Another Ranger bed trailer

[DRanger024]

So a couple years ago, I had boats and boat trailers falling in my lap left and right. I kept the two best trailers with the intent of building a new utility trailer. The utility trailer will end up being somewhere around 6’ x 10’ or 12’.

The other trailer is galvanized, about 16 feet long and the rails are 33” apart outside to outside. This happens to be almost exactly the width of the rear frame rails on a Ranger (32-7/8” if I’m not mistaken).

Plan is to use the original bed off of my truck. It’s rusty as all heck but the floor, supports and entire inner structure are solid. The axle will consist of an old 7.5 I have laying around with the old leaf springs from my truck.

To mount the bed, I’m going to drill holes to match the original mounts in the frame, sandwich treated 2x4’s inbetween and I’ll cut access holes in the frame to get nuts on the bolts.

here is the start

springs tacked on. I need to add some angle iron to the front hanger to stiffen it up. Probably also run bolts for safety in case a weld cracks.

Hopefully get the 7.5 under it tomorrow and cut the back of the rails off. I’ll keep the super heavy boat trailer axle for my utility trailer. That may end up being a tandem axle.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Following along...

I've wanted one for years... just never took the time and effort to do one.

 

[DRanger024]

The trailer I’m starting with made it really easy other than the galvanized part. I have some cold galvanizing compound for all of the weld joints. Hopefully the frame lasts a long time.

 

[racsan]

It will pull a little easier with a regular trailer axle vs a truck axle, yes I know the stock ranger axle is rated at around 3000# but you have the resistance of the ring & pinion rotating in the gear oil, the truck axle also weights quite a bit more than a regular trailer axle. In the end its your project, use what you wish/what you have to work with, I started off with a stock axle under my ranger trailer but eventually went to a galvanized 2000# rated trailer axle when a coworker was in need of a axle for his ranger so I gave him my ranger trailer axle & ordered a boat trailer axle to replace the truck axle. It does pull better now and rigged up shock mounts so its not as bouncy.

 

[DRanger024]

It will pull a little easier with a regular trailer axle vs a truck axle, yes I know the stock ranger axle is rated at around 3000# but you have the resistance of the ring & pinion rotating in the gear oil, the truck axle also weights quite a bit more than a regular trailer axle. In the end its your project, use what you wish/what you have to work with, I started off with a stock axle under my ranger trailer but eventually went to a galvanized 2000# rated trailer axle when a coworker was in need of a axle for his ranger so I gave him my ranger trailer axle & ordered a boat trailer axle to replace the truck axle. It does pull better now and rigged up shock mounts so its not as bouncy.

I had thought about pulling the ring gear and still might. This thing is honestly more of a novelty than anything I think.

 

[DRanger024]

About half way done. I need to shorten the tongue yet and bolt the bed down then it can be wired up.

 

[2011Supercab]

I had thought about pulling the ring gear and still might.

The ring gear is needed, It's used to splash the gear oil around so all the bearings get lubed.

 

[DRanger024]

That thought also crossed my mind. Truth is, it’s probably going to stay how it is and never bother me.