JohnnyU's Crawler-Hauler "Build" Thread

[JohnnyU]

Well, I guess I might as well start a thread for this, even though the tow rig itself isn't new (been towing with it for 4 years). When I first bought it, it was more of a sporty truck than a working truck. I added a toolbox, triple pillar gauges (trans temp, boost pressure, and pyrometer), OEM flip-out Power/heated towing mirrors, Superchips programmer, swiss-cheesed the stock airbox, and a Donaldson M090544 49" muffler to tone down the straight-pipe drone. I also ditched the "chrome" billet grille in favor a a black honeycomb style, it's much less gawdy now.

Here's how it looked shortly after purchase:

I had bought a 16+3' Dynaweld tilt-deck equipment trailer, but it wasn't very pleasant towing the heavy truck on it. I sold it a couple of years ago.

Fast forward to this Spring: I picked up this jewel for a more manageable wheeling rig (although I still have the Chevy).

So I picked up this 20' GN tilt-deck from my buddy a month or so ago. It's longer and wider than the yellow trailer, plus it's a gooseneck, so it tows at least 100X better than the yellow trailer did. My plans for it are to add several d-ring tie downs to it (about 20 in total of various size and rating), blast it, paint it, and add new lights and reflective tape. It will look like a completely new trailer. Some additional storage or sleeping quarters might be added at some point as well.

I also removed the 3" lift from the front of the Dodge, ditched the toolbox for more bed space, and reorganized the underseat storage with only the critical items (jumper cables, some tools, tiedowns, gloves, etc). I'm planning on reinstalling my mini-compressor under the hood and plumbing it to the airbags at the rear axle. It already looks better. Some lighting and interior upgrades and the truck will be all I could ask for in a Light-Duty Tow Rig.

Stay tuned, I'm hoping to start working on the trailer this weekend...

 

[koda6966]

Subscribed. Looking forward to seeing how this trailer turns out.

I'm planning on picking up a trailer to fix up to haul our skidsteer around.

It's just a little one, but it does everything we need it to. You should have seen it bobbing around trying to pick that Ranger up. I'm the guy in the green.

 

[JohnnyU]

Picked up all new LED lighting for the trailer and a gallon of Gloss Black last night:
6 of these in amber and 2 in red:

2 of these:

And a pair of these in both amber and red:

I've chosen to use the Valspar Implement Enamel. I've used it in the past (on the yellow trailer), and was really happy with its durability and finish. I need to find sme conspicuity tape for after paint, but I can get that later.

Now I just have to finish debating using a sandblaster or grinder/sander for prep.

 

[koda6966]

Wire wheel on a grinder? It's what I always use.

Although it's pretty big, sand blaster might work better.

 

[88_Eddie]

cool build

sandblast that thing, you'll go through 2 or 3 wire wheels on a trailer that size

 

[JohnnyU]

cool build

sandblast that thing, you'll go through 2 or 3 wire wheels on a trailer that size

That's what I'm thinking. Plus I think the labor would be much greater with a grinder than with the sandblaster.

 

[JohnnyU]

It's been a long and hot weekend, but I finally got the trailer repainted. I blasted it (covered myself in sand in doing so), and ended up using a roller. I was going to spray it, but it was a bit windy, and I didn't want to risk getting overspray on everything. I think it turned out good enough for what it is. Keep in mind, that it is a 10 year old one thousand dollar trailer....


All painted, just starting the wiring:

Close up of the LED S/T/T's and 3/4" Marker (It's definitely a 10' pant job):

Lit up last night:

Reflector and lettered up:

Stage one is now complete.

 

[88_Eddie]

looks like a brand new trailer

 

[86 slo-vo]

looks good, i need to find me a truck and trailer before long.

 

[JohnnyU]

looks good, i need to find me a truck and trailer before long.

Thanks, but be advised, it's a slippery slope....

I'm going to be working backwards making sure that the wheeler is more streetable, so it requires a trailer less. Grass is always greener.

 

[JohnnyU]

Can anyone come up with a compelling reason NOT to buy this?

 

[Jim Oaks]

You want the Semi bunk.

 

[JohnnyU]

You want the Semi bunk.

I don't know what I want. This thing is only a little bit more and has a TON more room and amenities. I'm torn, and haven't been able to find any decent semi sleepers that are even within 150 miles.

Maybe I need to make a trip to Chicago or St Louis, I bet I could find one PDQ.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I wouldn't mind having an ambulance.

That green and white ambulance sold on ebay for $292.00.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250848442393&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

Now before you laugh, think about this....

These squads can be had with a turbo diesel, dually rear on a F350 or better chassis. Think of all the space you could convert to a camper and the towing ability.

 

[koda6966]

And they come with some pretty sweet storage in them for camping equipment.

I once saw one in a JY that had matching boxes down the side, three on each side. It had the old ambulance lights and everything but was modified with cages instead of steel doors in the cabinets. Guy probably used it as a dog catcher rig with capabilities for larger animals on the inside. Pretty sweet setup, would have made an awesome rig for a hunting truck (dogs in the cages, sleep on the inside) but somebody already scavenged 90% of the non-ambulatory stuff.