Split-dovetail car hauler trailer

[Raw Dodge]

Nice work! I always install the tongue jack back a foot or so from where all trailer installers usually put them,(usually in the hole in the Atwood 2 5/16" coupler,) I like to be able to lower the tailgate on my trucks,and be able to back up with the tailgate down,without having to use an extended length receiver .

 

[buggyman1]

Nice work! I always install the tongue jack back a foot or so from where all trailer installers usually put them,(usually in the hole in the Atwood 2 5/16" coupler,) I like to be able to lower the tailgate on my trucks,and be able to back up with the tailgate down,without having to use an extended length receiver .

Thanks. That's a good idea if you have a tailgate.

 

[buggyman1]

Jack welded on. I wire brushed the weld area with my grinder before welding it on. Other than the sticker being put on crooked, I like it a lot better.

 

[franklin2]

Since you put it right up front, you now have room for a winch right behind it. The first winch I mounted to my trailer I put right ahead of the deck area, and found it was too close to the loading area, a lot of vehicles hang over the a-frame area when they are all the way up on the trailer. You can't get a good pull on the vehicle the last couple feet when the vehicle is over top the winch.

So I just got done installing a new 12000lb winch from Harbor Freight, and I mounted it as far up front as I could, without it hanging over the sides where the truck bumper could smash it. Just used it today and it works a lot better up there. I also put a wooden floor in part of the a-frame to have a place for the battery and a little bit of storage for chains and binders.

 

[All In A Days Work]

Buggyman1, That is a top notch trailer you have built! Thanks for bringing us along for the build. Can't wait to see it loaded up.

 

[buggyman1]

Buggyman1, That is a top notch trailer you have built! Thanks for bringing us along for the build. Can't wait to see it loaded up.

Thanks, i'm working on a toolbox for the tongue now. I'm getting close to wrapping this thing up.

 

[buggyman1]

I haven't had a lot of free time to work on the trailer lately, but I've got a little bit done on it. I've been working on a toolbox to store straps and chains etc. I decided to box in between the a- frame and make a storage box that will be flush. I boxed it in with 14 gauge sheet, it was kind of tricky to get the cuts right.

 

[buggyman1]

I made the lid and bottom out of the left over diamond plate from the deck, I wanted the top strong enough to stand on. I also made a trim piece to kinda bridge the gap between the box and the headache rack.

 

[buggyman1]

Storage box 90% complete. Not a ton of room, but should be good enough for straps and chains and a few tools. I'm not going to put a handle or lock on the top, I like the flush look, instead i'm gonna try and install a linear actuator to open the lid. I have one ordered, just not sure when it will get here, should be fun trying to install it. I have one on my dump trailer (to release the tailgate) and it works really well. I plan on hiding the switch (should be fun) that controls it, maybe inside the headache rail...not sure yet, it's also remote controlled. Here's a few pics of how it looks now.

 

[buggyman1]

Pulled the trailer out of the shop, it was a close fit.

 

[buggyman1]

Here she is, less paint and a few other things. I pulled it down the road a few miles to see how it towed, was real happy with it. It seems a lot lighter than my dump trailer.

 

[buggyman1]

Loaded up, I didn't use the rear jack and the truck did fine. That's a Toyota Camry (if you can't tell), I had about 4 inches clearance between the door and fender. I decided to paint it myself with the help of another poster on another site ( thanks farmersamm). He did a full how-to paint thread for me on weldingweb, thanks again samm. I hope to get started painting sometime this week.

 

[All In A Days Work]

Looks very nice. I like it a lot!

 

[buggyman1]

I finally got my linear actuator in and installed. I made two brackets for it and welded them on. It was kind of a pain getting everything to work in an enclosed space but I finally made it work.

 

[buggyman1]

I've been making and welding on wire looms out of square tubing.

 

[buggyman1]

I also bought a paint gun to paint this beast with, hope to get started sometime this week.

 

[Xfaxman]

I finally got my linear actuator in and installed. I made two brackets for it and welded them on. It was kind of a pain getting everything to work in an enclosed space but I finally made it work.

That is awesome! :thumbsup:

I have never seen a powered storage box lid.

 

[buggyman1]

That is awesome! :thumbsup:

I have never seen a powered storage box lid.

Thanks, I really didn't need it, but its cool to watch it in action.

 

[jb1390]

When you welded on the spring mounts and the tongue, how did you square everything up? You said it tows nicely so that's a good sign that it tracks straight down the road. I'm thinking of building a trailer one day, and have been curious how precise the axle location needs to be?

Very nice build, btw.

 

[buggyman1]

When you welded on the spring mounts and the tongue, how did you square everything up? You said it tows nicely so that's a good sign that it tracks straight down the road. I'm thinking of building a trailer one day, and have been curious how precise the axle location needs to be?

Very nice build, btw.

I measured the same distance from both sides and also used a square. I used a string to center-up the tongue, I think there is a pic of that in an earlier post.