Another quality trailer build

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NOT!!!A guy called me about doing some repairs on his trailer a couple of days ago, didn't sound like a real big deal, repair a weld that broke and check over the rest of the trailer to make sure it is O.K. to use. He dropped it off this morning while I was out running some errands, how he made it here with it, I don't know. The pictures will explain it a whole lot better than any words typed by me. Attached ImagesI am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:More pictures of this little gem! Attached ImagesI am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:Dave, that is scary to say the least. Did you let him know that it would be cheaper to get a new one than fix the old one.It kinda makes you wonder what he hauls on it. Must not care for his equipment of others around him.DANGER< DANGER< Will Robinson!
Reply:Did not see any safety chains either!
Reply:and a few more pictures Attached ImagesI am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:That's incredible. It needs a little disassembly with the old hot wrench and do us all a favor.
Reply:Now I'm hoping that all of the problems with this trailer are pretty self explanatory and I won't have to point them out to you. This is definitely a how not to build a trailer.I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:Originally Posted by LA WeldDave, that is scary to say the least. Did you let him know that it would be cheaper to get a new one than fix the old one.It kinda makes you wonder what he hauls on it. Must not care for his equipment of others around him.DANGER< DANGER< Will Robinson!
Reply:Originally Posted by dabar39  First was that the trailer was not worth fixingSecond, that I was not interested in trying to fix it,and third, the trailer is not leaving my property in that condition.
Reply:Originally Posted by dabar39and third, the trailer is not leaving my property in that condition.
Reply:I let him know a few things,First was that the trailer was not worth fixingSecond, that I was not interested in trying to fix it,and third, the trailer is not leaving my property in that condition. I seem to recall you took the same stance over a motorcycle sidecar a while back.You say you will not fix it.You say you will not allow the trailer to be moved off your propertyH-mm, you sound like you must be a real hardcase! Well, talk is easy to produce, but I bet when the owner shows up to hitch it on to his tow vehicle you will not be saying as much.to him as you are saying to us. I mean, what makes you think you have such a right?But then, it is a piece of trash so maybe he will leave it with you and you can do the cleanup and hauling away the pieces by yourself. I think that would be a fitting solution to the problem. pgDynasty 200 DX_set up to run on 3 phaseCoolmate 3MM 251 w/ Spoolmatic 30AHTP 625 Micro Cut Plasma CutterVictor O/A RigBridgeport Mill_3 phase10 inch South Bend Lathe_3 phaseQuincy 325 2 Stg. Air Compressor_3 phase
Reply:I'd be happy to see something like that trailer hauled off my property! The sooner the better!My biggest worry would be having someone show up and tell me, "Build me a trailer just like that one parked over there."  If you did no work to the trailer, I don't see where you have any personal liability.As to the safety of the general public, call a cop if it bothers you.Telling the owner you won't let him take his property, because it doesn't meet your standards,  would likely open a nasty can of worms.Just my $.02Rex
Reply:As a registered repair facility in the state of Florida I can not legally let a vehicle that is deemed unsafe to leave my premises unless:         A. it gets repaired by me         B. it gets repaired by the owner         C. it gets towed off the premises by a licensed towing contractor, whether it be on the back of a roll back or placed on another trailer.One other point I'd like to make is that if I allow this vehicle off of my premises (knowing it's in a unsafe condition) and it comes apart and hurts (or worse) others and/or causes property damage I CAN BE HELD LIABLE in a court of law.I'll be damned if I will let someone else's negligence and ignorance cost me my livelihood.I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:So how do you prevent it from leaving?The side car was a different deal than this cuz you intended to correct it one way or another.Leaving that was voluntary.With this, you stated you don't want to touch it.  So how do you legally detain somebody elses property?  I'm asking cuz I want to know, not to give ya ****.Around here you can lock something in a building IF you performed work and a bill is due to be paid.If there is no bill, or work being performed, how do you hold on to it?My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmSo how do you prevent it from leaving?The side car was a different deal than this cuz you intended to correct it one way or another.Leaving that was voluntary.With this, you stated you don't want to touch it.  So how do you legally detain somebody elses property?  I'm asking cuz I want to know, not to give ya ****.Around here you can lock something in a building IF you performed work and a bill is due to be paid.If there is no bill, or work being performed, how do you hold on to it?
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmSo how do you prevent it from leaving?The side car was a different deal than this cuz you intended to correct it one way or another.Leaving that was voluntary.With this, you stated you don't want to touch it.  So how do you legally detain somebody elses property?  I'm asking cuz I want to know, not to give ya ****.Around here you can lock something in a building IF you performed work and a bill is due to be paid.If there is no bill, or work being performed, how do you hold on to it?
Reply:By the content and tone of some of the replies I would like to take a poll and see how many of you would do as I have done, or just look the other way and let the guy go down the road and let his problem become someone else's problem?I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:Originally Posted by dabar39The only thing I can really do is call the Sheriff's Office and have them dispatch a D.O.T. officer to come out and inspect the vehicle, once they look at it and deem it unsafe the vehicle gets impounded by the Florida State Department of Transportation.
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmThat's what I was wondering.  So you cannot "allow" something to leave, yet you cannot physically prevent it from leaving.  Somebody else has to come in and do the heavy lifting.So when the guy comes back and you say, "this thing ain't leaving here like this"  and he says, "bull$hit!" hooks up and drives off.  Then all you can do is report the plate number to the sheriff and hope that they do something about it?
Reply:Originally Posted by dabar39 I made up the certificate's of origin for them and now have two tags for trailers that do not exist as of yet. Just handed the girl the paper work and they took the money and handed me the two tags for the trailers that don't exist.
Reply:Originally Posted by dabar39As a registered repair facility in the state of Florida I can not legally let a vehicle that is deemed unsafe to leave my premises unless:         A. it gets repaired by me         B. it gets repaired by the owner         C. it gets towed off the premises by a licensed towing contractor, whether it be on the back of a roll back or placed on another trailer.One other point I'd like to make is that if I allow this vehicle off of my premises (knowing it's in a unsafe condition) and it comes apart and hurts (or worse) others and/or causes property damage I CAN BE HELD LIABLE in a court of law.I'll be damned if I will let someone else's negligence and ignorance cost me my livelihood.
Reply:Dave, let my vote on your poll be recorded as:YOU DID THE RIGHT THING!The danger factor of that piece of scrap going down the road scares the he## out of me.Let us know the final chapter.
Reply:Originally Posted by dabar39By the content and tone of some of the replies I would like to take a poll and see how many of you would do as I have done, or just look the other way and let the guy go down the road and let his problem become someone else's problem?
Reply:Just like Steve up in Michigan, down here in Indiana, a weldor does not have to be certified nor licensed to open a shop of his own, the only requirement is a tax id permit and be registered locally with the recorder!Here in Indiana, I would have called the guy to come over and explained the problems and made my recommendation that it be put down, but if he decided to hook to it and haul it off, there isn't anything I could do about it except maybe report it to the locals and let them deal with it!But in your situation, I would have done the exact same, that thing is a wreck and shouldn't be on the road, you do what you have to do, I am just glad that I am not put into your situation, it sounds like it could potentially become a nightmare!#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:NOT!!!A guy called me about doing some repairs on his trailer a couple of days ago, didn't sound like a real big deal, repair a weld that broke and check over the rest of the trailer to make sure it is O.K. to use.He dropped it off this morning while I was out running some errands, how he made it here with it, I don't know.The pictures will explain it a whole lot better than any words typed by me.Very interesting thread, and topic!  I can see both sides of the story here, very clearly.  However, I’m leaning toward being a stickler.  If you could possibly be liable for anything that happens once that wreck leaves your yard, you have to stick by your guns.Is it possible that you and he could sign a paper releasing you of any liability for the devastation that could occur from that thing rolling?  That might be the best win / win situation I can think of.  You get to keep your clear conscience, and he gets his trailer back.  Just an idea.Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!
Reply:Originally Posted by soarkrebelThe guy asked you to look it over and make sure it is OK to use. Why not just show him the problems instead of posting pictures of his trailer on the net? The customer was shown no less than a dozen structural faults on this trailer.  The pictures being posted is what I would call an educational tool, to show others what not to do, and to others what is traveling down the same highways we are all using.It looks to me like it is probably used on a farm by the hay you see in one of the pictures.It is definitely been repaired and probably put together by someone that couldn't weld so show the Man!Nope, not even close, it was being used on a daily basis for a lawn maintenance business, once again traveling on the same roads we all use.Now as far as saying it can't leave your property like that.......Florida law is something that I have no clue of and don't really want to know.But I am a Quality Control Inspector for a major aircraft manufacturer service center and return aircraft to service. Now the FAA doesn't allow me to hold an aircraft from an owner.All I can do is make a statement in Log book that the aircraft is not approved for service.I can notify the FSDO of the status but they won't sit on the aircraft. If the aircraft is flown then the FAA might go see them and fine them.They should probably do more than thatBut even if I don't return the aircraft to service they ,the FAA , might issue a ferry permit for repairs elsewhere.A mechanics lien is a different thing.For an example we had one that some dumb pilots barrel rolled the plane and literally warped the airframe. They flew it to us and after investigating the cost was high and they declined.The aircraft sat on our ramp with a not approved for service entry in the log book.The Feds knew about it but yet they got a Ferry Permit to fly this aircraft to San Antonio in this condition.We have no such ferry permits, either it gets repaired or towed by other means.So with that in mind how are you going to tell this guy He can't haul his ragged trailer a few miles down the road?Very easily, once it is documented that this vehicle is deemed unfit for highway use and I was to allow it to leave and some one gets hurt, who do you think the LAWYERS are gonna go after? As mentioned earlier, I have worked way too hard to give my stuff to somebody else, aint gonna happenBut still why post the pictures? What if someone that knows him visits this website?Who cares if someone knows him, they now know not to be around him when he is dragging the trailer down the same highways we all use.Not that it's that big of a deal to take a picture but this person is a "customer" and in my opinion that is bad business practice to evaluate and discuss customers property in a forum like this.Once again, I will call it what it is, an educational tool, what not to do. If someone wants to laugh at it that is there business, I however find no humor in knowing vehicles in this condition are running down the same highways we all use.And then you show a picture with the license plate number.....now someone could find out who He is?O.K. I'll give you this one, I should have blanked out the numbers on the tag, but I'm pretty sure none of the guys that frequent this forum is gonna drop what they are doing and track this guy down. And even if they did track him down what are you thinking would happen? Maybe steal it for their own personal use? I think not, cause now they all know what junk it really is. The man may not even have a computer in his house and may not even have a desire to use the net but now his trailer that He asked you to evaluate is being evaluated by many that just want to have a laugh.Laugh all you want if you think garbage like this going down the highways we all use is funny. See if it's still funny when a family is wiped out because of this trailer going down the road.That is just not a good business practice.
Reply:A guy called me about doing some repairs on his trailer a couple of days ago, didn't sound like a real big deal, repair a weld that broke and check over the rest of the trailer to make sure it is O.K. to use.He dropped it off this morning while I was out running some errands, how he made it here with it, I don't know.
Reply:Originally Posted by soarkrebelThe man may not even have a computer in his house and may not even have a desire to use the net but now his trailer that He asked you to evaluate is being evaluated by many that just want to have a laugh..
Reply:Originally Posted by bratkid63I don't see anything funny. In fact, I find it downright scary, and it does make a good lesson of what we share the road with everyday.Thanks to the OP for sharing.
Reply:Originally Posted by soarkrebelIt took this to show you what we share the road with everyday??Heck you should think about the motor vehicles or worse the 18 wheelers you share the road with!!
Reply:The "dorks" in cars or suvs are not always to blame.  Having worked in law enforcement, I have seen my share of lamed brained actions committed by the 18 wheeler drivers too!   Those drivers of both types who commit such actions should take equal blame, not just one category.  The highway goes in both directions.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by bratkid63Well, I wasn't only referring to myself when I said it is a good lesson. I'm personally well aware of the junk that travels the roads. As far as your referral to 18 wheelers, I don't know what truck drivers / companies in your state can get away with, but here in Florida your equipment better be in stellar condition. Within the last 10 years or so, we came up with a whole new law enforcement division, known as Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, and oh boy, do they enjoy writing EXPENSIVE tickets for equipment deficiencies. As someone who drives 18 wheelers, I can tell you firsthand that 90% of truck related accidents are the result of some dork in a car (or worse, SUV) doing something stupid around the truck, NOT poor truck maintenance.
Reply:Originally Posted by bratkid63Well, I wasn't only referring to myself when I said it is a good lesson. I'm personally well aware of the junk that travels the roads. As far as your referral to 18 wheelers, I don't know what truck drivers / companies in your state can get away with, but here in Florida your equipment better be in stellar condition. Within the last 10 years or so, we came up with a whole new law enforcement division, known as Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, and oh boy, do they enjoy writing EXPENSIVE tickets for equipment deficiencies. As someone who drives 18 wheelers, I can tell you firsthand that 90% of truck related accidents are the result of some dork in a car (or worse, SUV) doing something stupid around the truck, NOT poor truck maintenance.
Reply:Back to the original topic. Obviously the owner of the trailer had the good sense to realize it was in need of repair. This being fact, I really think he would take the advice of someone who he trusted enough in the first place to take the trailer for repair, and if that advice were to not tow the trailer anywhere until it is deemed safe, I think he would listen. I doubt there would be much of an argument, once it was explained to him in a professional manner what the consequences of towing it home could be, especially with the personal experience the OP has with trailer mishaps. (Maybe show the trailer owner the pictures of the wrecked car, if he needed further convincing.)Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC (Sold)Miller Dialarc 250HFMiller MM251Miller MM200 (Sold)Miller MM130Miller Spot WelderVictor O/A rigMiller Spoolmatic 1 (Sold)
Reply:Originally Posted by soarkrebel SUV's being driven by people that think they are in car.......that my friend is scary!!
Reply:Right now the owner can not afford to have me build him a new trailer, so we are helping him look for a good used replacement trailer. I told him he could use one of my rental trailers free of charge for 1 month, that should be plenty of time for him to come up with the money to get something a little better. I thought that was the only decent thing to do otherwise he would be out of business pretty quick.I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:That was mighty decent of you dabar39!  It could even help you on the bussiness side by this fellow giving good references of you to possible future customers.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:Originally Posted by dabar39Right now the owner can not afford to have me build him a new trailer, so we are helping him look for a good used replacement trailer. I told him he could use one of my rental trailers free of charge for 1 month, that should be plenty of time for him to come up with the money to get something a little better. I thought that was the only decent thing to do otherwise he would be out of business pretty quick.
Reply:Originally Posted by bratkid63This, we are in complete agreement on. I generally drive the speed limit on the interstate (70 MPH). I have been passed by Explorers, Expeditions, Suburbans, Armadas (that name still gets me....let's name a vehicle after a convoy of military ships!) etc. At times I know these people were well in excess of 100 MPH, as they went by so fast they about blew my little Nissan Hardbody onto the shoulder with the pressure wave! I don't know what vehicle manufacturers are thinking when they put 300+ HP into a top heavy truck disguised as a station wagon.