Removing fenders from Northern Tool 5x8 trailer(?)

[Alfred]

Hi Gang,

I've decided I am going to remove the factory fenders from the Northern Tool 5x8 trailer I'm using, so I can build the sides over the frame. The trailer came already assembled from the Northern Tool store, and the fenders are welded on. How do I get them off? Can I use a hack-saw or do I need to go to a welding shop?

THanks, AL.

[toypusher]

I would suggest that you use an angle grinder with a cutoff blade in it. A hacksaw would work, probably, but will be alot of work. Grinder with a cutoff blade should only take about 5 or 10 minutes!!!

BTW: Harbor Freight has angle grinders pretty cheap most of time and they sell the cutoff blades (disk actually) too.

[TPMcGinty]

I cut mine off of my Northern Tools trailer frame with a Reciprocating Saw. An angle grinder would work well also.

Like Kerry said, a hack saw would work but you would get lots of exercise doing it!

[SmokeyBob]

I used a reciprocal saw with a metal cutting blade to cut the fenders off. It didn't take long.

You mentioned building the sides over the frame. If your sides will be touching the frame the weld joints from the fenders will need to be smoothed off with a grinder.

If you don't own a grinder or a reciprocal saw you might consider going to a welding shop. It might be cheaper.

[TPMcGinty]

I used a reciprocal saw with a metal cutting blade to cut the fenders off. It didn't take long.

You mentioned building the sides over the frame. If your sides will be touching the frame the weld joints from the fenders will need to be smoothed off with a grinder.

If you don't own a grinder or a reciprocal saw you might consider going to a welding shop. It might be cheaper.

Bob, That's a good point. I built a 2x4 floor so my walls would attach to the top 2 inches of the floor. They only sit on top of the metal frame and overhang the sides a little. If the wall is attached to the side of the metal frame, not only will he need to cut off the weld joints, but also all the metal protrusions. I think the frame has some in case you want to attach some stake rails. For that he will need an angle grinder.

[Alfred]

I built a 2x4 floor so my walls would attach to the top 2 inches of the floor.

I'm sorry, I'm not being clear. I am going to do the floor frame with 2x4's, I think like you are saying, so that I have about 2" of wood showing above the lip of the trailer frame. Then I will attach the walls to this, I think, unless there is a better option. I was not actually planning to build the frame over sides of the trailer. The sides of the trailer do have stake holders sticking out. Currently the fenders are flush against the side of the trailer, so there is no room to put a wall.

I don't have a grinder/cutter or reciprocating saw, currently. I have a hack saw, a Harbor Freight Tools store and a welding shop down the street! (Smile)

Thanks for y'all's feedback on this.

AL.

[TPMcGinty]

I built a 2x4 floor so my walls would attach to the top 2 inches of the floor.

I'm sorry, I'm not being clear. I am going to do the floor frame with 2x4's, I think like you are saying, so that I have about 2" of wood showing above the lip of the trailer frame. Then I will attach the walls to this, I think, unless there is a better option. I was not actually planning to build the frame over sides of the trailer. The sides of the trailer do have stake holders sticking out. Currently the fenders are flush against the side of the trailer, so there is no room to put a wall.

I don't have a grinder/cutter or reciprocating saw, currently. I have a hack saw, a Harbor Freight Tools store and a welding shop down the street! (Smile)

Thanks for y'all's feedback on this.

AL.

Alfred, I used the stake holders to set the walls on when I attached them to the 2" of floor that was sticking up. It worked well. If I were you I'd pick up a cheap angle grinder to take the fenders off. I picked one up at Menards for $10. I used it to cut off the angle iron coming off the sides that the trailer lights were mounted to. They got in the way of the fenders I decided to use. You could get one cheap at Harbor Freight.

[madjack]

Alfred, I would head on over to your HF store and get an 4.5" angle grinder...10-15 bucks, get a pack of cutoff disks and a pack of grinder disks(two different items) and take it off...a warning, the cutoff disks are thin, do not try to grind with them...the grinding disks are thick...do not try to do your cutoff with them...around our shop, we use the angle grinders ALOT so we have two and keep a grinding disk on one and a cutof disk on the other, to keep from having to change them out..........
madjack

[Kens]

Why take the fenders off build around them like I did on my TS frame

[pathdoc2]

Hey Kens, I'm going to do something similiar on my build but my fender will show just a tad more. I'd like to see pics of your floor framing.

[Kens]

Sorry I don't have any floor pics. Just made out of 2x2 and 1/2" ply real simple.

[Muggnz]

Why not leave them in place to protect the wood from stones, etc?

david

[Alfred]

Why not leave them in place to protect the wood from stones, etc?

Hi David,

If I build the 2x4 floor framing to the edge of the steel trailer frame, there is not room to mount the walls to the 2x4's, because the fenders are flush to the side of the trailer. Adding to the problem, the factory did not weld one of the fenders perfectly perpendicular, so that it actually has a significant lean over the edge toward the interior of the trailer, so mounting the walls on top of the floor is also not an option, as the fender will still be in the way. Plus, at the end of the day, I think the factory fenders are kind of ugly, although using them would save money. I plan to remount some sort of fender over the wheels later in the build. To date, I am still thinking about all this. Haven't taken them off yet. I did go to HF and buy a 4.5 angle grinder, on sale (Gotta love HF). Hey MadJack, any trick to using this thing? I've never used one before...

AL.

[Muggnz]

BOL with the leaning fender.

"I did go to HF and buy a 4.5 angle grinder, on sale (Gotta love HF). Hey MadJack, any trick to using this thing? I've never used one before... "

I always use ear, eye & hand protection. Muffs, wrap-around glasses & with thick leather gloves. As well as an old rain coat, which stops metal dust clogging up my clothes & ruining the washing machine pump.

It pays to do grinding outside as dust & metal chips go everywhere. And with grinding it is easy to get the metal red hot. Having a bucket of water handy helps me cool off cutoffs quickly.

I've noticed that after grinding for a while I get pins-n-needles in both hands. Which should be fine, short term. Although I wouldn't recommend it for a living. Constant exposure to this sort of vibration can lead to nerve damage.

david

[SmokeyBob]

Hi David,

If I build the 2x4 floor framing to the edge of the steel trailer frame, there is not room to mount the walls to the 2x4's, because the fenders are flush to the side of the trailer. Adding to the problem, the factory did not weld one of the fenders perfectly perpendicular, so that it actually has a significant lean over the edge toward the interior of the trailer, so mounting the walls on top of the floor is also not an option, as the fender will still be in the way. Plus, at the end of the day, I think the factory fenders are kind of ugly, although using them would save money. I plan to remount some sort of fender over the wheels later in the build. To date, I am still thinking about all this. Haven't taken them off yet. I did go to HF and buy a 4.5 angle grinder, on sale (Gotta love HF). Hey MadJack, any trick to using this thing? I've never used one before...

AL.

Exectly the same thoughts with my trailer.

For me I'll pass on the grinder. Sounds like a tool that if you don't know how to use it you could loose a digit or two. Gotta keep what I have left