Okiedodge
Driver of MRAP's, Dodger of Rockets
Mopar Nut
Karma: +7077/-0
 Offline
Gender: 
Posts: 5080
Rocklahoma, OK
Member Since: May 12, 2004, 06:10:55 PM
Age: 44
M-ATV Anytime Anywhere
|
 |
« on: March 1, 2010, 12:44:43 PM » |
|
Over the last few weeks a friend and I have been modifying a 20ft travel trailer frame that I got for near nothing. We put fenders on it  Then we put a dovetail on it.  Then made the deck wider.  Added concealed ramp pockets under the dovetail.  Decked it.  And primed it. It is ready for paint.  Final deck dimensions are 72.5" wide and 17' 8" long. Dovetail is 4 feet. It has two 3500lb drop axles and I have a set of electric brakes still left to install. Overall investment was about $450. Not bad,eh? |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: March 1, 2010, 12:50:42 PM by Okiedodge »
|
Logged
|
Desert Storm, OEF. Proud Combat Vet
|
|
|
workgoats
Lifetime Supporter
Full Member
Karma: +2892/-0
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 1931
College Station, TX
Member Since: March 31, 2008, 09:40:58 PM
Age: 63
It really does run...
|
|
« Reply #1 on: March 1, 2010, 02:01:35 PM » |
|
Looks real neat, but you shouldn't call it a utility trailer. You should call it a RC hauler...
I did a similar thing for a guy I work with for his motorcycle, popup trailer frame, with a plywood deck and without the dovetail. He carried his cycle one time and it's been sitting in his yard for a year or so...
I expect to see this at Disney.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Homemade body on a 1982 RC frame. 1989 TBI 360, 727/208, 3.90 gears, 1 extra spring at each corner, 33x12.5x15 Firestone MT's on 15x10 American Racing Baja wheels, trailer to match... RJ09, RJ10, General Sam's, Cline Ranch, Shiloh Ridge, Hidden Falls, Hogan's Off Road.
|
|
|
Okiedodge
Driver of MRAP's, Dodger of Rockets
Mopar Nut
Karma: +7077/-0
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 5080
Rocklahoma, OK
Member Since: May 12, 2004, 06:10:55 PM
Age: 44
M-ATV Anytime Anywhere
|
|
« Reply #2 on: March 1, 2010, 02:21:42 PM » |
|
You should call it a RC hauler...
I would but the RC is too wide. I am not sure what the track is with stock wheels, but right now with the 10" wheels it is 84" plus or minus a hair. -Tommy |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Desert Storm, OEF. Proud Combat Vet
|
|
|
s ǝoɾ
Global Moderator
RCC Addict
Karma: +26648/-86
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 24895
, TX
Member Since: May 16, 2001, 09:49:21 PM
Age: 27
|
|
« Reply #3 on: March 1, 2010, 02:34:54 PM » |
|
My trailer is quite similar but bought "commercially, off the shelf" My own ponderings on my trailer. Dove tail is cool (only 2ft but works) but I wish it was maybe hinged or floating. Certain steep driveways will scrap the whole way. Never seen a "floating" dovetail before, I just imagine one not rigidly fixed, and could move upward in certain circumstances but NOT downward, as in some limiting stop. I also have to check into laws, but would like to move my tail lights up higher. Even cars often cannot see them, because they creep up so close to you at stop lights. Furthermore, seems everybody I know has had a right/rear blow out and some point in time, myself included. Tire tends to destroy the light in the process. I will also buy a new 3500# stub spindle from northern. Welded to some 2x2x__ square tube. Then buy a spare brake drum. Load it with packed bearings, seal it up, and viola! A spare tire carrier ready to go with a preassembled hub/drum.  I don't have brakes on front axle (probably illegal?) but IIRC the drum will still fit up front even though it would seve no purpose other than holding the wheel. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Avoid replacing any part that you have not proven to be faulty through extensive testing. |
|
|
OSS of RCC
Sr. Member
Karma: +3394/-0
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3679
Kirbyville, TX
Member Since: June 27, 2001, 05:16:04 PM
Age: 38
So many projects, so little time..(AKA Taz_man440)
|
|
« Reply #4 on: March 1, 2010, 09:46:24 PM » |
|
Good build... if I was do re-build my trailer, I would widen it & make a flat deck... I picked mine up for $50 & then braced up & wood put around $250-300. Mine does have brakes but only use the fronts.. rear needs new parts. Mine is also a 24' ( 20'deck 4' tongue) I like the dovetail... but i just climb up on mine..LOL
I did have to re-build my rear bumper... stock trailer bumpers don't hold up too well... I think the idea of lights higher up is a good idea... I have seen boat trailers with lights on poles... Might be a good sort of idea to work from.....
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
1)87 Ramcharger trail rig project.
2)2006 Quad 1500 HEMI, Cool Vanilla!!
3)2007 Jeep Compass
|
|
|
s ǝoɾ
Global Moderator
RCC Addict
Karma: +26648/-86
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 24895
, TX
Member Since: May 16, 2001, 09:49:21 PM
Age: 27
|
|
« Reply #5 on: March 1, 2010, 09:55:55 PM » |
|
I think the idea of lights higher up is a good idea... I have seen boat trailers with lights on poles... Might be a good sort of idea to work from.....
Ya I forgot to mention the removable pole part. That way I can pull the poles off and drive over fenders. Keeps them up away from the road spray/gravel/puddles, and where those stupid tail gaters can actually see them. Still got to find the legalities of the issue. Those small town cops could find 100 reasons to pull a person over. Don't want to find out tail light height is one of them. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Avoid replacing any part that you have not proven to be faulty through extensive testing. |
|
|
snoopy1964
Lifetime Supporter
RCC Rookie
Karma: +493/-0
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 293
laurel hills, nc
Member Since: September 5, 2009, 07:35:57 PM
Age: 47
if it ain't worth rebuilding it can't be a mopar
|
|
« Reply #6 on: March 14, 2010, 10:28:47 PM » |
|
heck joe just measure the back of a semi trailer. you know those HAVE to be legal height for the lights  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
89 rc 318 carbed 727trans 241tc 77 d60f welded /d60r open 36x12.5x16.5 goodyear mt under construction
91 w150 318fi 518 trans 241 tc 44 4.56 truetrac 91/4 4.56 aubrun ls 5.5superlift 3" body lift 35" bfg mt's
88 rc future project
|
|
|
OSS of RCC
Sr. Member
Karma: +3394/-0
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3679
Kirbyville, TX
Member Since: June 27, 2001, 05:16:04 PM
Age: 38
So many projects, so little time..(AKA Taz_man440)
|
|
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2010, 11:11:03 AM » |
|
Here is something I did to mine... i had boards over the tires for my truck to drive over... but they seem to rot so quickly.. i put rebar strips over the tires so the trucks might grip better than slick wood.. maybe it is a weight savings too.... But one of these days I am going to deck the whole thing....
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
1)87 Ramcharger trail rig project.
2)2006 Quad 1500 HEMI, Cool Vanilla!!
3)2007 Jeep Compass
|
|
|
driveramsII
Full Member
Karma: +1743/-0
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 1497
Va Beach, VA
Member Since: October 1, 2007, 10:28:28 PM
Age: 24
RCC Rules!
|
|
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2010, 11:29:06 AM » |
|
Joe, FWIW our boat trailer used to have the lights mounted on a ~3-3 1/2' tall piece of pvc pipe to keep them out of the salt water so I dont see why raised lights would be an issue
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
86 W150 Built 360/727/208
Hughes Cam
Full dual exhaust
Eddy 4bbl
3"body/4"susp lift
35x12.50 15 Dunlops
D44/9.25
Lots more upgrades to come
|
|
|
|
