Rebuilding old 16 ft utility, couple questions?

[BobReeves]

Hi Folks,

Drug an old abused 16 foot tandem utility trailer out of the weeds a couple months ago and am finally getting around to doing something with it.

First issue is it's an angle iron frame and originally had an angle iron truss that ran around the top. For some reason some idiot cut the front half of the truss off then proceeded to overload the poor thing and probably wondered why he bent the frame. I have the frame pretty close to straightened out, new fenders and rebuilt truss. Am close to making a trip to the lumber yard for new wood for the bed.

I understand the new treated lumber is pretty corrosive and am a little concerned about using it next to a steel trailer frame. Even painted it will eventually get wood to metal.. What about using non treated lumber and Thompson's water seal or maybe just painting it.. Thoughts and suggestions...

Thanks

 

[crbr]

Hi Folks,

Drug an old abused 16 foot tandem utility trailer out of the weeds a couple months ago and am finally getting around to doing something with it.

First issue is it's an angle iron frame and originally had an angle iron truss that ran around the top. For some reason some idiot cut the front half of the truss off then proceeded to overload the poor thing and probably wondered why he bent the frame. I have the frame pretty close to straightened out, new fenders and rebuilt truss. Am close to making a trip to the lumber yard for new wood for the bed.

I understand the new treated lumber is pretty corrosive and am a little concerned about using it next to a steel trailer frame. Even painted it will eventually get wood to metal.. What about using non treated lumber and Thompson's water seal or maybe just painting it.. Thoughts and suggestions...

Thanks

I hear your concern, so as you ask, here's my $0.02. Treated wood is your best bet and it will last only so long. Keep it out of the weather and sun and it will last even longer.

IMHO, I would not spend nor waste not one copper penny on any Thompson's product. It is about as worthless (from my experience of several reconditioned decks) as teats on a boar hog. I have yet to find any lasting wood treatment. I am now replacing my deck with a composite material.

Treated 2 x 8s will serve you well. I've had (and still have one) several of these trailers as a reference of my opinion.

 

[BobReeves]

This is what it looked like when I drug it out of the weeds, second photo is what it looks like now...

 

[shvl73]

ACQ treated is corrosive and I would be concerned as well. Is there a yard that might be able to order a small quantity of the old CCA for your project? If not, I would most likely use some rough cut hemlock and stain the heck out of it with a good preservative. It won't soak in much unless you let the wood dry, maybe stick it and cover it to keep rain off but allow good air flow.

 

[jsborn]

This is what it looked like when I drug it out of the weeds, second photo is what it looks like now...

Man I saw the twin to the trailer in the first picture going down the road in front of my house last week.

Nice job on rebuilding it you can try some nice hard oak lumber and paint all sides or spray it with hyd fluid before you bolt it down.

 

[gotcha]

Man I saw the twin to the trailer in the first picture going down the road in front of my house last week.
Nice job on rebuilding it you can try some nice hard oak lumber and paint all sides or spray it with hyd fluid before you bolt it down.

I agree on the oak, however isn't that adding a lot of weight to what appears to be a heavy 16' trailer. Once this trailer is completed, how does one know what the actual GVW is? Once that is determined I guess one could go to a sand pit and get the trailer weighed to see what weight can be put onto it. Am I right thinking in this direction?? I kinda went off the subject didn't I??
The Gotcha Man

 

[BobReeves]

I agree on the oak, however isn't that adding a lot of weight to what appears to be a heavy 16' trailer. Once this trailer is completed, how does one know what the actual GVW is? Once that is determined I guess one could go to a sand pit and get the trailer weighed to see what weight can be put onto it. Am I right thinking in this direction?? I kinda went off the subject didn't I??
The Gotcha Man

Best I can determine it has standard 3K axles so will be going by that less whatever the trailer weighs when it's finished. My tow truck is a 71 Chevy 1/2 ton with a bumper hitch so won't be loading it too heavy. Main reason I want it is for lumber and siding that is too long to haul in my pickup bed, no 5000 pound tractors. I do need to build a couple ramps for loading a lawn tractor or golf cart when/if the need arises.

 

[gotcha]

Sounds like that trailer will do all that you suggested and a bit more. The best of luck with it. Oh, one thing, we haven't got an answer for the flooring yet.
The Gotcha Man

 

[MrJimi]

And make sure you check your springs and attachment points real good

 

[BobReeves]

Ya, went over the suspension when I had it upside down, most of the welds are undercut but it has held up all these years being obviously abused. No broken springs and the shackles look good.

Think the best bet is to see if Pixly Lumber can still get the old stuff.. If they can and it isn't stupidly priced I will go with it.. Otherwize I will probably just use non treated and make it easy to replace boards.

I do not for the life of me understand why all the trailer manfactures I have seen weld the lumber in and you have to cut something to get it out.