Get your popcorn...Trailer fix up.

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Ok so i found this trailer for $400...3 axles 21' long and 8" Ibeams. Looked in good shape for $400...guy said he used it to haul smaller tractors. I took it for a test drive and it went down the road good. Could use new tires but they all hold air for now.I want it to haul a skid-load or small bucket tractor. Plus i wanted a cheap trailer for anything. So i cut in 3' and droped it for a dovetail and build ramps for it. Put a new deck on it and she is working good. Tested it out with the wifes car. haha Let me know what you guys think.Lincoln SA 200 Lincoln Idealarc 300/300 TIG
Reply:Lincoln SA 200 Lincoln Idealarc 300/300 TIG
Reply:Nice find...nice job..what type of metal was used as your braces where the dove starts..also what type of tiedowns will be used??
Reply:Ditch those hubs and those rims for some conventional 16's.Bruce
Reply:I don't think you will like wood on the beaver when its wet and you have to load up. Will get slicker than snot. Mine has angle flipped over on it with 4" spacing and works great.Millermatic DVIMillermatic 251Older buzz box Cheap 120 welder
Reply:I like your idea and it looks good, but you didn't show any pictures of the completed dovetail joint. That is the only thing you did that would affect structural integrity.
Reply:Originally Posted by trapperjohnI like your idea and it looks good, but you didn't show any pictures of the completed dovetail joint. That is the only thing you did that would affect structural integrity.
Reply:kinda hard to pull out the popcorn when the shows over before it starts. why'd you leave the center of the beaver open (damn that sound dirty)? just looks unfinished.you can bolt down some expended metal  onto the tail to get ride for the slick factor of the wood right there. and I agree with getting new hubs and rims. Maybe when you go for new tires you could upgrade that as well. just my thoughts. nice score for $400 though.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:awesome job! i love the dove tail. someday when i have somewhere to park a trailer not in the way im going to make one!SIN CITY METAL WORKSvisit my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/devvon
Reply:the only thing with those old mobile home trailers is the channel is super thin and flexes a lot.  if the wood deck is bolted to each cross member that will help reduce the flexing a lot.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawthe only thing with those old mobile home trailers is the channel is super thin and flexes a lot.  if the wood deck is bolted to each cross member that will help reduce the flexing a lot.
Reply:the more i look at your pics it becomes apparent how much thought and attention to detail went into your build.  my earlier comment was not to be critical, so please don't take it that way.how long did all of this take to complete?Nice job!
Reply:I have pulled a trailer thousands upon thousands of miles with trailer house axles and hubs and have never had a bearing or hub failure.  The problem is the tires coming apart.  We found most 14.5" tires are 10 ply or more and just cannot take any amount of extended towing with weight.  The chord plys just build up to much heat and they throw the tread.  We found if you buy 8 ply/10 ply rated tires the tread throwing problem goes away.While there are different sizes of trailer house axles, the majority of them are a fairly common size spindle and you can put on hubs and brakes for standard rims.
Reply:Nice set up. I have a few ideas that might help you out down the road. I see the ramps have padlocks so that means you can remove and store them somewhere else during travel, (good idea). Those vertical steel supports under each ramp near the hinges may cause problems when loading (don't ask how I know this). If you drive a heavy tractor/skid loader on to the ramps, those vertical supports may hit the ground and now they are a fulcrum, causing the back(not hinged end) of the ramps to rise up and may stop the rear wheels from going up the ramps. Also, if you get it loaded on the trailer, there may be a lot of weight held up by the vertical supports and you won't be able to get the ramps to fold up. If you do get the ramps up and locked into traveling position, watch out for those vertical braces, they look like knee/shin scrapers, especially at night with everything painted black(once again don't ask me how I know this). Somebody is probably going to ask you if they can borrow it, and load it with something way to heavy and run into these problems. I would just cut the vertical braces off the ramps, use a scissors jack under the ramps(something that can compress itself out of the way)when loading/unloading. I store my ramps under the trailer in a slide in fixture with a couple of locking pins to hold them in. I've had trouble with hinged ramps coming loose and ramps falling down and scraping on the freeway(not good). They are going to "rock" left and right when you hit road bumps making a lot of noise and trying to rattle themselves free. A buddy of mine painted all the wood and metal on his trailer with that line-x bed liner stuff, works good for slippage/traction and keeps the wood and steel sealed for years. I made my tail lights and wheel fenders(required in CA.) removable for getting into tight spaces. Just a few tips from experience for ya---nice trailer---keep on haulin'  !!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by Bruce AvisonDitch those hubs and those rims for some conventional 16's.Bruce
Reply:if weight is holding the ramps,all you have to do is pull ahead a short distance. if you put a heavy load on a tri-axle,like a backhoe,you dont want to turn sharp at low speed because you can roll the rear tires off the rims. great looking trailer. i'm in vestaburg,mi .miller thunderbolt 250vlincoln square wave tig 175 prolincoln idealarc mig sp250everlast tig 210EXTeverlast power plasma 50chicago electric (hf) 130 tig/90 arcchicago electric 90 amp flux wire3 sets oxy/acet
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcNo no no no.... Dump that trailer 8 more inches.   Then get some 24" Daytons with gold knock offs!!!!  The Shiz-nit!!!!Hey seriously Jordan, NICE JOB!!!!  Turned out beautiful!!!!!    What type of electrode did you use on those welds?  1/8" 7018 on DC+ I'm guessing????   Thanks.
Reply:I like your trailer but just for curiosity I also would like to see how you finished the dove tail.  I to have pulled a trailer with dual mobile home axles many miles. I did replace the tires but it is still going. Good build at what I bet is a reasonable price.GeezerPower Mig 255C185 TIGBlue 175 MIGRanger 8 Kohler 20HP1974 5K Lincoln/Wisconsin Powered (Cherry)Victor/Harris O/AK 487 Spool Gun
Reply:I believe it's a law in Washington that the bearings have to be replaced every time the axle is removed from the mobile home. Too many bearing failures.Millermatic 200Hobart Handler 120Victor O/A & Ramco BandsawLincoln 225 ACSnapOn AD HoodMiller XMT304/22AHypertherm Powermax 1650 G3Lincoln Idealarc DC600 w/Extreme 12 VSMiller Digital Elite "Joker"
Reply:Originally Posted by a1998z3Nice find...nice job..what type of metal was used as your braces where the dove starts..also what type of tiedowns will be used??
Reply:Thanks guys i will get some more pics of the dovetail as well. Originally Posted by weldermikeLOL  Glad your back bud! Where have you been? I thought you and SUNDOWN sailed off into the horizon togetther!
Reply:I have two 7500 lb mobile home axles on my dump trailer and run early american made 7 inch wide tires on it. Not the "new" crappy tires you buy now.I have the same Dexter style axles on my Manufactured Tri-Axle with tires labeled "LowBoy", these are 8 inches wide and 10 or 12 ply. I haul my 16000 bulldozer on it.My neighbor has a 2 axle (Dexter) with 7 inch wide tires that he is forever blowing up as he buys the new ones at the store. You can see the poor quality in those tires.As far as the quality of the spindles on all three trailers, I would hazard an opinion to say that they are all pretty much to the same standard as why would a manufacturer of axles risk all the trouble to make two different quality standards?
Reply:Originally Posted by RaptorDunerI believe it's a law in Washington that the bearings have to be replaced every time the axle is removed from the mobile home. Too many bearing failures.
Reply:Really nothing wrong with the old style Dexter axles, they had real bearings.The newer trailer house axles have bushings instead of bearings so I've been told, and aren't suitable for anything but one time use.  As a matter of fact, the trailer movers around here supply their own axles, and take them with them when they leave.  I imagine they're the real axles with actual bearings.The tires are generally ok if you keep them aired up.  Max recommenced air pressure, and not one pound less.  Otherwise they will peel of the rim when you turn sharp, or get overheated.Short as the trailer is, I don't see any problem with the junior I beams.  There isn't too much flex there.  Take a look at pre-100K steel flatbed semi trailers, and you'd be amazed at how thin the web is on the main beams.  The flanges are thick, but not all that thick (around 3/8" standard)."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Jordan_5600:Outstanding find and outstanding mods!  Now that it is finished you can deliver it to my address and I'll scrap the mess I am working on!   - MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.Originally Posted by MondoCan you cite the particular rule or statute?  (Title, chapter, section, paragraph...) I'd like to see how this is worded.- Mondo
Reply:There's all kinds of info out there regarding the axles.  Like has been mentioned, that design is illegal on commercial trailers in most states due to the mounting of the rim, and banned from commercially built trailers as well.I'm not saying it won't work, as many have "proven" it will.  But if it were MY trailer it would be upgraded with better axles at some time.Jordan, I know you said you're gonna upgrade, so sorry if it seems I'm preaching to the choir.  This is just for others' info.Straight from the horse's mouth:   AXLES - Can mobile home axles be reused?The Dexter MH (mobile home) type axle is designed for limited usage in the delivery of manufactured homes and has a one-time limit use. The axle has steel forged spindles that are not precision ground. The brake assembly is welded onto the beam and not intended to be field replaced. Additionally, the bearing package is smaller than the more expensive service type axle. Most MH axles are also equipped with a single leaf spring suspension for very heavy loads. We do not have components that would convert MH axles to serviceable assemblies. As per their site:http://www.dexteraxle.com/faq_sNow, regarding OR statutes: I "know" that trailers built for sale are not allowed to have mobile home axles, I just can't find the statutes to prove it (right now, at 10:50 PM.)And I know that lots of people have run these axles on  trailers, some thousands upon thousands of miles, and that's fine.  I'm not saying it can't be done.I also know lots of guys have put their weeners in vices just to see what it felt like or tempt fate, but I ain't gonna do that either Last edited by dubl_t; 12-05-2012 at 01:52 AM.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeLOL  Glad your back bud! Where have you been? I thought you and SUNDOWN sailed off into the horizon togetther!
Reply:Some pics of the joint on the dovetail. Lincoln SA 200 Lincoln Idealarc 300/300 TIG
Reply:Well there's a good example of how NOT to do the splice....Issues I see without even looking hard. Square corners on the fish plate to concentrate stresses.Bottom flange not fit up and connected well.I can't see the lower weld well with everything painted black, but the beaver tail side of the weld looks much different than on the  straight section of the frame, and the small section of vertical weld below the fish plate and lower flange welds look like bubblegum.The big crater in the upper section also is questionable. Not quite sure why it's there, but from the grind marks around it I'm thinking poor 1st weld and a poor attempt at a "repair".I'd love to hear Jason's ( Blackwolf) or Niel's (Wello) take on what they think of those frame splices since they do this stuff for a living.No offense, I've tried to stay out of this thread and keep my mouth shut, but this really doesn't look good at all. Granted it's on the beaver tail and most likely won't hopefully have a load on it going down the road, but if this trailer was loaded like many guys I know who often have to park the rear wheels of the equipment on the beavertail, this could really spell disaster on the road. This is a good example of why trailers really aren't "learning" projects.Last edited by DSW; 12-07-2012 at 05:58 PM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Now I'll get out the popcorn. anyone need a cold one while I'm up?There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:proper splice plates for H-pile, the detail for the web section should apply.  someone will tell me if i'm wrong.http://www.sddot.com/business/design...ocs/s51040.pdfalso, as i said before, i'd plate the bottom flange of the trailer adjacent to the bottom flange of the beaver tail so that the bottom flange is supported in compression.Thor! ... where's my beer?!?!?
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWWell there's a good example of how NOT to do the splice....Issues I see without even looking hard. -Square corners on the fish plate to concentrate stresses.
Reply:Originally Posted by Meborderproper splice plates for H-pile, the detail for the web section should apply.  someone will tell me if i'm wrong.http://www.sddot.com/business/design...ocs/s51040.pdfalso, as i said before, i'd plate the bottom flange of the trailer adjacent to the bottom flange of the beaver tail so that the bottom flange is supported in compression.Thor! ... where's my beer?!?!?
Reply:Not a bad trailer, but I see something that could have been done better.  I have built beavertail equipment trailers in the past.My biggest problem is with the weld between the horizontal member and the beavertail.   Both the main member and the dovetail member should have been cut at equal angles so the top and bottom flanges would line up and could be welded together.  This would result in weld joint that would slope from top left downwards to the lower right. As it is the bottom flange is basically unsupported, and when a heavy machine is loaded/unloaded with the bumper or ramps blocked up to keep the tongue of the trailer (and the back of the  truck) on the ground, this joint could fail.  As others have pointed out, the fishplate is wrong also.  If I had to make the joint vertical as this was done, I would have put a heavy plate between the ends of the two members to transfer the compression and tension stresses in the flanges on each member across the weld joint."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25