Anyone ever make a custom trailer?

ItsAllAboutTheT&A

ItsAllAboutTheT&A

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So I've got this 8 foot trailer I want to restore. Single axle, pretty small, 3 foot walls on the sides. The axle and wheels that are on it are from the 60's and are trashed. What I want to do is take the axle off and put a new axle and wheels under it. I have a set of PT Cruiser wheels and tires at my shop that someone gave me. I'd like to use those wheels. They look kind of cool (for a trailer at least) and I already have them. I can't figure out how I'm going to do this. I was going to go to a junk yard and rip the rear end out of a PT Cruiser, but then I was thinking I need to fab up all sorts of shit for that to work.

I've seen people custom make trailers with car wheels on them, but I can't find any solid info online. I don't need trailer brakes, I don't need fancy suspension...just maybe a leaf or two. Nothing heavy will go in this thing. Maybe a few hundred pounds at most. How the heck do I do this?

I don't want to try and refurbish the stuff thats already there. The wheels are really weird. I've never seen any quite like it. The bolt pattern, i'm pretty sure, I'll never find. It also has a massive break drum setup that looks like it should belong on a semi truck. The wheels are actually bolted to the drums. Weird. It's all banged up and rotting away anyways.

A little nod in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. BTW, I cut, weld and fab up metal, so any suggestions would be just fine. Thanks Motown!
 
Back in '05 I built my own car trailer. I ordered a complete trailer kit, minus materials for the frame and the tires and wheels, got everything else in the kit shipped via ups. Axles, springs, perches, fenders, tongue receptacle, wiring, tongue jack, etc. Right now I can't think of the company I ordered it all through but I'm sure I can find the receipt at home. I won't be around through the weekend to look but I'll check back then, I'm sure you'll have better responses by then. I do remember the whole thing was only $465, but that was back then. Another option if you're just looking at getting a more modern axle/bolt pattern under it is check out TSC. I don't imagine they will have the bolt pattern for the PT cruiser wheels, but it would give you something to start looking at to get some ideas.
 
Best advice is to visit a rv/trailer supply store and look at hub/axle assemblies. I've seen people redrill the car wheel for a trailer axle pattern. But don't know if that is the proper way. Also, seen an adapter trailer hub made that bolted to a cut down car hub, again redneck engineering. Can't vouch for whether its a good idea
 
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I know it sounds kind of redneck but could you go to parts galore and grab a Rear axle and leaf springs from 1986-1996 Dodge caravan and mount them under the trailer. Should be the same bolt pattern as your wheels. This would only work if its the right width for your trailer.
 
capone said:
I know it sounds kind of redneck but could you go to parts galore and grab a Rear axle and leaf springs from 1986-1996 Dodge caravan and mount them under the trailer. Should be the same bolt pattern as your wheels. This would only work if its the right width for your trailer.
Click to expand...

Dude...I just looked that up. Seems like lots of people do that with custom built trailers. The axle tube can be cut to whatever track you need.
 
Tractor supply has all the stuff you would need to build one too. If you need a different bolt pattern, in sure you can find an adapter. Their stuff is always cheap too, its the 'out here' harbor freight. Go there is you have one local. I get all my bolts from there, grade 8 stuff is something like $4.50 per pound, I just grab handfuls of that stuff
 
Motorcitydak said:
Tractor supply has all the stuff you would need to build one too. If you need a different bolt pattern, in sure you can find an adapter. Their stuff is always cheap too, its the 'out here' harbor freight. Go there is you have one local. I get all my bolts from there, grade 8 stuff is something like $4.50 per pound, I just grab handfuls of that stuff
Click to expand...

Hight Five on the myTSC
 
347convert said:
Here is the fucked up part to your post....


I ordered my compressor from northern, Kyle came over and saw there catalog, and I gave him one...... HE OWNS A NORTHERN CATALOG!
Click to expand...

I don't think I took it. Im pretty sure I left it on your counter. So go fuck yourself.
 
I built up my 5x8 box trailer at one time.

Its pretty easy to do. TSC has all the parts you would need.

Basically get the axle you want. Weld on some spring perches. Install the ubolts and your all set. Its pretty much cake.

Work to mine: Got trailer from my father after like 25 years he used it.
New springs to replace 25yr old worn out ones.
Spring over axle for height.
Rehung fenders.
2" tongue to match other trailer I had.
Drop gate for loading...didn't work out as well as I wanted.
New treated wood for sides
Painted with TSC farm implement paint black.
New safety chains.
New tires 3000lbs with high pressure valve stems.
 
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