Trailer Build

[KennyG]

Here is another project I probably spent more time and money on that it's worth, but it was a fun project. I had a solid S-10 pickup bed left over from another project so I decided to build it into a trailer. I also has some heavy wall 2x2 tubing and that was enough for the frame rails and tongue.

I thought about trying to find a cheap used axle but the truck bed requires specific dimensions and I'm not that confident in my welding and fabrication skills, so I bought a 3.5K axle with the right configuration. As a bonus it has the same wheels and tires as my car hauler so I use one as a spare if I need one.

After I put it together, I realized the axle placement did not provide much tongue weight. Since I couldn't move the axle, I found some 2x3 tube and added some weight to the tongue and added a base for a tongue mount tool box.

 

[KennyG]

Painting was a real learning experience. In the past I've usually used Rustoleum for these kinds of projects and two stage urethane for valuable stuff. I primed the frame with Rustoleum clean metal primer and the bottom of the bed with rusty metal primer. Then I painted those with Rustoleum gloss black.

For the bed, I decided to try Majic paint from Tractor Supply, mainly because they have the matching reducer and hardener there. I like to use hardener when I can because I have a fresh air hood setup.

I followed the instructions (for a "perfect spray" and sprayed the bed and go horrible orange peel. I sanded it back down, put in 50% more reducer and got orange peel again. Once more I sanded it and this time doubled the recommended reducer. This time it went down pretty smooth with very good gloss. I think with a little rubbing and polishing and I think it will look fine.

 

[yanmars]

Nice looking trailer

 

[tacticalturnip]

Very nice!

 

[Rustyiron]

Doesn't look like a waste of time at all!

 

[tacticalturnip]

Doesn't look like a waste of time at all!

At worst it's funny seeing an S10 step-side build being pulled by an F150 lol.

 

[Runner]

Looks great! Any idea of the weight? Guessing maybe 500?

 

[dodge man]

It came out great!

 

[KennyG]

Axle weight 560 lbs, tongue weight 45 lbs.

 

[WinterDeere]

Beautiful. But now you're going to need to buy a black truck next, so they match.

 

[KennyG]

Beautiful. But now you're going to need to buy a black truck next, so they match.

It would have to be a Chevy truck to match and that ain't gonna happen.

 

[Thomas]

Nice...very nicely done.

 

[Rustyiron]

At worst it's funny seeing an S10 step-side build being pulled by an F150 lol.

A ford pulling around a GM is quite normal.

 

[not2old]

Painting was a real learning experience. In the past I've usually used Rustoleum for these kinds of projects and two stage urethane for valuable stuff. I primed the frame with Rustoleum clean metal primer and the bottom of the bed with rusty metal primer. Then I painted those with Rustoleum gloss black.

For the bed, I decided to try Majic paint from Tractor Supply, mainly because they have the matching reducer and hardener there. I like to use hardener when I can because I have a fresh air hood setup.

I followed the instructions (for a "perfect spray" and sprayed the bed and go horrible orange peel. I sanded it back down, put in 50% more reducer and got orange peel again. Once more I sanded it and this time doubled the recommended reducer. This time it went down pretty smooth with very good gloss. I think with a little rubbing and polishing and I think it will look fine.

View attachment 5242814

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The next time you do some painting check out how fast the thinner dries, They make different thinners for different air/environment conditions.

 

[KennyG]

The next time you do some painting check out how fast the thinner dries, They make different thinners for different air/environment conditions.

They do for the expensive urethane paints but Majic seems to have only one reducer which I would guess is probably mostly mineral spirits. If I recall they say don't use acetone which I have used in the past with other paints.

 

[chim]

Nice job on the trailer! The extra baggage on the front should help with the balance. The bed you used dictated the axle location, so you had no choice. I built a small utility trailer back in '90 that has been very useful ever since.

I had the forethought to make the bed large enough to haul 4x8 material and tie it down BUT since it was fabricobbled without any plans (or enough research) the axle is mid-trailer. That did two things. It made it tongue-light, and it is easy to jack knife when backing it. When using it I have to keep the balance in mind or depending upon the load it wants to lift in the front. I've almost always used it behind a Bronco II, Tahoe or Trailblazer so it was manageable. Those couple times it was behind a pickup it was difficult to back up without jacking it.

 

[KennyG]

Trailer balance is definitely an important consideration when building a trailer. Trailer manufacturers seem to go overboard to insure tongue weight perhaps because of liability concerns. On my Big Tex car hauler I have to load front engine vehicles backwards to get the tongue weight down to 500 lbs.