by dahoon » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:11 am
Weight is (good or bad) not an issuse on this TD. I'm using the old frame which is 4" C-channel. The bed is 9'-6" X 5'. So it will be a little heavy. If there is a next build I will definitely do it differently with box tubing. The money savings is substanial and tearing down the trailer was fun. But, I still had to disassemble it completely to resize it and take care of rust. I haven't found anything I would change yet, but then I have only just begun. (give me a chance, lol)
It should however, pull okay with a 4-cylinder, but beings I'm an old Chevy guy that just won't due.
Next winters project is my '76 Chev short-box stepside pick-up. It has a 6-cylinder and 4-speed. It will be converted to a 454 w/TH400. Yhe paint looks like it was done with a Wagner power sprayer, and has the typical rust spots. So, it will get new fenders and floor boards. The bed needs new wood and I'm leaning towards a burnt red with a woodgrain insert for a paint combo. Ah but I degress;
The other axle from the trailer replaced an axle under a utility traler I no longer needed. So I sold it to raise the seed money for the TD. Both of the axles had to be shortened.
I'll need to get thru the first build before the accountant will authorize a second build, she is warming up to this one. But, if I hit a homerun with this one I may building more.
As for the Dam Gathering, I'm thinking it's a little far to go this year especially on the maden voyage. Haven't checked mapquest, but it looks close to 900+ miles each way. I'm thinking the pennisula or maybe Ocean Shores. Maybe, even Winthrop. The North Cascades will be spectacular that time of year.