Two frames!

[Zack]

Whoever owned my trailer before me apparently put one frame on top of the other. I guess the axle broke, and rather than repairing it, he just mounted the existing frame onto a new frame. Would any welder be able to take care of this?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20709113@N ... hotostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20709113@N ... hotostream

[CarlLaFong]

Talk about your redneck repairs. Did the guy in the straitjacket do it???
Are the two frames welded or bolted together? A good welder can fix it, I'm sure

[Shadow Catcher]

I would think it would not be any particular problem to lose a couple of hundred pounds of ugly metal, the real problem may be the negative offset axle. Were it me I would plan on a new Flexride axle with brakes. I agree with CarLaFong looks like the ultimate redneck repair.

[Zack]

Ouch! Just talked to a welder. the estimate is 2800! I wonder what my options are here.

[Shadow Catcher]

With a 4 1/2 angle grinder (I have three Harbor Freight with different wheels) and cutoff wheels you can remove the bottom frame by cutting the spot welds on the bottom frame. You would want to not cut into the top frame. The only welding necessary would be any repairs to the top frame and welding on new brackets for the new axle.

[les45]

From the looks of both frames, I'm not sure I would trust either one by itself. The welds, rust, and configuration of the tongue(s) would scare me a little. I see a lot of bolts around the perimeter. How is the shell fastened to the trailer? Would it be feasible to disconnect the entire shell and slide a new trailer under it? (maybe that is what "bubba" couldn't figure out)

[Dale M.]

Ouch! Just talked to a welder. the estimate is 2800! I wonder what my options are here.

I think your welder is a crook....

You can separate it yourself with a angle grinder or Sawzall... and a good welder on wheels probable should charge 250 for weld operation... What you spend on axle will depend on your desires.... Its possible to reuse existing axle and springs and mounts (lower trailer) welded to cabin frame (upper frame)..

IF whole project costs more then $750, somebody is trying to rob you...

Dale

[CarlLaFong]

2800 bucks is an outrage and a ripoff of biblical proportions. I'm a welder and I don't care what's wrong with it. I would fix it for a few hundred at the most, plus materials. Hell. I'd probably do it for a few cases of good beer and a nice lunch

[mikeschn]

$2800...? He doesn't want to be bothered with your project.

Find someone who is more interested in working with you!

Mike...

[S. Heisley]

...Now we know why you were able to buy it for around $400!
This is the same one, isn't it?
.
I'd still see if you can get it registered...before you put a lot of work into it. (...Don't know if you can in your state...don't know where you live.) I'd be afraid that the previous owner might try to get it back after you put a whole lot of work and money into it.

[Dale M.]

Where are you located (no location in profile)... VIN number tag on upper tongue. looks suspiciously like Calif DMV...

Dale

[S. Heisley]

Where are you located (no location in profile)... VIN number tag on upper tongue. looks suspiciously like Calif DMV...

Dale

You're right. I can't tell for certain; but, it looks like "CA 989857". Interesting that the tag is on the top frame and not the bottom one. I wonder how in the world the modifier got those two chassis frames put together like that!

[Martiangod]

With a 4 1/2 angle grinder (I have three Harbor Freight with different wheels) and cutoff wheels you can remove the bottom frame by cutting the spot welds on the bottom frame. You would want to not cut into the top frame. The only welding necessary would be any repairs to the top frame and welding on new brackets for the new axle.

I'm with shadow on this one, what I can see of the top frame does not look too bad, an underside pic would tell better what your working with.
cut off the bottom trailer
Beef up the mounting points and go with a flexride axel
The toungue may need beefed and tied back further on the frame if it is only welded to the front cross member

[Rolly]

Is it possable the axle was on the top trailer frame at one time? Pictures from under would be interesting.

Rolly

[Zack]

Thanks for all the responses folks! Sorry I didn't get back until now...

I'm in Los Angeles, the trailer is currently in Long Beach.