welder is on my short list of things I need to own sooner rather than later.

[QuickBullet]

Thanks!!
Yes, MIG Welders, Plasma Torches and Chop Saws have really come down in plrice lately!!!
I had a $1600 Plasma that I wore out. Decided to take a chance and bought one on Amazon for $189......The dang thing works as well as my old one. It's probably wont last as long though as it has cheapy leads, hoses, torch and such in comparison, but for casual use it's great!!

[WVBullet]

Lookin good so far, WillySteve! Keep the progress pics coming!

[QuickBullet]

Today, finished welding in the xmembers, added the inner, (LONG), bunk braces to the 2 new xmembers and buttoned up the axles!
Wish it was warmer so I could get started before lunch.....but then I'd wanna be fishin
With the new xmembers my outer, (short), bunks will now be 7' long instead of 5'!
May have time for those tomorrow, along with bleeding the brake syst. and a ton of sand blasting!
I also have all new spring eye bushings and shackle bolts coming on Thurs.....these are toasted from the salt water but good to hold things together until!!!
After all that's done I'll flip'er back over and start on the SS fenders and new step pads! Actually I'll prolly set my baby back on the trailer and just isolate the hull from any welding I'll need to do on the step pads!! Thinking I'll need to do this to line up the width of the fenders and rear guide pads properly!

[QuickBullet]

Today I rewired all the lights and I went ahead and installed the fenders and step pads while the trailer's upside down. We've got a front coming down so prolly won't get much done for the next several!
Next in line will be to prime all the underside then take the backhoe and invert but It'll be too dang cold for even priming for maybe a week!
Glad it's winter though so I won't miss those Big Bass come Feb!!!!

[QuickBullet]

Today was cold as heck but productive!
Got most everything done on the underside. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to flip it back over and finish the short bunks and bleed brakes then hopefully we'll get some warmer weather where I can paint and install fenders and install the new decals!!!!

[rclark1]

Looks good!

[WVBullet]

WillySteve, I’m liking the results so far! Can’t wait to see it finished!

[rocketmanjp]

Looking GOOD!

[jrodgers]

Looks great! Keep up the good work!

[QuickBullet]

Thanks Y'all!!!
Today got the new 7' bunks, (from the doner), in but the only crossmsmber I had to line up the hull with was the rear so I C-clamped the brackets to the 2 new x-members. I'll adjust the height and weld to the x-members after the boat's back on the trailer.
Got the 1st coat of paint on all the exposed bottom parts....thinking tomorrow I may flip it back over and get a coat or two on the rest before any rust sets in on the primer!
AND YES, the trailer will now be White!



BTW....The New Domed Decal going down the sides of the trailer will now be this, in Metallic Teal:

[WVBullet]

Lookin good!!! That decal will set it off!

[QuickBullet]

Got it back upright today.....now for some more Primer and paint....if the weather will co-operate and a cold one's on it's way down!!