2007 Red Trailer 4X8 Utility Trailer

[sgtsandman]

It got to participate in the Veterans Day parade. The VFW Auxiliary decorated it for those who can’t march.

 

[sgtsandman]

The spare tire mounts are now installed. I'm just waiting on the sealant to cure. Once the final paint is on I'll post pictures. The only thing I'm missing is the other spare tire and the decision whether to get one for the planned 5 Lug suspension or get the tire with the existing 4 lug and worry about swapping rims later. The planned upgrade is to go with Load C tires to match the 2,200# rating of the new suspension. The current tires are Load B, so would be under rated for the planned 2,000# maximum weight (VIN Plate maximum is 1,460#, so it won’t be a regular thing. The was an option for upgrading the axle to 2,000# when I originally ordered the trailer but I didn’t take it. So, the frame can handle that weight.).

Why 2,200# you ask? 3,500# rated axle stubs, 1 3/4" better suspension defection, and 2 1/8" of lift.

 

[sgtsandman]

The spare is sitting about 3" lower than I had planned but I like the overall outcome. If the spare tire height ends being an issue, I can get some steel angle to raise the mounts themselves up higher. Since I'm trying to compensate for the nose being heavy, I might do it anyway to mount a small tool box over one of the the spares.

You may have noticed I moved the load bars aft behind the rack up rights. I'm also working on a plan the mount the rack bars themselves on the front side of the rear up rights. That will move some weight aft and eliminate potential brush hang ups. A plan to rework the mounting of the middle ramp section that is under the trailer bed so as to make it more user friendly. Right now, one has to crawl under the trailer in order to drop it. Not good if the trailer is in the mud or the ground is wet...

Anyway, pictures as promised. I stood on the one mount with out a spare. It didn't move.

 

[sgtsandman]

I pulled the trailer sides off to seal and paint the one side and to make clearance for tire rubbing that I didn’t anticipate with how the axle tilts on uneven ground.

So, I figured I’d take a couple pictures of it setup in flatbed mode.

 

[sgtsandman]

Working on the last side that needs, bed lined and painted. I'm also in a race to get it done before Memorial Day for the parade so that those who can't march in the parade can at least ride in it, and have the paint dry enough for use. As a result, the pictures are a bit limited but here are a few.

Edge protection sanded cleaned and primed.

Edge protection installed with paintable acrylic sealant.

Rack up rights bed lined and tie downs installed with acrylic before painting.

Reinforcement hardware and attachment hardware cleaned in preparation for priming.

 

[sgtsandman]

The inside of the side panel has been bed lined.

And some more parts have been primed.

Self etching primer for the zinc and galvanized parts and regular primer for the plain old steel parts.

 

[sgtsandman]

Interior carry handles installed.

More fasteners to clean and prime. Last set, finally.

 

[sgtsandman]

Hinges for the attachment points for the tarp support bows installed.

The last hardware is finally getting primed.

 

[sgtsandman]

The rack up rights and four of the side tie downs reinstalled. That takes care of the hard part. The rest should go more quickly. There is just a lot of “the rest” to go.

 

[sgtsandman]

Everything all reassembled and sealed. Need to pick up paint today to finish the job.

 

[sgtsandman]

Final paint sprayed and curing.

 

[sgtsandman]

Trailer restoration/upgrade finished. $5800 all told from start to finish not including the labor expended over about 7 years to get it done.

 

[sgtsandman]

I finally got the trailer weighed today. I was way off on what it weighed. I figured it was around 700-800# after it was all said and done....



Try 1,200#

So, my concerns on tongue weight may be for naught. I’ll need to reweigh the tongue and go from there.

 

[sgtsandman]

Tongue weight was taken with the trailer empty. Loaded with camping equipment, and loaded with camping equipment and canoe.

It took some reconfiguration of the load to get the tongue weight within range but got it all ironed out.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have a ball mount with an integral weigh scale. It makes loading the trailer properly much easier.