Trailer Trash, Trash Trailer

So I get this gift……its a 196? travel trailer. I was going to use it for hunting and camping. Much work had been done on it and it was dry inside, so I accepted it. For the next year I chased the title which had been lost by the most recent owner. While making some repairs to the windows I discovered some very soft wood. Had to investigate further. Pulled some gutter trim, peel back some aluminum and you know the rest of the story. I wish I had pictures of the demo, it was pretty cool. Recycled almost everything. This was no chop, hack, rip and tear operation. What I ended up with was a single axle trailer constructed of old school steel channel. It ended up being 7′X11′6″‘. It was then we decided to cut 18 ” off the tail to prevent too much tail weight and so it could be decked with 10′ Boards instead of cutting 12 ‘ boards to fit. Once that was done we framed the trailer in 1 1/2″ angle. The axle began on the bottom of the axle to accomodate the low profile needed for a travel trailer. I dropped the front shackle of the leaf, fire-wrenched the rusted and bent u-bolts and reassembled it (with new u-bolts) with the axle on the bottom of the leaf springs. This was a much better height for a utility trailer.

Once that was done it was time to think about fenders and stake pockets. I purchased stamped fenders from a local trailer sales and service center for $18 each. The stake pockets came from a piece of stock purchased from the local scrap metal yard. It’s inner dimension was large enough for a 2″x4″ to fit easily into. It was cut into 4″ legnths. The fenders were shimmed and clamped in place then welded. I cannot take all the credit for this one. My friends welding skill far surpasses my own and he enjoys projects like this. Luckily for me! With the fenders in place we then attatched the stake pockets and that completed the fabrication of the project. We coated the entire framework with rattle can primer. We then painted all of the surfaces that would be visible after the deck was installed with gloss black paint. We decked the trailer with 2″X12″ planks that were used prevoiusly as forms for concrete. The side panels were made with 1/2″ plywood.  Talk about recycling! I haven’t taken any pictures with the side panels on it but the light and eveything work great. I have used it several time and only invested about $140.00 total into the project. I am very pleased with the results. The trailer will be around many years after I am gone.