beater trailer to expedition base camp: mods begin

[sirenmoses]

Bought a beater trash trailer from a neighbor about 5 years ago for $200, and it's more than paid for itself in trash/ gravel/ firewood runs. Went back n forth about investing in it versus getting a trailer dedicated to just one mission, figured it won't hurt to get it into better shape, and then I can decide.

Phase 1 is about to start: patch holes, fix weak areas in the 'lip', add fenders, side steps and a rear Hi-lift mount, maybe swap current wooden tongue below-frame storage for welded mesh, maybe add fuel carriers to tongue.

This will cost next to nuttin, as a co-worker owes me both time (he forgot to come in early for me, 2x, to pay back my having done the same for him to go to AK on a fishing trip) and money (hooked him up w/some dryboxes for his 80 expo build)

Pix when I take em: kinda rainy today.

 

[sirenmoses]

Phase 1b is to get'er blasted and primed.

Buddy of mine lives 5hrs away on 20 riverside acres w/heritage orchard, and many dead trees, both standing and not, to address. Local wrench monkey there helped develop one of the textured liners: will have him hit it w/a sand color, to match my rig.

Current primary use is to have my Sceptre's earn their keep hauling up fuel (30c cheaper here) to get me home w/a load of firewood, and bushels of apples in season. Hoping to get a place to put the empties, other than inside the cab.

Having lost air in a tire down the driveway w/a load, Hi-lift will be stowed on the trailer when it's loaded, in case that happens in the middle of nowhere. Might try to find a way to mod a take-off 60 spare carrier in the rear.

 

[sirenmoses]

Phase 2 will include tongue wheel and rear stablizers, perhaps a Cruiser height rack for awnings, propane for stove/ lantern, space for shower n pooper, etc. Don't have the CAD chops to show you, might see about scanning in my drawings later on. Projected use is as a K9 base camp, w/Igloos behind the wheels holding ice/water, interior carrying k9 and car camping gear.

Phase 3 is where investment vs platform-in-use gets dicey -- axle swap to match rig, maybe brakes, dedicated potable water, generator.... That's another several years out tho.

 

[Brentbba]

Where's the smiley - This thread is worthless w/o pics!

 

[sirenmoses]

Where's the smiley - This thread is worthless w/o pics!

I know, snaggled up in closing on the place I've lived these past 10 yr: currently trying to find somebody to shock the well. Trying to hook the 8k credit if I can....

 

[Brentbba]

I know, snaggled up in closing on the place I've lived these past 10 yr: currently trying to find somebody to shock the well. Trying to hook the 8k credit if I can....

Saw that thread about your well - good luck!!!

 

[sirenmoses]

thanks. got a dude coming by at 4p, work all shift tomorrow anyway, should have clean sample to lab by mid-day thurs, results Fri. fingers n paws crossed.

trying to hunt up linky to ox-cart shot of trailer in 1st incarnation; it's so not pretty, but served its purpose.

2nd photo here shows the worst view. https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/174712-fj60-cap-camo.html

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

dual purpose rocks. go for it.

 

[sirenmoses]

couple snaps

Where's the smiley - This thread is worthless w/o pics!

TTIWWOP, a bit cumbersome, but works for me.

Here ya go. Grey is primer marking areas that need fixing or hooks attached (w/a couple mistakes). Will write on them as I show'em to my buddy tomorrow morning, ie: 'Hook', 'Reinforce', 'Ignore'.

 

[Brentbba]

Looking forward to watching your progress!

 

[sirenmoses]

trailer comes back next week: cain't wait to see/ use it. Time to call around for sandblasting quotes. Hoping my buddy's wrench in CO will Herculine/ Durabak etc for me, as he was one of the inventors.

these can be drop-shipped to WW: best price I've found. Waiting until I can see where they'll go. Walmart.com: Igloo Wire Rack for Beverage Jugs, 6-15 Gallon: Camping

got Blitz fuel-can holders on-hand: pretty sure I know where I'll put them.

Big picture use/plans are changing, as a former co-worker sez he'll hook me up w firewood, and my dog show buddy plans on pulling a trailer behind the new van. But it don't hurt to be prepared.

 

[mickeyt]

what happened with this project?

 

[sirenmoses]

still sitting in the sideyard, w/half a load of crap to go to the garbage transfer station. Project got derailed by more pressing matters.

great reminder though, as the buddy got fenders installed, hooks mounted on one side, and forward reinforcement done.

will snag some pix in tomorrows smoke hazed twilight.