Post by taotao on Apr 21, 2014 21:26:14 GMT -8
Hello everyone! Introducing myself and my trailer. So I've been in the market for a trailer for about 6 months and came close to buying a few times but ended up with this one. Warning! My post is pretty long and verbose, my apologies. The trailer is turning out to be quite the story. It was in my hometown in MD parked in a treeline near two large fields (think someone was hunting from it) probably since sometime in the 80s-90s. I remember driving by it as a kid. I currently live in VA but will be working on it in MD. One day driving by about 2 months ago I decided to drop a note in the mailbox near the trailer. Lo and behold I get a phone call, saying "Hey, if you want it come take it away for free." Yep...free!
So, I spent a couple weekends prepping the trailer to be moved. Spent $160 on brand new tires (definitely overpaid but at least my conscious is clear about safety). The land it was on is owned by an older gentleman, and I was working with his son (probably in his 40s) on getting the trailer out. Unfortunately, the actual owner known as "Uncle Cliff" doesn't have the title. But they're super nice people and are willing to sign a bill of sale (need to find the serial # though). I've checked out the frame and circuit breaker but no numbers.
The trailer was full of old crap and definitely had rodents living in it. It was completely shot up with bullet holes. Check out the bullet holes in the front windows just near where the full propane tank was. Luckily this thing wasn't blown sky high. Also, the thing was full of pornographic computer print outs of African American women and donned a nice confederate flag license plate. I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I found this to be extremely humorous (Ohhh Uncle Cliff). I cleaned the entire thing out two weekends ago and was checking out the hole where the propane lamp used to be and about 1 inch from my hand is the head of a snake sticking out. Scared the hell out of me! I banged the trailer trying to get it out but to no avail, so I have that to look forward to.
Ok so enough about the trailer, a little about me. Late 20s and this is my first trailer, I used to work as a carpenter so I consider myself very handy but will only be working on it weekends. I think I have most of the tools I'll need to get this bad boy up and running. This will be a great project for me and my girlfriend to work on. We're super excited. I've been checking out mobiltecs videos (shout out to him, thanks for uploading!).
This will be a complete frame off restoration and I'd like to keep it as original as possible. It's unfortunate that the propane lights, stove, and possibly a fridge are gone. I'll be reusing whatever I can, but from the looks of it most framing will need replacing. Trailer is 10 foot long, 13 ½ long with the hitch.
This weekend I'll begin demo, I hope to take apart the whole thing and start grinding off the frame rust, hopefully revealing the serial #. I'll be happy with that result, but if I'm able to start painting the frame that would be great. I'll keep the skins but I'm pretty sure I'll end up replacing all of it. From there I'll most likely replace the hubs as one is missing a lug and I'd just like to know it's safe.
Questions for anyone willing to help:
1) Who the heck makes this trailer? The wheel well shape looks to be pretty unique to me.
2) Is it worth replacing the leaf springs? Don't have pics yet, but it looks pretty similar to most undercarriage rust I've seen in folk’s pics. They look to be mechanically sound.
3) Any specific tools you think I need? I'm thinking of the drill bits to remove the screws holding the skins on. I have a pretty solid selection of tools but maybe not trailer specific.
4) Any other general advice you might give before I rip this thing apart?
Pics below, hopefully it works with the folder private.
Loaded up ready to go! I got a lower drop ball before transporting.
So, I spent a couple weekends prepping the trailer to be moved. Spent $160 on brand new tires (definitely overpaid but at least my conscious is clear about safety). The land it was on is owned by an older gentleman, and I was working with his son (probably in his 40s) on getting the trailer out. Unfortunately, the actual owner known as "Uncle Cliff" doesn't have the title. But they're super nice people and are willing to sign a bill of sale (need to find the serial # though). I've checked out the frame and circuit breaker but no numbers.
The trailer was full of old crap and definitely had rodents living in it. It was completely shot up with bullet holes. Check out the bullet holes in the front windows just near where the full propane tank was. Luckily this thing wasn't blown sky high. Also, the thing was full of pornographic computer print outs of African American women and donned a nice confederate flag license plate. I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I found this to be extremely humorous (Ohhh Uncle Cliff). I cleaned the entire thing out two weekends ago and was checking out the hole where the propane lamp used to be and about 1 inch from my hand is the head of a snake sticking out. Scared the hell out of me! I banged the trailer trying to get it out but to no avail, so I have that to look forward to.
Ok so enough about the trailer, a little about me. Late 20s and this is my first trailer, I used to work as a carpenter so I consider myself very handy but will only be working on it weekends. I think I have most of the tools I'll need to get this bad boy up and running. This will be a great project for me and my girlfriend to work on. We're super excited. I've been checking out mobiltecs videos (shout out to him, thanks for uploading!).
This will be a complete frame off restoration and I'd like to keep it as original as possible. It's unfortunate that the propane lights, stove, and possibly a fridge are gone. I'll be reusing whatever I can, but from the looks of it most framing will need replacing. Trailer is 10 foot long, 13 ½ long with the hitch.
This weekend I'll begin demo, I hope to take apart the whole thing and start grinding off the frame rust, hopefully revealing the serial #. I'll be happy with that result, but if I'm able to start painting the frame that would be great. I'll keep the skins but I'm pretty sure I'll end up replacing all of it. From there I'll most likely replace the hubs as one is missing a lug and I'd just like to know it's safe.
Questions for anyone willing to help:
1) Who the heck makes this trailer? The wheel well shape looks to be pretty unique to me.
2) Is it worth replacing the leaf springs? Don't have pics yet, but it looks pretty similar to most undercarriage rust I've seen in folk’s pics. They look to be mechanically sound.
3) Any specific tools you think I need? I'm thinking of the drill bits to remove the screws holding the skins on. I have a pretty solid selection of tools but maybe not trailer specific.
4) Any other general advice you might give before I rip this thing apart?
Pics below, hopefully it works with the folder private.
Loaded up ready to go! I got a lower drop ball before transporting.
