Split-dovetail car hauler trailer

[aeblank]

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.

Hey, I think I recognize that actuator. Linear Actuator IP66 | Progressive Automations
If that's the one, how do you like it? I plan to use one to "automate" the SSQA levers on my Kubota (8" travel).

And yeah, an automated lid is pretty sweet. Should totally youtube that one up.

 

[buggyman1]

Hey, I think I recognize that actuator. Linear Actuator IP66 | Progressive Automations
If that's the one, how do you like it? I plan to use one to "automate" the SSQA levers on my Kubota (8" travel).

And yeah, an automated lid is pretty sweet. Should totally youtube that one up.

It's a little different (the electric motor is inline with the cylinder on mine) but it works great. It's also remote controlled.

 

[aeblank]

It's a little different (the electric motor is inline with the cylinder on mine) but it works great. It's also remote controlled.

What is it / where did you get it? Maybe it's a better option for me, too.
Thanks!

 

[buggyman1]

What is it / where did you get it? Maybe it's a better option for me, too.
Thanks!

Heavy Duty 4" inch Linear Actuator Stroke 225 lb Pound Max Lift 12V DC Bracket | eBay

 

[buggyman1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4ejjfOjX0Q&feature=youtu.be
Hope the link works....

 

[Scooter78]

Nice every trailer should have that. What will be even better is telling s friend to grasp strap out of the box and you raise lid for him.

 

[franklin2]

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 put the tape measure at the center of the hitch, and made sure that measurement was the same from there to the axle on both sides. That's where the truck is pulling it from, so I figured that was the critical spot. The frame of the trailer can be a little out of square, the a-frame can be a little off, but this pulling point to the axles measurement should make it pull nice behind the truck.

 

[buggyman1]

I reworked my safety chains, got the old mounts off with my grinder and welded the new connectors on.

 

[buggyman1]

I also added a hitch light, not sure if it'll work with the angle its at, we'll see, I hid the switch under the trim piece of diamond plate. I also added a light inside the toolbox, hope to wire it so it come's on when the lid raises. The weather is supposed to be good Wed. and Thur. and i'm off work...time to paint.

 

[kevinwak]

I also added a hitch light, not sure if it'll work with the angle its at, we'll see, I hid the switch under the trim piece of diamond plate. I also added a light inside the toolbox, hope to wire it so it come's on when the lid raises. The weather is supposed to be good Wed. and Thur. and i'm off work...time to paint.

have you thought of adding a hanger in the side of the tongue to hang the safety Chains from when them trailer isn't hooked up? Something so they aren't just sitting on the ground?

 

[jclaudii]

Very nice build, you did an excellent job! I'm looking forward to the weigh in

 

[buggyman1]

have you thought of adding a hanger in the side of the tongue to hang the safety Chains from when them trailer isn't hooked up? Something so they aren't just sitting on the ground?

I already did.

 

[buggyman1]

Very nice build, you did an excellent job! I'm looking forward to the weigh in

Thanks. Yeah, i'm kinda wandering on the weight myself.

 

[jimmysisson]

It's beautiful! One if these days you'll have to call it done and use it! Nice work.
Jim

 

[buggyman1]

It's beautiful! One if these days you'll have to call it done and use it! Nice work.
Jim

lol, yeah, after paint all I've got to do is wire it, that's something I can actually do.

 

[hawkeye08]

Nice job! Thanks for sharing. I have a car trailer built locally that has the jacks on the back corners. I really like them, even more when I got a flat moving my daughter. We were able to change the tire using the back corner jack to raise it up (loaded with household items). My wife was smiling the whole time! No damage done with flat, we had a spare with us, jack worked, had lunch in next town while they repaired flat)...

 

[buggyman1]

I decided to use this paint for the underside, I figured i'd waste a lot of it trying to get it in all the nooks and crannies on the bottom. I didn't want to chance getting it half painted and it getting rained on, so i'm painting it in the shop.

 

[buggyman1]

This is the paint I used on the top side. A buddy who has a body shop recommended it.

 

[buggyman1]

I had to buy a new paint gun, the one's I bought from Lowes were basically junk.

 

[buggyman1]

After wire brushing the entire trailer with a grinder, blowing it of, washing it with simple green, spraying on the priming etch and rinsing it off with water, letting it dry good, I started painting. I masked off the sides and fenders and with booties on to cover my boots I got right on the deck and painted the whole thing from the front to the back. After the rust coat dried, I did the same with the top coat. When the deck was dry, I masked it off and did the sides and fenders pretty much the same way I did the deck. I used a box fan to help vent the fumes outside. It worked pretty well.