New frame start

[eamarquardt]

Number #2 son picked up the running gear for his trailer yesterday. Picked up steel today and started "cutting" with #1 son's help. I, "point and click" and I love it!

Rims-Ford Ranger 15" with hub caps and lug nuts, $75 Craigslist
Tires-Trailer rated (2880# each at 80psi), near new, free from pile at local car dealer
Running gear-$800, Century Wheel and Rim
Two 3500# axles, one hydraulic brakes one electric brakes
Four 1500# springs
Tandem axle spring hanger kit
Hydraulic coupler
Hydraulic line kit
Fenders
Steel-$400, Nacho's Ornamental Steel



More tomorrow.

Cheers,

Gus

[starleen2]

I like where this is headed!

[eamarquardt]

While checking out #2 son's loot, I found he had forgotten to get the u-bolts and brackets for them! Back to LA-LA land today for him which will cause a slight delay. #1 son and I are going to Oxnard to look at stuff for a project related to the trailer but not actually part of the trailer. We're hoping to have the trailer and "load" ready for the road by the end of next week when #2 son relocates to SLO for school. I'm looking forward to an "empty nest" as #2 seems to think I enjoy picking up after him.

Just to tantalize you the estimated weight of the trailer and load is maybe 5500#. Yes it will have electric brakes on one axle and hydraulic brakes on the other! Unusual but legal and as his truck isn't that big (the the load is within GM's guidelines) but we wanna be sure we can stop even in the even of a system failure. Airplanes have redundant systems, cars have separate systems, why not a trailer?

More later.

Cheers,

Gus

[eamarquardt]

After a couple of days work, a few "learning experiences" #2 son's trailer rolls. It will carry a Baja Bug (but with a Subaru 2.2 FI engine with 135 HP versus the original 50 some hp) and two dirt bikes.

He is feeling a bit better after sorting out some issues (we were sold the wrong spring hangers and encountered some interference problems).



It rides a little tail high but I figure with 3000 pounds on it it will level out a bit. If not, we can lower the coupler relative to the tongue three inches.

If he decides to give up Baja Bugging and dirt bike riding, the trailer is stout and big enough to hold about four 4 foot wide teardrop cabins!

Cheers,

Gus