Model T

[Sleeper]

New here.............Just wanted to share some pics of my camping trailer I built. I helped a woman clean up here home after the wildfires of '03 and noticed this truckbed in the "to be dumped" pile. At the time it was on a crappy frame with no tires. Got her home, stripped it down to just the bed to find out it was a 1925 Model T bed. SCORE! I had always wanted a military trailer, but this was too cool.
I then proceeded to weld up a frame, ordered the axle/hubs, etc... until I got it road worthy. It's an on-going project but has been invaluable on road-trips with the family.
And, no I've never been pulled over for no fenders. It gives it that MadMax feel.

 

[D'Animal]

Nice Trailer!

Is the Cal DMV going to give you a hard time about the fenders or lack there of?

 

[Sleeper]

Is the Cal DMV going to give you a hard time about the fenders or lack there of?

It's funny - I went to the DMV to register her expecting them to do a visual inspection but they didn't even look at the trailer. They asked me how much it cost to build, handed me a 5 year license and off I went.
As for the fenders - I found one of the CHP laws which states that any trailer under 600 lbs. does not need fenders. I keep this paperwork in my glovebox at all times just in case.

 

[OkieRover]

We don't have to register trailers in Oklahoma any longer.
All you needed in the old days was your driver's license number on the trailer. Which they have stopped requiring.
I probably should look into the laws here just for fun.

 

[Sleeper]

I'm posting this on my thread since it's a question regarding my trailer.
I want to fab up some shock mounts but needed some input as to the size needed for my application. The trailer sees both on-road and off-road wheeling trips. It's extremely stable other that being a little bouncy off-road.
First, to combat this problem I was going to reduce the tire pressure. What PSI are you all running with the trailers? I'm running 31's and currently have them set at 34 PSI (I know-way too high).
Second, should I be looking into fullsize shocks (I have 2 Rancho 9000's sitting in my garage from a buddy that got rid of them for his build-up) or would a smaller pair be sufficient? I'm not looking for flex but rather something to dampen the bounce.
Thanks in advance.

 

[slosurfer]

Hey man, nice trailer. I'm not for certain about the shocks, but I have some rancho 9000's on my m416 that were off the front end of an old jeep. Seem to have worked well so far. I would think that ones for a fullsize truck may be too stiff, since your trailer weighs less than a M416. I am sure some of these more experienced guys can help answer better than I can. When's the next big trip?

 

[brownbear]

I'm posting this on my thread since it's a question regarding my trailer.
I want to fab up some shock mounts but needed some input as to the size needed for my application. The trailer sees both on-road and off-road wheeling trips. It's extremely stable other that being a little bouncy off-road.
First, to combat this problem I was going to reduce the tire pressure. What PSI are you all running with the trailers? I'm running 31's and currently have them set at 34 PSI (I know-way too high).
Second, should I be looking into fullsize shocks (I have 2 Rancho 9000's sitting in my garage from a buddy that got rid of them for his build-up) or would a smaller pair be sufficient? I'm not looking for flex but rather something to dampen the bounce.
Thanks in advance.

I can answer about the tire pressure.

It kinda is a feel thing. And looking at the profile of how the tire sits. From the front look at the tire where it contacts the ground. Too much air and only the centre of the tire will touch. You don't want that much air, too little and outsides will wear.

I think you will want to see a nice contact on the bottom, not out to the sidewall in a couple inches on both sides.

Also too much and it will bounce alot. Shocks are nice, but I have used plenty of trailers with out them.

here are two tires, one under and one over inflated.

For your air pressure pick something in between and record it. Also pick your air pressure based on the standard load you carry. Like with your camping gear etc... Then adjust up or down as necessary.

 

[brownbear]

Oh and as a fellow motorist on the highway...you lack of fenders would piss me off LOL too many flying rocks off the mudders.....

 

[Sleeper]

Oh and as a fellow motorist on the highway...you lack of fenders would piss me off LOL too many flying rocks off the mudders.....

Thanks for the info. As another fellow motorist you might want to stay back and stop tailgating me.

 

[cruiserdan]

Thanks for the info. As another fellow motorist you might want to stay back and stop tailgating me.

Just wait until one of those nice fat lugs picks up a rock and throws it forward and shatters your back window........

 

[inthewall]

Just wait until one of those nice fat lugs picks up a rock and throws it forward and shatters your back window........

X2 The first ones going to break your back window. The second ones going to hit you in the back of the head. Take a nice 55 mph drive down a gravel road you will see what we are talking about.
Nice looking trailer though.

 

[Mike S]

Ditto on Dan's caution. Plus your truck tires can shred anything exposed on the front of your trailer.

Tire pressure. I usually run about 12 lbs in the 31's on my trailer. I load it, pull the air hose over and fool with it til I get it to where it looks about right. No shocks, no problems in over 5000 miles.

M

 

[brownbear]

Just wait until one of those nice fat lugs picks up a rock and throws it forward and shatters your back window........

Yah I forgot about that!

 

[Sleeper]

Thanks for all the input.

Not that it won't happen (Murphy's Law disclaimer) but I've probably logged over 5000 mi. on her so far and no problems with flying rocks hitting my rear window. Whenever I do hit the dirt I'm not looking to hit the legal minimum speed so I'm thinking I wont have to worry about the gravel.

I'll work out the PSI on the next road trip. That's the beauty of on-board air.