Might be a silly question.....

[deacon328]

I have a friend or two that build pickup bed trailers out of the rear half of older pickups. He has a few laying around that are just the axle, frame and a tongue welded on the frame.

Just to remind everyone, I am building a tony trailer for trasnportation of pets. I'm really not that concerned with cosmetics. Would one of those frames be ok as a platform for a tiny trailer?

I can buy one for $100.00 that's why i asked.

[Alphacarina]

They would be heavy - Probably 3X heavier than you need. The pickup truck axle alone probably weighs more than many tiny trailers

Don

[asianflava]

Another problem is that pickup frames aren't flat so the floor of your trailer will be about where the tailgate is.

[deacon328]

Thanks to both of you, very good points. Just scratched that idea off the notepad....

[jeepr]

Just scratched that idea off the notepad....

[jay]

i had someone give me a trailer made from a pick up bed about 25 years ago. i was able to keep it on the road long enough to tow it the 3 miles to the dump, unhitch, & drive away.

better off spending the few $$$ and getting a small, NEW, kit trailer. at least you'll know what you're starting off with. then if you want a pick up box mounted on it, have a go.

[Podunkfla]

I'd keep lookin... There are bargains to be had out there. I got a good trailer similar to a Harbor Freight one for $25. a few months back. And, boat trailers are available cheap around here. It's amazing what people have just sitting around their back yards.

[deacon328]

So Podunk with a boat trailer would you just weld some cross supports and then cut out some length? They are "V" shaped but that can be remedied with a couple of pieces welded side to side.

[Podunkfla]

So Podunk with a boat trailer would you just weld some cross supports and then cut out some length? They are "V" shaped but that can be remedied with a couple of pieces welded side to side.

I think I would just cut off the front end, then bend the curved sides out straight with some new crossmembers. Last, fabricate a new tongue out of the part I cut off. I guess it would depend on the trailer though... Some would be easier than others. Others here have done this and have pictures, I just can't remember who? Still beats buying all new metal, axle and other parts... methinks.

[cuyeda]

Check with Joanne, Desert Dawg. A boat trailer frame was used to start with. Joanne may have a few good comments for you. I spoke to Dave, Joanne's friend who helped, and he made a comment that it may have been easier to start from scratch. Check out the Desert Dawg's build photo album. Joanne's trailer turned out nice, but a lot of effort went into revamping the boat frame.

[ARKPAT]

You might check to see what salvage yard would give you ( if you come out ahead of your expenses and make a profit ) for the steel and use the money for purchase of another usable trailer. That weight can be usefull for salvage of steel to buy parts or you might find a trailer at the salvage yard to swap.





Pat

[brian_bp]

Halfway between putting a bunch of effort into reworking a boat trailer frame, and selling the whole thing for salvage:

Use the axle, coupler, wheels, etc, and sell just the inappropriate frame as scrap, applying the value to the right steel stock for a custom frame. It's another option.