Super cheap trailer frame

[Dansworld77]

I ran across this trailer for sale today, and made arrangements to go see it tomorrow afternoon. I know it needs lights as well as the mechanism for the coupler (fortunately I have a utility trailer I can cannibalize for the coupler parts long enough to get it home, and a set of magnetic lights is only $22 at Wally World), also the guy said he hasn't done anything with the bearings since he bought it 94', but has only used it around his property since then too. The other issue is that it doesn't have a gross weight rating listed anywhere since that was apparently on the body of the original pop-up that was stripped off of the frame. Do you all think it is worth it? It's about a 100mi round trip for us in a truck that doesn't get that good of mileage, so I don't want to make a wasted trip.

http://corvallis.craigslist.org/for/3779265780.html

[milliejohn]

If you get him to deliver it , extra gas money of course, it will be a good deal, if you need brakes on finished trailer, swap out the axle, coupler parts are available on-line.

[Wishbone_aaa]

One thing to consider.

How much a problem will it be to get license registration to put it on the road?
Some states ( i.e. PA) you will run into an endless stream of regulations.

The fact that it haves no gross weight posted could be a major stumbling block to your plans

I would advise that you check with you state's dept. of tranportation before you
even consider picking it up.

[Sonoma ZR2]

In Iowa it's not difficult to get a trailer frame licensed as long as it's a home built frame. Which to make a frame like that what you need it'll be a home built by the time you are done. Just check local regulations.

[Dansworld77]

Oregon is pretty lax if it's below 1800# gross weight. No licensing, tags, or plates required. I'll look at it, and if it's heavier built I'll leave it alone.

[Dansworld77]

Well I went ahead and bought it. It's gonna take a little work to get it up to par, doesn't look like jack or squat was done with it for the last 25+ years. But what do you expect for the $80 I paid for it? Problems so far, the bearing and seals need replaced, so I'll just replace the whole hub assembly so I won't have to worry about it. There's no lights on it, so I'll be putting some on when I build a body for it. And the coupler mechanism was missing, so I'll be replacing that too. There's also a fair amount of surface rust that I'll have to take off with a wire wheel or something before I paint it. Lastly the tires are ancient, but I've still got the 8" wheels and tires that came with my utility trailer, so I'll probably just swap them out. If I flip the axle to below the leafsprings instead of on top of them, then with the smaller tires and a 2"x2" framework between the frame and the flooring I doubt I'll need any cutouts for the fenders at all, especially since I wouldn't be taking it on rough roads or anything.

So what y'all think?

[Dale M.]

With the size of platform and what I envision you building on top of platform I would keep the larger tires and wheels... By going to smaller tires and wheels you loose load rating of tires and that reduces the reliability of tires and wheels on the road...

Dale

[bobhenry]

Those old popups were heavy and with no help from the "tent" on top the frames were well enginered. I have stumbled across 2 as nice as yours and both times my buddies talked me out of them.

The beauty of 6x9 or 6x10 popup frames is your bed can be side to side in the rear leaving you an exposed floor in front with plenty of room for cabinets in the nose. If the bed is designed futon like, you have a couch by day and a bed at night

As to the wheel wells leave them sized for the bigger tires as you will be near 1500 to 1800 pounds on a 6x6x10 trailer fully loaded ( Chubby is 5x5x10 and weighs in at 1875# )

Those wheel wells will be under the bed if you place it in the rear and you can add storage drawers under the bed. Now your bed is off the floor and you can set up and tie your tennies while setting on the edge of the bed.

[Dansworld77]

If I intended to do a full blown teardrop or standie I would definitely be going for bigger tires, but as this is my first build I'm looking to keep it super simple. A bed (maybe bunk beds?) across the front, and a couple cabinets and a bench along the sides with a rear entry door. Besides, I already have the smaller wheels just sitting there, which means less money spent before I'm able to use the thing for basic camping.

[bobhenry]

If I intended to do a full blown teardrop or standie I would definitely be going for bigger tires, but as this is my first build I'm looking to keep it super simple. A bed (maybe bunk beds?) across the front, and a couple cabinets and a bench along the sides with a rear entry door. Besides, I already have the smaller wheels just sitting there, which means less money spent before I'm able to use the thing for basic camping.

Rear entry door what a nice idea !

[Dansworld77]

If I intended to do a full blown teardrop or standie I would definitely be going for bigger tires, but as this is my first build I'm looking to keep it super simple. A bed (maybe bunk beds?) across the front, and a couple cabinets and a bench along the sides with a rear entry door. Besides, I already have the smaller wheels just sitting there, which means less money spent before I'm able to use the thing for basic camping.

Rear entry door what a nice idea !

I've looked at several pictures of your rolling barn, and I love it. Little heavier build than I'm looking to do, but lots of great ideas.