Horse trailer make over

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I started a new project this morning, that was until the rains hit.I picked up a 2 horse gooseneck trailer for a couple of hundred bucks a few weeks ago. My original plans were to re skin it and sell it on ebay, but the plans have changed. I had a girl that runs a local horse rescue shelter call me about doing some repairs on their trailer, a single horse bumper pull with the rear door falling off of it and a rotten frame under it. Not much to save and not worth trying to fix. She told me that they can't really afford to buy another trailer as most of the expenses of the rescue effort come out of her pocket with only minimal private donations helping out.I thought about it for while and after talking it over with the other half, I decided to donate this trailer to the cause. I explained what I was doing to one of my steel suppliers and they agreed to donate the steel necessary for my efforts. My paint supplier will also donate the paint required. I also talked to one of my customers that owns a feed store and she too will help out with some needed supplies.Spent about an hour on it so far this morning til the rain hit, looks like it's starting to clear up some so hopefully I'll get more done today, I'll keep posting the progress as I go.I know you all like pictures so here's a few to get you started.First ones are the trailer as I bought it sitting on the back of my home made tow truck, that will be the subject of a future thread Attached ImagesI am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:Here's the start of the tear down.First I cut the latch mechanism for the inside partition out for reinstallation later. Second was to cut the welds on the 1" square tube that holds the top of the sheet metal skins in place. Then split it with a chisel in the cornersThird was cut the spot welds holding the skins to the frame, had to be careful to not cut the frame work.Fourth was a section of the skin cut out.Fifth is where the rains started and I had to call it quits for a while. Attached ImagesI am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:well done on gettin others to help with their donantions hippin' my hat to them now  giddy up
Reply:That's good stuff!  It always feels good to do something for those in need.  I believe that stuff always comes back around too. Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Looking good so far. That can make a nice tax rite off if she's a non-profit rescue. The good PR will be good also. You might think about mentioning it to the local TV news. They often are interested in good human interest stories. You get some free publicity along with your suppliers, and she might be able to pick up some donations from those that see the segment when it airs.You might want to be sure to get you sponsorship painted on the side of the trailer as well as the names of the suppliers under a good sized banner promoting her shelter. Traveling adds for everyone. In fact if it doesn't hurt the horses, putting the flat surface to the outside of the support bars would make it easier to letter and turn that trailer into a bill board for her shelter..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:good thought    DSW  it couldn't hurt to call  the tv station-----worse they could say is not interestedor call da news paper they like that stuff also
Reply:You're off to the right start.  The lower part of the side panels is always the worst.  Manure and urine destroys the steel.  Nobody seems to be willing to clean their trailers out after use.  This is the result.You'll find extreme corrosion once you remove the floor boards.When I did my stock trailer I only replaced the lower portion of the side panels.  Scabbed it inside and outside.  Inside was done on long sheets, and the outside was done between the frame members in short pieces.An additional thing you might try, if you have the time, and think it's necessary......... is setting the floor up with an expanded metal underlayment.  So you actually have another metal floor under the boards.  The boards rot, and sometimes you can grind the leg off of an animal when its hoof breaks thru and drags on the highway.  I 've had very good luck with this method.  I haul pretty heavy.  Cattle are packed in and weigh a lotLET THE FUN BEGIN(great gesture on your part)"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:A good thing to do. Makes ya sleep better each nite. I think the rolling ad is a good idea. It probably will come around for her,you and all the suppliers, and I don't think anyone else would think any of you are trying to pat yourselves on the back. If they do, they need to be careful as their mind,as small as it is, might fall out their a$$hole.                               MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:The most important part of any horse trailer is the floor. When people hear about your good deed they will be glad to bring you work knowing they won't get ripped off. I wish I lived close enough to help - I would love to see my name on the side of that trailer with yours.
Reply:I was only able to get the skins pulled off of both sides today, more pics in the morning.We kept getting hit with showers off and on all day, so enough with the outside work for today. I did get to look at the trailer frame and the floor boards real good today and they are in really good shape. The guy I got the trailer from said it didn't get much use over the years, maybe transport a horse or two a couple times a year. The main part of the rust is from where the 1"x2" uprights are covered by the skins, water getting behind them causing it to rust. I'll post more tomorrow if the remains of Ana finish passing through.I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:Good project and a good deed you're doing.  But you should be promoting all the people donating in this thread too, never know when someone from that area will be on here.  Can't wait to see more pics.
Reply:Good thing you are doing there. Glad people still do stuff like that.
Reply:Great thing your doing here.   Especially in these economic times horses are often times donated simply because the owners cannot afford to feed them anymore.Some thoughts i have are if you can get it a galvanized sheet might be better here especially for the lowers.   I have always preferred double walled steel trailers for hauling horses, that way you don't get the ugly dents and dings showing up on the outside of the trailer.   also this would provide the best Canvas for mentioning your sponsors and suppliers.I have had good luck with getting steel trailers rhino lined.  as long as you put rubber mats over the lining and some pine shavings down its pretty much now a lifetime floor.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Just a little update for you guys.A good deed goes undone. I was going to wait until the trailer was finished and surprise them with it, but.       That was until I got a call this morning from Tracy (horse rescue) saying that one of Sandra's (feed store) customers had offered her a 2 horse slant load bumper pull trailer. She asked me if I could take a look at it and check it over for the basic safety type of things. She was also offered the use of 20 acres of pasture land and use of some of their stalls if she needs it. I'll look at the trailer for her over the weekend.So now I'm back to plan A, fix it up and sell it. I'll post some more pictures of the progress this afternoon.I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!