If you have used an old or used trailer and it's worked for you. Then you can probably skip the rest of this post.... and Thank You for reading..
If you're new to the tnttt scene like I am.
I've wanted a tear drop for a long time. Finally decided it was time to build one. Started working on the design and how I wanted to build it. Part of the fun right?
Then came the trailer. A trailer. Not just any trailer. A FREE boat trailer. To have a free trailer is to save money right? Think again??
How can free be bad? Well for starters. It got my hopes up.. saving money.. who doesn't want to save a little...? Know the old saying "It it sounds to good to be true or a good thing.... etc....".
Since first receiving the old trailer. I started with grinding all the extra parts and metal off the trailer. Which took some time..
Then did the math so I'd know where the axle needs to be relocated to. Springs were weak on one side. So bought new hangers and springs. Stepped them up to a 4 leaf set. Knowing the approx. weight of my build.
With rims and tires off, inspected them good. A badly dented rim on the inside. OK, can deal with that.. Ditch the 13", replace with 14" rims and tires. Bearings were next. Replaced them also.
Looked everywhere on the axle to find a name or weight limit. No luck... so measured the axle and found out it was only rated for approx. 950 lbs.
Now have a new axle.
Next figured a little extra angle iron here and there for mounting the tear drop to the trailer. Started taking measurements to square everything up. UT OH Nothing on the trailer was square or aligned properly.. further checking the 3" square tongue tube was twisted. So this trailer had been jack knifed probably more than once..
Just returned earlier today from a trailer builder here in town. This is where I bought the springs, hangers, axle, receiver and will get the new rims and tires..
He is going to make me the frame I needed in the first place. And add everything I had already bought from him for a very decent price.. Think he felt sorry for me.
Anyway,, Please just keep in mind.. FREE is not always FREE...