- Joined
- Apr 13, 2009
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- Calgary, Canada
- Vehicle Year
- '91, '80, '06
- Make / Model
- Ford, GMC,Dodge
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- 4.0,4.0,5.7
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- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
I bought a used 20' carhauler several yeras ago for C$2,500.00. It came with a bunch of 2" ratchet straps, an 8,000 lb winch, and new 6,000 lb axles. Why did it have new axles? Because a vehicle caught fire on it! The price was right for my pocketbook and I figured the fire didn't do too much damage after crawling under and looking at it. I found a aluminum tool box in the dumpster and decided it would make a good winch-house.
Jump forward several years. I have used the trailer for lots of loads, some pretty heavy. I use it to haul my race truck to the races. I take salvage metal to the recyclers, sometimes I make more than gas money....
The last time I used it I almost got into a major accident.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177800
I had fixed the wiring when I first got the trailer and put new 2"x6" decking down, then covered that with 1/2" plywood. It made for a nice smooth deck that nails and crap wouldn't fall thru. When I took part of the deck apart to fix wiring issues I found the 2"x6" starting to rot where there was a joint in the plywood. next time it gets new decking I'll use pressure treated. I fixed the wiring. I have the trailer jacked up on all four corners so I can check the brakes. That's when I discover this;
I fixed it;
Ground out the rust and made a 1/8" gap where the crack was, then clamped it together. Used a jack under the frame to bring it up to where it should be.
Then started to weld, this is the back side of my weld. I think I got good penetration.
I'm using a Lincoln Weldpac100 that I got used about 15 years ago. It's a great little flux-core welder that can weld up to 1/4". 1/4" is pushing the capabilities of this welder but it can be done. Proper prep work [rust removal] and grinding a vee really helps.
Part 2 tomorrow.
Jump forward several years. I have used the trailer for lots of loads, some pretty heavy. I use it to haul my race truck to the races. I take salvage metal to the recyclers, sometimes I make more than gas money....
The last time I used it I almost got into a major accident.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177800
I had fixed the wiring when I first got the trailer and put new 2"x6" decking down, then covered that with 1/2" plywood. It made for a nice smooth deck that nails and crap wouldn't fall thru. When I took part of the deck apart to fix wiring issues I found the 2"x6" starting to rot where there was a joint in the plywood. next time it gets new decking I'll use pressure treated. I fixed the wiring. I have the trailer jacked up on all four corners so I can check the brakes. That's when I discover this;
I fixed it;
Ground out the rust and made a 1/8" gap where the crack was, then clamped it together. Used a jack under the frame to bring it up to where it should be.
Then started to weld, this is the back side of my weld. I think I got good penetration.
I'm using a Lincoln Weldpac100 that I got used about 15 years ago. It's a great little flux-core welder that can weld up to 1/4". 1/4" is pushing the capabilities of this welder but it can be done. Proper prep work [rust removal] and grinding a vee really helps.
Part 2 tomorrow.