[k2mooch]

I want to build a trailer to haul around the Mustang to the beach this summer for when it's drivable. Don't feel like spending $1000+ on a new or used one, so has anybody ever made one from an old truck/camper frame? I'm looking at a few axles and suspension designs to lay 2 wooden platforms down on wtih reinforcements.

The rear would just use regular car ramps with a kick over ramp to clear the bump stops at the end. Any ideas?


MoocH

[4 Jaw Chuck]

Sounds like the Beverly Hillbillies...goes hotrodding.

Why not buy a used tow dolly?

Tow Dolly

...or better yet rent one, and measure and copy it to build one for yourself.

Uncle Jed.

[Beenaway2long]

Mooch,

Yer kidding me right?? All the time and effort on the Stang, and you want to risk hauling it on a POS? C'mon now! (Besides, $1,000.00 is CHEAP for a car trailer)

[Weimer]

Whoa.... After all the time and money spent to make it into your dream car, and you want to TOW it to the beach?! Here's an idea...Drive it!
Later,
WEIMER

[k2mooch]

I hear ya Chickie. I'm kinda scared of dollys. I'd like to find a good junked camper trailer with a double axle, knock off the top and just lay down some steel braces for some 2x4's. Yea, if I can get it down to the frame, I'll just sand and paint it up. It wouldn't look much different from the ones you can get for $1400, just a little more thrifty I think.

I would drive it, trust me, I'd love to. . . . . if gas were free. But I go to the beach at least every other weekend in the summertime. A friend of mine has a beach house in North Myrtle, and he has an F250. He doesn't mind paying for gas as long as I let him drive it when we get there. Plus, dad just bought a GMC 2500HD to tow his travel trailer 5th wheel and small boat with.

Next time we shoot up to OH to see my grandma, I'd like to take her for a ride. She hasn't been down here in 3 years, so I'm trying to save money.

If I can build a hauler for around $700 out of a scrapped camper, I'll pay it off by saving gas for a 351W and wear and tear on the car in 2 summers.



MoocH

[2-manytoyzs]

I am just finishing up my trailer. Have to paint it still and put on the tie down hooks. What I found was an old Road Ranger 23' travel trailer tandem axle with brakes. I cut it all apart and reversed the side rails (because they are "C" channel steel). I wanted the flat side out. The trailer axles were 87" wide so I widened the axles to 96" by welding a 9" (with same diameter tube) extension after cutting the axles in half then capped it with a 3" pipe for strength. Added 2x4 steel 120 wall tube for cross members. New spring shackle kit. ($24). The new frame crossmembers were welded in to match the wider axles. I've welded in steel pipe under the frame (front to back) to give it more strength so I can eliminate the side rails up above the bed so I can install the fenders so they can tilt and give more room to open the door to get in and out of the car. Also easier access to load the trailer with a forklift of slide stuff off the side with out having to lift stuff over the side rails. Also 2x6 pine floor.
If I had to do it again I would question my sanity. It was a LOT of work to cut up the old unit and weld and finish the metal, but now I have a custom trailer that is strong and have used it to haul a bunch of cars already and other big and bulky things. There is a pic of it in my photo album with my newest toy sitting on it. Not a good pic of the trailer, cuz I was takin a pic of the car. Oh yea, it only cost me $325 all total, but I would rather build something myself even if it would cost me more, just to know that I did it myself. Some of the $1400 trailers I looked at are 3"angle iron and I much more prefer "C" channel and/or steel tube.
Ross
BTW MoocH both of my boys have 69 mustangs. One is a GT and the other is a fully loaded coupe. Were putting a 89 5.0 HO with OD in the coupe. I'm using the trailer to haul the GT to Texas this summer to take it to my son who lives there.

[TooMany2count]

and don't forget that in most if not all 50 states, one of the 2 axles must have a working set of brakes.....joe

[FASTCHEVY]

I saw a pic somewere, this gut cut the back half of a 80s Dodge minivan and mated it to a car tralier looked like the guy did
a pretty good job too.
I don't think the tranny would last very long though.

[Bad Rat]

If you have a tow rig lined up'' you could find a flatbed off of a truck, put a pair of 3500# axles undwer it . weld in a tounge and some ramps with ramp storage between the frame rails, Or you could even put it on air bags and eliminate the ramps, Just a Idea BILL

[k2mooch]

I found a few campers, but the axles were too narrow. I didn't want to have to convert much, so I'm not wanting to go the 'converted truck' route at all. I don't have a torch or saw strong enough to cut frame. Hacksaw would take forever, so I'm kinda on the lookout for a trailer already fitted with 2 axles with brakes.

Do they make a welding stick with really thin metal with THICK flux so I can try to burn my way through some thicker metal?

Horse trailers and campers are what I've narrowed it down to so far. Thanks for the ideas guys.



MoocH

[Kevin45]

I don't think horse trailer are wide enough.

Kevin

[hugo`]

Why not use old truck axels? if you want you can just kill the brakes and have empty drums or you can make the brakes work if you want brakes.

Henry

[Erk]

My uncles made one out of 1/2 ton truck axels, hauls his 2 polaris 500 HO's on it..its real nice though..

-Eric