Tiny Cargo trailer conversion...???

[GPW]

Decided to let my fingers do the walking... cruised the internet figuring if it wasn't there, it wouldn't be at the little trailer shop ... It appears None of the 4 lug rims (the cheaper ones ) come with any offset ... There are 70-90USD Al rims that have offset ... too much for me ... so if the spindles are in good shape , lengthening the axle seems the logical choice ... My friend is a retired welder with much skill , so I trust his work ... and he's the front man for our band , so I know he'll do it for FREE...

[bd354]

Sounds like you have the right man for the job. Free is good. I'm glad you found a solution. Happy camping!

[GPW]

Not the first time , I've depended on him to do some welding ... Good to have friends "in the business" , well retired anyway ... I can do Mig , but he's an old stick man , does beautiful welds ... Guessing 40 +years of practice makes Perfect ...

[d30gaijin]

There's an old trailer store down the hwy. , grouchy old guy running it , but he's pretty knowledgeable ... I'll go down there and see what he has ...
I'd get some more pics , but now it's raining ...

The axle is straight square tubing ...

Thanks guys !!!!

Straight square tubing will make it a breeze to keep it aligned while being lengthened, and it sure sounds as if you friend has the experience... and free is always good.

You can also measure the lug spacing and then shop the junkyards for larger four lug wheels that might match. A lot of old compact cars came with four lug 13, 14, & 15 inch wheels such as the old Ford Pinto. Just a thought. I've got four lug 13" wheels on my Sunbeam Alpine, which happen to have the same lug spacing as a Ford Pinto. I can measure mine and tell you the spacing if you... never mind I just did and measured diagonally (across the center of the spindle) spacing is 4 1/4" and my Porsche 914 four lug spacing is 5" (diagonally measured) 15" wheels, same as many VW's.

Don

[GPW]

Don , my current hubs look ok except one is missing a stud (gone , not broken off) so If I get the axle lengthened , and replace the stud , everything should be fine (clearance)... I'll just get some better tires , as Angib suggested... But the junkyard is a Great idea !!! Several in the area... Have to check them out ... Maybe find some nice rims ...

[bd354]

GPW, be sure to measure the center hole in any car wheel also. Some have a center hole too small to fit over your trailer hub. I've had that problem in the past. Good luck.

[Prem]

GPW,

Yes they make 13" - 4 bolt wheels. They were on quite a few sub-compact cars from the 80s until recently. Trailer wheels are also available. Check eBay for styles. Buy locally. Save shipping.

Spousal unit insight (also known as "She got the gold mine. I got the shaft."):

"What's mine is mine, and what's yours is ours, unless I decide it's mine."

...and we just go along with it.

[GPW]

BD, Thanks , I'll be aware of that !!!
Prem ... spouses ... Since I'm retired and she has the "power job" , she's assumed the Boss position .... in her mind ...

[Prem]

Give an inch.....it turns in to a mile.

[GPW]

Got to talk with my friend , the welder, last night ... he said "Sure" bring it over" , so that's Cool !!! ... axle mischief managed !
Going to jack the CT up on some concrete blocks ... being an "old guy" , Thinking to lower the front of the trailer (trailer nose jack ) , put concrete blocks under the back , and just jack up the front ?? ... That should take most of the pressure off the tires, so I can get to the hubs, U bolts , etc.
I'm sure some others out there have purchased a used CT , and will want to inspect/maintain their running gear immediately... as I do ... Also a good chance to change the spring bushings and spray some undercoating on those floor boards ... Hope I can get all these mechanical bits sorted quickly ... then I can get to the Fun modifications , and the Inside ... Then a snappy paint job ... Since it's steel , that's just like a car ... I have Much experience paint cars and Vans, so things Could get Freaky !!! viz. "Kustom Kargo Trailer "... Who knows where this could lead ...

[Prem]

Cool on the proposed paint job! Can't wait to see it.

When you pull off the bearings, scrutinize the rear seals. That's where water gets in and destroys bearings. Older trailer axles are often hard to find seals for. NAPA can usually order them, not by part number, but by Outside Diameter and Inside Diameter measurements.

[GPW]

Prem , Thanks for the tips ... Thinking now , I'd like to go with 13" rims and tires ... Sure have room for them once the axle length gets fixed...

[Prem]

GPW,

DANGER: 13-inch passenger tires are thin and flimsy. Not rated for much weight! Illegal to use on trailers in many states. Insurance might now cover.

FOR SAFETY: Make sure you get TRAILER TIRES on trailer rims that can handle well beyond the weight you're going to put on them. The sidewalls and the bead are much beefier than on passenger or Llight Truck (LT) tires!

[GPW]

Trailer tires and Rims ... Will DO !!!! Thanks !!!

[GPW]

Been looking at the old boat trailer in the yard ... Nice thick square tube axle on that one ... same size 12" tires, but a much beefier unit ... Without putting a tape to it yet (have to clear out the overgrowth) It appears it might just fit the Mini CT... and it's Free ...