There is always something to learn when looking at someone’s DIY project. This customer story about a unique trailer build is no exception.
First, Thank You. We really appreciate all the photos along with the story — and the introduction to the watercraft. The photos tell a story of more than just the build. These photos (scroll down the page to see them) give a peek at some fun and unique trailer features.
This story comes from “Tom” via our Customer Story Submission Form. So, here is the story in his own words.
Customer Story:
A Unique Trailer Build Story – from “Tom”
Hi, I paid close attention to the relevant articles on your website, which were very helpful, as I’m new to both welding and building trailers. So, armed with your site’s advice, I ordered a 3,500 lb, 4” drop axle from Cerka in Milton Ontario, and proceeded with the re-build of my mid-70’s trailer.
This small trailer was originally built by my Dad [who taught college-level welding] to tow my Laser sailboat behind my ’73 VW Beetle [which got a custom welded trailer hitch to match]. Yes, 60 hp to tow a trailer – but it worked! The trailer consisted of a simple, five-sided 2” square tube frame, with one cross piece near the rear to which small plates for the two half torsion axles were welded. 10 years ago, I adapted the trailer to first haul a small tunnel hull, built by my Dad for my son, and have used it up to now to tow my CSH hydroplane to our local races. To support the boats, I added carpeted bunks, decking and a small locking compartment for the spare and tools.
This year, I decided to re-build the trailer into an 8’ x 4.5’ low flatbed, with sufficient load capacity to handle a 2,000 lb bag of garden soil, and sized to carry a 1,500 lb Kubota UTV. I made plywood sides, 3’ high, so that I can pick up as much as 4 cubic yards of mulch. I’m also keen to use the trailer to load hardwood logs for woodworking projects. It is equipped with a Warn 4,000 lb utility winch bolted to a steel plate that slides into a piece of 2” receiver tube welded onto the front of the trailer.
This was a fun and educational project that benefited from a number of useful web postings by individuals who took the time to document the details of their own projects, so I have to relay thanks, generally, for the solid on-line advice.
Tom
Thank You For The Story
We’re glad you find our website is useful. Spreading useful information is our intent, as well as, I’m sure, the other sites you also visited. When the stories stimulate creativity, we think that’s awesome. Rock on.
The unique trailer looks great. I didn’t understand the double tongue jack, but the winch is great. And, I really like the implementation for the winch with the drawbar. Thank you for sending all these photos.
For readers looking for inspiration, this is another good one. Also see the trailer rebuild story of a few weeks ago. Of course, if you don’t have a trailer to rebuild or convert, then we have plans for building a new one. Customize it as you see fit, and make a great project you too can share and submit your own customer success story. Thank you for visiting Mechanical Elements. See the process photos below for a lot more context with the story above.
Thank you again for sending the photos and the story to go with them. Enjoy the new and improved trailer.
Photos of the Unique Trailer Build
More photos that came with the story, here in order. I think the photos tell a story all by themselves. (These are cropped and sized from the originals to fit the web size and to minimize page load time.) Enjoy.
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